Album Notes

"Joanne Shenandoah and Michael Bucher speak from their hearts on 'Bitter Tears -- Sacred Ground’…They've constructed a proud and noble collection…The sounds of their voices and guitars are striking...Shenandoah sings 'The Star Spangled Banner' gloriously a cappella, one voice, soaring…And the CD closes with 'America,' gorgeously written and sung by Shenandoah..."

Mark Bialczak, Music Critic
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
February 1, 2009



Bitter Tears – Sacred Ground is a new release from Michael Bucher and Joanne Shenandoah. It contains 13 songs and takes the listener on a musical journey through Native history in true Joanne and Michael style. While honoring Johnny Cash, Peter La Farge and Floyd Red Crow Westerman, 5 songs are redone from the Johnny Cash album, “Bitter Tears,” which has through the years weaved its own legacy through Indian Country. Then there’s the soulful and beautiful rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” as only Grammy award winner, Joanne Shenandoah can sing it along with Joanne’s version of Floyd Westerman’s song, “They Didn’t Listen.”

Rounding off this CD are 6 original tunes from Joanne and Michael that gives this CD it’s own signature sounds. Michael’s picks for hits are “Riding Free” written by Joanne Shenandoah and “Sacred Ground” written by Michael.