Musicians
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
- Origin
- Gumatj nation, Elcho Island, North East Arnhemland, Northern Territory
- Genre/styles
- Folk | Gospel | Soul | Roots Explore more genres
- About Geoffrey
-
Born blind, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was the lead singer of the Saltwater Band and the keyboard player and guitarist of Yothu Yindi. He also forged a successful solo career. He became the highest-selling Aboriginal artist in history, selling more than half a million copies of his albums, singing in Yolngu and some English.
Gurrumul died on 25 July 2017, aged only 46.
When I first started playing solo I was surprised when I was getting standing ovations... When I write music and play it, it gives me a place in both cultures.
— Geoffrey Gurrumul YunupinguWhen [Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu] picked up his guitar and sang, there was reverential silence all around him.
— The AustralianListen to Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and you will surrender to the greatest voice this continent has ever recorded.
— The Sydney Morning HeraldWhen I first saw beautiful singer... Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, this awakened me to become aware of Aboriginal affairs.
— Reader's letter in the National Indigenous Times
Discography
Album formats explained Explain formats
Album formats
- 10": 10 inch vinyl records were played at 45 or 33 1/3 rounds per minute (rpm). The former could hold 9, the latter 12 minutes of music per side.
- 7": 7 inch records (often referred to as 45s) were played at 45 rpm or 33 1/3 rpm, with about 4:30 or 6 minutes of music per side.
- LP: Long play, is a vinyl record played at 33 1⁄3 rpm with a 12 or 10-inch diameter.
- EP: Extended play, are vinyl records that allowed two or even three songs on each side.
Gurrumul
- Released
- 9 February 2008
- Tracks
- Wiyathul
- Dja:rimirri
- Ba:pa
- Gurrumul history (I was born blind)
- Marrandil
- Marwurrumburr
- Galiku
- Baywara
- Ga:thu Ma:wula
- Galupa
- Wirrpangu
- Wukun
- Notes
The album Gurrumul won the 2008 ARIA Best Independent Release Award and the 2008 ARIA Best World Music Album.
Bapa (Single)
- Released
- 25 October 2008
- Tracks
- Bapa
Wiyathul (Single)
- Released
- 2009
- Tracks
- Wiyathul (Radio Edit)
Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)
- Released
- January 2009
- Tracks
- Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind) [Single Edit]
- Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)
- Gurrumul History
- Notes
Promo release in cardboard sleeve cover
Gurrumul Live In Darwin, Australia
- Released
- 13 July 2010
- Tracks
- Djilawurr (Orange-Footed Scrub Fowl)
- Gathu Mawula
- Djarimirri
- Marrandil
- Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)
- Wukun
Wukun (Loverush UK Remix)
- Released
- 15 October 2010
- Tracks
- Wukun (Loverush UK Remix) [Radio Edit]
- Wukun (Loverush UK Remix) [Long Version]
- Wukun (Loverush UK Remix) [Instrumental]
Gopuru
- Released
- 2011
- Tracks
- Gopuru
Gathu Mawula Revisited (Single)
- Released
- 11 March 2011
- Tracks
- Gathu Mawula Revisited
- Gathu Mawula Revisited (Radio Edit)
Rrakala
- Released
- 8 April 2011
- Tracks
- Gopuru
- Mala Rrakala
- Bayini
- Baru
- Ya Yawirriny
- Djilawurr
- Bakitju
- Djomula
- Wulminda
- Banbirrngu
- A Baru in New York (Bonus Track)
Bayini (feat. Sarah Blasko, Single)
- Released
- 1 June 2012
- Tracks
- Bayini (feat. Sarah Blasko) [Single edit]
- Bayini (Full version)
Yolanda Be Cool Feat. Gurrumul – A Baru In New York
- Released
- 2013
- Tracks
- A Baru In New York (Radio Edit)
- A Baru In New York (A Class Edit)
- A Baru In New York (Taan Newjam Mix)
- A Baru In New York (Taan Newjam Edit)
- A Baru In New York (Chocolate Puma Mix)
- A Baru In New York (Flume Soundtrack Remix)
- A Baru In New York (Neon Stereo Remix)
Bayini (Live, Single)
- Released
- 31 May 2013
- Tracks
- Bayini (Live)
- Notes
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, Delta Goodrem & musicians of the Sydney Symphony.
Maralitja - Crocodile Man (Single)
- Released
- 9 August 2013
- Tracks
- Maralitja - Crocodile Man
Gurrumul & Sydney Symphony Orchestra – His Life And Music
- Released
- 6 December 2013
- Tracks
- Wiyathul
- Welcome And Introduction
- Bapa
- Introduction to Djarimirri
- Djarimirri
- Introduction to Djilawurr
- Djilawurr
- Introduction to Marwurrumburr
- Marwurrumburr
- Introduction to Baru
- Baru
- Introduction to Wukan
- Wukan
- Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)
- Gathu Mawula
The Gospel Album
- Released
- 31 July 2015
- Tracks
- Jesu
- Trinity
- Nhaku Limurr
- The Sweetest Name
- All God’s Children (Yo Djamarrkuli)
- Baptism
- Garray Jesu (My Lord)
- Hallelujah
- Walu (Time)
- Saviour
- Amazing Grace
- Riyala (There Is A River)
- Notes
Gurrumul’s The Gospel Album is a dedication to his mother and aunts, who brought him up with songs and lullabies from the church at Elcho Island. As a small boy Gurrumul was not only influenced by the traditional music of his clan but by the gospel music he heard every Sunday at the local Methodist church. The Gospel Album is a re-imagining of the spiritual songs that came to north-east Arnhem Land via Christian missionaries.
Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)
- Released
- 13 April 2018
- Tracks
- Waak (Sound of the crow crying)
- Galiku (Raising of the flag)
- Ngarrpiya (Octopus coming out)
- Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow Serpent)
- Djolin (Makassan One Stringed instrument)
- Marrayarr (Mast to hold a flag)
- Gapu (Freshwater)
- Djilawurr (Scrubfowl clearing the ground)
- Baru (Saltwater Crocodile)
- Gopuru (Tuna swimming)
- Djapana (Sunset)
- Wulminda (Dark clouds)
- Notes
This is Gurrumul's final album. It's a collection of traditional songs and harmonised chants in his traditional Yolngu life that have been mixed with orchestral sounds, finalised just weeks before his death.
Recorded with members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Find Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu albums & CDs
Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through any album links.
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Use the Aboriginal music timeline to view albums over time.
