Nobuko Miyamoto
If you go to a record store you can hear the histories of European Americans from Classical to Rock, and African Americans from Spirituals, Blues, Jazz and Rap. The history of Asian American is nearly invisible and certainly inaudible to most people. Who was there to record the work songs of a Chinese railroad builder or a Japanese or Pilipino farmworker? Certainly our people have had songs and voices that wanted to be heard.
It is hard to believe that “Grain” is a first when some of us have been here since the mid-1800s. We would like to thank Barbara Dane and Irwin Silber of Paredon Records, for having the vision and generosity to produce this album. For Asian Americans it not only connects us to our own history in this country, but weaves us into the patchwork of American culture. And what a better way than music - the invisible, powerful and timeless vibration that touches the soul.