Prayers for Life – McClellan, Robedeaux & Stoner
(Canyon Records)

This trio are all members of a number of Oklahoma tribes as well as the Native American Church, also known as the Peyote Church. This inter-tribal religion and philosophy has been adopted by many Native Americans in the US and has developed with ‘Father Peyote’ as a central tenet. Sober ceremonies including long prayers, exhortations on right living by Church leaders, and quiet, meditative songs accompanied by simple gourd rattle and water-drum contrast sharply with most other Native American singing events.

For each ceremony, a large, perfectly formed peyote plant is placed at the apex of a crescent-shaped alter, and portions of other peyote plants are shared among the celebrants and eaten as a sacrament. The sacred cactus produces a sense of wellbeing, and, in many instances, richly coloured private visions. If one had to guess which of the CDs reviewed suggested the use of mind-altering substances, most people would surely opt for the Northern Cree CD rather than this one! However, whether the comparatively sombre, self-reflective atmosphere of this Native American Church ceremony is due to the effects of the peyote or the insidious influence of Christian piety is open to debate.

Buy now from:

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com