Tuesday 19 May 2009

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu

I was driving home last night following my usual swim and sauna after work. However, this was no ordinary journey home.... As I sat in the queue of traffic waiting for the lights to turn to green, I was taken by the song on the radio. It was a beautiful yet emotional song sung by the most memorising voice. I was soon finding myself approaching the junction for me to turn off the main road, but I knew that if I pulled off at that junction I would be almost home. I didn't want to stop listening to the songs that this enthralling voice was singing, and the stories being being recounted between each song. I carried on driving for a further half an hour as the radio programme continued. Each song digging deeper and deeper into my soul. Eventually I caught the name behind the voice, it was Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu.





Although I was hoping the radio session would go on forever, it soon came to a close. The radio DJ thanked Gurrumul for his presence and the radio show continued with a regular music track, sweeping me back into reality. The track finished and the DJ started reading some of the texts and emails that had begun to flood in from all corners of the nation. Each and every one stating how the listener had become absorbed and hypnotised by the voice of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu. Drivers in their cars, families in their kitchens cooking dinner, students sat in their bedrooms doing their homework... all absorbed by the magic of this amazing artist.

I finally turned off the main road and headed home. As soon as I arrived, I ran into my lounge, logged onto the internet and searched his name, downloaded his album and haven't stopped listening to it since.............

That's how my regular journey home turned into a moment of sentiment.

If you want to do one great thing today, then I suggest you have a listen to the two songs in the links above and enjoy a few moments of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu, the blind aboriginal singer with the most amazing voice I have heard in years and years.

If you do have a listen to his songs (and I really hope you do), I would be extremely interested to hear your thoughts and opinions. So please leave a comment below.

I also recommend you visit his website at: www.Gurrumul.com

Happy listening

Graham :o)

11 comments:

Fiona Art said...

This was lovely to read, myself and a friend once got so much into the music in the car we were listening to that we carried on driving from Blackhealth to Lewisham after a night out and continued to Dover, getting there 3am in the morning. Music has an amazing power and sound and smells are well known to get into the soul and memories when other ways can not. Thanks for sharing. xx

Unknown said...

He really is worth the drive.. He has such a mesmerizing voice.. I am so glad you made this discovery because you got to share it with us who didn’t hear that radio broadcast.. His voice placed me in a calm mood such a wonderful ending to a long day just before I am getting ready to drift away and sleep… It’s like a lullaby.

Ricky said...

While people may have different views still good things should always be appreciated. Yours is a nice blog. Liked it!!!

Anonymous said...

lol...you could have pulled over the car at home, and kept on listening to him ,lol.

Graham Ettridge said...

Fiona, it is my pleasure :o) You are so right, music does have an amazing power :)

Lilliy, I am so pleased that you liked it too. I agree, his songs are like lullabies :o)

Ricky, thanks for stopping by and thanks for your kind comment :o)

Hey Thrice :o) LOL! I could have pulled over...lol! However, I find driving quite relaxing, and was enjoying driving down the road as the music played. It was simply one of those magic moments :o)

Anonymous said...

Hi Graham!
I posted the challenge :D I'm happy I can take part!

Graham Ettridge said...

Thrice, and I am so happy that you can take part!!!! I have just seen your photographs and they are grrrrreat!!!!!!

Robin Easton said...

I am sitting here in tears. I am changed. I am returned to myself and soothed. Never have I heard such truth and sweetness in a human voice. Thank you my dear dear Graham. I love you for loving this music. It speaks highly of you. I will be in touch soon. But this made my whole day. I am going to get an album if they are available. I actually felt myself deep breathing and relaxing listening to this. Bless you my dear friend. Have a safe trip. BIg hugs and much love, Robin

Inspired said...

This is amazing!! Outstanding talent. Calming. Thank you so much for sharing about him.
What other music do you love?

Cocaine Princess said...

Isn't it amazing the power a single song can have? It can touch you in ways you never thought possible.

Dirk said...

Interesting text. You have a nice blog. Keep it up!

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