BLACKRAVEN'S Debut Release "FIRST FLIGHT" - Contemporary Indigenous Flute Music
Contemporary Indigenous Flute Music - Dynamic melodies on Native American flutes & backdrops of guitars, bass, keyboards, drums & percussion. Ranging from contemporary ballads to traditionally inspired songs.
A beautiful & esoteric flute album that rocks! Blackraven's "FIRST FLIGHT" will send you on a deep journey. No more "New Age Sleepytime Flute Music". This album has a balance of beauty & power that is sure to please!
NOMINATED IN THE UPCOMING NOVEMBER 2008 L. A. MUSIC AWARDS IN THE PRODUCER'S CHOICE CATAGORIE:
"BEST INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING"
Charles Button was a 2008 NAMMY(NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD) WINNER in the catagorie "Best Producer"
NOMINATIONS 2007
Two Native American Music Award Nominations in 2007
Nominated For "Debut Group Of The Year" at the Native American Music Awards 2007
Nominated for "Native Heart" at the Native American Music Awards 2007
REVIEWS 2007
Whispering Wind Magazine 11/27/07
Audio Review: by Gene M. Bates
'First Flight': Blackraven
Category: Contemporary/ New Age/ Instrumental
Buttonhooks Music CD/Copyright 2007
"One of the best contemporary flute CD's of 2007, Blackraven's debut is dazzling! A clever confection of contemporary instrumentation and Native American flute, Blackraven's music is full of color and light. Dan Hicks' flute sails above each alluring track, drawing us into the lush musical landscapes painted with each and every note. The playing is clean, the songwriting impeccable, and the accompaniment balanced and restrained.
A well-deserved nod should be given to producer/ engineer Charles Button as well as special guests, world percussionist, Will Clipman and guitarist extraordinaire, Aaron White (of 'Burning Sky' fame) for their contributions.
What an amazing album! Favorites 'cuts' include,"Running Horse", a marvelous track entitled, "My Love"and the colorful Button/Hicks composition,"The Irish in Me". A marvelous mix of 'today and traditional', Blackraven's, "First Flight" is 'first rate'!"-
On its debut CD First Flight, Blackraven (the Native American Music Award® nominated duo of Daniel Hicks and Charles Button) takes the unique sound of the Native American flute in imaginative new directions, weaving its evocative melodic voice as the unifying thread into a fresh sonic fabric that embraces elements of folk, rock, and world music. The highly personal flute stylings of Daniel Hicks blend seamlessly with the guitar, bass, and keyboard textures of co-composer and producer Charles Button, ably accompanied by multiple Grammy® Nominees Will Clipman on pan-global percussion and Aaron White on guitar, along with a stellar cast of supporting players.
One beautiful Sedona Arizona afternoon, Dan Hicks, son of Pat Hicks (the founder of the Musicians Institute of Technology in Los Angeles) arrived at Sacred Mountain Studio. The studio was located at the top of a private mesa, at the end of a dead end road. The studio belonged to recording artist/producer Charles Button. Charles has a long history in the music business, working with such eclectic artists as Atlantic Records artist Madeline Peyroux, Animal Logic's Michael Thompson, and the Who's Nicky Hopkins.
Magic was in the air, and in a frenzy of creative output the two men dug and knocked out 14 new compositions. Performances by GRAMMY nominees Will Clipman and Aaron White were included, and guitarist Mark Thomas added his skills.
This universe is always in a state of flux. This album is dedicated to Charles beloved mother, who passed on in the same time frame as this album was created, which may possibly have added to it's emotional depth.
Blackraven was born when Charles and Daniel decided to perform together live. They have performed a the Zion Flute festival, the Thunder in the Desert Festival in Tucson, Arizona, at nutritional pioneer Dr. Gabriel Cousins' Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Patagonia, Arizona, and recorded a live DVD at the Canyon Moon Theater in Sedona, Arizona.
When Blackraven performed at the WESTERN DAYS celebration atop Airport Mesa in Sedona, Arizona this summer, the outdoor festival was abruptly stopped by a huge rainstorm. When the bigtop tent was suddenly flooded by incoming water from all sides, all power was promptly disconnected to prevent death and destruction. Undaunted, the duo jumped off the front of the stage and continued to perform, albeit unplugged, on Native American flute and 12 string acoustic guitar to an appreciative and enthralled crowd. They later received a thank you letter for their efforts from Sedona's Mayor Pud Colquitt.
Many discerning listeners have noticed the unique qualities of this recording.
While currently on a selective performance schedule, BlackRaven is available for bookings by email: charlesbutton59@msn.com
Blessings to all & to all a good Flight!
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