David Lone Bear recorded a flute album that was released in 1999. I had listened to a cassette tape of these tracks for several years when, at last, the tape finally unraveled for the last time. How devastated I was. I hadn’t seen any other copies of this album. After much searching, I was fortunate to finally locate a hard copy of the CD!
David’s album is called Voices of the Mountain. Traditional Mi’kmaq Flute & Stories.
There are 12 tracks of traditional flute songs on the album. There are some that I have heard David play in person. The Woodpecker story is always a favorite (and one of my daughter’s favorites) and it changes each time. With each listen there is much more to hear and understand. I think the woodpecker story has given me some of the greatest insights into my life and life on Earth. I would love to hear what your thoughts and experiences are on these stories once you have heard them.
Here are some words found on the inside cover of the CD that shares more about the flutes and stories in the recordings and where these have come from.
My name is David Sanipass, Lone Bear, or whatever you would like to call me. I was born near Ellsworth on the mid coast of Maine. My family lived traditionally: following the harvest of potatoes, wood, and blueberries up and down the Eastern part of the state. We lived simply but well with traditional skills, hard work, and a sense of humor. My grandfather used to say, “If you keep your head down, you can’t see where you are going.” My grandfather told me many stories as we worked by the ocean digging clams or collecting seaweed, and at night as he would make flutes and baskets by candle light. The flute music on this recording is some of the stories that were passed down for generations through songs and chants.
Most of the Music on this recording is played on one flute that was gifted to me by my Grandfather. This flute is one of the most special gifts that I have ever received and will always be treasured and played with great respect for my grandfather who has passed on to the spirit world.
It also says below this:
David has been making and playing flute for 20 years or more. The Micmac nation is more than 20,000 years old; they have been called Micmac for the last 300 years. These stories/songs not only give us insights into the history of a people, but they teach us through the voices of our ancestors how life should be lived and celebrated.
Voices of the Mountain is available for purchase as a CD on Lone Bear’s website HERE
Stream the album HERE