The Night of a Songbird

We were not going, but then I won two tickets to hear the debut concert. What a night.

Yothu Yindi are world renowned for their music, and their performance at the Sydney Olympics. This young man was part of that, and now has his own band - Saltwater Band, based at Galiwink'u on Elcho Island. But this was not THEIR type of music. This was a solo effort by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu , who is a close relative of Mandawuy Yunupingu of Yothu Yindi.

This music is one of the most hauntingly beautiful, incredibly melodic, evocative and just VERY good sets of music to hit the airwaves in a long time. Reminds me a little of the style of Norah Jones and the impact she made with a very different approach to music.

Blind from birth, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is a powerhouse of musical creativity. Geoffrey, or Gudjuk as he is also called, is from the Gumatj nation, his mother from the Galpu nation both First Nations peoples from North East Arnhemland.

A former member of Yothu Yindi, this solo excursion highlights his amazing talent as a singer/songwriter/musician, and his beautiful voice singing the songs of his Gumatj country will never leave you.

His solo performances are a rare treat and should not be missed. Geoffrey's own band the Saltwater Band all hail from Galiwin'ku on Elcho Island, NE Arnhem Land are a much loved and most popularly noted Indigenous band, partly because of Gurrumul's influence and guidance. Their music is not this music.

With the release of this his first solo album, Geoffrey highlights the tremendous talent he has to offer Indigenous music. Skinny Fish music who have been involved with this new CD have said they are excited and proud to be associated with this magical project. It is magical.

He sang of the land and his country with colour and vision, all from the mind. He described the jungle fowl and its antics with great clarity, and these animals are regular visitors to Darwin suburbia, so their antics are well known. He opened his heart and conveyed the love of the land.

Yes, most of the songs are in language - his language. A screen was used to provide the words and a translation, but the soul of the music did not need it.

Songs, language and the guitar and double bass said enough. He also played one song accompanying himself on the Steinway piano.

And guitar.......it was ironic that John Williams and John Etheridge were also playing in the main auditorium of the Entertainment Centre, just metres away, two world class classic guitarists. Gurrumul plays the guitar too........left handed and upside down, eg a normally strung right hand guitar, played left handed. Who could learn from who??

Listen to the tracks on my space, and if you get a chance to see him - GO! And remember, he is blind......blind from birth!

http://www.myspace.com/gurrumul

He is a new star.......listen to the three tracks free on his myspace site!