Plains Music
Manfred Mann's Earth Band · 1991
37 min · 10 tracks · progressive rock
A fusion of progressive rock and indigenous melodies creates a haunting landscape where history and modernity intertwine.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wounded Knee (Dakota Ghost dance) — This track poignantly addresses historical trauma through a blend of evocative lyrics and powerful instrumentation, serving as a centerpiece for the album's themes of loss and resilience.
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Medicine Song (Apache Medicine Song) — With its haunting vocals and rhythmic complexity, this track captures the essence of indigenous spirituality while showcasing the band's ability to merge cultural narratives with progressive rock elements.
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Sikelele (Xhosa Stick Fighting Song) — This song exemplifies the album's cross-cultural ethos, featuring intricate harmonies and percussion that highlight the richness of Xhosa musical traditions within a modern context.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting melodies that linger
- short tracks for focused listening
- historical themes evoke deep reflection
- immersive experience of cultural storytelling
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced energy
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on February 1, 1991, Plains Music marked Manfred Mann's Earth Band's exploration into world music, following their previous album, Masque, in 1987. This album came during a period of creative evolution for the band, as they sought to diversify their sound and incorporate global influences into their progressive rock foundation.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Wounded Knee (Dakota Ghost dance)
The verses recount a poignant narrative of struggle and survival from a first-person perspective, directly invoking images of historical events.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Kiowa (Koiwa Wind Song) 3:15
- 2 Medicine Song (Apache Medicine Song) 4:15
- 3 Wounded Knee (Dakota Ghost dance) 4:51
- 4 Laguna (Laguna Corn Grinding Song) 4:55
- 5 Sikelele (Xhosa Stick Fighting Song) 3:43
- 6 Hunting Bow (Kiowa War Song) 2:39
- 7 Salmon Fishing (Apache Fishing Song) 3:58
- 8 Instrumedicine Song (Medicine Song) 4:06
- 9 Sikelele II (Xhosa Stick Fighting Song) 4:03
- 10 Hunting Bow (reprise) 1:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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