Search - Sissy Goodhouse :: Third Circle

Beautiful and hauntingly original

Elizabeth Kelso | New York, NY United States | 04/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was introduced to Sissy Goodhouse's music in 1999. Her haunting voice vibrated right through to the core of my being. Her a cappella style is accompanied by drums, sounds of nature or nothing at all, and that is fine, because she doesn't need it. The melody of her voice carries you away. The album "The Third Circle" is mix of original compositions and traditional Lakota songs and is a tribute to songs of the Wicaglata (woman singers) and is primarily in the Lakota language, although there are some English explanations that proceed some of the songs of this mix of original compositions and traditional songs The first track on this album "Women's Veteran Song" is performed by Joe Flying By. It is a poetic speech set to drum that honors the Wicaglata. My personal favorite is "Seventh Generation" composed by Cedric Goodhouse, Sr. and performed by Sissy. It reflects the continual passing down process of their culture. Some might argue that many of the songs sound the same. This is true. Many of the melodies are similar and it is hard to distinguish between one song and another, especially if you don't speak the language. However, after training your ear to the slight differences in the pitch and vocabulary, you will have no problem distinguishing which song is which. The sleeve allows you a taste of what each song is about. It displays the first verse of many of the songs, first in Lakota then in English. This album was released in 1994 by Makoche Music/BMI and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this recording goes to the Sitting Bull Camp Sun Dance."

Wonderful

Elizabeth Kelso | 03/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best piece of Native American Music in my collection. Sissy Goodhouse has a wonderful voice, strong and mellotic. A truely wonder rendition of Lakota music."