The World's Musical Traditions, Vol. 4: Bunggridj-Bunggridj: Wangga Songs: Northern Australia
byAlan Maralung with Peter Manaberu
- Pick
View Larger
Rate it!
Avg: 3.5 (5 ratings)
- Date Released: January 1, 1993
- Genre: International
- Style: Australia
- Label: Smithsonian Folkways
Enigmatic, primal music whose roots run deep in the Australian bush.
-
We Say...
The Australian aboriginal culture is unique, but then, given 40,000 years of isolation, that's only to be expected. These songs by Maralung, accompanied by didgeridoo, are in the wannga style of the Northern Territory, with plenty of improvisation, and a style that many believe to be ancient. It's enigmatic, primal music whose roots run deep in the Australian bush. Spare and unadorned, the music seems to offer a direct line to prehistoric times; it's easy to believe these songs would have had the same shape a thousand years ago or more. The sound is hypnotic, with the voice and the rhythm of the clapping sticks punctuated by the earthy, raw sound of the didgeridoo. There's a haunted, startling beauty to the sound, the folk music of a venerable culture beyond our understanding. This album might not help you understand the Aborigines more, but it does offer a glimpse of something different, enough to capture the imagination.
-
They Say...
Like no other instrument, the reverberating and guttural overtones of the didjeridu have come to signify the "world music" sound. In movie soundtracks and songs by such dissimilar "world music" groups as Trance Mission and Robert Mirabal, the telltale tones of this end-blown aboriginal instrument can be heard and immediately identified. Originally made from eucalyptus branches hollowed out by termites, didjeridus today are manufactured out of everything from cactus limbs to pieces of plastic pipe. Despite its widespread use by serious musicians and novices alike, the didjeridu is not often heard in its original aboriginal Australian context, accompanying a singer. On the Smithsonian release Bunggridj-bunggridj: Wangga Songs, Northern Australia, the didjeridu does in fact appear in this accompanying role. Renowned aboriginal songman Alan Maralung (1925-1990) performs eight songs with the help of didjeridu and staccato clapstick accompaniment. Maralung was given these songs in a dream by the spirit Bunggridj-bunggridj. They belong to a larger genre of songs known as wangga, which are performed throughout northern Australia by aborigines. Wangga are personally owned dance-songs that can be performed publicly in both non-ceremonial activities and such ceremonial contexts as circumcisions and purification rites. Recorded by Allan Marett two years before Maralung's death, these songs display the songman's improvisatory singing style and his use of clapsticks, as well as Peter Manaberu's tasty didjeridu playing. A superb set of field recordings that presents the rarely heard sounds of traditional aboriginal songs, Maralung's Bunggridj-bunggridj: Wangga Songs, Northern Australia will most likely appeal to listeners who are not afraid of opening up their minds to a world of new sounds and styles. A 44-page booklet written by Marett and Linda Barwick accompanies the CD and does much to elucidate the meaning of these cherished songs.
“ The indie iTunes — Hardcore music fans are migrating to eMusic, the iTunes Music Store's cheaper, cooler cousin.”
Rolling Stone
eMusic Tip
Paid downloads are counted towards an album discount but free downloads are not.
COMPLETE FOR FREE!
You can download the rest of the tracks from this album for free! Just click the Complete Album button.
We’re sorry this album can only be downloaded using paid subscription download credits.
We recommend you Save it for Later by clicking the Save for Later button shown just above this message. For a list of related albums you can download right now, check out these recommendations.
We'll give you 8 additional free credits to download this album and start your paid subscription.
Get 8 bonus credits on us if you download this album. Sweet!
| 01. |  |
New Song |
3:55 |
|
| 02. | |
Bushfire |
3:35 |
|
| 03. | |
Ibis |
5:56 |
|
| 04. | |
Green Frog |
9:12 |
|
| 05. | |
Jabiru |
5:10 |
|
| 06. | |
Brolga |
6:10 |
|
| 07. | |
Garranan |
6:26 |
|
| 08. | |
Minmin Light |
8:51 |
|
08 Total Tracks, 49:15 Total Length
Loading...
Credits
- Alan Maralung - Vocals // Alan Maralung - Main Performer // Linda Barwick - Liner Notes // Linda Barwick - Commentary // Allan Marett - Liner Notes // Allan Marett - Photography // Allan Marett - Commentary // Allan Marett - Recording // Joan Wolbier - Cover Design // Max Peter Baumann - Editorial Director // Max Peter Baumann - General Editor
Choose from over 7 million
music downloadseMusic features legendary and emerging artists in every genre: classic rock to classical,indie to international, soundtracks to spiritual, jazz to country and many more.
MP3 downloads work on any digital media player
With eMusic, you OWN your music without any restrictions. Burn music to a CD, play it on your computer, mobile phone or any digital media player - including iPod®, Zune® and Walkman®.
Songs available for 50¢ or less
eMusic subscriptions start at just $11.99 a month for 24 downloads - that's just 50¢ per song! And it gets better from there - our plans go as low as 42¢ per song!
Music Discovery
eMusic is about discovery. We make finding new music fun again with music recommendations from our award-winning team of music experts, member playlists and new music features.
Cancel anytime
With all the great music and site features we're pretty sure you will love eMusic. If not, no problem. You can cancel at any time and keep the music you have downloaded.
© 1992 - 2009 All Media Guide, LLC