Native Flute Traditionals By Marjolene's Muse

 

Native Flute Traditionals

By

Marjolene's Muse

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

With spring in full flow there has certainly been a growth in the genre of flute tracks that are coming into the studio lately, one of the highlights for me recently is this very album called Native Flute Traditionals by Marjolene's Muse, a musical work centred on the rich heritage and sounds of traditional Native-style flute music.

The opening is a truly traditional piece taking us back to around 1830s and during the time of one of the most heinous and disgusting acts of humanity ever, its creation is thought to have occurred during the forced removal known as the Trail of Tears, speaking as someone who has walked part of that long trek of suffering and pain, this cheerful tune sits beautifully as a juxtaposition of endurance and beauty, and stylishly played, could this also be the first time I have written about a lyre in a review, which is the other instrument that features on the song Creek Lullaby.

We have a few fluent compositions on this album that are certainly worth multiple listens, specifically this one called Deer Hunting Song, an overlaid flute with shaker, this song comes from one of my personal favourite peoples of the Cherokee, who I spent many an interesting night with during my time in the mid-west, whilst the following narrative Ojibway Flute Song, has a similar cadence to the previous track, with a crisp flute sound and a shaker, however, a slightly more structured phrasing can be heard in this stylish offering too.

Inkpata is our next port of call in the glade in our musical forest, there is a more meditative feel here, perhaps a song that could be used for journeys, inner reflection, or ceremonial atmospheres with its mesmeric tonal vibrations, which are a constant throughout the piece, the drum and shaker are used here and the composition is birthed from another favourite nation of mine The Lakota.

The proud Lakota nation is featured again on this next piece called Lakota Lovesong, for me personally this is with ease the most beautiful track from the album, and a superb performance from the artist can be found here. The mournful quality of this piece reminds me greatly of the work of Nigel Shaw on his album Dartmoor Roundhouse.

We conclude this journey of native flute with the most rhythmic and vibrant track from the release, and an almost pow wow style creation can be found here on Peace Pact Song. Through the medium of this one track alone one can visualise the all of these traditions and peoples perfectly, on a fine and uplifting concluding narrative.

Native Flute Traditions by Marjolene's Muse was like a step back in time for me, having visited the mid-west and Oklahoma extensively during 2005 to 2010. Here we have an album not just of stylish traditional flute music, but a reminder of a very real history unfurling before us by Marjolene's Muse, one that should at all times stay in the fore fronts of our hearts and minds and never leave, a memorable and quite beautiful release can be found here for all lovers of flute music across the globe.