Discovered by
Dik Darnell, who produced and plays on her album
Fire Prayer,
Denean is a singer whose self-penned songs draw their inspiration from the nature-based spirituality of Native American tribal people. Her strong clear voice sings of oneness with the earth and its creatures, of visions, sacred places, healing and light. Half the pieces are chants sung only to the accompaniment of Native drums, rattles and sleigh bells, while the other tunes are songs based in the Western folk tradition, with piano and synthesizer added to sweeten the arrangements. Opening and closing the album are two versions of "Passage to the Earth Mother" -- a largely instrumental invocation featuring fire, water and insect sounds, Native flute and a "Hey Ah" chant, along with keyboards and percussion -- while brief "Interludes" connect several of the tracks in a similar fashion. At times reminiscent of
Lisa Thiel, or even
Eliza Gilkyson in her more shamanic moments,
Denean has created an album of strong melodies and plenty of atmosphere, inspiring us to "spiral to the center of the light / where sacred dreams and visions do abide / awaken to the calling of Great Spirit / soaring with the winged ones of the sky."