Product Description

This collection of traditional and new melodies for solo Native American flute continues R. Carlos Nakai's exploration of this expressive instrument. Returning to traditional roots, he presents eleven arrangements of Zuni, Lakota, Kiowa and Cheyenne melodies along with seven original compositions and a work by composer by James DeMars. Nakai beautifully demonstrates the haunting simplicity and evocative magic of the traditional flute.

Track Listing

1. Corn Grinding Song
2. World How Fair
3. See the Rainbows
4. Fox Song
5. Elk Dreamer's Song
6. Great Mystery Hears Me
7. Summer Solstice
8. Antelope Song
9. Beggin Song
10. Victory Song
11. Eagle Flute Song
12. Eagles Gathering
13. Silver Salmon Bear
14. Rocks and Rills
15. Coyote Wind
16. Swallow and Night Hawks
17. Inner Voices
18. Lake That Speaks

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27131 in Music
• Released on: 1998-02-17
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
Nakai's most recent outing finds him returning once again to the simple under-produced style that he pioneered on Changes. This program includes 10 traditional tunes from the Kiowa, Lakota, Dakota, Zuni, and Cheyenne; seven of his own compositions; and "Lake That Speaks," from the second movement of James DeMars's "Two World Concerto." On this album the Native melodies sound forceful, almost triumphant, partially due to the short, staccato bursts that Nakai often uses to begin a melodic line--sounds that bring to mind a child's laughter or the contented chirping of a dawn bird. For the Cheyenne "Victory Song" and the Dakota/Lakota melody "The Great Mystery Hears Me" Nakai uses more sustained notes than usual, and the clear, piercing tone of his flute illuminates the heart like a ray of midday sunshine. --j. poet

Customer Reviews

Native Flute in a wonderful format...
Are you a fan of R. Carlos Nakai? If so, you NEED this album. Never heard of him before? This is a pretty good place to start.

R. Carlos Nakai has yet again brought out another album - no unusual feat for the Native flutist with almost 20 albums out. However, he's returned to his roots with Mythic Dreamer, which is a welcome change from the likes of the "Two-World Concerto" of James Demars' music which was his previous attempt. This album is FLUTE; not oddball orchestral antics. It brings out the beauty in the sound of the Native cedar flute, and makes us hear the stories behind the songs. The vast majority of this album is traditional songs, set to a flute version, although he does include a couple originals as well.

Overall? Get it. If you like Native American music, you likely will enjoy this. If you're not familiar with Native flute, try it; most people enjoy these. It's quiet and relaxing, a good album for trying to take a load off, read a book, meditate, or anything you do with soothing music. A must-have for the collector.

Some of the most moving music I have heard
Nakki produces a romantic, healing, while vaguely haunting music that gently transports you back to a time when music was more than just entertainment. Nakki emulates the traditional music of his Navajo-Ute in a way that is both touching and mystic. Be prepared to be taken on a journey where you will be introduced to the feelings an impressions that Nakki himself experiences. He will show you through his music what the world around his means to him, and he will instill that awe of life in you.

Nakki doesn't fall into the trap of giving the musical tourist exactly what he expects. There is no chanting or jingling bells, no corny sound effects or war cries. Instead he simply taps into that inner peace that we all look for. Perhaps that's the reason so many people have come to appreciate his music. The universal understanding of, and need for, peace and insight.

Classic Carlos Nakai
This is one of Nakai's best! Classic Carlos Nakai, returns to the cedar flute as it should be heard. No one imparts the Native American flute music to us all as he does. Maybe Kevin Locke and Joe Salzano are close to his class. A most welcome return and fills our ears with the haunting music of many Native American cultures. A real winner. Smacks of the music done 1980-1990 here in America.