native american psychedelic music
autez
404 Posts
hi i'm thinking about doing a research paper on native american psychedelic music for my american indian studies class. i was wondering if anybody had any recommended titles or websites on the subject. i dont know how much of this stuff exists so i might end up just doing it on native american music around the time of relocation. i was also thinking about doing a mixtape of native american songs and handing that in with my paper as well as playing some songs during my presentation. your input is appreciated
Comments
Redbone, Xit, Silver Bird? Wow I can't think of more off the top.
http://waxidermy.com/2006/02/01/alexander-longrifle-best-of/
He had an album on Perception in 1970 titled Custer Died For Your Sins.
Not psychedelic but good unique shit
My personal fave is an LP on the Canyon label by Bruce Hamana titled "Hamana". Quicksilver sounding west coast psych with a unique guitar style. Last time I looked there was a copy on Gemm for $800.00.
On the garage side there are a few bands like The Fabulous Thunderbirds on the Red Feather label. Meet The Mysterians and The Hopi Klansmen on the Indian Arts label.
Rich
(recorded live at the Teenbeat Club in vegas)
psyche or psycho, it messes me up everytime .........
A few songs:
"Smoke Signals"
Off With Your Scalp
His first solo release was self titled in 2003. Besides that he played guitar for the psych band/american Acid Mothers Temple soundalikes Primordial Undermind, as have released a few really good albums as well (but I'm not sure about links to native american music). And he plays in The Iron Kite and The Friday Group also. Good bands.
It's not easy finding information about this guy and the bands he's playing in, but I know he's working on a website for his label Twilight Flight Sound. In the meanwhile he could be contacted at brironkite[at]hotmail[dot]com. He might know more about this stuff.
http://theband.hiof.no/albums/ululu.html
There are small Indian reservations (lodges, farms, cooperatives) throughout the states, and some of them practice traditional song, dance, ritual, etc.
I used to work with Marvin, an Indian landscaper, who lived on one such reservation. He and I got tight, and he invited me to weekend pow-wows (held in high school gyms), sweat lodge (on the reservation), and different social functions.
His friendship was very rewarding to me. He is one of the noblest men I know. He'd suffered much in his life, and his spirit was tremendous. We spoke often of spirituality, and he was always patient with my questions.
I made it a habit to accept every invitation Marvin extended for me to join him "at the sweat." The lodge that Marvin frequented was small, about 10 person capacity. There was extensive ritual before entering. Once inside, with everyone seated around the pit in the center, they would drop 4 big volcanic rocks (that had been roasting on the coals of a bonfire all day) into the pit and shut the flap. The sweat leader would start pouring water on the rocks, people would play small drums, sing, and pray. It wasn't uncommon for the sweat to involve peyote.
After some time, they'd open the flap, pass some sage water around, bring in more rocks, and repeat the process. One typically sweats Angus Young amounts during this process. It's very intense.
Depending on your state, the heat could be completely unbearable. Marvin used to tell me that if the heat was bothering me, it was a sign that I had "much to pray about."
Usually, after the sweat, everyone would sit in the grass and eat watermelon. I have very distinct memories (20 years later) of exactly how I felt sitting in the grass. I can't say I have ever felt so free in my life. I feel lucky to have happened to be invited to take part in such things.
All this is to say, if you have the opportunity, you should seek out local Native American organizations. I bought several tapes (back when cassette was the shit) of Indian music, both contemporary and traditional, at the local pow-wows. Most of the music was sold just in these small communities. It might be worth it to ask around. And the food they served in those high school gyms. Fuckin A.
You'll know you found it when you see sage smoke pouring out of the doors.
http://download.yousendit.com/F96F9F0450A53325
Someone mentioned Jim Pepper. Yes! He was a jazz musician who had a minor hit with a peyote song called Witchititoe [?]. It is, as mentioned, on Embryo. This is the one you want.
He rerecorded it in the 80s. Brewer and Shipley (in your local dollar bin) did a pop cover of the song.
"Witchi-Tai-To."
There was also a cover by a group called Everything Is Everything, on the Vanguard Apostolic label.
I want to hear that.
and don't forget the Taiconderoga one...psyched to the max.