Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate's Lowak Shoppala' - Fire & Light is a work in eight scenes in two acts and features orchestra, narration of a libretto by Chickasaw poet Linda Hogan, children’s chorus, traditional Chickasaw and modern dancers, traditional Chickasaw and classical vocal soloists and American Indian storytellers...

Lowak Shoppala' - Fire & Light is an impressive album which sets out to depict various aspects of Chickasaw culture and history (sung in Chickasaw). The recording, conducted by Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, features the Chickasaw Nation Children’s Chorus and Nashville String Machine, an ensemble made up of musicians from the Nashville Symphony, and soloists including narrators Richard Ray Whitman, Lynn Moroney, and Wes Studi (Dances with Wolves); baritone Stephen Clark; soprano Chelsea Owen; and soprano Meghan Vera Starling.

There's also a stage show, for those fortunate to live close to where performances were/are staged. The album is a wonderful blend of Chickasaw music and western orchestral music. The fusion between the two is truly mesmerising.

This is a work I would have loved to have seen performed live. And, while I enjoyed the narration, as it's important to understanding the scenes, I'm kind of wishing that these had only been included as notes in the booklet so that I could appreciate the music without the vocals talking over it. It's a shame that the tracks weren't repeated without narration as a bonus... but then as the album is 1 hr, 18 min, 40 sec, this would probably not be cost effective.

The stories are wonderfully told and the music sets an engaging atmospheric scene. An intriguing and wonderfully produced production.

8

Darren Rea