Coyote Oldman mixes technology, music, and culture in a unique, timeless blend. Flutists Michael Graham Allen and Barry Stramp combine their experience with the flute's history in the cultures of the world with a modern outlook and studio approach that gives their albums an innovative depth. The duo -- named after the trickster of Native American mythology and Allen's own flute company -- met at a 1981 Oklahoma City crafts fair where Allen sold his hand-made flutes. Their shared interest in what was at the time a relatively obscure part of music history sparked a friendship and creative partnership. Allen's deep background in researching, making, and playing flutes complements Stramp's classical training in concert flute and recording skills; in Coyote Oldman's music, Japanese and Indian flutes, Incan pan-pipes, ocarinas, and Native American pipes meet in innovative electronic settings. With Allen's compositions and playing and Stramp's studio wizardry, virtual ensembles of traditional and hybrid flutes join keyboards and guitar in modern compositions of echoing beauty.
HOUSE MADE OF DAWN
Coyote Oldman's tenth release, and possibly his finest recording yet. His subtle, creative approach to the Native American flute has inspired a host of imitators, but no one has matched their inspired studio transformation of these archaic instruments of wood and breath into the ecstatic realm of ethereal sonics.
CD PRICE $17.00
IN BEAUTY I WALK BY COYOTE OLDMAN
Michael Graham Allen and Barry Stramp take flutes, pan-pipes and ocarinas from the ancient cultures of the Americas, transform them with state-of-the-art studio techniques and open up a timeless world of sound. IN BEAUTY I WALK provides listeners with the very best of this ground-breaking group's seven albums edited, sequenced and digitally remastered by Hearts of Space producer Stephen Hill. Since 1986 Coyote Oldman has recorded classic albums that never fail to move listeners. This "Best of Coyote Oldman" album is a powerful Native flute compilation.
In Medicine River overflows with unusual musical instruments: traditional Native American flutes of North America, Incan panpipes of South America, new experimental wooden flutes, thousand year-old clay flutes of Central America, and drums, bells, and rattles from the world over.
1. Dawn Procession 5:56
2. Crane Dance 6:10
3. Aqui Siempre 2:30
4. In Medicine River 9:43
5. Log Drum 5:38
6. Pre-Columbian 6:07
7. Little Medicine River 6:03
8. Otter Dance 0:55
9. River Song 6:45
For thousands of years, the Anasazi culture populated the "Four Corners" region of the Southwestern United States. Although the culture itself vanished somewhere around the 14th century, it gave way to the modern-day Pueblo cultures of the region and left a plethora of artifacts, among them striking wooden flutes. RAINBIRD, from Coyote Oldman, takes its name from an unusual bird that figures into the legends and myths of several North American cultures. Michael Graham Allen worked with researchers to help him craft a replica of the ancient Anasazi flute, which he plays with subtlety and beauty on this release. Most of the cuts on this two-disc album feature the flute performed solo without any background accompaniment. The second disc features a bonus CD-ROM video about the Rainbird.
1. Entrance 2:48
2. Valley 3:14
3. Updraft 4:26
4. Clouds 3:47
5. Rain 3:31
6. Rainbird 4:03
7. The Time 4:59
8. Under Tall Trees 4:46
9. Sundogs 3:18
10. Wet Earth 5:38
11. Soaring 3:57
12. Over Tall Trees 5:40
13. Rainbow 4:02
14. New Mexico Road Trip 4:28
15. Fire Song 3:39
16. Drought & Hope 3:18
17. Dark 10:16
Coyote Oldman is the duo of Michael Graham Allen and Barry Stramp. Both artists play the flute, in this case the Native American flute and Incan panpipes, however this is not ordinary flute playing. Polished up with deep reverberation techniques and other studio enhancements, the resultant music is vast and atmospheric, resembling synthesizer ambience (although no synths were actually incorporated). The haunting sonorities produced evoke images of the desert southwest and exhibit strong feelings of solitude and tranquility. As a special bonus, the album features "Night Forest," the title track of an early album from the duo.
1. Tear of the Moon 9:58
2. Night Voyage 6:55
3. Ziricote 3:11
4. Lunar Symphony 6:27
5. Silver Pearl 10:45
6. Dawn 2:44
7. Night Forest 12:53
Since the beginning of Coyote Oldman's recording career, musicians Michael Graham Allen and Barry Stramp have resided on the quiet, introspective side of the Native American flute spectrum. Their music captures the organic majesty of America's mountains and plains, while simultaneously taking one to a place that is dreamy and thoroughly peaceful. In the case of the serene album UNDER AN ANCIENT SKY, Coyote Oldman leans more heavily toward music on the ethereal side. Their trademark flute playing is present throughout the album; however, the winds are wrapped in lush layers of tender synthesizer ambience. The effect is very atmospheric, making the album one to reach for when you are looking for music that will calm your nerves and immerse you in tranquility.
1. New Worlds 3:23
2. Timeless 3:21
3. Home World 3:34
4. Between the Colors 4:21
5. Under an Ancient Sky 6:27
6. Translucent Shadows 5:59
7. Luminescence 18:39