Sweet Thunder Available Now On Digital Platforms Worldwide through Larry Long Music in association with Rock the Cause Records

Larry Long writes songs the same way an artists uses found objects: a bit of local folklore here, a traditional American Indian instrument there, and, before you know it, he’s created a thing of beauty. It might take a little time before that beauty becomes clear, but the listener’s patience never goes unrewarded.

On this, his third album, the Minneapolis song crafter and guardian of the Mississippi River has assembled a most intriguing and beguiling collection of tunes. (Long has called in some chips, and fans of local music will recognize assistants like Michael Johnson, Peter Ostroushko, Claudia Schmidt, Leo Kottke, Billy Peterson and Bruce Kurnow).

The centerpiece of the album is a 13-minute-long “Water in the Rain,” which recalls and is dedicated to the 38 Dakota warriors who were hanged en masse in Mankato in 1862. It also features Dakota poet Amos Owen listing the names of the 38 and offering a prayer for reconciliation. It is a project of moving depth and emotion that demands repeated hearing and rapt attention. Rating: 4 Stars – James M. Tarbox, St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch

About Water In The Rain (Honoring the 38, plus 2) by Larry Long & Amos Owen (Wiyohpeyata Hoksina):

Placing the Mdewakantunwan Oceti Sakowin Santee Dakota Nation on reservations for the first time in 1851 was an act of cultural genocide. A mere decade thereafter, deprived of the freedom of the hunt, this ancient people stared starvation in its grim face. In August of 1862, there began a final defense of the Dakota Oyate – the long road to Wounded Knee. When the Wars of August were quelled, 303 Dakota were marked for the gallows. President Lincoln, in commuting the sentences of all but 38, paved the way for the largest mass execution in United States history. – Ron Miles

Ho! Tunkansidan Wakantanka Ake anpetu kin de ho uwayedo. Odowan kagapikin hena owicakiyayo. Tunkansidan wiyohpeyata ki ya ho yewayedo. Sunkawakan oyate qa Wakinyan Oyate Kin ounkiyapo. Qa nakun waziyata ki ya ho yewayedo. Hehaka Oyate kin ounsiundapo.
Wiyohiyanpantan ekta ki ya. Ho yewayedo. Tatanka Oyate kin hena unicidapido. Itokagata kiya nakun ho yewayedo. Wanage Oyate kin ounsiundapo. Mahpiyatakiya ho yewayedo. Wakantanka onsiunda miye qa ounkiyapo Qa Ina unyaupi nakun ektakiya. Ho yewaye ousiundapo qa ounkiyapo. Ho hecetudo. Mitakuye Oyasin. – Amos Owen (Wiyohpeyata Hoksina)

(English Translation) Grandfather, I come to you this day in my humble way to offer my prayers for the thirty-eight Dakota who perished in Mankato in the year of 1862. To the West, I pray to the Horse Nation, and to the North, I pray to the Elk People. To the East, I pray to the Buffalo Nation, and to the South, the Spirit People. To the Heavens, I pray to the Great Spirit and to the Spotted Eagle. And Below, I pray to Mother Earth to help us in this time of reconciliation. Grandfather, I offer these prayers in my humble way. To all my relations – Amos Owen (Wiyohpeyata Hoksina)

-Tipi Hdonica (One Who Forbids His House)
~Ptan Du-ta (Scarlet Otter)
~O-ya’-te Ta-wa (His people)
~Hin-han’-sun-ko-yag-ma-ni (One who Walks Clothed in Owl Feathers)
~Ma-za Bo-mdu (Iron Blower)
~Wa-hi’na (possibly meaning I Came)
~Sna Ma-hi (Tinkling Water)
~Hda In-yan-ka (Rattling Water)
~He-pan (Second born child, this was given to the second boy)
~Tun-kan’ I-ca’hda Ma-ni (One Who Walks by His Grandfather)
~Ka-mde’-ca (Broken to Pieces)
~He in’-kpa (The Tip of the Horn)
~Na-pe’-sni (Fearless)
~Ma-za Ku-te Ma-ni (One Who Shoots As He Walks)
~A-i’-ca-ge (To Grow Upon)
~Ho-i’-tan-in Ku (Returning Clear Voice)
~Ce-tan’ Hun-ka’ (Elder Hawk)
~Can-ka-hda (Near the Woods)
~Hda’-hin-hde (Sudden Rattle)
~O-ya’-te A-ku’ (He Brings the People)
~Ma-hu’-we-hi (He Comes for Me)
~Ti-hdo’-ni-ca (One Who Jealousy Guards His Home)
~Wa-kan Tan-ka (Great Mystery or Great Spirit)
~Cas-ke’-da (First Born Child. this was given to the first boy)
~Do-wan’-s’a (Sings a lot or Singer)
~Ta-te’ Ka-ga (Wind Maker)
~Sun-ka Ska (White Dog)
~Wa-kin’-yan-na (Little Thunder)
~Baptiste Campbell (a mixed blood)
~Wa-hpe Du-ta (Scarlet Leaf)
~Wa-si’-cun (White Man)
~I-te’ Du-ta (Scarlet Face)
~Ma-ka’-ta I-na’ (One Who Stands on Earth)
~Hypolite Auge (a mixed blood)
~Tun-kan’ Ko-yag I-na’-zin (One Who Stands Cloaked in Stone)
~Ta-te’ Hdi-da (Wind Comes Home)
~Ma-hpi’-ya A-i’-na-zin (One who Stands on a Cloud, also known as Cut Nose)

Larry Long – Lead Vocal, 12-String Guitar | Amos Owen – Dakota Prayer & Reciting the names of the 38 Dakota hung by Lincoln’s decree in 1862 | Raymond Owen – Hand Drum on Memorial Song ‘Dakota Oyate’| Mitch Walking Elk – Drum, Singer on ‘Dakota Oyate’.| Sherry Blakey Banai – Singer on ‘Dakota Oyate’.| Claudia Schmidt – Support vocals | Peter Ostroushko – Violin
Billy Peterson – Acoustic Bass | Steve Faison – Beanpod, Congas | Ron Miles – Rainstick | Production: Amos Owen, Larry Long, Rick McArthur, Billy Peterson

Produced by Billy Peterson & Larry Long
Digitally recorded at Creation Audio
Recording Engineer: Chopper Black
Mixing Engineers: Chopper Black & Lynn F. Peterson
Musical Consultant: Rick McArthur
Front Cover Art: Traditional Cree Biting of Birch Innerbark by Angelique Merasty (Beaver Lake, Saskatchewan)
Front Cover Photo: Ron Miles

Sweet Thunder is made available through Larry Long Music in association with Rock the Cause Records