Search - Buffy Sainte-Marie :: Up Where We Belong

At The National Museum of the American Indian

Paul D. Hammersten | Cape Cod | 10/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Late the afternoon before the morning of the Grand Opening of the National Museum of the American Indian, my wife and I walked past the Capitol and down the hill to see thousands of folding chairs spread out on the uncut grass under the old trees along the Mall in front of the First Nations Stage directly in front of the Capitol Building.



The empty chairs were reservered for the Tribes who would take their rightful seats the following morning at the opening ceremonies after first celebrating the opening of The National Museum of the American Indian with a glorious processional.



I stood among the empty chairs.



Someone was burning sweet grass.



I could also smell fry bread wafting through the cool afternoon air.



Laughter and joy was everywere present with those who had also arrived early to ' check things out '.



The sound tech where busy up on the stage getting all ready for the speeches,prayers,and songs of another day.



Then, a solitary figure walked out on the stage and took the mike and sang for an ' empty ' audience.



My God! It was Buffy!



Buffy Sainte-Marie sang her song STARMAKER.



She did not sing it just for Sharon and me and the few hundred souls present but she sang it, I know, for The Ancestors. She sand it for all they went through for us. All they went through for this ' triumphant moment ' that would take place the next day - the grand opening of the NMAI.



Many from those early days, when we listened to Buffy in the late '60's and early ' 70's while in Lame Deer and Pine Ridge, would not fill any of those seats spread out before her.



Many of their stories are known... many more will be told now that we have the NMAI.



Yes...sounds of laughter and joy...and a shed tear that night and many more the next day.



Hearts being healed.



AY WAY HEY O HEYA!



When we returned home, the first thing we did was get Buffy's UP WHERE WE BELONG!









"

A refreshing new release!!

phroneo@aol.com | Denver, Colorado | 07/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This, I think, should be "The Best of Buffy", with several of her songs re-recorded using a more "modern flair", this is an exceptional example of Buffy's style and talent. As the original songwriter of "Up Where We Belong", she re-records this song the way in which she intended it to be. I highly recommend this CD, especially if you are a new Buffy fan. "Changing Woman" is good on this album (but nothing will beat the original!). If you don't order any other Buffy album, this is a GREAT one to own!! Lots of her Native-American heritage to be found here."

Great Native American music with a contemporary sound

Paul D. Hammersten | 05/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album has made me a new Buffy fan. It's great Native American sound with a contemporary twist. Buffy achieves a great blend of Native American music with modern arrangements, yet does not lose the authenticity and feel of the traditional sound. 'Darling Don't Cry' and 'Universal Soldier' are great examples of this unique sound. Also contains the origin and history of each song, bringing the listener closer to the music. I can't wait until I hear the earlier albums."