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Artist:
Waak Waak Jungi
Title:
Crow Fire Music
Genre:
Non-traditional Didjeridu
Musicians:
| Musician | Instruments |
|---|---|
| Bobby Bununggurr | |
| Jimmy Djamanba | |
| Sally Grice | |
| Sebastion Jorgensen | |
| Peter Mumme |
Format:
CD, Playing time --:-- minutes
Track List:
Publisher No.:
(1997) Larrikin - number not known
Comments:
The name of the group translates as Black Crow Fire in the Djinang language of north-central Arnhem Land. Bununggurr and Djamanba hail from Ramingining, an aboriginal community of Arnhem Land, whereas Grice, Mumme and Jorgensen reside in Victoria - the collaboration is quite a feat considering the distance that travel entails when the two components of the group combine to record or perform or practise. And they must have pratised a lot considering the standard of the CD. In a nutshell, it is simply outstanding! And yes, there is didjeridu amongst all this - it features in all of the traditional songs as well as a number of the others. The didjeridu playing is not particularly striking as they are not intended to be virtuoso didjeridu tracks, but as the rhythm component for the singing ... nonetheless, well performed and the style quite distinct to the north-east Arnhem Land style made famous by Yothu Yindi. A malgarri style of didj playing is also heard on the CD, typical of the western Arnhem Land style, of which David Blanasi is an exponent. It is the vocal work on the CD, however, that stands out as extraordinary. Bununggurr and Djamanba, two respected and highly praised songmen, combine well with Grice's haunting voice. In "Initiation Song" it is with some surprise not only to hear Grice singing (since it is a genre of songs sungly exclusively by aboriginal males) but also to hear her singing very accurately in terms of melody, articulation, and rhythm. Grice's solo "Women's Song" from Borooloola/South East Arnhem Land is again creditable, but also perhaps a little contentious, as is Jorgensen's "Wenberri", sung in a reconstructed Victorian aboriginal language. The CD is released by Larrikin, and the distribution should be fairly wide but not necessarily so. Other albums previously released by members of the group are scarce today: "David Gulpilil Dance Group - Music from Ramingining" had a small run and can no longer be purchased in any store today. The same can be said for "Music from Arnhem Land and Christmas Hills", and "Djurilli - Songs of Marangu".
Reviewer: Guan Lim