March 27, 2025

Eskimo Songs from Alaska

Ethnic Folkways Library – FHS 37254
Recorded on St. Lawrence Island by Miriam C. Stryker

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1966
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, & Indigenous
[Tracklist]
A01 Small Owl: Nick Wongatilin (00:54)
A02 How Much Will I Get for the Ivory Carving?: Nathan Noonwook (03:08)
A03 Looking for Someone Who Wants to Eskimo Dance: Amos Penayak (04:35)
A04 Balloon Song: Nick Wongatilin (02:02)
A05 Walking from Savoonga to Gambell: Paul Jensen (00:55)
A06 Cowboy Song: John Apongalook (00:53)
A07 Praise, Praise God: Nick Wongatilin (01:18)
A08 Helicopter Song / Second Helicopter Song: Nathan Noonwook (05:17)
A09 Drum Song: Nick Wongatilin (02:05)
B01 Like a Little Girl: Laurence Kulukbon (02:52)
B02 Little Indian Boy: Fred Angi (02:35)
B03 Indian Exhausted: Fred Angi (02:04)
B04 Rise up Helicopter, like a Bird: Fred Angi (01:45)
B05 Guitar Song: John Apongalook (02:33)
B06 Eskimo Rock 'n' Roll: Inuit Yup'ik singers, Gambell village (02:47)
B07 Little Cowboy: Inuit Yup'ik singers, Gambell village (02:12)
B08 Swing Your Drum: Inuit Yup'ik singers, Gambell village (01:43)
B09 I Couldn't Wait: Inuit Yup'ik singers, Gambell village (02:00)
B10 Old Song: John Apongalook (02:12)
[Credits]
Producer: Charles Hofmann, Recorder and Field Worker: Miriam C. Stryker, Designer: Irwin Rosenhouse
[Notes] Recorded on St Lawrence Island by Miriam C. Stryker in 1966 this album features songs from the Yup'ik people who have long occupied the Island and who live in two separate villages Savoonga and Gambell. Yup'ik legend tells of the Island’s formation: "The Sea Goddess, picking up a handful of ooze from the bottom of the sea, squeezed it between her fingers, forming mountains that are part of its interesting terrain." This rugged terrain means a hard life for a people who live off the land. The songs relate through subjects such as hunting, fishing, boats, animals and the like. The lyrics are often very sparse and sometimes the song consists solely of chanted syllables. Liner notes include history of the Yup'ik and song information.

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