Counterclockwise Circle Dance, The (Lay-O-Lay Ale Loya)
Celebrate Wild Rice (Ya-Na-Haha)
Cradlesong, The (Dawa)
Advice For The Young (Gitci-Manidoo)
Wishes Of Happiness & Prosperity (Yeha-Hoha)
Elevation (Te-Was-Ne)
Intertribal Song To Stop The Rain (Heya-Hee)
Heal The Soul (Shamanic Chant No 5)
Brandishing The Tomahawk (Yo-Hey-Omee)
Sacred Spirit: Chants and Dances of the Native Americans is an 11-song journey bridging the gap between ancient and contemporary history, tradition and modern instrumentation. While it is impossible to fully realize such s... more »cope on a single disc, Sacred Spirit makes the choice to represent all indigenous Americans rather than become mired in the potentially divisive bog of politics and tribal allegiance. All but two melodies are entirely traditional, bringing together flute, drums, and vocals with a cello and keyboard wash. This marriage is most effective on the lovely bowing of "The Cradlesong," and the looping electro-acoustic beauty of "Wishes of Happiness & Prosperity." Elsewhere, synthetic elements are overwhelming, detracting from a song's essence, as with the spongy nervosity of "Elevation." An uneven offering, Sacred Spirit doesn't quite live up to its promise. A better choice is Earthbeat's Tribal Waters. --Paige La Grone« less
Sacred Spirit: Chants and Dances of the Native Americans is an 11-song journey bridging the gap between ancient and contemporary history, tradition and modern instrumentation. While it is impossible to fully realize such scope on a single disc, Sacred Spirit makes the choice to represent all indigenous Americans rather than become mired in the potentially divisive bog of politics and tribal allegiance. All but two melodies are entirely traditional, bringing together flute, drums, and vocals with a cello and keyboard wash. This marriage is most effective on the lovely bowing of "The Cradlesong," and the looping electro-acoustic beauty of "Wishes of Happiness & Prosperity." Elsewhere, synthetic elements are overwhelming, detracting from a song's essence, as with the spongy nervosity of "Elevation." An uneven offering, Sacred Spirit doesn't quite live up to its promise. A better choice is Earthbeat's Tribal Waters. --Paige La Grone
"This album is really nothing short of brilliant. Native American chants are sung over a mostly modern backdrop of electronic instrumentation. The effect is positively gripping. The moment you stick this in your CD player, you'll be forced to pause and listen. The chanting is marvelous because it has an authentic sound which hasn't been modernized or translated into English. Its power is in its pure authenticity. But at the same time, the modern instrumentation really represents "today's America", with the influences of all of our many races. The one thing this is NOT is a dull chant album. It is exciting from the first beat. And while it is occasionally soothing, that isn't the point of it. In some ways, it's too powerful to be relaxing. Some songs, particularly the amazing finale, "Brandishing of the Tomahawk" are absolutely haunting.I think the person to whom I would recommend this the most is someone who keeps an ecclectic and broad collection of music. This will be a one of a kind on your shelf - and among your most important and stirring albums."
"Sacred Spirits", A Stirring Synthesis of Cultures
T K | Los Angeles | 03/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Sacred Spirits", IMHO, is one if the most successful blends of Native American Chants and Dance songs with "contemporary" musical instruments I have had the pleasure to personally experience. It touches the heart and soul in a very deeply primal and yet etheric way. This is not the usual haphazardly produced and repetitive Native Flute and/or drums music that all begins to sound the same real quick. It far surpasses anything else I've heard in the Native American genre. There is thoughtfulness here, and craftmanship and a sense of great care taken, both in the chants and prayers and in how the music underscores and enhances the words. The strings are hauntingly beautiful, especially the cello, and blend astonishingly well with and enhance both the traditional drumming and the voices. The arrangement of each track is superb. I have given this title as a gift to many people, all of whom have been struck by the impact it leaves on mind and body. This is a disc to spin over and over. The music truly has a sacred feeling about it, and it has a healing and soothing quality as well. It is grounding and uplifting at the same time. Your spirit will soar with these songs."
ITS THE BEST
Leah Andrews | Waggaman, LA USA | 06/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My husband is a Lakota off of the Rosebud Rez. He loves it. Makes him feel like he is home again. And I copy it for all my friends. We have lots of Native American music, this is one of the great ones."
Another Rebuy
Leah Andrews | 03/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've had Sacred Spirits I and the original Deep Forest CD stolen twice. This is my third time buying this CD and Deep Forest--a mark of a great CD. I still have the Sacred Spirits II CD. I love Sacred Spirits I & II because they capture some of the sounds I heard visiting Cherokee City, North Carolina, while blending string, acoustic, and electric. I also recommend Coyote Oldman's "In Beauty I Walk" if you want Native American wind instruments blended with electronic."
This is not very good at all - way too electronic.
Biffybeans | 12/12/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Native American chants dubbed over cheesy electronic music. Not very well produced at all. This CD - Native Heart: The Spirit of the North American Indian is a hundred times better. I've been to several inter-tribal pow-wow's and native singing is extremely powerful and deeply moving. This CD, with it's electronic bubble gum pop is a disgrace.
This has been on my wish list for a long time, and I just found it at my public library yesterday. I am so glad I didn't buy it."