Buffalo Republic is the second album in a trilogy continuing the historical theme begun with Buffalo Cafe. Ten new songs provide melodic snapshots of people, events and legends as Jack Gladstone chronicles the transformation of Western American culture in his eighth album.

The name evolved from the term “banana republic” but has morphed itself into western Americana. On the title cut, Jack plays a marimba style guitar while producer Lloyd Maines adds his polished pedal steel. It’s a sound that Jack refers to as “High Plains Caribbean.”

Touching on the mythological period, Shadow in My Dreams tells the story of the Blackfeet superhero Kut-toy-Is, who emerges to rid the world of evil chiefs and monsters, thereby restoring balance and harmony.

There are two songs on the album about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

In Traveling Magical Show Jack takes a somewhat humorous, but factual, look at the Expedition and why it succeeded. “The Corps of Discovery would have failed if it had not been for their ability to entertain the Native peoples with their ‘magic’ tricks,” says Gladstone. “Using American technology in conjunction with music and dance resulted in food, scouts and the horses so desperately needed to complete the mission.”

In Search Of York is an epic tribute to Captain Clark’s “body servant” who accompanied the Corps.
It was the remembrance of the movie Blazing Saddles coupled with intensive research on 1860s Montana history that created a bluegrass-type number called Bozeman Trail. “The Bozeman Trail shaved off over 400 miles for the gold seekers. Unfortunately, it ran through the heart of Sioux and Cheyenne hunting ground...and the fight was on” adds Jack.

The dark side of Manifest Destiny emerges in a ballad about the Cherokee people entitled For Those Who Cried. “Much has been written about the infamous Trail of Tears, but I felt inspired to put into perspective our nation’s early deeds in light of today’s “ethnic cleansing” abroad.”

In 1832, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cherokee Nation in Worcester vs Georgia, affirming Indian nations’ sovereign status and the obligation of the U.S. to respect this status. The subsequent actions of President Andrew Jackson ignored this ruling and the Cherokee were ultimately removed from their
homes in the winter of 1838-39. Four thousand Cherokees died on the forced march to Indian Territory (Oklahoma).

Go Fishin’ is a fun little ditty that encompasses personal experience, Western military history and recent Montana headlines. To Build A Fire is a sobering reckoning with the ambition found in gold fever and is rooted in a Jack London short story of the same name.

How does Jack feel about this new album? “I feel this is, by far, the best produced album of my career. I felt so comfortable working with Lloyd Maines and the personnel in both Montana and Austin. It was such an incredible group of musicians who worked on the project. If I was to pick my dream band, the players on this album would be it.”

Musicians involved in the project include percussionist Scott Powell, bass player Gary Snow, mandolinist David Griffith, fiddle/violin virtuoso Gene Elders, and of course, the masterful Lloyd Maines. "There's something a little different in this album in that we included cello on quite a few songs. It's an instrument that I've wanted to use on my albums for quite a while because it evokes so much emotion. By chance two summers ago, I met cello player Max Dyer, a Montana native now residing in Houston, Texas. His wealth of talent and incredible discipline learned while playing for the Houston Symphony makes Max the most veratile cello player I've ever seen. It was really fun working with him." Dr. Kendall Flint added harmony vocals.

The album cover features the stunning artwork of David Behrens from North Carolina, entitled “Founding Fathers,” which also happens to be the title of the anthem that completes the new CD. In the clouds above Mt. Rushmore are the images of four famous Indian leaders who fought for their people’s freedom and homeland. Like Jack, David likes to choose a historical topic or event, research it thoroughly and then create his artwork. “I am honored that David has granted us permission to use his work on the album. In addition to being a beautiful piece of art, it conveys a strong message -- that history should be told through multiple perspectives. That is my artistic philosophy as well.”

CREDITS

The Buffalo Republic Team
Produced by Lloyd Maines and Jack Gladstone
Engineering and Recording
Fred Remmert, Lloyd Maines and Adam Oder at Cedar Creek Recording, Austin TX
David Griffith, Ron Reeves and Jack Gladstone at Tapas Records, Missoula, MT, Snoring Hound Studio, Somers, MT and Napi Elementary School, Browning, MT

Additional recording at John Wagner Studios, Albuquerque, NM by Dick Orr
Mixed and Mastered by Fred Remmert at Cedar Creek Recording, Austin, TX

Musicians
Jack Gladstone – acoustic 6-string guitar, lead and harmony vocals
Scott Powell – drums, conga and percussion
Gary Snow – electric bass
Lloyd Maines – pedal steel, dobro, lap steel, baritone guitar, lead acoustic guitar
Kendall Flint – harmony and background vocals
Max Dyer – cello
Gene Elders – fiddle
David Griffith – mandolin, synthesizer
Bukka Allen – accordion
Fred Remmert – organ, percussion
Gayle Ross, Lloyd Maines – background vocals on “Those Who Cried”
Wally Gladstone, Dave McNeely, Lloyd Maines – boatman’s chant on “In Search of York”
Napi Elementary School, Blackfeet Indian Reservation – “Pledge of Allegiance”

All Songs Words and Music by Jack W. Gladstone Ó2000 Glacier Pacific Publishing/BMI, except “Traveling Magical Show” by Jack W. Gladstone and Kendall S. Flint  Ó2000 Glacier Pacific Publishing/BMI

Art  Direction and Design by Gary Bedell at Disc Makers, Seattle
Cover Art: “Founding Fathers” by David C. Behrens
(Prints available from David at 7323 Barn Stone Drive, Charlotte, NC 28227 704-545-0069
    davidbehrens@ratedg.com)
Back cover photo by Richard Brimley

Jack Proudly uses and endorses Elixir Strings and Taylor Guitars.

Heartfelt Thanks and Hugs
to my dad, Wally, for road manager duties, Dr. Kendall Flint for his constructive critical input, Dave McNeely for making Austin feel like a second home, Chip and Sandy Watts for suggesting “Bozeman Trail,” John Toomer and Porter Williams for sharing York, Stephen Ambrose for his words of encouragement , Dave Walburn for setting the crossbars even higher, Gayle Ross for her voice and blessing on “Those Who Cried,” Carol and David Domina, Warner Huss, Steve and Peg Forster, Sjouke Van Poucke – our “daughter” from Belgium who has become a very special member of our family, and foremost in my heart, Linda, Mariah and Scot, for their patience and love through the circle of seasons.

Additional Thanks and Hugs
to Dr. Michael Bull and Mr. Beckett of Napi Elementary and their fine students who recited the “Pledge“, Brad Persinger, Music Teacher at Stanford, MT, for his expertise in helping me convert key musical passages to written notation and David Behrens, a kindred spirit, for granting permission to utilize his classic “Founding Fathers” artwork for the cover.

Special Hugs and Thanks
to the Bastian Family – Ann, Ed, Marianne and Lesley, whose resolute strength and dignity after the passing of Ken made the writing of “Founding Fathers” possible.

Dedicated
to Dr. Ken Bastian, who taught me through example, the importance of transcending politics to better serve the world in which we live.