Hybrid collection full of passion, grace

Page 18

REVIEW

The Duwamish of the Pacific Northwest have a legend of how song came to Earth. The living creatures of Earth wanted to hear song and tried many ways in reaching skyward to catch song. Finally, little songbirds were sent on Raven's back to retrieve song from a tiny hole in the sky.

Today, we never say we wrote a song, but think of where and what gave us a song. It could be a river, a gentle breeze or even the sound of laughter that helped us catch a song. Hence the name SongCatchers, explains Lara Lavik a founding member.

SongCatchers is a collaboration of some seasoned and well known musicians from very different musical worlds Lavik a Seattle, Washington-based Native American rocker and attorney for the Muckleshoot Nation, is the lead vocalist/lyricist. Arlie Neskahi, lead Native vocals, is well known and respected in the powwow world and has been recording for a number of years with his group, the White Eagle Singers.

Mark Cardenas on keyboards, acoustic piano an back-up vocals is a former member of a group called Time, and Charles Neville, of the renowned Neville Brothers, plays soprano saxophone. They co-wrote the music and produced the album with assistance of executive producer G. Eleanor Heit, as well as drawing from the talents of 13 other musicians.

The core group initially came together during a benefit concert in 1991, when Lavi invited Neskahi and another member of the White Eagle Singers on-stage to jam with her band, Red Dog Zen. It was, of course, not the first musical encounter of its kind, but the combination and timing of emotion and creativity inspired enough interest in all parties to work on a more concentrated if not ambitious project.

The finished product, Dreaming in Color, crosses a dynamic and exciting new threshold of Native Americana and contemporary music, producing a hybrid that is full of passion, power and grace. From the opening track Neon Sky, with its soaring vocals and jazz-infused powwow hook to the hot fluidity of the final track, a very unique creativity that is rarely heard on collaborations of this caliber is beautifully achieved

The traditional music has been tailored to fit each track and provides the foundation for the jazz/blues-rock superstructure of the CD's music. The poetic and

at times surrealistic lyrics echo a brooding sense of prophecy and loathing in an ever-expanding technologic-industrial world, but also offer a sense of hope and resolve cradled in Native culture and values.

The story-telling quality and at times personal testimony evokes an emotional depth that provides a multi-dimensional intensity. All lyrics were co-written by Lavi and Neskahi.

Lavi's rich, throaty vocals possess a flexibility which enable her to glide smoothly with the music. The lush quality of her voice is captivating in the poetry of Paper Arrows, which is wrapped in seductive jazz riffs.

The recurring theme throughout is one of the physical-spirutal connection to the Earth, sacred generations, knowing and respecting who you are. Three Generations and Silent Until Now evolve around the life-death cycle, continuing generations, passing responsibilities onto the living, and the lingering memories of who have gone on.

The only traditional piece, Powwow Medley, provides an opportunity to hear the album's traditional sound structure Children's Song, based on a traditional lullaby, incorporates a light piano, saxophone and acoustic overlays with an undercurrent of

happy baby sounds, expressing family values characterizing traditional beliefs.

In their ability to draw upon all their creative talents and strengths, SongCatchers have created a truly intelligent and tastefully progressive work. Royalties from album sales will go to support composing and recording workshops for youth and also to Alaskan rain forest conservation groups.

Dreaming In Color is currently being distributed in Canada by A&M Records and can be ordered through your record dealer. Catch this one, i should not be missed.