Gurrumul to play Barbican Hall as part of European tour for new album
aaamusic | On 19, Sep 2011
GURRUMUL
www.gurrumul.com
Barbican Hall, London
Thursday 6th October 2011
Tickets: £12.50 – 22.50
www.barbican.org.uk
020 7638 8891
Having performed to critical acclaim in Europe in 2009 acclaimed Aboriginal singer and musician Gurrumul will return to Britain to perform at London’s Barbican Hall on October 6th 2011 as part of his eight date European tour.
Born blind, Gurrumul grew up as a member of the Gumatj clan on Elcho Island, off the coast of tropical North East Arnhem Land. This enigmatic musician first came to attention when he released his eponymous debut to international claim. The ‘Gurrumul’ album, which was the number 1 world music album throughout Europe on its release, has sold half a million copies worldwide and his music has become an international sensation transcending cultural boundaries.
Gurrumul’s second album ‘Rrakala’ (released September 26th) retains the quality, purity and sound of his first, but has this elusive singer and multi-instrumentalist artist delving into other genres and instruments within his own cultural context. ‘Gopuru’, a song that describes the rhythms of a totemic fish as it swims through the sea, is the first single from ‘Rrakala’, Gurrumul Yunupingu’s highly anticipated second solo album.
Robert Forster, The Go-Betweens- ‘through his art and the care he takes, he’s able to go where only great musicians can go – straight to the heart’.
‘José Feliciano, Maria Callas, Jimi Hendrix, Django Reinhardt, Leadbelly, Chet Baker, Enya, Odetta, Hildegarde, Edith Piaf: he shares something with all of them.’ The Times
‘Gurrumul is Australia’s most important voice.’ Rolling Stone Australia
‘Rrakala’
[Rrakala; the name the Gumatj people call themselves]
Recorded at the old Power Station in New York, now AVATAR, and 301 in Byron Bay by ARIA Award nominee producer Michael Hohnen and engineer Anthony Ruotolo [John Mayer, Anthrax, Meatloaf, Mary J. Blige and Ron Carter], this second solo album retains the quality, purity and sound of his first, but has this elusive artist delving into other genres and instruments within his own cultural context.
It follows in the footsteps of this multi ARIA award winning double platinum debut released in Europe in 2009, and inexplicably connects with the emotional psyche, this time even more deeply. Rrakala taps into old songs from Gurrumul’s band, his family’s songwriting, his new material and presents a choice of songs that reflect deeper into his Aboriginal identity. Showcased for the first time are his exceptional skills on piano, drums, nylon string acoustic guitar, electric and acoustic guitars. By opening up further, this album reveals more of his rich vocal harmonies which creates a deeper, more complex and as he says “more cultural and spiritual body of work.”
Album highlights include songs about longing, beautiful places, whispering trees, a funeral song and features Ulminda; a quasi-classical duet with Hohnen on bowed double bass and Gurrumul on guitar, singing about the mysterious power of the mind; indubitably a musical expression of their own connection.
Born blind, Gurrumul grew up as a member of the Gumatj clan on Elcho Island, off the coast of tropical North East Arnhem Land. This enigmatic musician first came to attention when he released his eponymous debut to international claim. His angelic voice connected with listeners worldwide including Elton John, will.i.Am and Sting who are big fans – having performed with Gurrumul in France Sting declared that he has “a voice of a higher being”.
The ‘Gurrumul’ album, which was the number 1 world music album throughout Europe on its release, has sold half a million copies worldwide and his music has become an international sensation transcending cultural boundaries. With Rrakala these boundaries are destined to expand into a broader consciousness.
Having performed to critical acclaim in Europe in 2009 Gurrumul will return for a run of eight dates in October 2011.
| DAY | DATE | CITY | VENUE |
| Tues | 4th Oct | Poland, Warsaw | Congress Hall |
| Thurs | 6th Oct | UK, London | Barbican |
| Sun | 8th Oct | France, Paris | Café De La Danse |
| Mon | 10th Oct | Stuttgart | Mozartsaal |
| Weds | 12th Oct | Germany, Hamburg | Fliegende Bauten |
| Thurs | 13th Oct | Germany, Berlin | Passionskirche |
| Sat | 16th Oct | Germany, Munich | Carl Orff Saal / Philharmonie |
| Mon | 17th Oct | Switzerland, Zurich | Volkshaus |
For tickets details please go to www.gurrumul.com
Entering the Australian charts at number 3 on its release, ‘Rrakala’ has drawn further praise for this unique artist:
“Australia’s Most Important Voice.” Rolling Stone
“…the greatest voice this country has ever recorded.” Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald
“This second album is as wonderful and special as the first.” Chris Johnston, The Age
“…the tone, melody and spirit of his voice are riveting from beginning to end.” Martin Jones Rhythms Magazine
“The effect is reliably trancelike as his astonishing voice echoes in rich harmony with itself…”Michael Dwyer, Rolling Stone
“Gurrumul will change the way you breathe.” Kathleen Noonan, Courier Mail
