Every so often there appears on the musical horizon a new release which is so unique in its artistic expression that it deserves special recognition. The World in Our Eyes (A Native American Vision of Creation) by J. Reuben Silverbird and Ron Russo is one of these rare and precious gems. Through a skillful blending of spoken word, nature sounds, and extraordinary musicianship, the listener embarks on a spiritual odyssey that leads us to the center of the Great Circle of Creation where everything vibrates as a single living tapestry of interconnectedness and balance. Like the strong yet gentle grasp of a wise elder's hand, Reuben Silverbird's voice acts as a knowing guide along the sacred path of his ancestors' creation myths and legends. There is so much warmth of presence and depth of authenticity to his words that one cannot help but feel the spirits of many great medicine teachers, leaders, and healers as they speak through him. The music itself is a perfect marriage of traditional and modern instrumentation. Whether it is a synthesizer's depiction of a sparkling canopy of diamond stars in a frigid night sky, a fiery electric guitar celebrating the glory of a summer buffalo hunt, or the delicate melody of a wooden flute expressing the coolness of a lush forest, the music always finds its way into your heart. Tribal drumming and chanting returns throughout like a majestic echo of loving affirmation for the Earth. This double album offers the listener the option of hearing the recitation of the creation myth with music and nature sounds on the first disc/tape, or just listening to the music and nature sounds together on the second disc/tape if one is in a more contemplative mood. The World in Our Eyes is a poignant reminder to all of us that the Native American Vision is alive and well and more relevant than ever. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats
