Here is the cover of John Trudell's "Bone Days". Everyone should own this album. I just
finished watching "Dreamkeeper" on DVD. John Trudell played Coyote, the Trickster and what an experience that was: to actually
see Trickster in human form. Some of it was done with photography and special effects, but a lot of it was
John Trudell.
In case you don't know, John was a leader in AIM, the American Indian Movement, back in the
seventies. You can read about him in books like Peter Matthiessen's "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" and other places. Check
out our book page for more. There's also a movie, Trudell, the Movie, making the rounds in Indian Country; it's due to come
out in 2006.
John was one of the top AIM leaders; when he burnt an American flag in front of the FBI building
in 1979, he paid an awful price. Twelve hours later his wife, three children and mother-in-law were killed in an arson set
fire. The fire was declared arson, but never investigated. There were dozens, and perhaps hundreds of Indians murdered at
Pine Ridge during this time. These murders were never investigated.
John took up poetry and music. He doesn't sing exactly. His band is called "Bad Dog". His
friend, Quiltman, does the singing and John talks his words with the music and the singing. their Indian friends do some
chanting on some of the songs. John's voice gets into you, right into the deepest and best places. His inflections are subtle.
Funny but it took me a while to realize completely that he wasn't exactly "singing".
The tunes are a terrific mix of rock, blues and exquisitely painful ballads, many about
Tina, his wife, who was an activist on the res. She was working on water rights at the time of her death. Warning: ithe
albums are very pollitical and uncompromising. But always fresh and different, wise and never bitter.I first learned about
John Trudell from David Maybury who knew how to find all good things. Namaste, David.
This album also got great reviews on Amazon.
Other albums by John Trudell:
A.K.A Grafitti Man
Blue Indians
Johnny Damas and Me
