THE BADLANDS SINGERS
Assiniboine-Sioux Grass Dance
Indian House, 1974, IH 4101
The label Indian House was founded in 1966 in Taos New Mexico. Their catalogue has over 150 titles of authentic Native American musical cultures.
The Badlands Singers gathered in 1972 to revive the Badlands Celebration held at Brockton until the mid 50s. Eight singers were part of this band and they toured extensively during the two years between 1972 and 1974.
The Assiniboine are part of the big Sioux linguistic family. After migrating from the South-East they settled in the USA and in Canada. They call themselves ''Nakota'' and most of them live in reservations. The grass dance is relatively recent and comes probably from men's pow wow dancing originating in the warrior societies on the Northern Great Plains.
Although ''modern'' in style it is a kind of music that might be difficult to listen to but as for other traditions we must not try to compare it to things we know; listening a lot to it allows to understand a bit better and even to enjoy it ! Just listen to the dynamic of the voices and the feeling of power emanating from these performers.
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