Orenda

Track Listings

1. Passage (Prelude) [(Across the Sky Prelude)]

2. Across the Sky

3. I Am Your Friend [Mohawk Standing Quiver Song]

4. Our Mind Is One [Mohawk Standing Quiver Song]

5. Creator's Song

6. Great Feathered Horse

7. In Love [Mowawk Rabbit Song]

8. All My Relations [Four Cousin Songs]

9. Four Legged Ones [Garter Dance Intro]

10. Garter Dance

11. Deer Dance [Garter Dance 2]

12. Life Giver [Mohawk Women's Dance]

13. You Are My Friend [Mohawkk Friendship Song-omega]

14. Hunting [Mohawk Stomp Dance]

15. Unity [Haudenosaunee Round Dance]

16. Prophecy Song

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Multitalented, award-winning composer and musician Joanne Shenandoah gets better with every album. On Orenda, the singer and instrumentalist, herself of Iroquois descent, is joined by Mohawk Lawrence Laughing; and their duets, including "Deer Dance" and "Unity," are among the album's strongest tracks. Shenandoah's voice is a rare gift; on Orenda, it's rich and clear, and never falters. The mix of backing instruments works well, including several percussion and wind instruments as well as guitars, while the spare arrangements allow Shenandoah's and Laughing's voices to stand out. The blend of the traditional and the contemporary in her music works very well indeed, bringing out the best of both. --Genevieve Williams

Orenda,Joanne Shenandoah,Silver Wave,Ethnic Fusion,Int'l & World Music,Native American,Pop,Spiritual,World Music

Orenda

Tracks:

Passage (Prelude)
Across The Sky
I Am Your Friend
Our Mind Is One
Creator's Song
The Great Feathered Horse
In Love
All My Relations
The Four Legged Ones
Garter Dance
Deer Dance
Life Giver
You Are My Friend
Hunting
Unity
Prophecy Song

Amazon.com

Multitalented, award-winning composer and musician Joanne Shenandoah gets better with every album. On Orenda, the singer and instrumentalist, herself of Iroquois descent, is joined by Mohawk Lawrence Laughing; and their duets, including "Deer Dance" and "Unity," are among the album's strongest tracks. Shenandoah's voice is a rare gift; on Orenda, it's rich and clear, and never falters. The mix of backing instruments works well, including several percussion and wind instruments as well as guitars, while the spare arrangements allow Shenandoah's and Laughing's voices to stand out. The blend of the traditional and the contemporary in her music works very well indeed, bringing out the best of both. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

If you want your spirit touched............2006-08-16

Joanne Shenandoah and Lawrence Laughing have been gifted with beautiful voices that come from the soul, from the heart, from the spirit. I have found the music calming, thought provoking, and most enjoyable. I have it on my computer at work. It reminds me of what is really important when the world around me is petty and small. This CD is worth every cent it costs.

real and beautiful.......2005-09-12

I like this kind of music, it takes me to another world. Starting with the first song and the introduction spoken by Lawrence Laughing makes my flesh creep. Joanne has a beautiful voice and the duets together with Lawrence are a good combination!

Stunning harmonies, haunting themes........2002-05-26

I picked this disc up by chance on a vacation to Yellowstone with my family. It quickly became the signature music for a magical journey.

Joanne Shenandoah is a quietly powerful advocate for her musical and cultural heritage, which she represents on this disc with deep compassion. The album title means the oneness of all things, and the songs explore that theme in a few of its many components.

The album begins with the speaking voice of Lawrence Laughing describing the meaning behind the disc. We are here not just to live physically, but to be present and available spiritually. The final track brings this home in a most compelling way with lyrics (spoken in English by Shenandoah before they are sung in the native language) that emphasize our responsibility to stand up and be counted "in the spirit world." Like most good albums of its kind, this one represents life as a journey: "And when you are ready, O maker of life, I'll come home to you."

The female harmonies are simply stunning. Whether singing of love or friendship or reverence for life, they speak quietly but unmistakably to the central theme of the album --- oneness in different voices. A simple courtship dance, thoroughly accessible to children no less than to adults, is poignant in its simplicity and harmony.

Much recent "Native American" music has tended toward the New Age, and like artists in any genre, many Native American artists have sacrificed authenticity to make a buck. Not Shenandoah, at least not on this disc. The musical techniques are modernized, but the performers avoid catering to "pop" tastes and excessive sentimentality. Each tune is fresh, unique and purposeful, and Shenandoah uses rhythm as a complement to the music, not a substitute for it.

I recommend this as a first disc for anyone looking to begin exploring Native American themes through modern artists.

Speaks a Universal Language.......2002-01-09

Moo-zik = de uni-voice all lang which... Music IS the universal language!

And: Joanne Shenandoah speaks it fluently on this CD! - Kontemplatif +sympathetique y soothing. Let a healing sonic vibe wash over your being-ness. If you stop to listen - you'll hear a rare thing... a friendly message. - mrk (cornplanter -seneca)

Orenda Had An Effect On My Spirit.......2001-06-13

I'm not one to do this sort of thing so here goes...

I happened to be sitting on the porch alone on a VERY dark night when the stars were out. I had my stereo beside me playing Orenda. The effect it had on my spirit was unreal. I don't know what it was, but I could feel SOMETHING... this is powerful music. Joanne, of Iroquois descent, is joined by Lawrence Laughing who is Mohawk; and their duets 'Passage' & 'Across The Sky' are the best Native songs I've ever heard. Shenandoah's voice is a rare gift - never faltering. This is quite simply the best Native album I've EVER heard, and I have over 200 albums.

Tracks:

Leave It All
Invisible Ones Guard the Gate
Bloodline
Blind Asylum
Invisibles
Miracle Worker
No Evolution
Dirty South
Easter Island
Animal
Invisible Ones [Short Film]
Bloodline [Multimedia Track]

Customer Reviews:

Invisible Ones..........2006-08-04

The other singer of Azure Ray, Orenda Fink has a high a beautful voice, Maria Taylor being the other singer of Azure Ray. My favorite song being Leave It All, Orenda Fink has a voice, a nice melodic voice thats greats to listen to when your on a farm. The music is soothing and some of it is really upbeat. This CD is highly recommended, along with Maria Taylor's album 11:11.

1. Leave It All 5/5
2. Invisible Ones Guard the Gate 4/5
3. Bloodline 5/5 (Has A Beat!)
4. Blind Asylum 4/5
5. Les Invisibles 4/5
6. Miracle Worker 5/5
7. No Evolution 3/5
8. Dirty South 4/5
9. Easter Island 4/5
10. Animal 3/5
11. Invisible Ones [Short Film]
12. Bloodline [Multimedia Track]

If you liked this, you may like
1. 11:11~ Maria Taylor
2. The Devil Wears Prada original soundtrack
OR
3. Azure Ray~ Azure Ray

Hope you enjoy!

Jordan
Overall grade* B+

Sum of the parts..........2006-05-26

I never understood how that saying went, like...is it the sum of the parts is greater the whole meaning, A and B are better separated than they are as AB? Or is it like peanut butter ain't peanut butter without the jelly? I don't know. But all I'm saying is this: I know the point of Orenda Fink is that its NOT Azure Ray, so it's silly to long for it. But I think...I think...Orenda did something really ambitious and adventurous here, which gets all the kudos I can muster. But it feels a little phoned in. And a little...I don't know. Born again kind of thing? Like...Hello, my name is Orenda Fink, I enjoy breathy songs about bittersweet love...but wow, I totally just spent a couple weeks in Haiti and now I'm Orenda Fink, voodoo sex creature and indie folk troubadour for the downtrodden, delivering their heartwrenching untold tale to wishy-washy post-scenesters.

That was harsh and unfounded, sorry. I really do adore Orenda Fink, but:

The strides she has taken with instrumentation seem more like gimmicks than actual musical maturation or experimentation. Here we have: tribal sounding backup vocals, some extra percussion and lots and lots and lots of Haitian imagery(I mean, the music video, the facepaint.)

On the other hand, Orenda seems to have pushed herself to another level vocally. She adopts a raspier tone, a little less ethereal and a bit more expressive. I like that.

I don't know what my problem with this cd is. I saw them live, and was pretty impressed. The CD is solid. I don't think any tracks stand out as dead weight. But for some reason, I find the whole thing kind of forgettable. Yes, it is something different for the more ambitious half of Azure Ray, but it isn't really all that different for music in general. I've heard female-centric indie bands. The thing that made Azure Ray so alluring is their sound, how stripped down and honest it seemed, it was gritty sometimes, but always inspired, and definitely unique.

So, for Orenda stepping out of her element and doing a great job, I give her a B+. For presenting something memorable to the music community, I give a C.

cool stuff.......2006-01-19

it's good. i like maria's record better but this is still good. a little too deep and political for me at times but she really did good things with 'blind asylum' ...and 'bloodline' is ultra-catchy. on first listen it sounds kind of poetic and wistful but the album is really much darker than you'd think... borderline existential at times..

i saw her in concert this summer. such a warm, humble person. this is the kinda stuff more people should support..

It's pretty good........2005-08-26

Okay, I'm not a fancy music critic who knows how to impress with big, incomprehensible, seemingly made up words when it comes to music but I do know good music when I hear it, and this is it. While, I hold the opinion that Orenda's album is not quite as good as her work with Azure Ray, nor is it as good as her fellow Azure Ray Bandmate, Maria Taylor's debut solo album, it still holds enough merit on it's own. Personally, I'd say it's a good album best to be listened to from beginning to end, but If I were to name my personal favorite of the album, it would have to be "Blind Asylum". Whenever I see four stars on Amazon.com I tend to think that it's probably a really bad album because seeing anything less than four stars is a rare thing for me. So if you're reading this, just know my intention is to give it four and a half stars, because while it's not quite deserving of five stars, it's an attempt I recognizing as almost there.

Average customer rating:

Traditional & Inovative at Once
Wonderful Native American Music from a Fabulous Musician

Orenda
Valerie Dee Naranjo
Manufacturer: Relaxation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Native American | North America | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

North America | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004SWJP
Release Date: 2000-04-25

Tracks:

Quick Song
Doh Tah Shiedla
Yo Beyune
Ute Sun Song
Zapotec Song
Taos Men's Song
Men's Round Dance
Dineh Round Dance
Cheyenne Beginning Song
Tommy Tall Bird
Ink Pata
Stamp Song
The Cry

Customer Reviews:

Traditional & Inovative at Once.......2001-08-05

This a a remarkable recording! Valerie Dee Naranjo combines the beauty & simplicity of traditional chants with contemporary arrangements of classical subtlety. It is refreshing to hear a musician who is a percussion virtuoso compose & play with restraint & a constant understanding of the color & tone of her instruments. This mastery reflects her deep understanding of traditional tribal music of America & Africa. In addition to the amazing percussion work, Ms. Naranjo sings & chants with a distinctive & powerful voice. The combination of percussion & solo voice rarely works as well as it does here! Just two other qualities among many fine ones to note...I suspect that Ms. Naranjo has learned a thing or two from the insect world (!) & some of the arrangements feature beautiful flute work by Jorge' Alfano. I couldn't recommend this disc too much!

Wonderful Native American Music from a Fabulous Musician.......2000-09-25

I love this CD, and am now a big fan of Valerie Dee Naranjo, a musician of many talents, ranging from her traditional Native American heritage to her spending much time in Africa learning traditional instruments there. This CD is a collection of Native American "comfort" and "social" songs designed to lift your spirits and help you feel balanced and aligned again. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Saddle up and Love It
Beep Beep , Bright Eyes , Broken Spindles , Criteria , Cursive , The Faint , Orenda Fink , The Good Life , May Day , and Now it's Overhead and more. . .
Manufacturer: Saddle Creek & Lovitt Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000J4WZ5U

Product Description

Compilation CD

Average customer rating:

ProtostarR "Wanderlust"

Wanderlust

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000IIHEYE

Product Description

1. High Price (Magpie Mix) 2. Orenda 3. World. Ourselves 4. Revolve 5. Hello Kitty 6. Wanderlust 7. The Takeover 8. Gravitational Pull 9. Howitzer (Tobias Mix) 10. Switching On 11. Forest 12. Untied 13. Airbrush 14. Pterodactyl Size

Customer Reviews:

ProtostarR "Wanderlust".......2007-01-05

This CD is highly valuable collectors item. A limited first run of 10,000 copies. Those were the days.

Average customer rating:

Exactly the same as the cheaper domestic version

Invisible Ones
Orenda Fink
Manufacturer: Saddle Creek
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0009WWELW

Tracks:

Leave It All
Invisible Ones Guard the Gate
Bloodline
Blind Asylum
Invisibles
Miracle Worker
No Evolution
Dirty South
Easter Island
Animal
Invisible Ones [Short Film]
Bloodline [Multimedia Track]

Customer Reviews:

Exactly the same as the cheaper domestic version.......2007-04-19

This "import" version of the cd is EXACTLY the same as the domestic version. I'm not sure that this was even imported upon its release. It is on Saddle Creek, a U.S. label that is NOT prone to releasing imported versions of its releases.

Average customer rating:

Iroqouis: Life Force, Spirit Helper
Orenda
Manufacturer: Carmio
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000NF6WH2

Product Description

Tracks include: Energy Shift Javelina Hop New Moon Light Dancer Orenda Anchuca Twilight No Accidents, No Worries Firewalk Monk Metal Drumcircle Night Road Resolution

Pop Music:

Pop Music

pop music

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