Michael Bucher ended up on the review list when his
manager followed me. I'm not sure I even realized initially that he was
Cherokee. Then, when researching him, I found something alarming:
Of course the first thought on seeing that a
guitarist has lost three fingers is horror, and knowing that he sings too
doesn't really change that, but in the article he sounded very optimistic.
“This is only a transition in my life and nothing—I
mean nothing—will stop me from playing the songs of my ancestors for the benefit
of my fans in Indian country.”
It struck me more because one of my characters has
been through that. In Family Ghosts an injury temporarily keeps one
guitar player from playing. It is emotionally grueling, with a lot of fear
about whether recovery will even be complete. He takes comfort in Django
Reinhardt and Tommy Iommi, and their triumph over injuries, and that is
something that can happen. I can only wish Michael Bucher all the best. I
believe there will be more music.
For his currently existing music, there is a nice
variety. I appreciate that "Never Meant to Make You Bleed" doesn't
devolve into country, which would have been an easy way to go. Some songs are
very blues-y, especially "Fat Cats", with along with "Dirty
Water" underscores Bucher's social consciousness. His personal content is
full of links for important causes, especially suicide prevention.
Native elements are more pronounced in some tracks,
like "Eagle Song", but even when the song is more traditionally rock,
there are often important messages drawing from history. "Don't Forget
About Me" is powerful and true.
Bucher also has a lovely instrumental version of
"Amazing Grace". It may give
the greatest sense of what was lost in the accident, but does not lose hope of
it being found again, even if the way it is found cannot currently be seen.
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