Walela, the Cherokee word for Hummingbird and the symbol of inspiration for this family of women singers.
They are Rita Coolidge, her sister Priscilla Coolidge, and Priscilla's daughter Laura Satterfield.
Rita and Priscilla grew up in the South amoungst a family of four children and a strong Native American Heritage. Their dad a Baptist minister, their mom a school teacher who gave music lessons and played organ in the church. The Coolidge home was filled with the sounds that ignited their musical imagination and enlightened their spirit to soar into creation. A spirit that has equally been passed down to Laura.
Rita Coolidge, an eternal star in the galaxy of Rock and Roll, has proven herself and enduring talent blessed with radiant Native American beauty and what has been described as "the sexiest voice in the world." Rita, a two time Grammy winner, launched her singing career in 1970 with Delaney & Bonnie and Friends and went on to share the stage with such greats as Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Leon Russell, just to name a few. Her recording career has spawned over several dozen albums worldwide including her multi-platinum disc Anytime...Anywhere, which featured three of her biggest hit singles -- "Higher & Higher," "The Way You Do The Things You Do," and "We're All Alone" to her present musical work, the recently released return to her musical roots "Thinking About You" on 404 Records. Rita's commitment to social issues has consistently reverberated through her music and her life on such issues as teen suicide, AIDS and homelessness. Yet her most heartfelt commitment remains to the Native American community. The commitment to her Cherokee heritage carries through her life, "If we have the vision and the dream, anything can come true."
Priscilla Coolidge, who for two years running was voted the best female vocalist by Billboard Magazine, has truly carved out a deep niche in modern music. She has recorded with a Who's Who of music including Bob Dylan, Luther Vandross, Robbie Robertson and has penned tunes recorded by her sister Rita, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire. Never one to compromise, Priscilla recorded for A&M and Capricorn Records the music that reflected the deep spiritual nature of herself and her father, a minister of full-blooded Cherokee descent. She continues to write what many call some of the most beautiful music in the world today.
Laura Satterfield, born into this musical family, grew up listening to the many talents that surrounded her. Having fallen in love with their spirit, she began her own journey of musical discovery. In the tradition that came before her, Laura has made her own place in the recording industry. Well known for her writing abilities, Laura has found her own style which can be distinctively heard in the box office hit movie MADE IN AMERICA where she performs her creation "I Don't Walk on Water." Robbie Robertson has described Satterfield as "one in five million," as is the sacred Native American White Buffalo, a true gift and blessing.
As a group, Walela continues to disperse the energy and spirit which has brought them to this juncture in their lives. Featured as part of Robbie Robertson'd Red Road Emsemble album "Music for Native Americans," their distinctive vocal blend brings to life "The Cherokee Morning Song" and has allowed them to tour to an international audience. During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Walela had the great opportunity to represent their nations -- both Cherokee and the United States -- as they performed extensively in the Olynpic Park. Their 1998 debut release on Triloka Records earned them the recognition of the Nammy Awards (Native American Music Awards) where they took home the award for Debut Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for "The Warrior". Walela, like the eagle, is set to spread their wings and fly......
Walela appeared at the 2002 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies proudly representing both of their nations - The United States and the Cherokee.
BEST OF WALELA
Drawing from their Cherokee roots and Southern Gospel music, the trio of Walela perfected a unique musical hybrid that balanced soul with an earthy, Native American flavor. Vocalists Rita Coolidge, Priscilla Coolidge and Laura Satterfield harmonize very well, creating a smooth blanket of song that captivates. BEST OF WALELA essentially pulls the stronger songs from both their 1997 self-titled debut and the 2000 album UNBEARABLE LOVE. The album doesn't feature any new material, but makes a great entry album for those experiencing Walela for the first time. Songs include favorites like "Cherokee Rose," "The Whippoorwill" and "Smoke in the Wind."
1. Is Everybody Here 0:30
2. Cherokee Morning Song 4:30
3. Amazing Grace 6:00
4. Bright Morning Stars 6:32
5. Smoke in the Wind 5:45
6. Wash Your Spirit Clean 4:22
7. The Warrior 4:00
8. Cherokee Rose 3:58
9. I'll Turn My Radio On 2:49
10. I Have No Indian Name 4:30
11. God Save Us From Ourselves 4:22
12. When It Comes 4:18
13. The Whippoorwill 4:09
14. Unbearable Love 1:28
1. Allo Cher -TARUJA
2. Mwatu - SAMITE
3. Pigeon on the Sate - Emer Kenny
4. Tierra del Sur - Ziroq
5. Raghupati - Bhagavan Das
6. Guru Brahma - Jai Uttal & the Pagan Love Orchestra
7. Raghuvar Tumko Meri Laaj - Sheetal
8. Syada Ana - Hassan Hakmoun
9. Walk by the Narmada - Mpath
10.Prohibido - Charanga Cakewalk
11. Grazin' in the Grass - Hugh Masekela
12. Wash Your Spirit Clean - Walela
13. Hanuman Baba [Dub Farm Remix] - Krishna Das
SHAMAN'S WAY, from the earthy mixmasters at Soulfood, ventures into the heart of Native America with an assortment of tracks that feature chants, indigenous instrumentation and keyboard wizardry. Joining Soulfood's resident grooveman DJ Free is an ensemble including percussionists Brent Lewis and Jayson Fann, Walela vocalist Rita Coolidge and Objiwe elder (and flutist) Anakwad. Together the artists weave a shamanic spell over listeners with jazz/blues-tinged soundscapes that incorporate bass guitar, flutes, tribal percussion and synthesizers. If you're a fan of contemporary fusion recordings, SHAMAN'S WAY is a great mix of old and new that's sure to please.
1. Dreaming Taos 8:54
2. Shaman's Journey 3:51
3. Vision Quest 5:49
4. The Way 7:11
5. Prophecy 6:58
6. Shaman's Way 6:20
7. Echo Canyon 8:05
8. Shaman's Journey 10:36
9. Sky Creek 2:14
Walela, the Cherokee word for hummingbird and a symbol for inspiration, features Grammy award winner Rita Coolidge, her sister Priscilla Coolidge and her niece Laura Satterfield. The group made their debut on Robbie Robertson's soundtrack to the TBS miniseries "Music for the Native Americans." The project made such a personal and creative impact in their lives that they decided to continue to write and record songs together, releasing a debut album in 1997.
1. Gathering of Eagles 0:53
2. The Sequence 5:57
3. Cherokee Rose 3:57
4. I Knoe I Don't Walk on Water 5:10
5. Smoke in the Wind 5:45
6. Bright Morning Stars 6:35
7. I Have No Indian Name 4:32
8. Tell Them They Lie 5:17
9. When It Comes 4:16
10. When Love Was All We Knew 6:19
11. God Save Us From Ourselves 4:23
12. Unbearable Love 1:26
Rita Coolidge, Priscilla Coolidge and Laura Satterfield, each world-class artists/songwriters in their own right, come together in a celebration of their Native American heritage as Walela (Cherokee word for "hummingbird"). The compositions on the trio's self titled debut could be described as a blend of Cherokee anthem and old world spiritual. One need not go much further than the "Cherokee River," the album's opening number, before they fall under the spell of Walela's harmonized vocals. So smooth, almost ethereal - these women can hold their own behind a microphone. A couple of the album's high points include a Cherokee rendition of "Amazing Grace" and "Earth Children," an a-cappella piece that proves that the Coolidge family can move listeners on their own merits, without the necessity of background accompaniment.
1. Is Everybody Here 0:30
2. Cherokee River 3:37
3. Wash Your Spirit Clean 4:24
4. The Warrior 4:02
5. Muddy Road 6:04
6. Cherokee 6:16
7. Cherokee Morning Song 4:31
8. Wounded Knife 6:36
9. The Whippoorwill 4:09
10. Circle of Light 5:36
11. Earth Children 3:07
12. Amazing Grace 6:09
13. I'll Turn My Radio On 2:47
A live concert which Walela recorded in Dallas Texas. Proceeds from the concert benefit the Sovereign Nations Preservation Project which provides education media benefiting Native Americans. To this cause Sovereign Nations is dedicated: to inform, educate, and encourage the awareness of tribal history, culture, language and aspirations of Native Americans.
1. The Gathering Of Eagles
2. Cherokee River
3. Cherokee Rose
4. Wash Your Spirit clean
5. I Have No Indian Name
6. When It Comes
7. Muddy Road
8. When Love Is All We Knew
9. Cherokee Morning Song
10. Wounded Knee
11. Tell Them They Lied
12. God Save Us From Ourselves
A live concert which Walela recorded in Dallas Texas. Proceeds from the concert benefit the Sovereign Nations Preservation Project which provides education media benefiting Native Americans. To this cause Sovereign Nations is dedicated: to inform, educate, and encourage the awareness of tribal history, culture, language and aspirations of Native Americans.
1. The Gathering Of Eagles
2. Cherokee River
3. Cherokee Rose
4. Wash Your Spirit clean
5. I Have No Indian Name
6. When It Comes
7. Muddy Road
8. When Love Is All We Knew
9. Cherokee Morning Song
10. Wounded Knee
11. Tell Them They Lied
12. God Save Us From Ourselves
Drawing from their Cherokee roots and Southern Gospel music, the trio of Walela perfected a unique musical hybrid that balanced soul with an earthy, Native American flavor. Vocalists Rita Coolidge, Priscilla Coolidge and Laura Satterfield harmonize very well, creating a smooth blanket of song that captivates. BEST OF WALELA essentially pulls the stronger songs from both their 1997 self-titled debut and the 2000 album UNBEARABLE LOVE. The album doesn't feature any new material, but makes a great entry album for those experiencing Walela for the first time. Songs include favorites like "Cherokee Rose," "The Whippoorwill" and "Smoke in the Wind."
MP3 clip CD PRICE $17.00
1. Allo Cher -TARUJA
SHAMAN'S WAY, from the earthy mixmasters at Soulfood, ventures into the heart of Native America with an assortment of tracks that feature chants, indigenous instrumentation and keyboard wizardry. Joining Soulfood's resident grooveman DJ Free is an ensemble including percussionists Brent Lewis and Jayson Fann, Walela vocalist Rita Coolidge and Objiwe elder (and flutist) Anakwad. Together the artists weave a shamanic spell over listeners with jazz/blues-tinged soundscapes that incorporate bass guitar, flutes, tribal percussion and synthesizers. If you're a fan of contemporary fusion recordings, SHAMAN'S WAY is a great mix of old and new that's sure to please.
Walela, the Cherokee word for hummingbird and a symbol for inspiration, features Grammy award winner Rita Coolidge, her sister Priscilla Coolidge and her niece Laura Satterfield. The group made their debut on Robbie Robertson's soundtrack to the TBS miniseries "Music for the Native Americans." The project made such a personal and creative impact in their lives that they decided to continue to write and record songs together, releasing a debut album in 1997.
Rita Coolidge, Priscilla Coolidge and Laura Satterfield, each world-class artists/songwriters in their own right, come together in a celebration of their Native American heritage as Walela (Cherokee word for "hummingbird"). The compositions on the trio's self titled debut could be described as a blend of Cherokee anthem and old world spiritual. One need not go much further than the "Cherokee River," the album's opening number, before they fall under the spell of Walela's harmonized vocals. So smooth, almost ethereal - these women can hold their own behind a microphone. A couple of the album's high points include a Cherokee rendition of "Amazing Grace" and "Earth Children," an a-cappella piece that proves that the Coolidge family can move listeners on their own merits, without the necessity of background accompaniment.
A live concert which Walela recorded in Dallas Texas. Proceeds from the concert benefit the Sovereign Nations Preservation Project which provides education media benefiting Native Americans. To this cause Sovereign Nations is dedicated: to inform, educate, and encourage the awareness of tribal history, culture, language and aspirations of Native Americans.
