Performing on the Indian Lovin CD, (left to right back row) are Nick Hanson, Opie Day Bedeau, Cetan Wanbli Williams, John Andersen, Mike DeMain, Tom Cain, Bud Morrow, Martin Powless, Jerome Powless, (front row), Wendall Powless, John Morrow, Mike Sullivan Sr, Mat White and Ahsinees Larson.

Reserve, Wisconsin (Sawyer County Record)

Imagine a country western somebody-done-somebody-wrong song set to a Native American beat then add humor and you will have an idea of what to expect from Pipestone’s recently recorded compact disc tentatively titled Good Ol Fashion Indian Lovin.

The group recorded the songs for the new CD June 14 with nationally acclaimed label Canyon Records out of Phoenix, Ariz. Canyon has been recording and distributing Native American music for 55 years. Several Canyon artists have been finalists in the Grammy competition.

For its fifth release, Pipestone is venturing into the hand drum style. Described as a slower, more social style of music, the CD features a collection of original round dance songs.

Mike Sullivan, who wrote the lyrics for the 15 songs, said this CD is “all humorous songs about the other side of love.”

“Most round dance songs are about being in love,” Sullivan explained. “Our songs are break-up songs. We’re using round dance style to tell about a love life gone bad here in Indian Country.”

While Sullivan wrote the songs, he said there was a lot of inspiration from the other members of Pipestone.

A sampling of some of the lyrics and song titles will give listeners an idea of what to expect:

In “Kiss Good-bye,” the main character is asked to choose between going to the pow wows and spending time with his girlfriend – “Well I made up my mind/ hardest decision of my life/come here pretty girl/give me a kiss good-bye!”

“If He Only Knew” takes a humorous look at cheating – “if your husband only knew/ about me and you/there’s no telling what he’d do.”

And finally, “T.P. Creepin”... well you can imagine.

Sullivan said he hopes listeners enjoy the humor in the songs. “We want to make people feel good. That’s why we sing.”

Many of the members of Pipestone have been doing just that for most of their lives. In it’s current form, the group has been performing together since the early ’90s. Members range in age from their early 20s to mid-30s. Tom Cain said he remembers when a former lead singer would pick him up from Kindergarten for practice. “I’ve been singing all my life,” he added.

The innovative recordings on Indian Lovin feature traditional hand drum beats and Native American vocalization interspersed with Sullivan’s humorous lyrics sung in unison.

“This is the biggest thing that has ever happened to Pipestone. It’s a real milestone for the group,” Sullivan said. “We’ve been trying to get signed by Canyon since 2001.”

Canyon Record’s Stephen Butler, the “Puff Daddy of pow wow” according to Sullivan, said he has seen Pipestone on the pow wow trail a number of times. “It’s really good to be working with them.”

Cain said one of the reasons the group wanted to record for Canyon was to reach a wider audience, “to get our name out there more.”

“If they haven’t heard of us before, they will now,” Sullivan added.

The release of the CD is not scheduled until later this year. Sullivan said the group is planning a release celebration including a live performance when the CD becomes available.

The CD will be available from Canyon and in general release from pow wow vendors across the country.

Along the pow wow trail is also a good place to find Pipestone’s previous releases: Pipestone on Arbor Records; the independently released L.C.Ol’ Style; Pipestone Singers on Echabu Records; and Live at Fort Washakie by Drumhop Productions. Live was just released last November.

Performing on Indian Lovin are Mike Sullivan Sr, John Morrow, Mike DeMain, Mat White, Bud Morrow, Tom Cain, Nick Hanson, Ahsinees Larson, John Andersen, Wendall Powless, Jerome Powless, Martin Powless, Cetan Wanbli Williams and Opie Day Bedeau.

For more information or to schedule an appearance, contact Pipestone at pipestoneguy@yahoo.com.

Editors Note: You can get most of Pipestone’s CDs at the Trading Post on the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Reservation or on the web at www.IndianCountryNews.com and clicking the eBay Trading Post banner.