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Golana (Scott
Cunningham)
Although the entire album is excellent, my favorite piece was, AS LONG AS THE WATERS RUN, a memorial to all the Native American treaties and promises broken by the government, but also for everyone who has ever felt a sense loss and betrayal. I still feel its almost blanketing effect of calm and beauty calling me to the sands and rock of the American southwest. For fans of patient and serene floating atmospheric recordings, this is a must have. In Golana's own words; "These traditional words "As Long as the Waters Run" were included on treaties between the US government and Native American peoples - treaties that were to last "as long as the waters run and the grass is green". In reality these treaties lasted only as long as the land and its resources held no value for the US government. This piece starts out slowly with a feeling of loss and betrayal and ends more upbeat with an atmosphere of hope and strength, regardless of what our circumstances may seem. " This ensemble mix continues on Feather on the Wind with Golan's various flutes backed by one or two instruments on each song including acoustic guitar, acoustic grand piano, electronic keyboards, violin, cello and hand drums. In addition to six original tunes, Golana co-wrote "Above the Sky" with contemporary jazz keyboardist Armen Chakmakian (formerly with Shadowfax). Golana also commissioned compositions from new age recording artists Michael Hoppe, H. Scott Hartley and Suzanne Doucet. All four of these composers also perform on the album. Plus Golana covers the contemporary gospel-music classic, "Alleluia," in which he plays hauntingly-entwining four-part flute harmonies. Other highlights on the album include "Closer To You" (a love song with the flute backed by multiple guitars), and "Walks Alone Man" (Golana's most personal song on the album where he uses three different types of flutes playing in harmony). Most of Golana's music is slow, emotive and spiritual. I can't recommend this album highly enough except to say that if you don't buy it, you're missing something special indeed.
Information: Review by Ben Kettlewell
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Native
American flutist Golana began a spiritual quest 15 years ago
that completely changed his life, resulting in the discovery
of his Cherokee Indian heritage, the development of his
flute playing, and the recording of three
nationally-released albums (the latest, Feather on the Wind,
debuts in the Top 10 on the New Age Voice "Airwaves Top 100"
chart). "Although I play mostly wooden hand-crafted Native
American flutes, I don't play traditional American Indian
music," explains Golana. "I wasn't raised on a reservation
or taught native traditions by my grandparents, so I bring
sounds to my music that influenced me when I was growing up
-- church hymns, songs like 'Desperado' by The Eagles, and
classical composers like Chopin and Mozart."