Ishi: The Last Yahi

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Originally recorded on Edison wax cylinder machines in 1911-14, mostly by T.T. Waterman of the U.C. Museum of Anthropology in San Francisco (now the Phoebe Hearst Museum, Berkeley, CA), this material features ISHI, the last surviving member of the California Yahi tribe. The last native speaker of the Yahi language, he sings traditional songs and tells stories in his native tongue. NOTE: This is an archival recording -- over 100 years old! Many of the unwanted surface noises, clicks and distortions of the original, century-old recordings have been reduced; what breaks through is Ishi's own remarkable voice --emerging, like an echo from the past.

A portion of proceeds will go to the Phoebe Hearst Museum.

This is a high-quality zipped album delivered in 192 kpbs MP3 format. This can be listened to on your home computer, burned to a CD, or carry it with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.