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Jim Pepper — Witchi-Tai-To
Album: Pepper's Pow Wow
Avg rating:
5.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1244









Released: 1971
Length: 2:51
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Witchi-tie-to, gimee rah
Whoa rah neeko, whoa rah neeko
Hey ney, hey ney, no way

Witchi-tie-to, gimee rah
Whoa rah neeko, whoa rah neeko
Hey ney, hey ney, no way

Water spirit feelin'
Springin' round my head
Makes me feel glad
That I'm not dead

Witchi-tie-tie, gimee rah
Whoa rah neeko, whoa rah neeko
Hey ney, hey ney, no way

Witchi-tie-tie, gimee rah
Whoa rah neeko, whoa rah neeko
Hey ney, hey ney, no way
Comments (58)add comment
This version lacks the wildness of the one I've heard elsewhere but it is important music. Thanks 
Posted 1 week ago by Dr_Ross    [ Reply ]
There is a playlist on Youtube with dozens of versions of this song.
Posted 6 months ago by John_P    [ Reply ]
The version to listen to is the 'Sacred Spirt - chants and dnaces of Native Americans' 
Posted 7 months ago by prs    [ Reply ]
I used to use to use this as the extro music behind my morning show 'good bye' talk set on commercial FM... "Have a great day and see you tomorrow morning at 6am. Love you lots!"
Posted 7 months ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
 ddehoyos wrote:

Thank you Bill for playing a variety of music. If you are listening to this station you should come to expect the unexpected. One shouldn't be so quick to criticize the playlist. I for one appreciate the amazing depth of the sounds that are in this world.



Yes, a variety is nice. But this song is played very often, on a rather short "Global Mix."
And it's a bit annoying in the same way as Gregorian chants.
Posted 1 year ago by Emperors_Spork    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:
EXCELLENT!!  When this was released, WNEW FM 102.7 NYC, used to play the long version!(7:52)  Thanx RP!   Please play the LONG VERSION!  Thank You!


Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 MLoszewski wrote:
First time I heard this song was a Jim Pepper version with an extended jam and it lifted me off the ground.
 
This is Pepper's song, not a cover. The full version is 7:52.

https://www.discogs.com/release/5344004-Jim-Pepper-Peppers-Pow-Wow

Lot's of airplay here in Cleveland for many, many years.  Hence the Michael Stanley Band and Brewer and Shipley covers.  Both bands with deep Cleveburg roots.

 Steak wrote:
I believe the artist for this song is mislabeled here, it should be "Everything is Everything": a one-album band led by Jim Pepper himself.
 
This is correct for this version.


Posted 1 year ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 sunybuny wrote:

I've scrolled back but no luck... anyone know which of his languages he is singing the refrain?


Wikipedia says he's Kaw and Muscogee/Creek ... perhaps one of those?
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
First time hearing this... it's too short!!
Posted 1 year ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
EXCELLENT!!  When this was released, WNEW FM 102.7 NYC, used to play the long version!(7:52)  Thanx RP!   Please play the LONG VERSION!  Thank You!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Hey Bill, I fell in love with this song after hearing it on RP for the first time, and immediately dove into a Jim Pepper-sized rabbit hole.

I believe the artist for this song is mislabeled here, it should be "Everything is Everything": a one-album band led by Jim Pepper himself.

Cheers and thank you for the good work!
Posted 1 year ago by Steak    [ Reply ]
Back when I was doing my morning show in small market BC, I would sign off my morning show with this in the background of my last talk set. What a great way to tell people to be good and look forward to our next meeting. 
Posted 1 year ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
 sunybuny wrote:

I've scrolled back but no luck... anyone know which of his languages he is singing the refrain?




Pretty sure it's Italian.  I recall Louis Prima doing a bang-up version back in the day.  
Posted 1 year ago by ice-9    [ Reply ]
Loved this when it came out, still sounds wonderful - gkad it hasn't completely disappeared into the never-played past. Brewer & Shipley did a great version as well - I remember them saying they learned it the same way the rest of us did, just listening to the radio. 
Posted 1 year ago by chriscavas    [ Reply ]
For an interesting cover, try the Michael Stanley (R.I.P.)  Band.
He recorded a melding of Witchi-Tai-To and Lou Reed's Sweet Jane.
And pulled it off.
Posted 2 years ago by jpd1224    [ Reply ]
Really liked the Harpers Bizarre version of this.
Posted 2 years ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
Great song, but edited version.  I know that song has some solo sections and a chant that were edited out here. This must be the AM radio version! Too bad.
Posted 2 years ago by Buffalocarl    [ Reply ]
 ddehoyos wrote:

Thank you Bill for playing a variety of music. If you are listening to this station you should come to expect the unexpected. One shouldn't be so quick to criticize the playlist. I for one appreciate the amazing depth of the sounds that are in this world.



Posted 2 years ago by uxbiff936    [ Reply ]
GREAT!!! ICONIC!!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Way too much repetition of any tunes on all channels, for my taste...
Posted 2 years ago by (former member)    [ Reply ]
First time I heard this song was a Jim Pepper version with an extended jam and it lifted me off the ground.
Posted 2 years ago by MLoszewski    [ Reply ]
whore-a-nicko whore-a-nicko beydeyheyjksdojgdsjhienieqneirg
Posted 2 years ago by utkarshsingh    [ Reply ]
That wore out its welcome within the first minute. Blecch
Posted 2 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
I have never heard this, only knowing the Brewer and Shipley version, for probably more than 45 years. Now I hear another and maybe in some senses more authentic version. Nowhere else but this site.
Posted 2 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
I've scrolled back but no luck... anyone know which of his languages he is singing the refrain?
Posted 2 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 mbolch30307 wrote:

What's Tony Orlando doing in the center of that headdress?




Posted 2 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
 pegster1956 wrote:
Well then please don't leave us in suspended musical preference animation!  😘  
 


Personally I prefer the Brewer & Shipley version.
But Jim's version certainly sounds more authentic from an indigenous perspective. 
Posted 2 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
 mbolch30307 wrote:

What's Tony Orlando doing in the center of that headdress?




Posted 2 years ago by pjw1200    [ Reply ]
What's Tony Orlando doing in the center of that headdress?
Posted 2 years ago by mbolch30307    [ Reply ]
I knew this song by a version of Bobo Stenson, an ECM style jazz version. Discovered the original version much later, i never never heard the native indian vibe before either.
Posted 2 years ago by John_P    [ Reply ]
 pegster1956 wrote:
Well then please don't leave us in suspended musical preference animation!  😘  
 


All props to Jim Pepper, but I just prefer the Brewer and Shipley version.
Posted 2 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
There is another beautiful version of this with Jim Pepper starting on piano, and working into the chant.  Totally hooked on it, and its beautiful descending line in tenths.  I love this version too of course, there's so much life in it.  And Jim had the biggest, fattest sound I've every heard from  a saxophone.  Thank you so much RP for keeping good music going.
Posted 3 years ago by fletch    [ Reply ]
Instant transport back to 11th grade. Thanks, Bill!
Posted 3 years ago by skiboy53    [ Reply ]
While I don't consider it "godlike", I was so upset by the low rating that I gave it a 10.
It's certainly a very interesting - and pleasant - blend between jazz and traditional!
Posted 3 years ago by Mannick    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing this somewhat obscure tune. Loved listening to this tune on WBCN in Boston when they had this in their rotation, still loving this evocative tune. I consider it one of the great nuggets.
Posted 3 years ago by skyobrien    [ Reply ]
I love this song, but I really love the long version of it which is much jazzier and more varied.  Available on YouTube:  https:\\www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2YeEUlyhQw.
Posted 3 years ago by brian.gass77551    [ Reply ]
There is no bad version of this song.  I close my eyes and see Jim's ancestors chanting to great spirits.
Posted 3 years ago by marklaw    [ Reply ]
Oregon have the same song on their album Out of The Woods 1978, wonder where the original came from.
Posted 3 years ago by marwan.elazzouni    [ Reply ]
U2 and Sting~sequel. Beautiful
Posted 3 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
Always loved the vibe from this song -- I can still see the bright sunshine of 1971 whenever I hear it. Brewer and Shipley learned it the same way the rest of us did - off the radio. Love both versions
Posted 3 years ago by RoundT    [ Reply ]
Pretty cool, never would have heard of him if not for RP. Thanks
Posted 3 years ago by adyboy94    [ Reply ]
WOW....talk about a "Lost 45".....RP is the BEST..
Posted 3 years ago by neptunejeff    [ Reply ]
Well then please don't leave us in suspended musical preference animation!  😘  the_jake wrote:
Certainly not my favorite version of this tune.
 

Posted 4 years ago by pegster1956    [ Reply ]
Sweet!! Rez approves! Loving the indigenous music that gets sprinkled in here.
Posted 4 years ago by rezadent    [ Reply ]
This was the rarest of finds back in the days of record hunting. Great to hear it!
Posted 4 years ago by JsDad    [ Reply ]
It's been ages since I've heard this beauty. Thanks,  Bill!
Posted 4 years ago by dancindan    [ Reply ]
Never heard this version - more familar with the Brewer & Shipley version. Got to love it in any version!
Posted 4 years ago by WattsUp    [ Reply ]
Check out the version of this song by Robert Charlebois, it's my personal favourite
Posted 4 years ago by mike_lise    [ Reply ]
Thanks for your music Jim
Posted 4 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in at least 3 decades.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Posted 4 years ago by greenheartanne    [ Reply ]
Interesting. Never heard the original. I think prefer this to the Brewer & Shipley cover. 
Posted 4 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Certainly not my favorite version of this tune.
Posted 4 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
 ddehoyos wrote:
Thank you Bill for playing a variety of music. If you are listening to this station you should come to expect the unexpected. One shouldn't be so quick to criticize the playlist. I for one appreciate the amazing depth of the sounds that are in this world.
 
Yes!!  100% agreement here....in fact recently while camping with "the guys" and playing RP, some folks were "what's this?" and Mack was like "just let it play" and so I did.....thanks BillG for the great playlists....Long Live RP!!

This one gets a 6 from me....different and not bad!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Missed this.  Hope to catch it the next time around.  This song always takes me a most happy place.
Posted 4 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
Thank you Bill for playing a variety of music. If you are listening to this station you should come to expect the unexpected. One shouldn't be so quick to criticize the playlist. I for one appreciate the amazing depth of the sounds that are in this world.
Posted 4 years ago by ddehoyos    [ Reply ]
Great time with drugs and dancing man
Posted 4 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
Think this is one of the RP WTF moments.
Posted 4 years ago by dmcanany    [ Reply ]
This makes my teeth hurt.
Posted 4 years ago by haljordan    [ Reply ]