By the end of the sixties she was making her primary focus Native rights, using every public appearance she made to try and educate people on the reality of being Native in the twentieth century. As a result of this her air time became more and more limited as people like The Tonight Show started applying conditions to her appearances - no talking about civil rights and only singing certain songs - and she would say, thanks, but no thanks. This didn't stop her from winning an Oscar for co-writing "Up Where We Belong" from the movie An Officer And A Gentleman.
The documentary takes us up into the present day and she talks about the things that motivate her now. In the early eighties she started to experiment with digital art and continues to create in a variety of styles and mediums to this day. Her other major focus has been on creating educational programming for Native and non-native children using the Internet. The Cradleboard Teaching Project is a multi media interactive curriculum for students from grade three to twelve while the Nihewan Foundation for Native American Education is dedicated to helping Native American students receive an education and also educating people of all backgrounds about Native American culture.
Needless to say with all this going on her music output isn't quite as prolific as it used to be, but that doesn't mean the quality of her work has suffered any either as the material on Running For The Drum makes perfectly clear. Whether she's doing a tribute to the early music of Elvis Presley on the rockabilly like "Blue Sunday", or a hauntingly beautiful song like "Easy Like The Snow Falls Down" which she dedicates to hospice caregivers who help families care for loved ones who are dying, her music remains as potent as it was when she wrote "Universal Soldier".
She pretty much covers all her musical influences on this disc, including a New Orleans blues tune, "I Bet My Heart On You" that features a piano duet with her and Taj Mahal. Yet, at least in my opinion, it's when she taps into her own heritage for inspiration that her material begins to transcend the boundaries of ordinary pop music. Listen to a piece like the previously mentioned "No No Keshagesh" or "Working For The Government" where she has sampled pow-wow drums and sings in the high falsetto of the pow-wow singer and, if you let it, her voice will lift you out of yourself, and send you travelling in ways you wouldn't think possible with popular music.
Article comments
1 - David Rachlin/Boston, USA
I have been a fan of BSM since the 70's when I discovered her music at a Canadian neighbors' home. She has been a major influence in my life as an educator, in that I insist on using First Nations/Native American literature in my classroom, and set aside the old, crusty poems we suffered with as children. I make sure my students know that native people are not a thing of the past and use her music as an example. Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of the most important gifts North America has given the world (along with corn and chocolate!), and I cherish every song she has written. This was an excellent review of Running for the Drum. It was at first hard to get used to the wide variety of styles, and I had originally hoped for the more Native sound that we got from Coincidence and Likely Stories, but every song is a true gem and deeply meaningful.Thanks!
2 - Bill R.
This doesn't seem to be available in the States. Hope Amazon et al see the error of their ways.
3 - Richard Marcus
Bill if you follow the link to Buffy's site, or to EMI Canada in my review I'm sure either one will be pleased to sell you a copy. I looked for an Amazon link, and even though they suggest an alternate search of "Running For The Drum" they don't list it yet. Good luck in getting your hands on a copy.
Richard
4 - THUNDERFIRE
HI NOW ALL THE TWO SPIRITED PEOPLE[NATIVE FOR "GAY"] COULD FINALLY HAVE THEIR FIRST DANCE SONG BY BUFFY! "WORKING FOR THE GOVERMENT" COULD BE PLAYED IN THE DANCE CLUBS-IT HAS THAT KIND OF FEEL & BEAT![ IT'S CATCHY UPBEAT BOUNCY SONG THAT MAKES U WANT TO GET UP AND DANCE!] AS USUAL I WANTED TO HEAR WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY "POLITICALLY"THRU HER SONGS AND THERE'S A COUPLE GOOD ONES HERE-STRAIGHT TO THE POINT LIKE SHE ALWAYS DOES IT-[FIRST 2 SONGS] THE QUIET ROMANTIC TYPE SONGS-THERE'S ABOUT4 HERE, THAT ARE REALLY GOOD-THE LAST SONG"THIS LOVE GOES ON AND ON"BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES BECOUSE IT'S BEAUTIFUL!
THE DVD THAT COMES WITH IT REALLY EXPLAINS HER BACKGROUND IN DEPTH-ER LIFE/CARRER SO I'AM GLAD THAT WAS INCLUDED HERE.
I'AM GLAD WE HAVE HER IN OUR CAMP BECOUSE SHE ENCOURAGES ME BY HER EXAMPLE-TO BE PROUD TO BE NATIVE AND SHE'S A GOOD POSITIVE ROLE MODELFOR US! THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU BUFFY!I LOVE YOUR NEW CD!
5 - steve hayes
I can't find Running for the drum on sale anywhere in the UK - very frustrating!Has it actually been released here yet?
6 - Hoksila Isnala
I just got hold of my copy.... eBay UK. I especially appreciated the devastatingly beautiful "Easy Like the Snow Falls Down", dedicated to those affected by Alzheimer's disease. I lost my mother to this disease late last year, and she always shared my love of Buffy's music. Makes me wonder what might have prompted the veteran singer-songwriter to write such a song.... perhaps for some respected Native elder, now lost in its cruel grip? Thank you, Buffy, for this latest jewel of a CD!
7 - Passing by...
We are NOT known as "Native Canadians". We are First Nations or just plain old Indian (not East Indian). But "Indian" is more used in the States. Even better, like my Saskatchewan roots, Buffy is Cree.
8 - Passing by...
P.S. Buffy is an "artist" first, who just happens to be Cree.
9 - Passing by
Just doing my tri-annual check-up to see who else is using my handle. Please be gentle with it - it's been around for quite a while, in a variety of places.
10 - steve hayes
Finally got a copy of Running...well worth the wait. Buffy says she'll be back in uk later this year after well-received set at Cambridge folk fest. We don't get many chances to see her so fingers crossed!