I wanted the album, "Sweet America" because I wanted to play the original version of "Starwalker" for them. But, alas, that album is not available on CD (yet?). So, this was the album I could get, and I could get it as a digital download. The thing is, after I downloaded it, and played it, I found it very enjoyable. Buffy's voice is sometimes and acquired taste, but on this album she sounds so rich, and the vibrato is more under control. The big surprise for me was "Up Where We Belong". I'd only ever heard it as the big mega-engineered track from "Dirty Dancing". This version is intimate, close, and made me fall in love with the song. In fact, this album made me remember why I enjoyed Buffy so much. I do hope though that she will consider releasing "Sweet America" on CD...soon...please?
January 27, 2008Buffy's CD is incredible! I love listening to these songs again. Even though they were written years ago, they are still timely - especially now!
September 2, 2007This is one of Buffy Sainte-Marie's best. All you have to do is listen to "Starwalker" once and you will know this woman truly is a Saint in the manner of St. Joan: She is like holy fire. I relate to this album on a number of levels: As a woman I'm inspired by Buffy Sainte-Marie's fearlessness: who says a woman can't be a warrior? As a poet and novelist, I'm drawn in by the power of her words, and as a University Lecturer in Literature, I'm appreciative of her integration of political activism, historical point of view, and impeccable artistic form. This woman is intensely spiritual. Her songs are guided by Native teaching, emphasizing the WE instead of the I. Not all of the songs are as politically charged as "Wounded Knee" or "Starwalker." Some are folksy, lighter. Still, even these are not merely songs of personal angst: they are songs of collective grief and longing. These songs indicate just what is the right path for humans to walk. She is treasure.
September 16, 2006If you are knowledgeable about history and are aware of the struggles of REAL INDIANS are still going through, the bury my heart at wounded knee song will affect you. If you want some fluffy Hollywood version of Indians and songs glorifying the 'manifest destiny' of America, check out the selection at Toys R' Us. I think Buffy St.Marie should be allowed to be herself without criticism of what an Indian should be. (I wish I was so brave)
November 13, 2005 |  | Bury my Heart Somewhere Near Buffy |  |
I see people calling the song Bury my Heart At Wounded Knee gruesome. I'f you'd ever seen what happened at wounded knee, you might think otherwise. The song is downright tame compared to what happened there. It's also fairly restrained in terms of the anger that anyone who grew up on a reservation has a right to feel.
I looked for this song because of the cover of it that the Indigo Girls did, and although they did an awesome job, hearing Buffy sing it sends a shiver even deeper because of the reality of what she grew up with. Thank you Buffy.
October 2, 2005More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(17 reviews)