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"Aboriginal music gets an angelic new voice"

March 31, 2008
INTERVIEWING Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is very,
very different. He speaks little English. He lives on Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land. He has been blind
from birth and he is very shy. So we agree that emails, translated and transported by the musician Michael Hohnen,
the producer of Yunupingu's extraordinary new album, Gurrumul, might be a workable strategy.
This is not some foolishly self-imposed obstacle course. Yunupingu's new album is the most beautiful recording ever
made by an Aboriginal musician. He has a voice of transcendental emotional power that is reminiscent of the great
Aaron Neville and his mix of gospel, soul and folk is a compelling new sound on an Aboriginal music scene that has
been dominated in recent years by pub rock, reggae, rapping and country.
Most importantly, he is a traditional Aborigine who, for most of his life, has been aware of, but largely untouched by,
modern pop music. Ask Yunupingu, who has played with Yothu Yindi and is a nephew of the Yothu Yindi
Yunupingus, about his first memories of music and he says: "My family singing a lot of ceremony music ... and also
the radio and the church music. I used to go to church a lot. That is how I learnt to play the guitar. I heard the guitar
in church and people gave me one to play and I just started to learn it. Later everyone told me I played upside down."
This intermingling of music is hardly surprising. No one, not even people as isolated as residents of Elcho Island, is
immune to the influences of the modern world. The question always is how those influences are absorbed and
transformed.
When I ask whether his blindness has made him more sensitive to music, Yunupingu offers an insight into the forces
that have created his music. "I just hear all the sounds. The birds. People talking. The waves. Everything. Sometimes
at home I listen to the bungul djama [ceremony], or the old people talking, and I learn from that way. I listen to radio
and CD all the time. I listen to things 'cos I can't see them. That helps me understand what's going on."
And those CDs? And those musical influences? "Yo, yeah, the clan songs. We have lots of clans on Elcho, so I heard
all the clans' music but I concentrated on my clan's songs. Then there were the old men. They sing strong and sweet.
Apart from the traditional music, I remember Soft Sands, the first rock and roll band from Elcho. They sang sweet
country music. Also there was Elvis, Neil Diamond and a lot of the gospel music in the church."
Although he listened to Elvis and Neil Diamond, Yunupingu sings in his native language. There are only two songs
with English lyrics on Gurrumul, and he explains that in the case of the song Gurrumul History "I just sang in
English to help people understand about my history".
He sings in Yolngu, he says, because "I feel uncomfortable with English a lot of the time ... It is hard because the
meanings of the words in Yolngu are different because we have different things in our life ... I write songs that are part
of my clan or my name, my country, my totem or traditional stories that are connected to me. I like singing about the
story properly, singing all the right names of land, and ancestors, because I have to give out the right story. It is like a
celebration."
The result is real revolution in Aboriginal music and it could not have happened without Hohnen's inspiration and
support. Yunupingu says: "We met in 1996 and I adopted him as my wawa - brother. He and I joke around together a
lot, but he also takes my music very seriously. He came to Elcho to run a music course, and I went along with the
boys from the Saltwater Band. It was very exciting for me because I knew straight away that Michael took Yolngu
music seriously. He encouraged us to be serious about our music and to think more like serious musicians."
Do not underestimate the historic importance of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. Before he came along traditional Aboriginal music was characterised mostly by simple and repetitive chanting. It had little interest outside ceremonies
and dances in Aboriginal communities.
Yunupingu has the potential to be to indigenous music what painters such as Rover Thomas were to indigenous art.
He is using a modern medium - in his case an angelic voice and the musical styles of gospel, soul and folk - to tell the
traditional stories of his people and his culture. The result is authentically traditional Aboriginal music that is
instantly accessible to Western audiences.
Gurrumul is available now.
- Sydney Morning Herald


"Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu "Gurrumul""

They say those who are born blind are blessed with enhanced sensory talent in other areas. This can certainly be said for singer/songwriter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who, blind since birth, yeilds a musical talent that manages to permeate the hearts of those who are listening..
His debut album, Gurrumul, showcases an angelic voice and delicate lyricism, sung in the languages of Galpu, Gumatj, Djambarrpuyu and English, that express the stirring experiences of a life spent growing up in the heart of Arnhem Land. A refreshing new addition to the Roots genre. - MAP Magazine March 2008 #95 Brisbane Australia


""Gurrumul""

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is from the Gumatj nation of North East Arnhemland and has been blind since birth. He is a multi instrumentalist, former keyboard player and guitarist in Yothu Yindi, now with the popular Saltwater Band where he clearly has a key role in shaping the Saltwater sound.

Gurrumul is Yunupingu’s first solo album and it demonstrates his astonishing talent as a singer, songwriter and musician.

The lyrics are mostly sung in Yunupingu’s own language and he plays a normal tuned guitar upside down (which means he plays everything backwards) and is supported by Michael Hohnen on double bass. The music has a sparseness and yet it also has unbelievable richness and depth that underlies Yunupingu’s exceptional voice.

The songs are about the land, family and spirituality, giving them a significant cultural potency. The album was recorded in Melbourne, then mixed and mastered in Darwin; it is a very sophisticated and well finished product.

In my view, it is the best new Australian album I have heard in a long while. A great deal of credit must go to Skinny Fish Music which has worked tirelessly to bring the music of Aboriginal Australia to a wider audience.

A world traveler, Yunupingu has already played for the Queen, who sat just metres close by as he performed. Who knows where this album might take him?


- Xpress Magazine Perth Australia March 08


"Saltwater Band's Gurrumul releases debut solo album"

Many people have been waiting for the debut solo album from Gurrumul Yunupingu.
Geoffrey, or Gudjuk as he is also called, is from the Gumatj nation, his mother from the Galpu nation both of north-east Arnhem Land. He is a former member of Yothu Yindi. Now with Saltwater Band, Gurrumul's solo excursions highlight his amazing talent as a singer/songwriter/musician.
What I love about this CD is that it's an anywhere album - for dinner, driving, beach or bush.
Gurrumul's beautiful voice is perfectly complimented with gently-plucked guitar strings. At times, it as if his voice is another string of the guitar.
The album has 12 songs, and each track blends into each other seamlessly. You feel as though you are almost being serenaded for over an hour.
The other wonderfully unique thing about this album is that, of course, most of the songs are entirely in language.
The words are listed in both his Aboriginal language and English, so you don't miss on the stories.
My favourites from the album are track two Djarimirri, track four Gurrumul History (I was born blind), and track six Marwurumburr.
- The Koori Mail, Wednesday march 26 2008


"Gurrumul"

The music of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is simply remarkable. He has the voice of an angel. Often only accompanied with his own acoustic guitar, the indigenous artist who has been blind since birth produces some of the most amazing subdued music you will ever hear. A previous member of Yothu Yindi and current member of Saltwater Band, this is Gurrumul Yunupingu's first solo album, music in which he sings in his native tongue, strumming his acoustic guitar, with his incredible vocals ringing out over the music. There is a certain lush sweetness to his vocals which conjures up a still, yet melodic feeling of sadness. Yet mostly this is music that has the hairs standing up on the back of your neck. It's incredibly emotional, the lyrics speak of family in Northeast Arhnemland, of the land and the dreamtime, he even talks of being born blind on one of the few tracks in English. It could be considered folk music, these sparse tender ballads, close mic'd vocals and acoustic accompaniment. Very little indigenous music makes it's way down south, and despite being recorded in Melbourne, Gurumul Yunupingu is barely known around here. Hopefully this album changes things as Gurrumul demonstrates that Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is one of the most gifted songwriters this country has to offer.

- Bob Baker Fish - Impress Magazine Melbourne Australia


"Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu "Gurrumul""

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu first came to public attention as a member of Yothu Yindi.
Since then he has become known for his stable in- fluence on the fluid arrangement of Elcho Island musicians who make up Saltwater Band.
For all you Jungle Jim fans out there, you will know my love of Saltwater Band, and the gang at Skinnyfish
have delivered again with the release of Gurrumul’s debut solo album.
Blind from birth, Gurrumul’s take on this crazy world is unique, his command of the guitar is second
nature and his sweet voice reached deep inside you with sadness and sincerity.
His songs stride easily in and out of language, accompanied by the gentle plucking of his acoustic guitar, leaving a most pleasant insight.
A must for anyone into Saltwater, indigenous music, world music or generally looking for truly breathtaking and beautiful music.

Jungle Jim
- Byron Shire news Thursday February 28 2008


"Geoffrey Gurrumjul Yunupingu - Gurrumul"

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is from the Gunatj nation of North East Arnhemland and has been blind since birth. He is a multi instrumentalist, former keyboard player and guitarist in Yothu Yindi, now with the popular Saltwater Band where he clearly has a role in shaping the Saltwater sound.

Gurrumul is Yunupingu's first solo album and it demonstrates his astonishing talent as a singer, songwriter and musician.

The lyrics are mostly sung in Yunupingu's own language and he plays a normal tuned guitar upside down (which means he plays everything backwards) and is supported by Michael Hohnen on double bass. The music has a sparseness and yet it also has an unbelievable richness and depth that underlines Yunupingu's exceptional voice.

The songs are about land, family and spirituality, giving them a significant cultural potency.This album was recorded in Melbourne, then mixed and mastered in Darwin; it is a very sophisticated and well finished product.

In my view, it is the best new Australian album I have heard in a long while. A great deal of credit must go to Skinny Fish Music which has worked tirelessly to bring the music of Aboriginal Australia to a wider audience.

A world traveler, Yunupingu has already played for the Queen, who sat just metres close by as he performed. Who knows where this album might take him?

Presenter: Stephen Hall - RTR Radio Perth Australia March 7th 2008


"Music for the soul"

Sometimes we need music to pep us up. Sometime we need music to calm us down or soothe our souls and heal us.
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's sublime Gurrumul (Skinnyfish / MGM Distribution) is the latter kind.
This is his first solo album but surely not his last. And he's poured a lifetime of experience into it.
Yunupingu is a member of the famed Arnhem Land music clan. He's a cousin of Mandawuy, and joined him in Yoyhu Yindi in the late 1980'sand early 90's for the Tribal Voice, One Blood and Garma albums.
More lately he's been a key member of the saltwater Band, a much-admired indigenous band from Elcho Island, and co-produced their 2006 album. He didn't play his first solo show until 2005, but the silk-soft and soulful debut surely will win him fans throughout the country and, hopefully, around the world.
Two fact about Yunupingu will appear in every story written about him. He's an Aborigine, and he has been blind since birth. But you don't need to know a thing about him to be swept up by the quiet power of Gurrumul.
the parts are quit simple: an acoustic guitar, some double bass, a hint of cello, some vibrant harmonies. And that striking, keening voice, as pure and as rich as a Northern Territory sunrise.
He sings in Aboriginal language - Galpu, Gunatj and Djambarrpuynu - as well as English, and that doesn't affect the flow of the music or our ability to enjoy it. Rather it seems to enhance it.
Each of the songs comes with an English translation on the sleeve.
Gurrumul is an album that rewards close attention. It crept up on me slowly, and at first I wondered if the crisp, sparse production needed more adornment to maintain interest across
the 12 tracks. But the more closely i listened, the more clear it became that this was the right approach. It's an extraordinary voice and the setting allows it to shine.
Yunupingu tells his story in the powerful Gurrumul Histroy (I Was Born Blind): "Howcan I walk straight and tall in society, Please hold my hand/Trying to bridge and build Yolngu culture."
The album closes with the anthemic Wukun, "Storm clouds rising, storm clouds covering the land" he sings, soaring above his own gently rippling fingerpicking on the guitar. It's music as rich, and strong and timeless as the land itself.
the apology in the Federal Parliament was an important moment in the history of the nation. That was a hnd reached out from one direction. And Gurrumul is an important statement, too, reaching from the other. - Brisbane Courier Mail March 2008


"Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu "Gurrumul""

Just like Baaba Maal is the voice of Africa, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu could well be the voice of Australia.
Singing the songs of the Gumatj and Galpu people in north east Arnhemland, Gurrumul's stunningly beautiful voice transcends language and borders and seemingly makes time stand still.
A former member of Yothu Yindi, now with the Saltwater Band, this is Gurrumul's first foray into solo recording. And from the quality of this release, we can only hope that it won't be his last.
The album hinges on Gurrumul's voice - virtuosically commanding yet sweetly vulnerable. This vulnerabilty may have something to do with the fact the artist has been blind from birth.
The angelic strains are accompanied by simple fingerpicking from a left-hander on a right-hander guitar.
The songs do become a little repetitive as the album progresses. But that still doesn't detract from the overall peacefulness of the listening experience.
This is the album to put Australian indigenous music back on the world map.
Matthew Heath - The Canberra Times March 20 2008


"Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu "Gurrumul""

Just like Baaba Maal is the voice of Africa, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu could well be the voice of Australia.
Singing the songs of the Gumatj and Galpu people in north east Arnhemland, Gurrumul's stunningly beautiful voice transcends language and borders and seemingly makes time stand still.
A former member of Yothu Yindi, now with the Saltwater Band, this is Gurrumul's first foray into solo recording. And from the quality of this release, we can only hope that it won't be his last.
The album hinges on Gurrumul's voice - virtuosically commanding yet sweetly vulnerable. This vulnerabilty may have something to do with the fact the artist has been blind from birth.
The angelic strains are accompanied by simple fingerpicking from a left-hander on a right-hander guitar.
The songs do become a little repetitive as the album progresses. But that still doesn't detract from the overall peacefulness of the listening experience.
This is the album to put Australian indigenous music back on the world map.
Matthew Heath - The Canberra Times March 20 2008


"Aboriginal musician astonishes Australian audiences"


Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu doesn't speak much, but when he takes up his guitar, he sings, literally and figuratively.

He sings of growing up in an Aboriginal community on a remote island off the north coast of Australia; he sings of coming to terms with being born blind; and he sings the creation stories of his Yolngu people.
Two months ago, Yunupingu, 37, released his first solo album - "Gurrumul" - and it looks set to become a rare phenomenon: a recording by an Aboriginal artist that has broken out into the mainstream.

"Gurrumul" jumped to No. 1 on the iTunes Australia roots music chart (it is currently No. 3), but, more significantly, it is running strong in the mainstream iTunes music chart, above such international heavy hitters as Mariah Carey.

The album is a mixture of traditional songs and new compositions, and its success is all the more remarkable because all but two of the songs are sung in Yolngu.

On "Gurrumul," Yunupingu combines a precise guitar style with a clarity of voice that sounds powerful and fragile at the same time. The only backing instrument is an occasional double bass, played by his friend and producer Michael Hohnen, and the result is a clean, approachable sound that haunts long after the last note has faded.

"There is a purity to all these songs. They grab hold of you," said Iain Shedden, music critic of The Australian newspaper. "There is an incredible aura to him."

In a recent interview in Sydney, Yunupingu remained largely silent. He is acutely shy, and English is not his first language. He left most of the talking to Hohnen, although he did speak occasionally to affirm what Hohnen said.

"We tried just to make a really beautiful record, not a fashionable record, not a record that chases the world market: just an honest, beautiful record," said Hohnen, a classically trained musician who had some success with a rock band when he was younger.

Yunupingu is from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu on Elcho Island, off the north coast of Australia some 560 kilometers, or 350 miles, from Darwin, the nearest big city on the mainland.

His childhood exposed him to traditional culture, and it is a culture that reserves a particularly important place for music, both traditional and more modern.

Because of his blindness, Hohnen said, "He was stuck with the family more than a normal rebellious kid: stuck going to the church and learning all the gospel songs, stuck playing a toy piano his mother gave him, and being given a guitar and being told, 'Play this.' "

Yunupingu plays the guitar upside down, a legacy of the days when he was left-handed boy with access only to a guitar strung for right-handers. He was an adventurous child, and the people of Elcho Island encouraged him.

"There are some great stories about him being taught how to play basketball, and how to ride a push-bike," Hohnen said. "They would call out from the houses as he rode past, telling him 'this way,' or 'this way.' He memorized how many bumps there were between his house and wherever he was going."

Yunupingu is largely self-taught. He left school when he was 12 and never mastered Braille. Hohnen ascribes Yunupingu's striking ability - he has played keyboards and drums on other recordings - to natural talent and practice.

The Yolngu people have given Australia some of its most successful bands. Yothu Yindi was founded by one of Yunupingu's relatives, Mandawuy Yunupingu. George Burarrwanga, the lead singer of the other great breakthrough group, the Warumpi Band, also came from Elcho Island.

Yunupingu spent seven years playing and touring with Yothu Yindi, but his blindness made the constant travel even more tiring, Hohnen said. Yunupingu does not have a guide dog and seldom uses a walking stick.

Thirteen years ago, he left Yothu Yindi and returned to live full-time on Elcho Island. "Yothu Yindi was not him," said Hohnen, who has known him for more than a decade. "I think it has taken a long time for him to then say, 'I am ready to do my own thing.' "

He founded Saltwater Band, which has released two albums that were well-received by critics but did not break into the broader music market. The band has another album coming out this year.

Yunupingu says his favorite groups are older, guitar-led rock bands like the Eagles and Dire Straits, along with singers like Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond.

But he has forged a distinctive sound of his own, with songs that make the musical traditions of his people modern and accessible to a general audience, while retaining the depth and heft of works polished by well-loved familiarity.

During the hourlong interview, Yunupingu sat smiling but saying little, occasionally offering monosyllabic interjections if he thought Hohnen had missed something. But when he took up his guitar, he was transformed.

He raised his head, and the elegance of his long fingers suddenly became apparent. As he played the opening chords, there was - Tim Johnston International Herald Tribune


"Aboriginal musician astonishes Australian audiences"


Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu doesn't speak much, but when he takes up his guitar, he sings, literally and figuratively.

He sings of growing up in an Aboriginal community on a remote island off the north coast of Australia; he sings of coming to terms with being born blind; and he sings the creation stories of his Yolngu people.
Two months ago, Yunupingu, 37, released his first solo album - "Gurrumul" - and it looks set to become a rare phenomenon: a recording by an Aboriginal artist that has broken out into the mainstream.

"Gurrumul" jumped to No. 1 on the iTunes Australia roots music chart (it is currently No. 3), but, more significantly, it is running strong in the mainstream iTunes music chart, above such international heavy hitters as Mariah Carey.

The album is a mixture of traditional songs and new compositions, and its success is all the more remarkable because all but two of the songs are sung in Yolngu.

On "Gurrumul," Yunupingu combines a precise guitar style with a clarity of voice that sounds powerful and fragile at the same time. The only backing instrument is an occasional double bass, played by his friend and producer Michael Hohnen, and the result is a clean, approachable sound that haunts long after the last note has faded.

"There is a purity to all these songs. They grab hold of you," said Iain Shedden, music critic of The Australian newspaper. "There is an incredible aura to him."

In a recent interview in Sydney, Yunupingu remained largely silent. He is acutely shy, and English is not his first language. He left most of the talking to Hohnen, although he did speak occasionally to affirm what Hohnen said.

"We tried just to make a really beautiful record, not a fashionable record, not a record that chases the world market: just an honest, beautiful record," said Hohnen, a classically trained musician who had some success with a rock band when he was younger.

Yunupingu is from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu on Elcho Island, off the north coast of Australia some 560 kilometers, or 350 miles, from Darwin, the nearest big city on the mainland.

His childhood exposed him to traditional culture, and it is a culture that reserves a particularly important place for music, both traditional and more modern.

Because of his blindness, Hohnen said, "He was stuck with the family more than a normal rebellious kid: stuck going to the church and learning all the gospel songs, stuck playing a toy piano his mother gave him, and being given a guitar and being told, 'Play this.' "

Yunupingu plays the guitar upside down, a legacy of the days when he was left-handed boy with access only to a guitar strung for right-handers. He was an adventurous child, and the people of Elcho Island encouraged him.

"There are some great stories about him being taught how to play basketball, and how to ride a push-bike," Hohnen said. "They would call out from the houses as he rode past, telling him 'this way,' or 'this way.' He memorized how many bumps there were between his house and wherever he was going."

Yunupingu is largely self-taught. He left school when he was 12 and never mastered Braille. Hohnen ascribes Yunupingu's striking ability - he has played keyboards and drums on other recordings - to natural talent and practice.

The Yolngu people have given Australia some of its most successful bands. Yothu Yindi was founded by one of Yunupingu's relatives, Mandawuy Yunupingu. George Burarrwanga, the lead singer of the other great breakthrough group, the Warumpi Band, also came from Elcho Island.

Yunupingu spent seven years playing and touring with Yothu Yindi, but his blindness made the constant travel even more tiring, Hohnen said. Yunupingu does not have a guide dog and seldom uses a walking stick.

Thirteen years ago, he left Yothu Yindi and returned to live full-time on Elcho Island. "Yothu Yindi was not him," said Hohnen, who has known him for more than a decade. "I think it has taken a long time for him to then say, 'I am ready to do my own thing.' "

He founded Saltwater Band, which has released two albums that were well-received by critics but did not break into the broader music market. The band has another album coming out this year.

Yunupingu says his favorite groups are older, guitar-led rock bands like the Eagles and Dire Straits, along with singers like Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond.

But he has forged a distinctive sound of his own, with songs that make the musical traditions of his people modern and accessible to a general audience, while retaining the depth and heft of works polished by well-loved familiarity.

During the hourlong interview, Yunupingu sat smiling but saying little, occasionally offering monosyllabic interjections if he thought Hohnen had missed something. But when he took up his guitar, he was transformed.

He raised his head, and the elegance of his long fingers suddenly became apparent. As he played the opening chords, there was - Tim Johnston International Herald Tribune


Discography

February 2008: Skinnyfish Music is proud to announce the release of "Gurrumul", the stunning debut solo album for Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. (Saltwater Band)

Photos

Bio

A former member of Yothu Yindi, now with Saltwater Band, Gurrumul's solo excursions highlight his amazing talent as a singer, songwriter and musician. His beautiful voice will never leave you as he sings the songs of his Gumatj country. His solo performances are a rare treat and should not be missed. Saltwater Band hail from Galiwin'ku on Elcho Island, North East Arnhemland, and are a much loved and popular Indigenous band, partly because of Gurrumul's influence and guidance. With the release of this, his first solo album, Geoffrey highlights the tremendous talent he has to offer Indigenous music in Australia, and indeed, the world.

One of the most important and beautiful Indigenous albums yet recorded.

"Just like Baaba Maal is the voice of Africa, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu could well be the voice of Australia."

Matthew Heath The Canberra Times March 20 2008

* * * * * "A true masterpeice, Geoffrey has the voice of the country, literally"

Carlo Santone (Blue King Brown)