Joanne Shenandoah and Michael Bucher Band Together to Honor Native Songwriter Heroes

By Sandra Hale Schulman
News From Indian Country 3-09

Released on January 20th in time for the inauguration and their performances at the American Indian Society Ball, Bitter Tears – Sacred Ground is a new release from Michael Bucher and Joanne Shenandoah on Hondo Mesa Records. It contains 13 songs and takes the listener on a unique musical journey through Native history.

While honoring Johnny Cash, Peter La Farge and Floyd Red Crow Westerman, 5 songs are redone from the landmark Johnny Cash’ 1964 album Bitter Tears which through the decades has created its own legacy in Indian Country.

In full circle tradition, Westerman’s last album was a tribute to Johnny Cash which included several songs from the Bitter Tears album as well as Cash classics. There is a heartfelt and beautiful rendition of “Star Spangled Banner” as only Joanne Shenandoah can sing it, along with Joanne’s version of Floyd’s song, “They Didn’t Listen.”

To round off this CD are 6 original tunes from Joanne and Michael and give this release it’s own signature sound. Songs include “Riding Free” written by Joanne Shenandoah and “Sacred Ground” written by Michael. Shenandoah and Bucher re-affirm their Native heritage while recognizing the contributions made to make this great nation and offer up these songs in honor of all human beings and the natural world.

Both Michael and Joanne performed at the American Indian Society’s 11th Annual Inaugural Ball during Inauguration week. Joanne opened the ball’s events with the National Anthem. Bucher started the show with captivating music honoring sacred sites of Indigenous people.

“My music is all about the protection of sacred sites and Native burial mounds,” said Bucher. “To be playing with this caliber of musicians and to be playing this night for the people all across Indian Country, the people that are my champions, is humbling. To be playing up here having just finished an album with Joanne Shenandoah, feels like my message and music is being accepted by my heroes in the business. To see so many of my heroes and champions for Indian Country there and to play our music for them was an experience I’ll never forget.”

Shenandoah said, “I am extremely proud to present the new recording Bitter Tears Sacred Ground with Michael. He is a very talented musician. I first heard him sing at the Nammy awards. I was thrilled to present him with Best Debut Artist. You can feel it in your soul when folks write and sing from their heart.

We both have a deep appreciation for our ancestors and it is their voice speaking through us in this recording. Contributions of the Native American have been extremely significant. It is for this reason, I am proud to come and celebrate with the American Indian Society of D.C. This organization has continued to celebrate and support our culture for generations.                                             

“What an incredible honor!”

I caught up with Joanne a week after the Ball on her way to Australia to ask her how the concept for this CD came about?

Joanne Shenandoah: It was born in 1964 when, for the first time in modern music, a major recording artist (Johnny Cash) risked his career to draw attention to the tragic situation among Native people. Bitter Tears was blacklisted and boycotted but not before it had an enormous impact on Indians everywhere. It was released just at the peak of the folk music revival, but sadly, no other prominent artist in that genre came to Cash’s defense. Peter La Farge, as the major songwriter has been for too long ignored, if not forgotten by the recording industry when his words and lyrics are as powerful as anything Bob Dylan has written. Mike and I felt we had to bring this album forward to honor both singers and the content is relevant.

Did you plan to have it released in time for the inauguration?

Joanne: It seemed the right time to release the album since Native people from all directions would be there. We need to remind our leaders now and then as to the legacy of our past and those who came before, risking much to stand against the political climate in their defense of the people and the natural world. We also wanted the Obama administration to give more than lip service to Native issues. Buffy St. Marie said recently we’re in need of more of this kind of music – it would have been right to have her, as a veteran of of Indian civil rights movement, to share the stage with Pete Seeger. Sadly, no Native performer was asked.

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