Native America
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley February 11, 2023
Artist – Peter Kater
Distributor:
Released: November 2022
Running Time: I hr 11m
Website: https://www.peterkater.com/albums
Facebook:
YouTube:
Instagram:
X formally Twitter:
Peter Kater has over his many years in the music industry, worked with some truly amazing musicians and in doing so has built a reputation within the Native American, contemporary new age and neo-classical genres, to name a few. His particular speciality is Native American music.
Native America is a collection of some of his favourite tracks created over the years, the line-up of artists is stellar, the music is richly diverse and intensely pleasing to the senses.
A True Heart introduces this very special collection with the haunting sound of the flute, the Sharman’s voice, the delicate weaving of strings come together to develop a sense of awe and wonder at what is to follow. A beautiful piece that reflects the very heartbeat of modern Native America.
Peter Kater on piano with flautist Joseph Firecrow create a graceful moment in time with Sweet Embrace which leads the journeyman gently into dreams carried on dainty wings of perfection and reflection.
Petroglyphs featuring Coyote Oldman is intriguing piece which in the first segment is deep, mellow and introspective, almost mysterious before an up-tempo flourish draws the work to a close. The artist pleased with his work, carved into the rock for generations to come. Perhaps.
Haunting beautiful Midnight Blue is almost dreamlike, rich in texture and ambience, the broad reach of this neoclassical piece is majestic. Perhaps my favourite piece in amongst all the other favourite pieces that make up this richly diverse collection.
The voice of Rita Coolidge adds an earthy element to I Am Walking a song that resonates deeply which makes the perfect lead in to the contemporary Calling Me Home from Peter Kater, Joseph Firecrow and Arvel Bird which features stunning vocals and an interesting beat.
With this collection it is incredibly difficult to simply pick out pieces as each track or song is a part of the whole, ebbing and flowing across the musical spectrum, bringing forth a wondrous journey through the majesty of the American Indian people; each piece perfectly telling a story, creating magical moments, each piece perfect in its creation.
So saying the final piece Dessert Odyssey, once again a sweeping song of depth and colour, brings forth beauty, life and vibrancy making it the perfect piece to conclude a magical journey that simply said, is gloriously rich from the first track to the last.
Native America: Seventeen songs, 1 hour and 11 minutes of pure bliss. Perfection.
“This album features performances by Native American musicians: R. Carlos Nakai; Bill Miller; Joseph Firecrow; Rita Coolidge; Robert Mirabal; Kevin Locke; Coyote Oldman and Arvel Bird; and additional musicians Paul McCandless; Michael Hamilton; Dominic Miller; Richard Hardy and the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra and Choir” Courtesy Higher Level Media.