Just arrived back in Korea and I thought I’d direct you to Gurrumul. My sister played his CD in her car whilst I was back home and he has the most beautiful voice. He also performed during the Sydney New Year’s Eve concert. Gurrumul’s full name is Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and is an Indigenous Australian of the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land in the top end of the Northern Territory. Gurrumul was born blind, never taught to read braille and walks unaided by guide dog or walking stick. He’s from a prominent family of musicians, social activists and Indigenous leaders – his uncle is former Australian of the Year, Mandawuy Yunupingu.
Below are two of his songs, ‘Bapa’ and ‘I was Born Blind’ otherwise known as ‘Gurrumul History’.
‘Bapa’
‘I was Born Blind’
I only discovered Gurrumul a few weeks ago myself. First time I heard him, I went straight out and bought the album. This is a man that will be around for a long time. If you haven’t already checked out his website, it has the lyrics for each of his songs in his native language and the english translation.
http://www.gurrumul.com
Hi Sam,
Yeah, there’s something about his music that captivates you and makes you want to hear more. Thanks for the link, I’m going to have to go out and buy his CD. I should have bought before it I left Oz. D’oh!
By the way, thanks for the offer of the book, I can pass on my address to you if you like.
Cheers,
Ben
Send me your address and I’ll post it to you
[...] and fellow musician, Michael Hohnen on the cello. Gurrumul – who I previously wrote about here – was born blind, is very shy and speaks very little English – Michael Hohnen assists [...]