Awakening of Life (Canyon Records CR-6458, 2009)
Native American performers Cheevers Toppah and Kevin Yazzie continue their mesmerizing explorations of the Peyote songs of the Kiowa and Diné (Navajo). The music is based in unison and harmonized singing, accompanied by rattles and water drums. Peyote medicine and prayer songs are commonly used in the Native American Church’s ceremonies.
Cheevers Toppah is a Kiowa/Navajo who was raised in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Cheevers travels the Pow-Wow trail with the Thunder Hill drum group. Kevin Yazzie is a member of the Diné (Navajo) tribe. Born in Teesto, Arizona, Kevin now resides in Mesa, Arizona. At the age of thirteen Kevin grew closer to the Native American Church and its songs of prayer and started composing songs soon after.
Awakening of Life provides a fascinating portrait of the Peyote ritual music of the aboriginal peoples of the southwestern United States.
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- In North America: Awakening of Life
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
