Everything old is new again from LaFarge

Page 11

Review

As Long As The Grass Shall Grow/On The Warpath

Peter LaFarge:

Bear Family Records

This re- mastered CD collection contains a total of 27 tracks from LaFarge's two Folkways albums of Indian protest songs that were harbingers of the coming decades of Indian activism. The material possesses an uncanny relevance with political activities today and is unparalleled in raw passion and precision of voice and guitar. LaFarge's lyrics express a simple and direct humility with a worldly innocence.

Since his death in 1965 at the age of 33, the legend of Peter LaFarge has faded in and out of view for three decades. A one time rodeo rider, actor, sculptor, painter and prolific songwriter, he released six albums in a five year recording career. He invariably left an indelible impression on both country and folk music scenes.

The Narragansett Indian had influenced the likes of Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger. His political activism prompted him to develop the Federation of American Indian Rights (FAIR) and recruit a very young Buffy St. Marie during her first musical trek to New York City.

Johnny Cash was so moved by LaFarge's songs that he was compelled to create an album called Bitter Tears, and used several LaFarge compositions including The Ballad of Ira Hayes.

To this day, young Native songwriters and performers continue to be influenced by the spirit of LaFarge. Jim Pepper used two songs, Drums and Senecas on his first 1971 album. More recently Anishnabe singer/songwriter , Keith Secola released his own version of a LaFarge ballad, Crimson Parson. Comedians and screenwriters alike have been influenced by LaFarge.

Hey, Mr. President, is a song dripping with wry humor as the following lyric suggests: Hey, Mr. President, we're going to charge you rent.

For every treaty broken and every treaty bent. We are making reservations that will be just for whites We're going to be the tourists, We'll come to see you dance.

Historical incidents are viewed with keen precision and humor in Custer, or unforgiving potency in Trail of Tears, As Long As the Grass Shall Grow, Vision of a Past Warrior and Tecumseh. Current situations which have not faded with time are delivered with a sharp wordcraft in Coyote, My Little Brother, Take Back Your Atom Bomb a no-nukes song written in vogue, and the documentation of settler racism exposed in Alaska.

Gifts of indigenous civilization to the world are offered again in Damn Redskins; hopes for a brighter future prevail in Look Again to the Wind. A chronicle of current victories and successes in War Whoop profiles legal and intellectual victories that resulted from meticulous organizing in South Dakota. Radioactive Eskimo will always have an immensely long half-life for as long as radioactivity continues to plague the environment.

The Ballad of Ira Hayes, the story of an ill-fated World War !! veteran, Johnny Half-Breed and Stampede contain some of the most compelling story-song lyrics ever penned. It's bold work when you consider that the times that his material was written was not a time when being "Indian and proud" was a statement that ensured one's personal safety in a racially oppressive environment.

LaFarge's material continues to enjoy a popularity because much of what he wrote is still relevant. His devices and rhyming techniques are sledgehammers disguised in the softest of velvet.

The historical importance of LaFarge cannot be ignored or overlooked by any current Native music lover or musician. It we take pride in our history, LaFarge is one chapter that should be welcomed like a long-lost relative.

This recording is available only as an import and can be ordered from: Kopp's Collectibles; 229 Queen St. W. Toronto, Ont. M5V 1Z4 (416) 593-8523.

End Notes:

William Osborne's preview cassette, It Ain't Been Easy shows promise and includes Don't Come Knockin and Guitar Man.

An alluring Rebecca Miller presents a radio single, Listen to the Radio. It's a country-rock offering thatshowcases a crisp voice with some hip-swaying rhythms. The pre-release from her forthcoming album Country to the Bone is a shining spark from a hopefully larger fire.

Remember that little injun' guy from Hollywood's fantasy flick The Indian in the Cupboard? Well, he's larger than life rapper named LiteFoot who's managed to take his celluloid royalties and place them into some high-end production for his hip-hop creativity.

The positive message for youth to give up temptations of alcohol and drugs is just a starting point. The consciousness-raising revelations expressed on his four-track preview CD includes two re-mixes for For My People and two more of Seven Years of Darkness. The latter is an autobiographical reflection of struggling to achieve a sustainable degree of success. It is expressed amidst the sultry vocalization and instrumentation of dance hall waltz. The second remix of Seven Years is purely instrumental. For My People deals with the media image of Indians as mascots, villains, products or exotic specimens. The tempo is a powwow based with a bouncy rap-style and top-notch production where no expense has been spared.

More to follow on these performers when their albums are issued.

Please send submissions to Brian Wright-McLeod, Heart of the Earth, CKLN 88.1 fm. 380 Victoria Street, Ontario, M5B 1W7.