Native American legends of the Northern Plains tell us that if you treat a white buffalo with respect, he will bring you peace and prosperity. The chances of a white buffalo birth, however, are about one in a million — and given that only 250,000 buffalos roam the United States today, our odds are even slimmer.
Despite all this, one white baby buffalo was born last month in Wisconsin, attracting thousands of people traveling thousands of miles to see him and make their offerings. What’s even better — or at least more convenient — is that you can pay your respects to the White Buffalo every day if you wish. No pilgrimage necessary. Just buy a copy of his recently released self-titled EP.
A certain mountain man, going by day-name Jake Smith and choosing the white buffalo as his totem animal/stage character, will certainly bring you prosperity and peace (if only for the evening). The quake of his voice is a persuasive invitation to break through whatever walls the day has raised. Add to this thunder some surprisingly delicate acoustic melodies and ceaselessly raw, lonely love lyrics, and Smith has conquered the art of the folk song. In “Love Song #1,” the second of six tracks, he rumbles, “‘Til you blew in just like paper in the wind/ I just wanted somethin’ to believe in/ I just want you on my arm, every limb/ Carry on with you right down to the bitter end.” It would be difficult not to stay with him, too, all the way through — in the realms of folk rock, this buffalo might be one in a million.
The White Buffalo will be playing at Lou’s Records in Encinitas on Oct. 3 and at the House of Blues in downtown San Diego on Oct. 11.
