Music of the Alasvan Kutchin Indians

Ethnic Folkways Library

Folkways Records – FE 4070

Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: Folk, World, & Country Style: Folk, Native American
[Tracklist]
A01 Song of the Snow Geese Flying over the Mouth of the Yukon: Daniel John (01:36)
A02 Love Song: Lily Pitka (00:29)
A03 Love Song: Sheenjit Gwiizuu: Lily Pitka (00:25)
A04 Love Song: Goodbye Sheenyaa: Lily Pitka (00:29)
A05 Medicine Song: Shenyati's Owl Song: Silas John (02:14)
A06 Medicine Song: Stanley Luke (01:24)
A07 Medicine Song: Johnny Frank (00:20)
A08 War Song: Johnny Frank (00:32)
A09 Crow Dance Song: Myra Robert (00:57)
A10 Crow Dance Song: Lily Pitka (00:36)
A11 Song of Tribute: Myra Robert (00:48)
A12 Song of Tribute: Myra Robert (00:41)
A13 The Boy in the Moon: Myra Robert (01:36)
A14 New Year's Song: Lily Pitka (00:48)
A15 Goodby Song: Lily Pitka (00:40)
A16 Steamboat Song: Silas John (01:06)
B01 Red River Jig, Ch'eenatsii Ch'aradzaa: Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank (01:45)
B02 Duck Dance, Dats'an Ch'aradzaa: Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank (01:51)
B03 Brandy: Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank (02:39)
B04 Rabbit Dance, Ge Ch'aradzaa: Jimmy and Lawrence Roberts (01:32)
B05 Virginia Reel: Charlie Peter (01:50)
B06 Double Jig: Charlie Peter (01:47)
B07 Fox Trot: Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank (01:05)
B08 Eight Couple, Neekee Do: Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank (01:39)
B09 Square Dance, Second Part: Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank (02:05)
B10 Four Hand Reel, Lady's Earring Dance, Neets'ee T'yaa: Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank (01:12)
[Credits]
Recorder and Liner Notes: Craig Mishler, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
The Kutchin (also known as Gwich'in) Indians live across Central and Eastern Alaska, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Their vocal music represents the more traditional way of experiencing music―unaccompanied singing. Their instrumental music, especially played on the fiddle, reflects the influence of explorers, traders, and missionaries on musical tastes. The Gwich’in adopted not only the music that whites introduced but jigs, reels, and square dances. There are several instances as well of Gwich’in adapting Native dance forms to this Western style of music.