Songs of Aboriginal Australia and Torres Strait

Despite making up only a small percentage of the country’s total population, the aboriginal tribes of Australia are incredibly diverse and speak over 200 distinct languages. This recording features songs by aboriginal tribes from Western Australia, North Queensland, and the Torres Strait. Didjeridu player Albert (no last name given in liner notes), who uses a five foot didjeridu made from a hollowed out telegraph pole, can be heard on a number of tracks. Many of the songs on the recording have been passed from tribe to tribe, which has made the lyrics difficult to translate. Nevertheless, the songs’ meaning is still understood within the framework of ceremonial music. The liner notes feature photographs, musical transcription, and lyrics in the native languages and in English (where translation is possible).

Track Listing

101	Song with didjeridu (1)	Group of Nyangumarta men and didjeridu player	01:12
102	Song with didjeridu (2)	Group of Nyangumarta men and didjeridu player	00:52
103	Song with didjeridu (3)	Group of Nyangumarta men and didjeridu player	01:04
104	Nyangumarda Song (1)	Albert, Nyangumarta man	00:53
105	Nyangumarda Song (2)	Albert, Nyangumarta man	01:06
106	Nyangumarda Song (3)	Albert, Nyangumarta man	00:59
107	Nyangumarda Song (4)	Albert, Nyangumarta man	01:00
108	Nyangumarda Song (5)	Group of Nyangumarta men singing with wax match tin percussion	00:55
109	Song of the Nyamal Tribe (1)	Group of Nyangumarta men singing with wax match tin percussion	01:02
110	Song of the Nyamal Tribe (2)	Group of Nyangumarta men singing with wax match tin percussion	00:57
111	Nyangumarda Song (6)	Group of Nyangumarta men	01:31
112	Nyangumarda Song (7)	Group of Nyangumarta men	00:58
113	Nyangumarda Song (8)	Group of Nyangumarta men	01:44
114	Song by Kupangu (1)	Kupangu, a 55 year old man	01:42
115	Song by Kupangu (2)	Kupangu, a 55 year old man, accompanied by didjeridu	00:43
116	Song by Kupangu (3)	Kupangu, a 55 year old man, accompanied by didjeridu	00:41
117	Song by Kupangu (4)	Kupangu, a 55 year old man, accompanied by didjeridu	00:51
118	Song by Kupangu (5)	Kupangu, a 55 year old man, accompanied by didjeridu	00:41
119	Song by Kupangu (6)	Kupangu, a 55 year old man, accompanied by didjeridu	00:42
120	Nyangumarda Song (9)	Group of Nyangumarta men singing, rhythm stick accompaniment	00:52
121	Nyangumarda Song (10)	Group of Nyangumarta men with boomerang percussion, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:46
122	Nyangumarda Song (11)	Group of Nyangumarta men with boomerang percussion, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:41
123	Nyangumarda Song (12)	Group of Nyangumarta men with boomerang percussion, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:45
124	Nyangumarda Song (13)	Group of Nyangumarta men with boomerang percussion, Minguel, Wallal Downs	01:00
125	Nyangumarda Song (14)	Group of Nyangumarta men with boomerang percussion, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:41
126	Nyangumarda Song (15)	Group of Nyangumarta men with boomerang percussion, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:45
127	Nyangumarda Song (16)	Group of Nyangumarta men with boomerang percussion, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:49
128	Yindjibarndi Song (1)	Yindjibarndi man	00:45
129	Yindjibarndi Song (2)	Yindjibarndi man	00:28
130	Yindjibarndi Song (3)	Group of Yindjibarndi women	00:45
131	Yindjibarndi Song (4)	Group of Yindjibarndi women	00:36
132	Yinggarda Song	Albert and Rosie, Nyangumarta man and woman	00:52
133	Song by Albert and Rosie	Albert and Rosie, Nyangumarta man and woman	00:51
134	Kokopera Song (1)	Christopher Jeffrey	00:57
135	Kokopera Song (2)	Christopher Jeffrey	00:40
136	Ti Ti (Christmas Headdress)	Peter Creek and Furry Short	00:28
137	Bora (Initiation Song)	Peter Creek and Furry Short	00:55
138	Way Keriba Ged (This Is Our Island)	John Bon	01:42
139	A 99	John Bon	02:19
140	Keyp Yok Adud Ged	John Bon	02:05
141	Song about Gelam	John Bon	01:47