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Secret Thoughts
1996
- Rivers Cry
- Two Deer
- Song for Rita
- Earthtones in the Ozone
- Marlboro Man
- Whiskey and Wine
- Tiny Little Men
- Liquor Stores
- Drinks and Cigs
- Father Fitz
- The Wind
- High on a Mountain
- Right Road
- Secret Thoughts
- Once More Tonight
- Epitaph
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Secret Thoughts is an intimate look at Michael's songwriting skill. The album features 16 tracks, from stirring love songs, such as Song for Rita, to personal journeys such as Secret Thoughts, to songs of remembrance for his father, Marlboro Man, and a special friend, Father Fitz. The album also shows Michael dipping into different styles, with the barroom sing along of Liquor Stores to the slide guitar blues of Drinks and Cigs. As his first album on compact disc, this album has the benefit of being representative of years of songwriting experience and the large back-catalog of songs that experience provides. |
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The Second
1998
- Time for the Mountains
- Sam Hill
- Too Much to Complain
- Migrant Farms and Meat Packing Houses
- Closed for the Summer
- Two in the Morning
- This Year This Christmas
- Great Grandpa Adams
- Old Building
- Can I Pray for You
- Liquor Stores
- Life Goes On
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The Second is another album featuring Michael's talented songwriting and versatility as a musician. Closed for the Summer and Too Much to Complain show a country-blues influence, while Migrant Farms and Meat Packing Houses has a Spanish Flamenco style. These three songs also show Michael's interest in social issues. Can I Pray for You is an especially powerful and spiritual song; this song along with Old Buildings show the influence of 1970s blue-eyed soul music of artists like James Taylor. |
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Sacred Heart
August, 2002
- Song for Rita
- Father's Tears
- Migrant Farmers and Meat Packing Houses
- St. Martin
- My Mother
- My Mother Part II
- Indian Sunset
- Not My Fault
- Our Father
- Pray for You
- Father Fitz
- Flute Prelude
- Sacred Heart
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Sacred Heart marks the beginning of a definite turn in Michael's music, not so much in the themes as in the strength of his spirituality and especially in the use of the Native American Flute as a featured instrument. The album was written while Michael was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Omaha, and the album revisits some of his older work, while others feature his while others delve into spiritual issues. Along with featuring the flute, new material on this album includes an homage to Martin Luther King, Jr. St. Martin, and a cover of Elton John's Indian Sunset, where we hear what Sir Elton would sound like if he were an American folk singer with a guitar. |
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Ethnic Cleansing - Trail of Tears
2003
- Calling
- Ethnic Cleansing - Trail of Tears
- Amazing Grace
- Coyote Wind
- Rain
- West
- Fire
- Two Deer
- Dark Wind
- Peace
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The start of the Iraq War marked another turning point in Michael's music. Since 2003, Michael has had an increased urgency in the political and spiritual meaning in the music he has written and performed. Ethnic Cleansing - Trail of Tears reflects that in its powerful instrumental songs. He revisits Two Deer, and performs a beautiful version of Amazing Grace. The flute on this album speaks in ways that lyrics cannot. It is able to be hopeful and mournful at the same time. These songs have a message, but as an instrumental album, audiences often seek out Ethnic Cleansing because it is understated, and can be listened to actively, or passively. |
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Peace
2004
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- Silent Night
- Drummer Boy
- The Christmas Song
- Winter
- O Holy Night
- What Child is This
- Ave Maria
- Peace
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Peace is a mixture of instrumental and vocal that provides the audiences with tranquility and harmony. It relaxes the mind and soul. It is certainly an album that can be enjoyed by everyone any time of the year. Michael's version of Ave Marie is prevailing and powerful. This album is a must for all to embrace. |
Remember Me
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Remember Me
2006
- Remember Me/The Sioux City Stockyards
- Pigtail Girl
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Old Buildings
- NAJ
- Truth
- Bear Butte
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Remember Me was commissioned by the Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Association publisher of "A Way of Life: A story of the Sioux City Stockyards by Marica Poole. All proceeds support the Center's permanent mission of "Commemorating a history of encounter." |
Honor Songs for the Great White Father
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Honor Songs for the Great White Father
2007
- Tears of War
- Wasted Souls
- Twisted Truth
- You Don't Know My Name
- Why Did Daddy Die
- Father's Tears
- I'm Not Coming Home
- Epitaph
- Hope For Peace
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Michael was inspired to put together this collection of new and old songs as a call for peace; Peace in Iraq, peace in Sudan, and peace throughout the world. |
Black Elk Sings
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Black Elk Sings
2007
- Black Elk Sings, first movement
- Black Elk Sings, second movement
- Black Elk Sings, third movement
- Black Elk Sings, fourth movement
- Black Elk Sings, fifth movement
- Black Elk Sings, sixth movement
- Tears Of War
- Hope For Peace
- Bear Butte
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Michael has recently worked with members of the Black Elk and Neihardt families (famous for the book, "Black Elk Speaks"). This connection inspired him to write another instrumental album showing mikes great maturity and skill with the Native American flute and writing instrumental arrangements. |