| Native flutist dedicates newest album to Obama |
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| Written by Andrew Priest - Argonaut | ||||
| Thursday, 25 September 2008 | ||||
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Tacky music has a habit of always finding its tacky way to the tackiest of subject matter: politics — think Bruce Springsteen or The Dixie Chicks. Several months ago, native flutist Robert WindPony released a traditional album of pieces strongly reminiscent of his heritage as a member of the Tonto Apache Tribe of Payson, Ariz. called “Wings of Change.” This much is not news — tiny, unnoticed folk albums spring up across America all the time. Unfortunately, this kind of music is usually destined for the back burner at best. More likely it’d find its way to the playlist of some cheap massage parlor no one really goes to anyway. However, WindPony mixed a bizarre element into his newest release: he has dedicated his album to the campaign of presidential hopeful Barack Obama, more accurately, “to a leadership that emphasizes open communication first, and force only as a last resort.” On the cover of the album, the Obama campaign “O” logo is printed with the words “Yes we will 2008.” That’s what made me pick up “Wings of Change” because it’s a little goofy. But that’s likely what has kept the nondescript album from instantly fading into the nether regions of music, that and a fairly large advertising campaign. It’s an interesting concept, in the most confusing sense of the word — mixing the traditions of the past with Obama’s ubiquitous recital of the word “change.” It’s worth noting even the title of the album has the word “change” in it. But what does “change” actually sound like? The album is definitely minimal. WindPony expresses pride in the fact that his recordings are not electronically amplified and there’s no other instrumental accompaniment. The album is rather beautiful to listen to, if it weren’t for the cheap association. This is the sort of album that doesn’t lend itself well to traditional critiques, and who could blame a guy for being passionate about his ideals? At the same time, however, it does commit a single cardinal folk sin: it tangles itself with politics. As Johnny Cash famously advised, “Don’t go mixin’ politics with the folk songs of our land.”  Add as favorites (13) | Views: 260
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