Lifegivers is a tribute to the life cycles of women from the first beating of the heart to when her spirit leaves to walk across the stars along the Milky Way as she returns home to the Skyworld where she will be welcomed by her loved ones. Each song is meant to bring the listener to a place of celebration for every cycle of life. As I asked for these melodies to flow, I realized I was inspired by different aspects of rhythm and music from different cultures of the planet. It has been my great honor to be able to be embraced by many lifegivers of the world; new borns, young women, pregnant women, women in love, women who sing, women who teach, and women of wisdom. Quotes by Jean Houston and Gloria Steinem below: “In this luminous recording, the great Iroquois artist and wise woman, Joanne Shenandoah breaks open our hearts as she sings so poignantly and powerfully of the cycles of the woman’s journey. Her voice and words thrill as they inform. The songs are at once truth-telling sacraments that evoke the mystery of woman and a revelation of an artist at the peak of her genius.” -Jean Houston “Joanne Shenandoah’s words and music take us back to a time when we were linked, not ranked. Re-awakening this cellular memory will help it come again.” -Gloria Steinem Credits: Joanne Shenandoah: Producer, All vocals, Flute, Mouth Bow, Rattles. Tom Wasinger: Co-Producer, Engineer, Mixing & Mastering. Stringed Instruments, Flute, Ocarina, Udu, Rattles. Artwork by Daniel Rameriz Designed by Coburn Design. Photo by Alan Glickman Recorded/Mixed at Subterranean Recording, Liner Notes: Joanne Shenandoah & Doug George Kanentiio Special Thanks: Vicky Shenandoah (Oneida) and Bill Loran (Mohawk) for language