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On FULL MOON
SESSION, Native American musicians Aaron White
(pictured left) and Tommy Lee explore the sounds
of their ancestors. However, this is not strictly
traditional music, but rather a hybrid of ancient Dine
(Navajo) melodies and 20th Century folk. The latter is due
to White's guitar accompaniment, which hints at old-school
blues and country & western. For example, White's slide
guitar playing on "Edge of the Rez" suggests the bottleneck
style of Son House or perhaps the more contemporary Ry
Cooder.
Yet, despite
this album's many influences, the indigenous flute remains
the focus. And both men play the flute exquisitely well.
Songs such as "People Of The Sun" and "Two Warriors
Crossing" bring out the distinct Navajo underpinnings of
this music. The most stirring piece on the release is the
penultimate track, "Journey Across The Turtle Island," a
tune that features a stark melody, low-pitched bells, and
the absence of guitar. In fact, this piece reveals this
duo's deep understanding of traditional Indian song. A
mystical and reflective album, FULL MOON SESSION offers a
little bit of everything for those who wish to experience
the true beauty of America's great melting pot. |