Track Listing

1. How The West Was Lost
2. Winter Ceremony
3. Counterclockwise Circle Dance
4. Celebrate Wild Rice
5. Cradlesong
6. Advice For The Young
7. Wishes Of Happiness And Prosperity
8. Elevation
9. Intertribal Song To Stop The Rain
10. Heal The Soul
11. Brandishing The Tomahawk

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7211 in Music
• Released on: 1995-10-16
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
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. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews

Just listen......
Right, first let's make one thing clear - ignore the Amazon review, it's psycho babble. Here's an example. '"Elsewhere, synthetic elements are overwhelming, detracting from a song's essence, as with the spongy nervosity of "Elevation".' Spongy nervosity? What does that mean? What does it tell you about the music?
There isn't a bad track on this CD, and who cares if traditional native american music has been watered down by the addition of contemporary instruments and arrangements -it works, leave it at that. The tracks are all credited to "The Fearsome Brave", but no further information is given, so one must assume that this work is by a native american producer who wants to make his (or her) traditional music more accessible to "western" ears. A fine job he (or she) has done with it. The modern arrangements complement the often haunting vocals, and in my view, each one does a great job at setting the mood of the particular song or chant it's been mixed with. Straight away it becomes apparent whether this track is "sad" or that track is "uplifting" (another psycho babble word - what's wrong with happy?)
I heard Wishes of Happiness and Prosperity (Yeha-Noha) on British prime time radio in the late 90's, bought the album on the strength of that alone, and I'm happy to report it was money well spent. It matters not whether you perceive yourself to be a fan of New Age music, Native American music, World music or Tribal music, ignore the reviewers, do your ears a favour, give any of the tracks a listen (and Amazon have even been kind enought to let you preview them on the site) then buy the album. You won't regret it.

Wow and wow
Well I knew Id like it but again wow.The blend of soulful music and the incredible chants just pick you up and defy you not to drift back in time and see a great people living life as it should be.You can almost feel the sadness and lament at their passing.
Wishes of Happiness is the real thing with Counterclockwise and Winter Ceremony not far behind.
In fact no track disappoints.No matter what your tastes in music this is a must buy cd.Just sit back at the end of a long day and drift with it.You can't lose.Quite brilliant.

Unbelievable!!!!
The music is a magnificent combination of American Indian chanting and modern music which only serves to enhance and not change the music. The beat is brilliant and leaves you feeling uplifted, happy and relaxed all at once. This is something I have waited a looong time for without even realising it!
ENJOY!!!!!