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	Nyangumarda: Song with Didjeridu (1) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	01:12
102	Nyangumarda: Song with Didjeridu (2) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	00:52
103	Nyangumarda: Song with Didjeridu (3) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	01:04
104	Nyangumarda: Song by Albert (1) Albert (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	00:53
105	Nyangumarda: Song by Albert (2) Albert (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	01:06
106	Nyangumarda: Song by Albert (3) Albert (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	00:59
107	Nyangumarda: Song by Albert (4) Albert (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	01:00
108	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (1) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	00:55
109	Nyamal (1) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	01:02
110	Nyamal (2) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	00:57
111	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (2) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	01:31
112	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (3) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	00:58
113	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (4) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	01:44
114	Nyangumarda: Song by Kupangu Kupangu (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	01:42
115	Nyangumarda: Song by Kupangu with Didjeridu (1) Kupangu and Albert (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	00:43
116	Nyangumarda: Song by Kupangu with Didjeridu (2) Kupangu and Albert (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	00:41
117	Nyangumarda: Song by Kupangu with Didjeridu (3) Kupangu and Albert (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	00:51
118	Nyangumarda: Song by Kupangu with Didjeridu (4) Kupangu and Albert (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	00:41
119	Nyangumarda: Song by Kupangu with Didjeridu (5) Kupangu and Albert (Nyangumarta), Roeburne, Western Australia	00:42
120	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (5) Group of Nyangumarta men, Roeburne, Western Australia	00:52
121	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (6) Group of Nyangumarta men, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:46
122	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (7) Group of Nyangumarta men, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:41
123	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (8) Group of Nyangumarta men, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:45
124	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (9) Group of Nyangumarta men, Minguel, Wallal Downs	01:00
125	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (10) Group of Nyangumarta men, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:41
126	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (11) Group of Nyangumarta men, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:45
127	Nyangumarda: Song by a Male Group (12) Group of Nyangumarta men, Minguel, Wallal Downs	00:49
128	Yindjibarndi: Male Solo (1) Yindjibarndi man, Onslow, Western Australia	00:45
129	Yindjibarndi: Male Solo (2) Yindjibarndi man, Onslow, Western Australia	00:28
130	Yindjibarndi: Female Group (1) Group of Yindjibarndi women, Onslow, Western Australia	00:45
131	Yindjibarndi: Female Group (2) Group of Yindjibarndi women, Onslow, Western Australia	00:36
132	Yinggarda (1) Albert and Rosie, Carnarvon, Western Australia	00:52
133	Yinggarda (2) Albert and Rosie, Carnarvon, Western Australia	00:51
134	Kokopera (1) Christopher Jeffrey	00:57
135	Kokopera (2) Christopher Jeffrey	00:40
136	Umpila: Ti Ti (Christmas Headdress) Peter Creek and Furry Short	00:28
137	Umpila: Bora (Initiation Song) Peter Creek and Furry Short	00:55
138	Meriam: Way Keriba Ged John Bon	01:42
139	Meriam: A 99 John Bon	02:19
140	Meriam: Keyp Yok Adud Ged John Bon	02:05
141	Meriam: Gelam John Bon	01:47