Music - August 2010
Native American
Ancient Elements
Steve Rushingwind and Michael Mucklow
www.cdbaby.com/cd/RushingwindMucklow
Play "Into the Canyon"
from Ancient Elements
Story by Emily Drabanski
Steve Rushingwind and Michael Mucklow have joined forces to create a wonderful CD of quiet, meditative instrumental music inspired by Native American traditions. This is just the CD to grab when you’ve had a hectic day and would like to wind down.
Mucklow was contacted by Rushingwind more than a year ago, after Rushingwind heard one of Mucklow’s solo guitar recordings. “He said he loved my music and contacted me by e-mail,” Mucklow says. “He asked if we could record together and I was thrilled.”
Mucklow, who lives in Tijeras, says he spent about a half year composing the guitar parts and then downloaded them to his website. Rushingwind, who lives in California, then listened intently to determine how his flute playing and percussion could fit in. When they finally got into Mucklow’s home studio, Mucklow says everything just fell into place.
“But one of the most exciting compositions is the title song, “Ancient Elements,” that all just came together from scratch in about one and a half hours in the studio.” The longer, almost eight-minute composition is just as complex as the more pre-determined segments.
Throughout the CD, Rushingwind, who is a decendant of the Cahuilla Tribe (in California), not only adds his poignant flute playing, but also sings some refrains in a Native American style.
Mucklow says that both bring a lot of emotion to the pieces, but that he and Rushingwind’s personal internal interpretations may vary. Mucklow draws on a sorrowful, reflective emotion for his song “Surrender of Dreams.” “For me, it makes me think of the abandoned homes and farm houses that are sad reminders of people’s lost hopes and dreams. Maybe their place collapsed because of economic conditions or because they couldn’t keep up with corporate farms. But that’s what I thought about as I composed the guitar parts.” In contrast, he says Rushingwind reflects on some of the tragedies that Native Americans endured through the ages.
Mucklow says he writes his pieces in a way that invites people to reflect on their own personal lives. “I hope it helps heal both bodies and spirits.”
Rushingwind’s interpretations on a traditional Native American–style flute reflect the strength and determination of the Native American spirit. Mucklow’s compositions on guitar drive the direction of the songs and have a precise, yet relaxed quality. Each also offers top-rate solo performances. “Awakened” showcases Mucklow’s guitar and piano talents. Rushingwind has contributed two stellar solo performances on “Old Chief’s Pipe” and “Sienna Rain,” a composition dedicated to his daughter, Sienna.
Other standouts on the CD include the dreamy, “Ceremony of Morning” and the mournful “The Sorrow of Loss.” The latter was written in memory of Mucklow’s father who died at age 43. “I was only 17 at the time and his death deeply affected me. This song is about that loss and the disappointment that he was never able to really hear my developed compositions.” Mucklow began playing guitar as a teen and has played for more than 30 years.
Mucklow and Rushingwind have plans to record again in the next year. Info: www.rushingwind-mucklow.com.
