Traditional Navajo songs with a modern twist, James Bilagody's "Near Midnight" gives listeners a sonic landscape of Navajo Culture.

12 MP3 Songs
WORLD: Native American, NEW AGE: Shamanic



Details:
James Bilagody leads his life with a song in his heart. He was exposed to traditional

Navajo song through his aunt and uncle at an early age and they introduced him to

what would become his lifelong passion. He also listened extensively to classical music

as a child and it opened his eyes to the diversity and beauty of music. While he was

starting his prolific journey into music, he worked as a radio DJ at KRCL in Salt Lake City,

Utah, which had a multiple music format and at KGHR in Tuba City, Arizona, which had a

country music format. He also played rhythm guitar for a country band for a short time.

As he grew older, he was introduced to Elvis Presleyâs music and became entranced by

the energy of rock and roll. He later returned to his Native roots and sang traditional and

fusion vocals for several albums. He sang on 1989âs Sacred Feelings with flute by Douglas

Spotted Eagle, 1990âs Canyon Speak, 1991âs Sound of America Records (SOAR) Sampler

with various other artists and 1994âs SOARS Solo Flights II with various other artists as well.

He also contributed to the vocals on Wolf Moon in 1997 with Little Wolf, Contact from the

Underworld of Red Boy in 1998 with Robbie Robertson and One Nation in 1999 with Brule.

James wrote, recorded and contributed to the production of two of his own albums,

Beauty Ways in 1992 and Sing For Me in 1999, which was nominated for a Grammy for

Best Native American Music Album. With his knowledge and skills developed through the

years by his involvement in the music business, he has supported the musical development

and efforts of the tremendously popular Native rock band The Cremains.

It only seemed natural for James Bilagody and The Cremains to collaborate on a musical project

since they share a similar love of rock and traditional Native song. The result, Sacred Stage is

a testament to this fusion of styles. They have already performed at many locations

throughout the Southwest with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from their audience.

The tracks consist of beautiful Native vocals backed by traditional drumbeat and they naturally

progress to a full rock set with vocals sung by James in Navajo. Everyone involved with this

collaboration are both excited to be exploring new territory and consider themselves to be

writing a new chapter in a book the history of rock and roll.

Never in the history of music has anyone solemnly fused the heritage of Native America

with the vigor of hard rock.

Jump at any opportunity to come and hear something that has never been done beforeâ¦

-K. McGinnis