Search - Various Artists :: Many Blessings: A Native American Celebration

Healing, clarity & wisdom are some of the enlightenment

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 01/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 61:21 -- Silver Wave Records' 2004 sampler includes over an hour's worth of music from 15 recent releases on that label which offers some of the best Native American music today. Featured artists include Mary Youngblood, Peter Kater, Joanne Shenandoah, Tito La Rosa, Robert Mirabal Lawrence Laughing, Alice Gomez, and R. Carlos Nakai. "Many Blessings" is an excellent way to quickly experience tastes of various contemporary Native American sounds, some which incorporate new age, smooth jazz and synthesized stylings. This Native American music celebration will allow you to expand your horizons as you encounter new adventurous musical moods and spiritual quests.



I must admit that my preferences tend toward the more lean arrangements offered such as the traditional chant, "Ska Ka Luk Sa" sung by Lawrence Laughing with only ocarina, wall harp, hand drum and light percussion for accompaniment. I also was immediately entranced by Tito La Rosa's "Wind Spirit" which incorporates some pan flutes, instruments more commonly found in Andean music. Joanne Shenandoah's vocals are always appreciated too. One or two more up-tempo compositions would have enhanced this sampler. All in all, the collection is a nice representation of the Silver Wave sound. The musical journeys help us find balance, connecting with the earth like a tree's roots do to the soil. Healing, clarity and wisdom are some of the enlightenment that these soundscapes provide while we travel on our voyage of musical discovery. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, Oregon)



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