Post by blackcrowheart on Mar 4, 2006 11:19:15 GMT -5
LeRoy's passing the end of an era
Guest Commentary
Louis Gray 3/1/2006
Our Creator has called Evelyn LeRoy home. Her distinctly Ponca voice no longer graces the songs of her people, her knowledge and love of Ponca songs goes with her. She certainly passed on as much as she could, but she is the last of the Poncas who sang with those great singers on Indian House records “Ponca War Dance Songs I and II.” Her sister Lucy Cries for Ribs sang on that album. Although Evelyn didn't sing on the album recorded May 17, 1967 in Ponca City, OK, her talent was equal and she sang with that core group for many years.
Those singers were perhaps the best collection of tribal singing groups ever assembled. Their mixture of talent, knowledge and respect is what set them apart. When they sang together, it was a feast for the ears and soul. Their love of singing of ceremonies like the Osage E lon sha and Ponca Heluska was obvious to all to hear.
To put it another way, when they sang it felt like a ceremony. That group of Sylvester Waters, Albert Waters, Joe Rush, Harry Buffalohead, Lucy Cries for Ribs and others were forever captured at the height of their singing powers by Tony Isaacs, for the recording company Indian House. Isaacs specialized in natural settings for singers. No enhancements or other recording tricks were used to reproduce the purity of the singers’ voices. It was no more evident than found on that historic recording 40 years ago. Evelyn was the last to sing with those men and women.
Osages, Poncas and other lovers of great war dance music could travel anywhere and put on their usually scratchy Ponca War Dance album and hear the music of their culture. Evelyn's sister’s,Lucy Cries for Ribs and Katherine Stevens, gave any dance they attended that special feeling from the past. Her sweet disposition will be missed and her great smile is etched in the memories of Osage and Ponca Indians everywhere. They will stay there.
As time went on those grand old men and women completed their journey. Evelyn is heading for that final place and maybe she'll take her place among her Ponca brothers and sisters to sing the beautiful songs of her people once again.
Poncas and loved ones will say goodbye to her Thursday, March 2, 2006 in White Eagle.
nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=7613
Guest Commentary
Louis Gray 3/1/2006
Our Creator has called Evelyn LeRoy home. Her distinctly Ponca voice no longer graces the songs of her people, her knowledge and love of Ponca songs goes with her. She certainly passed on as much as she could, but she is the last of the Poncas who sang with those great singers on Indian House records “Ponca War Dance Songs I and II.” Her sister Lucy Cries for Ribs sang on that album. Although Evelyn didn't sing on the album recorded May 17, 1967 in Ponca City, OK, her talent was equal and she sang with that core group for many years.
Those singers were perhaps the best collection of tribal singing groups ever assembled. Their mixture of talent, knowledge and respect is what set them apart. When they sang together, it was a feast for the ears and soul. Their love of singing of ceremonies like the Osage E lon sha and Ponca Heluska was obvious to all to hear.
To put it another way, when they sang it felt like a ceremony. That group of Sylvester Waters, Albert Waters, Joe Rush, Harry Buffalohead, Lucy Cries for Ribs and others were forever captured at the height of their singing powers by Tony Isaacs, for the recording company Indian House. Isaacs specialized in natural settings for singers. No enhancements or other recording tricks were used to reproduce the purity of the singers’ voices. It was no more evident than found on that historic recording 40 years ago. Evelyn was the last to sing with those men and women.
Osages, Poncas and other lovers of great war dance music could travel anywhere and put on their usually scratchy Ponca War Dance album and hear the music of their culture. Evelyn's sister’s,Lucy Cries for Ribs and Katherine Stevens, gave any dance they attended that special feeling from the past. Her sweet disposition will be missed and her great smile is etched in the memories of Osage and Ponca Indians everywhere. They will stay there.
As time went on those grand old men and women completed their journey. Evelyn is heading for that final place and maybe she'll take her place among her Ponca brothers and sisters to sing the beautiful songs of her people once again.
Poncas and loved ones will say goodbye to her Thursday, March 2, 2006 in White Eagle.
nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=7613