Comments on: new old music

new old music

dhruva — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:34:05 -0800

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.

By: CitizenD

CitizenD — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:46:34 -0800

he plays the guitar upside down, as he didn't have access to a left-handed guitar when he was growing up. what *beautiful* songs on that myspace page. thanks, dhruva! what a lovely find.

By: goo

goo — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:57:00 -0800

Awesome - thanks for the post dhruva!

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:22:39 -0800

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. Awesome! That makes him a relative of mine!

By: gnutron

gnutron — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:29:31 -0800

wow. truly inspiring. what a voice.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:35:33 -0800

wow - beautiful music! *cd ordered*

By: Effigy2000

Effigy2000 — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:19:39 -0800

This is great. I want this comment to express how much I like it and how great it is; I want to go on at length about it but words just fail me. Excellent post. Thanks dhruva!

By: rdone

rdone — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:20:38 -0800

dhruva, a wonderful find. "Gurrumul" is also available from iTunes. Oliver Sachs' most recent book Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain has a fascinating chapter on the special musical talents of the blind. It is suggested that the large area of the brain which is usually devoted to the processing of visual stimuli and information is utilized for sound processing in the blind and, especially in those born blind, is the seat of enormous potential musical talents, e.g., Doc Watson, Blind Blake, Art Tatum, George Shearing, Jose Feliciano, etc. It would appear that Mr. Yunupingu falls into this gifted clan. For anyone interested in the brain and music, "Musicophilia" is a must read from an especially humane and learned author.

By: fourcheesemac

fourcheesemac — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:34:51 -0800

Thank you thank you thank you. Awesome post!

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:08:58 -0800

How great that this Aborigine artist is seeing such success in Australia (and the world). Thanks for the post, dhruva.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:13:26 -0800

Yes, although I'm confused about what it means to "sing, literally and figuratively" - could you figuratively enlighten me, dhruva?

By: dhruva

dhruva — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:31:07 -0800

I'm guessing that the author of the article (who is not me) intended to emphasize the 'not speaking much' aspect of GGY's personality? I don't know...ask your cousin.

By: drhydro

drhydro — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:38:43 -0800

Stunning! I didn't expect that voice- it floored me. Thankyouthankyou- you've opened a new door for me!

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:53:38 -0800

oh, you quoted it? (i was actually only trying to find *some* way to link to that dinosaur comic)

By: jcworth

jcworth — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:37:05 -0800

sold. bought his cd, and one from his previous band, saltwater band. sings to something ancient... thanks for the info.

By: Wolof

Wolof — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:43:02 -0800

I don't know...ask your cousin. heh

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:37:54 -0800

problem is, i don't know if he's my cousin unless i know his skin, and that info's not provided. he might be my grandfather, uncle, father, brother, son, nephew or grandson from the information to hand.

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:53:10 -0800

I could tell you his skin, Ubu, as I think it's in the liner notes of the CD. I bought it as a going away gift for myself upon leaving Darwin. Unfortunately, that CD is somewhere in a shipping container on its way to Hobart, so I won't be able to help you today. The CD is, I might say, mesmerizing.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:01:07 -0800

Thanks, Jimbob, but I'll be heading in to the office to check my PO box on Anzac Day, hoping to find the CD, so I should know soon. I have a feeling that my sister has Saltwater Band music, which would make sense, considering the Galiwinku connection. I assume you've moved to Hobart then...? (rhetorical) Also, like, mesmeriSing, dude! W'all aren't *completely* Americanised yet, insh'allah.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:22:58 -0800

(i meant, al hamdu l'illah)