Eskimo Songs From Alaska / Var Eskimo Songs From Alaska / Var CD

Recorded on St Lawrence Island by Miriam C. Stryker in 1966 this album features songs from the ";Yupik"; Eskimos that have long occupied the Island and who live in two separate villages Savoonga and Gambell. Eskimo legend tells of the Island's formation: ";The Sea Goddess, picking up a handful of ooze from the bottom of the sea, squeezed it between her fingers, forming mountains that are part of it's interesting terrain."; This rugged terrain means a hard life for a people who live off the land. The songs relate through subjects such as hunting, fishing, boats, animals and the like. The lyrics are often very sparse and sometimes the song consists solely of chanted syllables. Liner notes include history of the Yupik Eskimos and song information.

1. Small Owl 2. How Much Will I Get for the Ivory Carving? 3. Looking for Someone Who Wants to Eskimo Dance 4. Balloon Song 5. Walking from Savoonga to Gambell 6. Cowboy Song 7. Praise, Praise God 8. Helicopter Song / Second Helicopter Song 9. Drum Song 10. Like a Little Girl 11. Little Indian Boy 12. Indian Exhausted 13. Rise Up Helicopter, Like a Bird 14. Guitar Song 15. Eskimo Rock 'N' Roll 16. Little Cowboy 17. Swing Your Drum 18. I Couldn't Wait 19. Old Song