Mary Youngblood started piano lessons at age six, violin at eight, classical flute and guitar at ten. As an adult, when Mary received her first wooden Native flute, she was driven to pursue the mastery of this instrument so tied to her own heritage.
Now years later with five unique and accomplished albums under her belt, Mary owns over 250 hand carved Native American Style flutes in her collection and uses a wide variety of them throughout every one of her albums. Each of her flutes is masterfully crafted from different types of wood, bringing a unique sound and texture to each song.
When Mary performs, it takes only a moment to acknowledge the profound spirituality of the sacred Native American flute and its historical courtship and wooing attributes. Her haunting music is much more than a song ... it's liquid poetry, a prayer.
Mary Youngblood takes little credit for the intense emotions people feel when they listen to her music. "I am only a vessel between Creator and this instrument. As a sculptor would tell you, the clay has a spirit of its own and decides what it will become; so it is with the flute. These songs came from those who walked before me."
Mary and her family currently reside in Northern California.
BENEATH THE RAVEN MOON BY MARY YOUNGBLOOD
One of the most popular artists in Native American music, Mary Youngblood, of Aleut/Seminole heritage, was also one of the first female artists to professionally play the Native American flute. BENEATH THE RAVEN MOON features her exquisite flute skills backed by a contemporary sounding mix of acoustic guitar and percussion. This unique blend, which at times calls to mind blues and folk music, gives her heartfelt melodies and sense of adventurous soul. Highlights include the acoustic title track, a solo flute performance on "Within My Heart" and the upbeat "And We Shall Dance."
1. Cama-I 4:07
2. Walk With Me 3:55
3. Beneath the Raven Moon 4:00
4. And We Shall Dance 3:12
5. Laugh WIth Me 3:32
6. Caress the Smile 4:17
7. Within My Heart 3:14
8. And We Can Love 3:38
9. Dream With Me 6:11
10. Above the Mother Earth 3:55
11. And We Will Fly 3:40
12. Ipiluni 2:32
Mary Youngblood was inspired to compose the music for DANCE WITH THE WIND after a thunderstorm, where she witnessed a tree thrashing amidst the brisk and sometimes violent winds. Over time, she began to see that the tree was actually dancing with the gusts, and it struck her as a metaphor for finding strength and persistence during the "storms" of life. The music is a shift from the Grammy-winning flutist's past couple of albums, which swayed toward folk and blues elements. Such elements are present, but toned down in favor of more emphasis on her haunting flute melodies, backed my subtle piano, guitar and rhythm. She sings on three of the songs as well, which echo feelings of freedom and peace. Youngblood's albums keep getting better and better - she is certainly one of Native American music's most brilliant instrumentalists.
1. Misty Rain 3:55
2. Wind Whispers 3:27
3. My Gypsy Soul 3:22
4. Play With Me 4:29
5. Dance With Me 2:56
6. Find the Song 4:30
7. Lost Long Ago 4:19
8. Make an Offering 4:32
9. Reach For the Sky 4:37
10. Blood of My Blood 3:14
11. On Our Journey 5:15
12. Dance With the Wind 3:02
If you've had the pleasure of hearing one of Mary Youngblood's previous releases, you're well aware that this talented flutist is a master of her instrument - one of the few females to do so. Each album seems to expose more of Youngblood's deep reservoir of talent; with FEED THE FIRE, not only is her flute skills on display, but her vocals, piano playing and compositional abilities as well. The album has a strong sense of warmth and earthiness with melodies that can be characterized as Native American acoustic folk music, especially the vocal tunes like "Long Long Road" and the title cut. One song, "Far From Home," exhibits hues of classical music as well. Both vocalist Bill Miller and flutist Ian Anderson make guest appearances.
1. On My Way 4:44
2. Feed the Fire 5:56
3. Sacred Place 5:08
4. Far From Home 5:07
5. Passions to Ignite 3:32
6. Dreams to Find 4:38
7. Long Long Road 4:27
8. Heart's Desire 5:31
9. Destiny 5:03
10. Search for Warmth 2:49
11. OnThis Journey 4:32
12. She Watches them Play 2:42
The next evolution of Mary Youngblood's original sound promises to take listeners to places they have never been with the Native American flute. Colorful, poignant and textured, these songs are uniquely presented including vocals by Joanne Shenandoah on six
tracks and instruments including guitar, cittern,
dulcimer, bass, drums, eagle bone whistle and of
course, Youngblood's exquisite multi-chamber Native flutes. Both meditative and playful, this recording is a true celebration of the heart. Dedicated to three Americans who worked with the U'wa people of the rain forest, this recording is named Heart of the World, the name the U'wa people have given their native lands in South America. A portion of the proceeds from this release will benefit the U'wa people.
1. Unrequited 4:13
2. Bear in Danger 4:44
3. Niwot's Course 3:28
4. Song for Ingrid 3:39
5. Loon Dance 3:14
6. Yuba 3:41
7. Cold Wind 5:22
8. Lady Bug Dance 4:16
9. Fog 4:37
10. Heart of the World 3:55
11. Nana's Lullaby 4:57
Multiple Grammy winner Mary Youngblood is an artist who likes to branch out in different directions with her music. Many of her recent albums have touched upon the realms of jazz, folk and blues, evoking modern touches and earthy rhythms in her tonal soundscapes. The collection SACRED PLACE, however, is a showcase for Youngblood's softer side. The selections emphasize her serene, sometimes melancholy flute playing against sparse backdrops. She does flirt with rhythmic textures on "Yuba" and "Wind Whispers," and guitar weaves its way through much of the album. But Youngblood's confident flute playing has enough presence to make you push the other elements to the background and focus solely on her harmonies. Included on the album are "Misty Rain" - a pleasant "afternoon in the country" song from DANCE WITH THE WIND, as well as "Sacred Place," "The Offering" and "Nana's Lullaby."
1. Sacred Place
2. Beneath The Raven Moon
3. Wind Whispers
4. Unrequited
5. Tears For Kientepoos
6. Misty Rain
7. Walk With Me
8. Yuba
9. Silent Wolf
10. Nana's Lullaby
11. Dreams To Find
12. Above The Mother Earth
13. Fog
14. On Our Journey
15. Offering, The
The Native American flute comes alive in the hands of Mary Youngblood. Of Aleut and Seminole ancestry, trained on several varieties of wooden flute, and having played for over 25 years, Youngblood is a perfect vessel from which to hear these songs. THE OFFERING is comprised of all original compositions by Youngblood recorded live in the Moaning Cavern, 180 feet underground. The album consists of only Youngblood's flute, breath and an occasional drop of cavern water. These unique and powerful songs are like "liquid poetry" creating a dynamic musical experience. Each track holds a story that will come alive in both your body and soul as you listen.
1. The Offering 2:36
2. Children's Dance 2:46
3. Tears for Kientepoos 2:58
4. Silent Wolf 2:53
5. Echoes 2:57
6. Mark's Song 3:23
7. She Watches Them Play 1:01
8. Eagle Clan 2:57
9. Aleut Wind 4:03
10. First Love 4:00
11. The Gathering 2:19
12. Moaning Cavern 2:56
13. Winds of Change 2:20
14. Flute Circle 2:50
15. Re-Kindle the Fire 2:05
16. In A Yellow Wood 3:07
17. Grandmother's Last Sunset 2:53
One of the most popular artists in Native American music, Mary Youngblood, of Aleut/Seminole heritage, was also one of the first female artists to professionally play the Native American flute. BENEATH THE RAVEN MOON features her exquisite flute skills backed by a contemporary sounding mix of acoustic guitar and percussion. This unique blend, which at times calls to mind blues and folk music, gives her heartfelt melodies and sense of adventurous soul. Highlights include the acoustic title track, a solo flute performance on "Within My Heart" and the upbeat "And We Shall Dance."
MP3 CLIP TRK 3 CD PRICE $15.00
Mary Youngblood was inspired to compose the music for DANCE WITH THE WIND after a thunderstorm, where she witnessed a tree thrashing amidst the brisk and sometimes violent winds. Over time, she began to see that the tree was actually dancing with the gusts, and it struck her as a metaphor for finding strength and persistence during the "storms" of life. The music is a shift from the Grammy-winning flutist's past couple of albums, which swayed toward folk and blues elements. Such elements are present, but toned down in favor of more emphasis on her haunting flute melodies, backed my subtle piano, guitar and rhythm. She sings on three of the songs as well, which echo feelings of freedom and peace. Youngblood's albums keep getting better and better - she is certainly one of Native American music's most brilliant instrumentalists.
If you've had the pleasure of hearing one of Mary Youngblood's previous releases, you're well aware that this talented flutist is a master of her instrument - one of the few females to do so. Each album seems to expose more of Youngblood's deep reservoir of talent; with FEED THE FIRE, not only is her flute skills on display, but her vocals, piano playing and compositional abilities as well. The album has a strong sense of warmth and earthiness with melodies that can be characterized as Native American acoustic folk music, especially the vocal tunes like "Long Long Road" and the title cut. One song, "Far From Home," exhibits hues of classical music as well. Both vocalist Bill Miller and flutist Ian Anderson make guest appearances.
The next evolution of Mary Youngblood's original sound promises to take listeners to places they have never been with the Native American flute. Colorful, poignant and textured, these songs are uniquely presented including vocals by Joanne Shenandoah on six
tracks and instruments including guitar, cittern,
dulcimer, bass, drums, eagle bone whistle and of
course, Youngblood's exquisite multi-chamber Native flutes. Both meditative and playful, this recording is a true celebration of the heart. Dedicated to three Americans who worked with the U'wa people of the rain forest, this recording is named Heart of the World, the name the U'wa people have given their native lands in South America. A portion of the proceeds from this release will benefit the U'wa people.
Multiple Grammy winner Mary Youngblood is an artist who likes to branch out in different directions with her music. Many of her recent albums have touched upon the realms of jazz, folk and blues, evoking modern touches and earthy rhythms in her tonal soundscapes. The collection SACRED PLACE, however, is a showcase for Youngblood's softer side. The selections emphasize her serene, sometimes melancholy flute playing against sparse backdrops. She does flirt with rhythmic textures on "Yuba" and "Wind Whispers," and guitar weaves its way through much of the album. But Youngblood's confident flute playing has enough presence to make you push the other elements to the background and focus solely on her harmonies. Included on the album are "Misty Rain" - a pleasant "afternoon in the country" song from DANCE WITH THE WIND, as well as "Sacred Place," "The Offering" and "Nana's Lullaby."
The Native American flute comes alive in the hands of Mary Youngblood. Of Aleut and Seminole ancestry, trained on several varieties of wooden flute, and having played for over 25 years, Youngblood is a perfect vessel from which to hear these songs. THE OFFERING is comprised of all original compositions by Youngblood recorded live in the Moaning Cavern, 180 feet underground. The album consists of only Youngblood's flute, breath and an occasional drop of cavern water. These unique and powerful songs are like "liquid poetry" creating a dynamic musical experience. Each track holds a story that will come alive in both your body and soul as you listen.
