How the West Was Lost

1	How the West Was Lost / R. Carlos Nakai 3:23
2	Dull Knife and Little Wolf / R. Carlos Nakai 3:07
3	The West / R. Carlos Nakai 3:14
4	Crazy Horse Prayer / R. Carlos Nakai 3:00
5	Last of the Buffalo / R. Carlos Nakai 2:13
6	Three Theme Medley / R. Carlos Nakai 3:13
7	Stating Intention / R. Carlos Nakai 4:00
8	Sand Creek Memories / R. Carlos Nakai 2:17
9	Black Kettle Theme Variations / R. Carlos Nakai 1:36
10	Nez Perce Flight Song / R. Carlos Nakai 3:20
11	Navajo Land Blessing / R. Carlos Nakai 1:09
12	Black Hills Warrior / R. Carlos Nakai 2:35
13	Lakota Flute Song / R. Carlos Nakai 2:12
14	Surrender / R. Carlos Nakai 4:47
15	Flight Song / R. Carlos Nakai 3:40
16	The Death of Dull Knife / R. Carlos Nakai 2:25
17	A Good Day to Die / R. Carlos Nakai 2:48
18	Geronimo's Surrender / R. Carlos Nakai 3:48
19	He Came from the Black Hills / R. Carlos Nakai 1:59
20	South West Warrior / R. Carlos Nakai 2:59
21	Becoming Human / R. Carlos Nakai 1:56
22	I Will Fight No More / R. Carlos Nakai 4:09
23	The West / R. Carlos Nakai 1:35

Barnes & Noble

This album is one of two soundtrack recordings from the six-part Discovery Channel series about the westward expansion from the native American point of view. The moving and dramatic score was composed by pianist Peter Kater, who involved longtime musical collaborators R. Carlos Nakai (native American flute, eagle whistle, rattles, and chanting), vocalist Chris White, cellist David Darling, and sax player Mark Miller. The White Oak Singers, native singing group, add powerful moments; and additional percussion, including military drums, give the album urgency and action. For the most part, however, the music expresses a sense of tragedy: of last stands, of surrender, of death, of flight. Standout cuts include Nakai's skittering double flute on "Sand Creek Memories," the noble "Nez Perce Flight Song" by Chris White and oboeist Kathy Golden, Kater's moving piano tribute on "Geronimo's Surrender," and Nakai's ghostly vocals on "He Came from the Black Hills." The most moving moment comes when Nakai sings "I Will Fight No More"; he sings with such strength and conviction that one can't tell if it's a song of triumph or defeat. This popular soundtrack remained on Billboard's New Age chart for seven months. Carol Wright

All Music Guide

In 1993, the Discovery Channel aired a six-hour miniseries documenting the experience of the Native Americans during America's westward expansion. Peter Kater created a three-hour score for How the West Was Lost. He captured 65 minutes of his favorites for the CD. His friend R. Carlos Nakai co-wrote many of the pieces and is one of the featured musicians. This is deep, soulful, and mournful music. Kater and Nakai celebrate nothing. They lament the loss of culture and heritage. This is a unique perspective on a topic that is often glamorized. There have been at least two similar documentaries with equally mournful soundtracks. The West and 500 Nations are comparable CDs. ~ Jim Brenholts, All Music Guide