iDIDJ Australia Didgeridoo Cultural Hub

Josh Staley · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Portland OR

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One of the most exciting things for me in recent years has been the arrival of traditional music CD's professionally produced and recorded in studio.

What are these CDs? Almost all the stuff I have seen is quite old (but still wonderful) or instructional in nature, but I would greatly welcome some studio quality recordings of traditional songs.

I actually think the traditional stuff is much more pleasing to listen to than any cross-over/world music stuff using a didge. Perhaps its the lack of any commercial consideration in its making. I have felt the same way about many forms of indigenous music. The traditional versions always seem to have a depth and mystical feeling that is very powerful to me. It strikes me on a deeper level.

I often wonder why someone doesn't get Larry Gurruwiwi and other such talents into the studio. I would think anything they put out would be greedily consumed by the didge community if nothing else.

flyangler18 · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 394

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What are these CDs?

All the YYF titles are professionally done, and around 5-7 years old.

I'm sure that there are more recent recordings. Have you seen the 'Maningrida Traditional Music Compilation'? Beaut stuff!

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flyangler18 · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 394

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Without going into the 'purposes' for which traditional music is composed(many), most contemporary music forms are composed with the idea of commercial release and/or performance. Or, at the very least, influenced by that industry.

An excellent point, Ed, and I'm glad that you've joined us here. I'd argue that there are additional levels of meaning assigned to Aboriginal music that sets it apart from other traditional musical forms; these very levels of meaning add complexity to an already 'foreign' experience to the listener. The 'composition' of traditional songs in the Aboriginal context are so specifically ground to country and experience that we can really only scratch the surface.

Looking forward to hearing from Peter and John as well when they get a chance.

Jason

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Ed Drury · Joined: 09 Apr 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Portland, OR

flyangler18 wrote:

Quote:

Without going into the 'purposes' for which traditional music is composed(many), most contemporary music forms are composed with the idea of commercial release and/or performance. Or, at the very least, influenced by that industry.

An excellent point, Ed, and I'm glad that you've joined us here. I'd argue that there are additional levels of meaning assigned to Aboriginal music that sets it apart from other traditional musical forms; these very levels of meaning add complexity to an already 'foreign' experience to the listener. The 'composition' of traditional songs in the Aboriginal context are so specifically ground to country and experience that we can really only scratch the surface.

Looking forward to hearing from Peter and John as well when they get a chance.

Jason

Point taken Jason, but I would also argue strongly that Native American music has in abundance those kinds of ties to the natural and supernatural world which is as alien to the average American listener as any distant land because they are completely out of touch with it. My point that any musical form has an impact on the listener on many levels whether they are concious of it or not.

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ididjaustralia · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:17 pm Post subject:

Ed Drury wrote:

Thanks for the welcome, Guan. The other two musketeers are probably polishing their swords. I'm sure they will be quite excited to come aboard and contribute when they have time.

Yes, I see Lister has just subscribed too. Cool!

John is pretty busy with family and work but I do hope he'll also drop in to say hi. So much to talk about and discuss, and you guys have the best didj brains that I know of. Let's get some action happening!

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Peter Lister · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Posts: 214 Location: Australia

Who are you calling muskrat ears !?

Here I am, what nostalgia ?

Apologies for the flippant start - I guess I'm excited to see this forum happening !!

I too do not have a musical background but I am also one whom is physically affected by that trad sound and it's always been that way. While I think I've been fortunate to have had some experiences that have added immensly to the appreciation of the music it is possible for me to hear a trad piece out of the blue and be moved by it - it happened earlier when I checked out Guan's YouTube site for the very first time....and while it's nice to understand more, it's not always necessary. Much of the music I listen too from a wide varety of cultures is in a foreign language or its' metaphoric/poetic english but it still is great to listen too.

I have to agree with you Ed, since the emergence of quality commercial CD's there is a lot of material available to a wide audience that was almost lost - and the trad stuff really stands out and demonstrates the immense variety and richness.

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Ed Drury · Joined: 09 Apr 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Portland, OR

Josh Staley wrote:

Quote:

One of the most exciting things for me in recent years has been the arrival of traditional music CD's professionally produced and recorded in studio.

What are these CDs? Almost all the stuff I have seen is quite old (but still wonderful) or instructional in nature, but I would greatly welcome some studio quality recordings of traditional songs.

I may have overstated the "in studio" part. Nonetheless, recording technolgies have improved so much since the days of "Armhem Land Popular Classics", "Bamyilli Corroboree" and the Moyle set as some examples of early field work.

My number one recommend for finding traditional recordings is the excellent database at www.manikay.com . One of my favorite more recent trad CD's is Diltjimurru. The more recent instructional CD's like M*lk*y's "Hard Tongue Didgeridoo" and the one by Daryl are treasures to be sure. Things like that just didn't exist when I first started playing the didj. I think a golden age has arrived for people like us. Very Happy

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Josh Staley · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Portland OR

Thanks for the suggestions. Manikay is indeed a great site, unfortunately it appears that Diltjimurru is no longer available, but there is plenty of other stuff there to keep me occupied for a while.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is YYF?

flyangler18 · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 394

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Excuse my ignorance, but what is YYF?

Yothu Yindi Foundation

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unfortunately it appears that Diltjimurru is no longer available

I think it might be available through the German record company. There are rumors of a 'trilogy' release of Djalu including two other discs from the Rripangu Festival.

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zeroZen · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Posts: 10

They only ship the triology within Europe, but maybe someone finds a way.

ididjaustralia · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject:

The trilogy CD is a bit of a mysterious project because it was 5 years ago when the recordings were made and Djalu hasn't received any money for it yet. Coincidentally, Djalu called 2 weeks ago to ask specifically about this but sadly I could not tell him very much, but I'm hoping to be in contact with the producer to see what is happening. A friend who has been involved with Yothu Yindi and Warumpi bands as touring manager and band member, and who is living in Germany at the moment, said he's happy to look into this to see if everything is above board... hopefully everything sorts itself out and Djalu gets his money.

Guan

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kdidj · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 255

I do believe they are selling these so royalties should have already been paid. Hopefully this gets resolved and does not become another situation where parties have been taken advantage of.

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martin · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 101

They are certainly selling it as there was posted above an ebay address with information in German, where one can buy it.. I am sure that a quick search can dig it out. -
for example... "ebay diltjimurru djalu"
Hopefully everything can be sorted out and certainly from the point of view of Djalu.
The first cd of the series is fantastic. For the benefit of everyone the other cd's should be made available in a more reasonable manner than what appears to be an off the back of the truck type setup. Let's hope that it is not what it seems... but I am a little perplexed by the whole thing.

M.

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Josh Staley · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Portland OR

I found the German Auction and I would like to purchase these, but I certainly don't want to give benefit to anyone who is potentially trying to stiff Djalu. Any chance of this being available elsewhere?

pacdidj · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Champaign, IL USA

I too would be very interested in purchasing a copy of Diltjimurru, but I'd like to be sure that Djalu' is not being taken advantage of. Are any courses of action being considered if it turns out that there shady dealing going on on the part of the producers? Hopefully we can all, Djalu' included, benefit from these recordings soon!