Buffy Sainte-Marie has always been a good deal more versatile as a musician than most people realize, roaming through folk, blues, country, pop, and even pioneering electronica on her various albums, always using her Cree ancestry as an anchor, and very few singers have dealt with cultural polemics as intelligently as she has. Perhaps because of her restless drive to try new forms, Sainte-Marie's albums are often woefully (but endearingly) erratic and inconsistent, but each contains hidden gems, and while her eerie, vibrato ...
Read More
Buffy Sainte-Marie has always been a good deal more versatile as a musician than most people realize, roaming through folk, blues, country, pop, and even pioneering electronica on her various albums, always using her Cree ancestry as an anchor, and very few singers have dealt with cultural polemics as intelligently as she has. Perhaps because of her restless drive to try new forms, Sainte-Marie's albums are often woefully (but endearingly) erratic and inconsistent, but each contains hidden gems, and while her eerie, vibrato-laden singing style can sound affected at times, her drive to constantly pull her agenda into new musical territories is inspiring. Running for the Drum is her first new album in 17 years, and while it probably won't change anyone's attitudes about her work, it wonderfully spotlights all of the musical themes, forms, and concerns she's pursued in the past four decades. The album opens with a pair of Native American rockers, "No No Keshagesh" and "Cho Cho Fire," that draw on Native American drum rhythms, and both are fiery and invigorating. She revisits one of her finest early songs, the beautiful and haunting "Little Wheel Spin and Spin." She pays tribute to Elvis Presley and rockabilly with the fun "Blue Sunday," then tackles New Orleans with the chugging "I Bet My Heart on You," which includes a piano duet with Taj Mahal. Then there are the love songs -- always one of Sainte-Marie's greatest strengths (her most famous songs, "Until It's Time for You to Go" and "Up Where We Belong," are both classic pop love songs, equal to any Tin Pan Alley/Brill Building creation). "When I Had You" is gorgeous and moving, as is "Easy Like the Snow Falls Down," a love song that expands to embrace the whole of life, including its end, with compassion and calm wisdom. Is this a great album that will change the world? No, it isn't. But it's a joy to hear, and it's comforting that Sainte-Marie is still writing amazing songs, taking firm social and political stands, performing with spirit, joy, and passion, and pretty much doing what she's always done. What makes this package even more of a delight is the DVD, A Multimedia Life, that is included. A documentary of Sainte-Marie's life featuring interviews with Joni Mitchell, Robbie Robertson, Randy Bachman, and Bill Cosby, among others, and several sessions with Sainte-Marie herself, it is the portrait of a determined, vibrant, intensely creative woman who is undeniably a true North American treasure. That her concerns and goals remain completely intact after all these years, to say nothing of her musical talent, is, again, very comforting. Hopefully we won't have to wait another 17 years for the next album. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. May have very light or no surface scratches. Case and cover artwork are included but may show minimal signs of wear. Slipcover may not be included.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
![Running for the Drum [Limited Edition] - Buffy Sainte-Marie](https://www4.alibris-static.com/running-for-the-drum-limited-edition/cover/m99408ch3u3_l.jpg)
![Running for the Drum [Limited Edition]](https://www1.alibris-static.com/running-for-the-drum-limited-edition/cover/m99408ch3u3.jpg)
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2024 Rovi Corporation.