Michael Searching Bear - The Mirror cd page

The Mirror - © and ® 2010 Marlatt - Searching Bear
Co-produced by TJ Marlatt and Michael Searching Bear

NEWS:
I have two nominations for the 2017 Just Plain Folks music awards. (This is the same music awards I won Best Native Album for Voice From Within back in the mid 2000's). Nominations are for the song Caravan of Camels (Ambient Song Nominee) and Domus Iterum (Soundtrack Song Nominee).

The Mirror is an eclectic blend of world melodies,
rhythms & percussion married with under currents of
contemporary keyboards and captivating vocals.

Click here for Reviews

This cd is a continued quest of Michael and TJ's love
for various traditional cultural instruments and rhythms.
This project is a collaboration of songs which leads the listener
on a musical voyage to many cultural lands. From Lowry Gang's
typical American rock beat to Domus Iterum's upper
Mediterranean crossed with old Viking style rhythms.
From Caravan of Camels eastern African influence to
The Mirror's southern Asian and middle eastern flavors.
Joined with In the Distance's slight touch of Celtic
to Moonlight's classic rock, jazz and swing movements.
The Mirror is not only a collaboration between TJ and Michael's
writing and orchestration but also includes the heart
of the sound - the band. Marlatt - Searching Bear consists of the
talents of Lora Gray on vocals, Jen Richeson on violins and harmonies
and Jeff Brockett on guitars, many of whom have been touring with
Michael for years. It was only a matter of time before these talents
came together in the studio to create this wonderful sound.

Song list:

Lowry Gang - ©Michael Searching Bear / Marlatt - Searching Bear

A typical American rock piece we felt would be a good place to start the journey.
performers & instruments:
All instruments by Michael Searching Bear - Lyrics by Michael Searching Bear and Lora Gray - Vocals by Lora Gray -
Vocal harmonies by Jen Richeson

Across the Ocean - ©Marlatt - Searching Bear

A standard African rhythm. This was one of three songs that TJ and Michael first collaborated on back in 2007.
performers & instruments:
Keyboards by TJ Marlatt - Drums by Michael Searching Bear

Big Song - ©Marlatt - Searching Bear

This particular song was the first piece that TJ and Michael wrote together.
A typical metal rock piece that started with only Michael's guitar intro. It got bigger!
The name changed at least half a dozen times but ventured back to the
original title used in 2007. A piece that was an escape from many songs
that both TJ and Michael were writing at that time, which were much softer and meditative.
performers & instruments:
All guitars, bass, drums and hammer dulcimer by Michael Searching Bear - All keyboards and wood flute by TJ Marlatt

Caravan of Camels - ©Marlatt - Searching Bear

An eastern African rhythm based on a song written by Michael which
originally incorporated the drum kit, guitar and bass. This is a wonderful example
of what TJ's talent can add to an existing song. TJ was sent this song in it's
original demo version and within 5 minutes sent it back all but completed.
A once in a life time music collaboration in which two separate pieces melted together
to form one. The song simplified into Michael using his world drum set,
which includes his well known pow wow drums, instead of the typical drum kit,
and the guitar and bass being dropped to allow sonic room for Jen's violin.
With Lora's vocables and dance, Caravan has become one of their favorites to perform live.
performers & instruments:
Keyboards by TJ Marlatt - Scarves and vocables by Lora Gray - Drums by Michael Searching Bear -
Violin and vocables by Jen Richeson

Gone - ©TJ Marlatt / Marlatt - Searching Bear

This would be considered the ballad of the album. A soul moving piece
which features the wonderful vocal work of Lora Gray and beautiful harmonies of Jen Richeson.
performers & instruments:
Piano by TJ Marlatt - Lyrics and vocals by Lora Gray - Violin and harmony vocals by Jen Richeson -
Drums, electric guitar and bass by Michael Searching Bear - Acoustic guitar by Jeff Brockett

A New Day - ©Michael Searching Bear / Marlatt - Searching Bear

An Asian rhythm which stands out to be the softer piece of the album.
performers & instruments:
Bowed psaltery, ghaval, udu, finger cymbal and strummed wind harp by Michael Searching Bear - Violin by Jen Richeson

The Mirror - ©Michael Searching Bear / Marlatt - Searching Bear

Southern Asian and Middle Eastern rhythm influences. This song was created from Michael's interest
in the Gypsy culture, peoples and music. Michael began learning the dissonant Gypsy music scale
and applied it to this musical idea. As Michael was searching for a new guitar to purchase, he proceeded to play
The Mirror's basic chord structure and the store owner asked if the guitar was out of tune.
Michael replied, no the guitar is fine, I am out of tune. After the other band members learned this
complicated tuning Michael added more challenging factors into the mix by combining 4/4, 6/4 and 3/4
drum meters. Lora's studies in this culture lead her to the Gypsy myth of how the violin was created
which included subject matter such as the devil, a girl, her love for a boy who wanted nothing to do with her,
and the girl's family. Oh yes, and a mirror. This cemented Lora as the band's lyric writer. Lora's use of the
historic language in the chorus was a stroke of genius as well. Which, by the way, means 'beloved mirror'.
With Jeff's thick electric guitar track this song became a full eclectic solid world performance.
performers & instruments:
Acoustic guitar, bass, doumbek, drum kit, wood flute and rainstick by Michael Searching Bear - Keyboards,
string and horn orchestrations by TJ Marlatt - Lyrics and vocals by Lora Gray - Violins by Jen Richeson -
Electric guitar by Jeff Brockett - Trumpet by Dakota Smallridge

On Thin Ice - ©Michael Searching Bear / Marlatt - Searching Bear

A slight historical Viking styled rhythm. To all musicians, always carry a recorder with you!
A perfect example of what a long drive in the snow belt of north eastern Ohio can do to you.
Michael states it was cold, very icy and he couldn't concentrate on anything but this song. No one was injured
during the writing of this piece. Just another example of the talent Lora brings to the table. With just a
few ideas and the geographic area where the thoughts occured was all Lora had and the lyrics became solid.
performers & instruments:
SongPods, rattles, klavack, bass, drum kit and guitars by Michael Searching Bear -
Lyrics and vocals by Lora Gray - Keyboards by TJ Marlatt

Domus Iterum - ©Marlatt - Searching Bear

Another Mediteranean, Rome and Viking styled rhythmic piece. A good piece of advise from the band,
never throw away your ideas. This drum part was put on the back burner because it didn't fit with a
previous idea and became the back beat of this arrangement. TJ's keyboard work made this song obvious
in it's cultural map location and was originally called Rome. Once Lora had control of the lyrical aspect of the song
she came up with latin words and the title became obvious. Lora knew her 4 years of latin would pay off eventually.
Jen's vocal talent became obvious as she was literally put on the spot at the last minute and pulled off the secondary
vocals and harmonies in the first take. She also used the stick of the bow on her violin strings to create
a percussive effect, called col legno (pronounced coal-len-yo). This creates a sound like hail on your windshield.
performers & instruments:
Keyboards, horn and string orchestration by TJ Marlatt - Orchestra bells, hand drums and drum kit by Michael Searching Bear -
Lyrics and vocals by Lora Gray - Violin and vocals by Jen Richeson

In the Distance - ©TJ Marlatt / Marlatt - Searching Bear

Of typical Celtic flavor, this was one of the last songs written for the project.
Composed mainly by TJ with his love for the Celtic sounds, this piece is almost a daydream of Ireland.
performers & instruments:
Keyboards by TJ Marlatt - All drums by Michael Searching Bear - Violin by Jen Richeson - Voice by Lora Gray

Mystic Jazz - ©Michael Searching Bear / Marlatt - Searching Bear

Another typical American rock piece written by Michael back to back with Lowry Gang.
It wound up being an adlib piece for the band after the drums and bass were laid down.
This allowed everyone a nice study on the art of space within a structure yet allowing it to breathe.
performers & instruments:
Drums, bass and rhythm guitar by Michael Searching Bear - Keyboards by TJ Marlatt -
Violin by Jen Richeson - Lead guitar by Jeff Brockett

Moonlight - ©Marlatt - Searching Bear

A classic American rock piece with jazz and swing flavors. The concept took a little longer
than the actual writing, which took place in a matter of half an hour between TJ and Michael.
Another nice example of two people's ideas coming together and forming one.
performers & instruments:
Piano by TJ Marlatt - Drums, bass and rhythm guitar by Michael Searching Bear -
Violin by Jen Richeson - Lead guitar by Jeff Brockett

Lyrics:

Lowry Gang

In the swamps of Robeson county
clever Henry Lowry
struck down the rich who murdered
his father and his kin
Lowry Gang, Lowry Gang
Slipping through the Carolina night he
fought to save the poor he
died to save the helpless
with his Lowry Gang
Lowry Gang, Lowry Gang,
Lowry Gang, Lowry Gang
Child-man the Robin Hood whose story
lives on through the Lumbee
your spirit will not wither
your legend will not die
Lowry Gang, Lowry Gang

Gone

The night sky is tumbling
Burying the memory of us
Snow is falling and all is still
Stars in their eyes, they’ll forget us
Safe in this silent world
Of wormwood in Wolvesland
When morning shatters our secret
Sun and sky bright and blue
We will be gone

The Mirror

This devil’s mirror
in my shaking hands
Silver and simple in my hands
The devil said you’d love me
ves’ tacha
gledalos, gledalos
But you saw the devil’s eyes
Behind your own eyes
Reflection twisted in the glass
He knew you’d never love me
ves’ tacha
gledalos
This devil’s mirror
Reflects us both now
ves’ tacha
gledalos, gledalos

On Thin Ice

cracking I can,
splitting oh
beneath our,
thin ice
I can hear the splitting ice
a last desperate attempt
cracking, splitting
in this cold world,
we are alone
we are alone,
walking on thin ice
wanting warmth so,
we break
the memory of,
thin ice
craving warmth we break
this is the language of winter
frozen, thin ice
in this cold world,
we are alone
we are alone,
walking on thin ice
I cannot decipher this taste
we were never meant to live here
walking on thin ice

Domus Iterum

mos nos animadverto domus iterum?
nos licentia hodie
mos nos animadverto domus iterum?
Capimus nusquam
mos nos animadverto domus iterum?
nos relinquo panton
mos nos animadverto domus iterum?
mos nos animadverto domus iterum?
nos licentia hodie

Will we see home again?
We leave today
Will we see home again?
We take nothing.
Will we see home again?
We abandon everything
Will we see home again?
Will we see home again?
We leave today

Reviews:

Marlatt - Searching Bear's album, The Mirror, shines.... Rachel Floriano - Native American Arts Examiner.com

Lowry Gang: Wow! Very different from what you normally do. Sounds sort of a psyshedlic rock. - Victor Samalot / Rare Blend

Moonlight: The main melodic lines and riffs are hooky. The piece is solidly crafted as far as the compositional aspect.
The contrast between the opening piano/violin and the hard rockin' mid section is effective. -Craig Streaman, TAXI

Lowry Gang: Starting with a nice and brooding sound that sounds as if it belongs to a band like Godsmack or Another Animal this song starts and brings with it a raw emotional state that the singer is placed into. This song only pulsates and gets better throughout the song. It has a nicely written drum beat and a brilliant guitar track. The song would do well on an action film soundtrack. Or even a slasher film soundtrack in the way it is made. The singer has a decent tone to her that adds to the eeriness created by the song's instrumental. She is brilliant in her way of singing. The lyrics are also nice as they speak of some other-worldly being. -Reverbnation Crowd Review

Lowry Gang: I love the slow electric guitar at the beginning. It sounds like the song is full of suspense, and the drums come in and only add to the suspense which to me is only a good thing. It sounds positively oriental instrumentally, something you would find in the east. The vocals stick to this theme, sounding mysterious but elegant and compliment the instrumentals nicely. -Reverbnation Crowd Review

Lowry Gang: I love the female vocalist the harmonize great. The beginning of the tune made it sound as though it was just a music score. Now that 's music, make the crowd wonder, effect. Excellent is the word best suited. The music just flows. That makes it great. -Reverbnation Crowd Review

Lowry Gang: This alternative rock song has a bit of a gloom dark side to it. Reminds me of a harder side of the band That Dog at times. The singers are good I like their voices and the way they harmonize. The music has almost a Egyptian feel with the guitars at times. The beat is hypnotic and the vocals mesmerize you. I really like this song. Want to hear more. -Reverbnation Crowd Review

Lowry Gang: Good guitars in the intro. I like the blending of all things coming together. it is very simple and very effective. it has a half speed surfer vibe to it. i was quite surprised to hear a chick singer. she has a nice voice and her lyrics are pretty decent. the vocal melody is great and her execution of the vibrato on certain notes is outstanding. I think this band has some penitential id like to hear some material from them with a little more energy. the guitar solo is acceptable with a novice technique and a bit of slop. This is a good song i give it mid level marks. thanks for the good work guys i did enjoy the track. -Reverbnation Crowd Review

Lowry Gang: The track started off well with the guitar that slowly mixed with the drums well. It give off a good rock/pop feel to it. The artist have a good sense of arrange, the start of the song gives off a nice flow to her voice. Her vocal is attractive, it is fitting. The lyrics are meaningful and sync well with the melody. She has talent, just need to work on her expressive vocal. -Reverbnation Crowd Review