LAKOTA THUNDER
Veterans Songs (Makoche)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Lakota Thunder's Veterans Songs is one of this year's Grammy nominees in the Native American music category. Veterans Songs is a lot more than traditional American Indian drum and pow-wow music, though. It is a collection of moving, traditional chants, drumming circles and offerings to Indian warriors. Veterans have long held a special place in American Indian culture, from the songs of Sitting Bull to modern-day Indian veterans that have fought and died on American's behalf in World War Two, Korea and Viet Nam. Each of the songs on Veterans Songs is straight from pow-wow ceremonies that honor Indian veterans. Lakota Thunder is composed of Lakota drummers and singers from the Standing Rock Reservation bordering North and South Dakota. Lakota Thunder dedicated their work to Tatanka Iyotaka, otherwise known as Sitting Bull, who said "I was never the aggressor. I only fought to protect the children." In a more perfect world, all warriors would remember these words.

Track List:

Sitting Bull's Memorial Song * In A Sacred Manner I Come * Palani Olowan * Pehin Hanska Okicize Olowan * No Heart * Mila Hanska Ceya Natan Pelo * Lakota Hoksila * I Belong to the Long Knives * Flag Song, WWI Veterans Song * Six Islands * WWII Veterans Song * Korea Veterans Song * Veterans Song

© 2001 - Eric Steiner