Who are the #MusicMovesMe bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music each Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only, please! Non-music posts are subject to removal or labeling as "No Music".) First, there is XmasDolly. Her chief co-conductor is Cathy of Curious as a Cathy. Her other co-conductors are Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, and me.
This month our guest conductor, Stunning Keisha, Cathy,wants us to celebrate Native American Heritage. Put together a playlist of songs written/performed by Native Americans or inspired/about Native Americans.
It's an interesting topic.
When I lived in Wichita, Kansas in the late 1970's, I worked or interacted with various people, all who identified as white, yet claimed some Native American ancestry. Every one of them was proud of that ancestry. Also, for a time, I lived in walking distance of Wichita's Mid-America All-Indian Center (which is still in operation) and attended a pow wow there.
I wanted to share a couple of photos with you,. This is a photo taken at the Allegheny River rest stop on I-86/NY Rt 17 in western New York State. I don't remember if this is on land owned by the Seneca Nation but it is a beautiful place with plaques explaining their culture. Some road signs in this area are both in the Seneca language, and in English.
Here is one of those road signs.
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| One of many plaques at the Allegheny River rest area |
But back to our topic....
It turns out there are quite a number of rock performers who are either Native American, or have a degree of Native American ancestry.
Redbone was a band composed of various Native Americans, including Pat and Lolly Vegas, that had a big hit in 1974 with "Come And Get Your Love."
But before then the Vegas brothers had performed with several other bands. I found this song by Pat and Lolly Vegas, called The Robot Walk.
Randy Castillo, who drummed for Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue, was of Apache descent. And, since I've had a hankering lately to hear Ozzy's 1991 song No More Tears...well, here Randy is.
And, from his one Motley Crue album, Hell on High Heels.
Lead singer Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is said to be part Mohican on his mother's side. I thought of picking a song called Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky, but decided on one of my favorites of theirs, Californication.
How about James Brown, who is part Apache? What great song should I choose? OK, I chose "Living In America". This is also Veterans Day, and I this song that celebrates our country.
Last but not least, Jimi Hendrix, who had a Cherokee grandmother. Here, a live performance of "Freedom".
And that's a wrap!
Join me again next Monday - same time, same place.
Today is also the signing of the Treaty of Canandaigua. We went last year for my Native American History class. Hope you have a lovely day friend.
ReplyDeleteThe way to tell a real Long Islander ... they can pronounce Wantagh, Wyandanch, Montauk, Hauppauge...all towns with Native American names.
ReplyDeleteYou’ve come up with a great playlist
Great choices. And now I've got 'Come and Get Your Love' stuck in my brain.
ReplyDelete"Hey! Hey! What's the matter with your head, yeah . . ."
It'll be a fun day. ;)
I learned a lot today! I don't remember knowing that you lived in Kansas. And I had no idea so many artists had Native American roots.
ReplyDeleteI love listening to their meditation music, it is so blissful.
ReplyDeleteAlana,
ReplyDeleteYou sure did get into the groove with this week's theme just like me. :) I enjoyed learning about the Indian heritage of some of today's artists like James Brown and Jimi Hendrix which I missed in my research. Your song choices are excellent, too. Other than the nice tip to our Veterans, I enjoyed the new2me song by RHCP, "Californication". There's a TV series called that with David Duchovny. We started watching it but got side tracked. I can't even recall if I liked it now. lol Oh well...it's great to dance with ya today. I need to scoot out the door to my ENT appointment. Have a boogietastic day, my dear!
A real eclectic mix! I enjoyed them all.
ReplyDeleteNicely done! There are a ton of musicians who have some Native American heritage, aren't there?
ReplyDeleteFabulous post and music, Alana! We have a tradition of Indian names around here, too. Toronto, Mississauga, Etobicoke, etc. Have you seen the documentary "Rumble"? It highlights all the native Indian musicians and their connection to the rock genre.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about all of these musicians. Thanks for an enlightening post!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. I live in Massachusetts and a lot of names of rivers are Indian names. I did not know Hendrix or James Brown were part Indian.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it surprising all the cool musicians with Native bloodlines? Some like James Brown were very surprising. I enjoyed your tunes and the history and pics you shared. My town also has a name derived from the Native tribes who first settled it.
ReplyDeleteI remember that first song. Cute. 2nd tune also... but I never heard the "Robot Walk" before. Interesting. The next tune Randy Castillo, who drummed for Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue, was of Apache descent. And, from his one Motley Crue album, Hell on High Heels. Lead singer Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is said to be part Mohican on his mother's side. I thought of picking a song called Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky, but decided on one of my favorites of theirs, Californication. I have to say though Jimi Hendrix is the best one ever! Great one girlfriend!!!
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