A Soulful mix. Each track expressing a different meaning of Peace.
author: The Light Connection
What does “peace” mean to you? Calm relaxation? Stillness and serenity? The title of this album of eight original songs, played on a variety of native flutes and drums, was taken from lyrics describing peace as “a great party, where the people are happy to be alive.” And the initial cut, a playful creation featuring the hong drum and named after its nonsense-syllable chorus “Za Zee Za Zu Zing,” welcomes us straight on into the party.
From there on, this soulful mix of music takes its inspiration from Randy's Southwestern lifestyle and his Native American heritage. Each track expresses a different look at the meaning of peace. One, a haunting melody called “The Dog Star”—flawlessly executed on native flute—was written after performing at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, where Randy says he looked up into the night sky to see the constellation Sirius (the dog star) just as it was depicted on a wall of the ancient ruin.—“Rio Grande Lullaby” is his tribute to that great Southwestern river and to his Apache and Comanche ancestors.
In “Apache Tears” the flute and drums reflect the sadness of the Apache people, who, driven from their homes, fled to the hills of Mexico and survived on what they could find—which sometimes meant hard cactus and the leather of their own moccasins. “Ghost Dancers” and “Double-Barrel Train Wreck” bring us the haunting sound of the double-barrel flute, on which the notes played on one side are back grounded by a drone sound coming out the other. In “Chaco Moon Meditation,” Randy celebrates the peace of the ancients who lived there with a poignant tune played on a reproduction of an ancient Anasazi flute.
If you enjoy native flute, I believe you will find this album varied, interesting and musically delightful. As I listen to it I can almost see the gleam in Randy's eye as he experiments with his instruments and the emotions he stretches to evoke.
—Chiwah
The Light Connection, March 2009
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Randy Granger Plays Many Native Wooden Flutes
author: Notes and Chords
Randy Granger Plays Many Native Wooden Flutes
RANDY GRANGER
A PLACE CALLED PEACE
DOGSENSE MUSIC
This is what you hear in the music of Native American Randy Granger – the elements of nature found in southern New Mexico including sage and mesquite, hawks and rattlesnakes, deserts and canyons, the Rio Grande River and stunning sunsets. All of that and more permeates every note on his new CD, A PLACE CALLED PEACE, because he was born and raised in that state. The Southwest is in his blood and in his soul.
Primarily a Native wooden-flute player (on every track), Granger also sings and plays acoustic guitar on the folk-flavored first song, “Za Zee Za Zu Zing.” Plus he plays various Indian drums and percussion as well as the modern metal hang drum (looks like a flying saucer) that puts forth melodic notes as well as rhythmic beats.
Several of the tunes are solo flute pieces (his flute work on “Double-Barrel Train Wreck” is pretty astounding). The others incorporate Indian drums that will put you immediately around the tribal fire with the “Ghost Dancers,” with the elders for a “Chaco Moon Meditation,” or with the families shedding “Apache Tears.” It sounds like all the instrumentation is acoustic (no synthesizers).
There are a lot of Native flute players, but it is refreshing to hear someone who sounds just a bit different than everyone else.
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A Place Called Peace
author: Suzette Southfox
I'm not a sschooled music person but with certain sounds and songs my life is enriched deeply. I found Randy through the haunting hang drum youtube winter solstice. I took a chance on this CD and was gifted with more beauty. I love love love it. There is something that moves within me in a Place Called Peace. And my 10 year old son and I sing Za Zee Za almost every morning on the way to school. My gratitude wide to Randy. Thank you for walking this path.
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Unique, accessible considerable talent showcased.
author: New Age Retailer Magazine
The latest CD from Native American flute artist Randy Granger showcase his considerable talent on not just his assortment of flutes, but also on drums and percussion, including the hang drum, an instrument that is gaining popularity. Unlike some similar releases which tend to emphasize the gentler and more serene side of the flute, this one contains up-tempo rhythmic tracks, such as the opening song, “Za Zee Za Zu Zing” which, is also the lone vocal track “Ghost Dancers” unites tribal rhythms with haunting flutes while “Double-Barrel Train Wreck” sounds like it requires four pairs lungs to play! Unique yet accessible, A Place Called Peace is an easy recommendation to wooden-flute lovers.
- Bill Binkelman, NAR
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