Alaska The Last Great Frontier

2nd attempt to upload. 1st attempt was rejected due to video length.

It's been a long time coming. Yes. It's taken me a long time to finally complete this project. Some of my online friends will understand what that means. But, I simply could not post this video without the "perfect" accompaniment. While the music in this video is not technically Native Alaskan, primarily Native Americans perform it. I felt that this was important not only in principle, but also for aesthetic reasons. The music I was going to use with this video had to reflect the silent awe and the oddly, calming effect I felt seeing and photographing this great landscape for the first time.

Finding any music indigenous to Native Alaska is challenging enough. While I did manage to find some Alaskan singers/groups that were capable of performing very contemporary style of music, it did not carry the reverence I wanted to accompany this photo gallery. Sadly, a great deal of traditional Native Alaskan music has been lost to history via "modernization" of the Alaskan peoples. Some traditional music still exists. But, the meaning of some of that music is no longer understood. While this was a bit disappointing, I continued looking elsewhere for music I felt was appropriate. I also felt that, if contemporary music would better reflect the mood I wanted for the video, then so be it. The music I've chosen to accompany the photos seems to "fit" the mood I was trying to create. And, as I stated before, if I couldn't find just the "right" music, then I wasn't going to complete this project.

I've heard of the performers Verdell Primeaux and Johnny Mike. I've also heard of Robbie Roberston. However, my search for the best music to my video didn't initially lead me to these performers. But I remembered hearing awhile back a song that I would later learn was called Peyote Healing and tried to track down its authors/performers. It wasn't easy, as I had no idea, at the time, what the name of the song was or even the artists' names. Finally, after a bit of online searching, and listening to A LOT of samples, I managed to come across the album: Contact from the Underworld of Red Boy by Robbie Roberston. The other album I drew from was: Dancing Into Silence. The first song in the video is: The Way Home from Dancing Into Silence by R. Carlos Nakai, the second song is: Amazing Grace in Sioux from Walk in Beauty by Verdell Primeaux and Johnny Mike. Finally, the last song is: Peyote Healing from Robbie Robertson's Contact from the Underworld of Redboy feat. Verdell Primeaux and Johnny Mike.

This small video only represents a small section of the best photos I took while in Alaska during my vacation in August 2009. The few photos I've placed in this video are the ones that made the final cut so-to-speak. Some of the photos include: a small plane trip to the Chickamin Glacier, a Misty Fjords National Monument boat trip, as well as hiking photos around Revillagigedo Island, Ward Creek Trail and Lake Harriet Hunt. Overall, I took nearly 750 total photos. I had to trim a lot of photos out. This trip cost me a bit financially. But, the experience was well worth every penny. The trip has had such a profound impact on me that, I decided almost immediately upon returning home, I should go back again the following year. And, I am! Hopefully, by the time I return from that trip, I'll be a little better at Windows Movie Maker. Yes, I am a WMM newb! Enjoy the pictures.

Blackbear (Bear5177)
Aka BB

Feel free to post comments and rate. Constructive criticisms are welcome.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Alaska
• The
• Last
• Great
• Frontier

[TheLightofAniu]

This is the most beautiful place that any mortal eye has ever seen, God broke the mould when he created this, my idea of a place to live, though governed under a terrible woman, allowing the animals that I love and hold dear to my heart slaughtered. In my mind, I think of this place as Lothlórien from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and it reminds me so much of a good place. I'm Scottish and have never been there, but I want to live in Nome and see what it is like, a place I can call home.

[Bear5177]

@TheLightofAniu Thank you for the comment. Alaska is indeed one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Although it can be expensive, but if one can manage a holiday during the warmer months, it will most likely turn out to be one of the most memorable experiences in life.

[PaganGlade]

ALASKA!!! It's one of the very few places on my must visit list :) I'm so greatful for you sharing this, you did a GREAT job :) Much love and peace to you ~PG~

[Bear5177]

@PaganGlade Thanks! The second trip I took to Alaska I took pictures with a much better camera, although the weather wasn't nearly as cooperative as it was on my first trip. Pictures are in the other video I have uploaded if you're interested.

[blossomct]

Awesome!! Your Aunt in yankee land :)

[Bear5177]

@blossomct Thanks. :)

[PaganGlade]

@Bear5177 I'm so sorry for the late response I thought I had addressed this comment - apologies. Cheers for the heads up on your other upload, I'm away to check it out now :) Peace and prosperity my friend and once again thank you for sharing this wonderful work ~PG~

[TheLightofAniu]

@Bear1577 Thank you for liking my comment, most kind of you, I can tell you something, I am writing a book series I called the Alaska Fantasy Series and have finished boo 1 & 2 and have based them in Nome and all about Alaska, but the trick is desire the beauty of it, and I find trouble doing that because the beauty is indescribable

[matel1977]

I'm excited to live in Alaska...see you soon! It's really a beautiful place :-)

[blossomct]

I keep on watching and listening to this over and over again, I love it!!