Eskimo Songs from Alaska (1966) CD

"This item is part of the Folkways (Cook, or Paredon, or Monitor) archives.The original liner notes from the LP are included."

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 its 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.

101     Small Owl      Nick Wongatilin      0:54                                           
102     How Much Will I Get for the Ivory Carving?     Nathan Noonwook     3:08            
103     Looking for Someone Who Wants to Eskimo Dance     Amos Penayak     4:35            
104     Balloon Song     Nick Wongatilin     2:02                                          
105     Walking from Savoonga to Gambell     Paul Jensen     0:55                          
106     Cowboy Song     John Apongalook     0:53                                          
107     Praise, Praise God     Nick Wongatilin     1:18                                    
108     Helicopter Song / Second Helicopter Song     Nathan Noonwook     5:17              
109     Drum Song     Nick Wongatilin     2:05                                            
201     Like a Little Girl     Laurence Kulukbon     2:52                                  
202     Little Indian Boy     Fred Angi     2:35                                          
203     Indian Exhausted     Fred Angi     2:04                                            
204     Rise Up Helicopter, Like a Bird     Gambell village Eskimo singers     1:45        
205     Guitar Song     John Apongalook     2:33                                          
206     Eskimo Rock 'n' Roll     Gambell village Eskimo singers     2:47                    
207     Little Cowboy     Gambell village Eskimo singers     2:12                          
208     Swing Your Drum     Gambell village Eskimo singers     1:43                        
209     I Couldn't Wait     Gambell village Eskimo singers     2:00                        
210     Old Song     John Apongalook     2:12