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Marty Stuart has long been one of the standard bearers of
the more traditional (and good) country movement. He's been making
country records full of heart and twang for more years than I can
remember, and his pedigree speaks for itself. This year has seen Marty
make some bold moves in his career and his personal life. After a
life changing experience, he has formed his own record label, Superlatone
Records, and released two records. The first is the amazingly honest
and soulful gospel record Soul's Chapel, and the second is
called Badlands - Ballads Of The Lakota. Badlands is
a collection of songs that tell the stories of the great fall of the
Lakota Sioux people and the spiritual paths that lay behind many of
those stories.
Badlands begins and ends with the voice and throb of the Native
American drumming ceremony, setting the tone for the record with an
authenticity that might be otherwise overlooked. Stuart sets the stage
for his songs in "Badlands", giving a brief geographical
and historical overview of the Sioux Nation, espousing the overall
hope that is found on this collection of songs. Marty Stuart's trademark
sounds are nowhere more clear than on this opening track, the throttling
drums of Harry Stinson and Brian Glenn's solid bass
guitar underpinning the twanging and crisp guitars of Stuart and the
indomitable Kenny Vaughan. "Trip To Little Big Horn"
speaks as an overview of the stories that are to be found on the remainder
of the record, a starting point for the heartbreak that is to follow.
"Old Man's Vision" is a simple tale, told over a heartbeat
drumming, the story of an elder of the tribe that foresees the coming
pain of his people's massacre at Wounded Knee by George Custer.
Johnny Cash's deeply evocative "Big Foot" is recorded
here, revealing Cash's depth of feeling for these bold people, a feeling
that Stuart continues to carry in his own heart. Robby Turner
turns in some amazing steel guitar playing that brilliantly offsets
the phenomenal guitar of Kenny Vaughan. "Broken Promise Land"
reveals that political America is still making promises to the people
of the reservations that are as empty as any ever made in the past.
Stuart's true power as a songwriter comes fully to bear on "So
You Want To Be An Indian", a song that is at once full of ironic
depth and such raw emotion that I find myself lost in it, unable to
turn away. This is the true command of a great song, not only does
it draw in a modern ear but it reflects the pure power of the traditional
Lakota songs, as well. The beautiful "Three Chiefs" pays
homage to three of the great leaders of the Lakota Sioux Nation; Red
Cloud, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull. This track
lays out succinctly what these great men may have had to say to God
when they approached the pearly gates after their passing from this
world. It is a touching and eerie tale that sends shivers up one's
spine while listening. "Listen To The Children" wraps the
record with a breath of hope, lifted upon the soft strings and acoustic
guitars that can't help but instill a feeling of hope and resigned
peace.
The Lakota people have demonstrated their high regard for Marty Stuart
by adopting him into their tribe, making him family. The strong connection
that Stuart formed with the people of this once great Nation was begun
in his early years touring with Johnny Cash's band, and has continued
to deepen throughout the years, revealing its depth and sincerity
in such facts as the recent marriage ceremony of Stuart to his wife
Connie Smith on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Stuart's feelings
for these Sioux, his second people, are nothing short of genuine,
and these songs are made for education as well as a celebration of
the Lakota Sioux Nation. There is a deep pain in these songs, but
there is also an earnest hope for the salvation of these great peoples
and a greater hope that others will learn from the lessons spoken
of herein.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. Everette Helper's Song
2. Badlands
3. Trip To Little Big Horn
4. Old Man's Vision
5. Wounded Knee
6. Big Foot
7. Hotchkiss Gunner's Lament
8. Broken Promise Land
9. Casino
10. So You Want To Be An Indian
11. Walking Through The Prayers
12. Three Chiefs
13. Listen To The Children
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