The Weekend Australian Magazine's
20 best songs poll results, Peter Garret chooses Djarimirri.
"...this is exquisite, stripped-back music, chock-full
of soul and melody, unadorned by technological fetishism and beautifully
sung. Gurrumul, formerly with northeast Arnhem band Yothu Yindi and now
Saltwater Band, sings so deeply and sweetly about his connection to family
and country, the effect is transcendent. What more could you want from
a piece of music?" Peter Garrett,
Environment Minister (ex Midnight Oil)
"Yunupingu possesses one of the world's sweetest voices,
a pure natural instrument...Gurrumul is a gentle masterpiece of remarkable beauty...Quite
simply it's the most impressive Aussie indigenous album in quite a while."Seth Jordan, Songlines
Magazine UK
"Gurrumul is one of those special artists that only comes around every
blue moon. He has a voice of an angel that pierces to your core. His music is
pure and simple and his talent is indisputable"
John Butler
"...this will be a major Indigenous Australian release from this Yolngu
singer songwriter. He has a beautiful voice. It is shameful that it has been
such a long time since an Indigenous Australian artist has had any recognition
and I think Gurrumul is the CD to do that", David
Bridie 2007 australianrules.com.au
"As far as what I have been exposed to in my lifetime, I think Gurrumul
is quite possibly the most amazing artist to come out of this country. His songs
and arrangements keep true to contemporary formats, keeping the music accessible
to the masses, yet the sound is exceptionally
unique, delivered with such a natural talent that it cuts straight to your soul
from the first note of the first listen. Gurrumul embodies the spirit
of his country and he has laid it down on a cd for us to enjoy over and over
again."Carlo
Santone (Blue King Brown).
"...... this will be a major Indigenous Australian release from this
Yolngu singer songwriter. He has a beautiful voice. It is shameful that it has
been such a long time since an Indigenous Australian artist has had any recognition
and I think Gurrumul is the CD to do that." David
Bridie 2007 australianrules.com.au
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, 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.
Geoffrey, you soul is amazing. Keep the sounds of heaven alive in our hearts. The stars shine brighter when your voice resounds through the land. I feel your soul vibe. Blessings Love all my relations RM
Hi Geoffrey, I've seen you on TV. You are a most beautiful performer, moved me to tears. The world needs more 'real' and that's what you are, 'real'. warmly, Donna *)
Like your music, those paintings, in the oldest known art galleries in the world, they are not just paintings, they are the album cover, the movie poster, the dvd cover, that is the window to the entire multimedia performance, the window to the entire multimedia story, the oral tradition recorded, in print, in picture, in song, in dance, in performance, in music.
Heard you at the Dreamtime Football Game, MCG, Melbourne. Bloody fantastic Geoffery, and wasn't there a bunch of deadly brothers and sisters there with you. Man, you were up there with Cathy, she is sooo hot choclate.
The very best with everything you do, and may the gods always do you proud.