Circle (Indigenous album)

Circle
Studio album by
Indigenous
Released2000
LabelPachyderm Records[1]
ProducerDoyle Bramhall, Indigenous
Indigenous chronology
Live at Pachyderm Studios
(1999) 		Circle
(2000) 		Long Way Home
(2005)

Circle is an album by the American band Indigenous, released in 2000.[2][3] It won a Nammy Award, in the "Best Blues and Jazz" category.[4]

The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart.[5]

Production

The album was produced by Doyle Bramhall and the band; Bramhall also wrote two songs.[6][7][8] Indigenous met Bramhall when they opened a 1995 concert for him.[9] The album cover art was created by Alton Kelley.[10]

All four bandmembers contributed to the songwriting.[11] Jennifer Warnes sang on "The Moon Is Shining".[12] Tower of Power's Roger Smith played keyboards.[13]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
Rolling Stone[15]

The Washington Post called the guitar work "a potent mix of '60s influences translated into a passionate, contemporary sound."[16] Rolling Stone wrote that the band's "gritty, workmanlike rock is solid and unpretentious, as well-schooled in its influences as it is earnest in execution."[15]

The Hartford Courant deemed the album "an adequate disc with competent musicianship, but most of the songs are formulaic and Circle ultimately lacks flair."[17] The Courier News called it "heavy [and] soulful," writing that Indigenous "combines its native rhythms with the Texas blues-rock of Stevie Ray Vaughan."[18]

AllMusic wrote that "Mato Nanji is a flawless guitar player, but his prowess here is slightly dampened by the acoustic guitar that lies a layer beneath some of the songs, resulting in less punch."[14]

Track listing

  1. "Little Time" - 3:19
  2. "Can't Keep Me from You" - 4:19
  3. "You Left Me This Mornin'" - 4:58
  4. "Evolution Revolution" - 2:33
  5. "You Were the One" - 5:24
  6. "Stay With Me" - 5:11
  7. "Seven Steps Away" - 5:20
  8. "Remember" - 4:04
  9. "Rest of My Days" - 4:58
  10. "Waiting for You" - 5:09
  11. "The Moon Is Shining" - 4:46

References

  1. ^ Wright-McLeod, Brian (January 30, 2018). "The Encyclopedia of Native Music: More Than a Century of Recordings from Wax Cylinder to the Internet". University of Arizona Press – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Indigenous Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ^ "Indigenous Making Mark In Blues Circle". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Melmer, David (31 Oct 2001). "New Indigenous CD will have live-performance quality". Indian Country Today. p. C1.
  5. ^ "Indigenous". Billboard.
  6. ^ Harris, Craig (April 11, 2016). "Heartbeat, Warble, and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music". University of Oklahoma Press – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Paoletta, Michael (May 13, 2000). "Spotlight: Circle". Billboard. 112 (20): 26.
  8. ^ "Indigenous make HOB debut". The Chicago Defender. 12 Oct 2000. p. 17.
  9. ^ Rodriguez, Kenn (5 May 2000). "Music comes first for Indigenous". The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. E10.
  10. ^ Keyes, Bob (21 Apr 2000). "'Austin City Limits' appearance icing on the cake for Indigenous". Argus Leader. p. F2.
  11. ^ Henry, Amanda (7 Dec 2000). "INDIGENOUS JUST LIKES PLAYING BLUES". Wisconsin State Journal. Rhythm. p. 20.
  12. ^ Langmaid, Wilfred (29 July 2000). "Indigenous' Circle shows artistic growth". The Daily Gleaner. Life.
  13. ^ Condran, Ed (19 May 2000). "INDIGENOUS INTELLIGENCE". The Record. LIFESTYLE/PREVIEWS. p. 16.
  14. ^ a b "Circle - Indigenous | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  15. ^ a b Berger, Arion (July 6, 2000). "Circle". Rolling Stone (844/845): 142.
  16. ^ Joyce, Mike (10 Nov 2000). "INDIGENOUS 'Circle'". The Washington Post. p. WW9.
  17. ^ Danton, Eric R. (25 May 2000). "CIRCLE Indigenous". Hartford Courant. Calendar. p. 6.
  18. ^ Makin, Robert (18 May 2000). "INDIGENOUS ROCKS". Courier News. p. D8.