Murray Porter's New Album "Songs Lived & Life Played"

Turtle Clan Mohawk of the Grand River Murray Porter releases his newest project Songs Lived & Life Played - an album filled with his classic style of blues music.

With 11 songs, the album is a full range of blues mastery that only Murray Porter can deliver. It includes heartfelt songs dedicated to the women who have suffered tragic fates on the "Highway of Tears" and to survivors of the Indian residential schools, and songs like Rez Bluez - the theme song for the APTN series Rez Bluez - and Is Sorry Enough? capture the essence of an Indigenous history and viewpoint on the blues genre.

The project is robust with collaboration. Co-written songs with Elaine Bomberry, backup vocals by Renae Morriseau, musical additions by Helene Duguay on bass and harmonies, harmonica from Chris Allen and David Hoerl, and of course accompaniment by his band Rick Boulter on guitar and Chris "The Wrist" Nordquist on drums, round out the formidable contributing artists that Murray brings together.

Anyone into blues music, especially Indigenous blues music, should get a copy of this album for their collection. Murray let's us know that being real and playing from the heart is a strong driving force in the art of music. The result is a timeless creation.

Tracklisting:

1) Rez Bluez Words & music by Murray Porter

2) Since She Went Away Words & music by Murray Porter Dedicated to the Murdered & Missing Women and Their Families

3) Not So Far Away Words by Elaine Bomberry; music by Murray Porter

4) Set My Love Free Words & music by Murray Porter

5) That Man Was Me Words & music by Murray Porter

6) The Way She Loves Me Words & music by Murray Porter

7) Call You Baby Words by Elaine Bomberry; music by Murray Porter

8) Dog House Words & music by Josh Miller and Murray Porter

9) Time Will Come Words & music by Murray Porter

10) I Feel Lucky Words & music by Josh Miller and Murray Porter

11) Is Sorry Enough? Words by Elaine Bomberry and Murray Porter; music by Murray Porter Dedicated to the Indian Residential & Boarding School Survivors

Find Murray Porter on Facebook and CBC Radio 3 to keep up with his latest news and tour dates.

#PowwowWednesday: Men's Traditional Dance

The Men’s Traditional dance is one of pride and confidence. Evolving from the old form of war dance where stories of battles and hunts would be “danced out”, the dancers appear as strong, bold warriors.

Never dancing backwards (that would seem like retreat) or in a full circle, the traditional step is done with the ball of the foot touching the ground on the first beat, and the whole foot on the second beat. The regalia are a very personal expression of the dancer and many dancers carry items that symbolize their status as warriors.

Powwow practices vary from region to region of course. Here is fantastic video of the Men’s Traditional from the Six Nations Grand River Powwow last month.

Grand River Powwow 2011: Photos and Video

#PowwowWednesday! The 32nd Annual Grand River Champion of Champions Powwow took place this past weekend in Ohsweken with over 200 dancers from Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the U.S.

The Hamilton Spectator interviewed 70-year old Evenlyn White Eyes in Generations of dance at Grand River Powwow:

White Eyes, who is from the Walpole Island First Nation, continues to attend the powwow each year because it affirms that their tradition is “alive and well.”

“I just think that (it’s) the perpetuity of what we do, preserving our way and (we’re) happy to show it to people who are interested instead of the stereotypical (images) you see on TV,” said the dancer, who participated in the women’s traditional category.

“There’s a lot of people who still think we live in teepees … What we want to perpetuate is the real thing. This is the real thing.”

Ain't that the truth? The real thing. Our traditions, our culture, are not trapped in the past - they are current, active and alive.

Check out the whole photo gallery here: Grand River Powwow.

Fast Deer Video captured much of the weekend on video - with short interviews and many of the dances and drummers:

Tansi Oleg for keeping the camera rolling!

See you next week for another #powwowwednesday.