In order to fully appreciate this dynamic musical group, one must first have an understanding of what a shaman is. The word, shaman, comes from Tungusic, a central Asian language group, and can be literally translated as, "one who is raised and excited"; The shaman's traditional role in many world cultures is to serve as a mediator between mankind and the spiritual forces of the natural world. He or she is, in a sense, a performer who utilizes rhythms, sounds, sights and words in active rituals to heal, teach and reinforce society.
Shaman, the musical group was founded in 1990 by Brahm Stuart, along with his sister, Deirdre, both of them multi-instrumentalists and singer/songwriters with a vast repertoire of traditional music and original songs. Shaman's music is the blend of many influences - including Celtic, Native American, Blues, and Middle Eastern - woven together as their own unique sound which Brahm dubbed "Earth Music". Because more than anything, Brahm wanted Shaman's music and lyrics to focus people's attention back to our Mother Earth, and realize and remember the critical importance of our relationship with the ecosphere and all other living creatures.
Shaman clearly established their "Hey, let's care about and love our Mother Earth!" attitude with the release of their first recording, Ode to Mother Earth. The original songs from that album caused quite a stir amongst many noted environmentalists, neo-pagan leaders, and journalists. Visit the Earth Music Download Central to download and hear streaming songs of their music.
With clear voices, fiddle, guitars, mandolin, hand drums, and flutes; Shaman gives highly charged performances that hold audiences spellbound. "The Earth is our Mother, she raised us up from the dust..." is the first line of one of their songs; and that same dust is still being kicked up by many dancing feet to the sounds of Shaman.
Contact: shaman@solstar.org
"Ode to Mother Earth is a remarkable work . . . links the eternal impulses of the spirit to the rhythmic pulse of the Earth,"
The Very Reverend James Parks Morton, the former dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
"Ode to Mother Earth is a delightful collection of songs which are filled with a sense of spiritual wonder. Most of the compositions evoke the majesty and splendor of our Mother Earth. . ."
Thoth, reviewer for the Neo-Pagan Journal,
Tides, Samhain/Yule issue 1992 issue.
"The songs generally have themes of reverence for the earth, environmental concerns, and similar ideological ground. While the lyrics to the songs show awareness of modern problems, they have sort of a neo-medieval feel. . .some of the best I've heard in this genre."
Steve Winick, reviewer for the World music magazine Dirty Linen , April/May 1991 issue.
"The Club advertises the show as 'Celtic Hippie Dancing', and that's exactly what goes on. Shaman's music is spirited traditional jigs and reels . . .this is certainly a good time."
Brian Rowan, in his Off the Record column of the
Irish Voice Newspaper, New York City, Jan. 14, 1992.
"Besides contrastingly intense, blow-you-away voices, this Celtic folk rock group strums haunting high energy music which begs your feet to jig with guitars, mandolin, and fiddle."
Dee Dee Finney, reviewer for the
New York Review of Records, Dec. 1991 issue.
"Their eclectic blend of traditional Irish and Scottish ballads, original lyrics and compositions are reminiscent of early Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention. . .favorites include a lively (celtic rock) version of the traditional Scottish ballad, 'Raggle Taggle Gypsies', on The Green Man, featuring Brahm's impassioned fiddle."
RS & ABr, reviewers for the World music magazine Dirty Linen , April/May 1994 issue.
Shaman perform a vast repertoire of traditional music and original songs. Although much of their repertoire is Celtic influenced, there is a lot of material which shows remarkable fluidity in other ethnic idioms. Some of Shaman's originals masterfully blend the folk music of these other traditions (i.e. Cajun, Native American, Gypsy, Greek and Middle Eastern) with blues and rock underpinnings to create the distinctive sound which has been lauded by audiences and critics wherever they've played.
Shaman, as a musical group was formed in 1990 and have since recorded four albums with the indie label, Solstar Communications. From the first, Ode to Mother Earth, Shaman explores a variety of World music flavours with the belly-dance-like sound of "I am the Ocean's Daughter" and the medieval Italian melodies in "The King Came Down". Dans Mediterraneo is an accoustic album of folk music from several countries that surround the Mediterranean sea. The last cut on SHAMAN, The Green Man, is a rousing "Ancient Laws, Tribal Ways" with cuttng lyrics pertinent to many regional conflicts today set to a driving Turkish tune in 7/8 rhythm.
Brian Rowan, in his Off the Record column of the
Irish Voice Newspaper, New York City, Jan. 14, 1992.
"Their hippie Celtic/rock vibrations emanate from as far back as 1066 A.D., and when coupled with their driving modern folk rock, produce a chillingly ageless sound."
Ross A. Levy, reviewer for the New Voice , Feb.1992 issue.
"Shaman's tapesty of sound weaves together an astounding variety of styles combining Celtic instrumentals, Mediterranean Gypsy songs, otherworldly ballads, and passionate pagan pixie music. . ."
RS & ABr, reviewers for the World music magazine Dirty Linen , April/May 1994 issue.
Contact: shaman@solstar.org