i reckon australia really does now have a world music star
over the years at womadelaide there's been many local acts perform
some very good, some average but all drawing on other cultures
reflecting the multi-cultural aspect of this country and it's music
so to see a performer with roots deep in the ancient country is a revelation
he's had a phenomenal year based on mega sales of his solo cd
thanks to some rave reviews locally and overseas by influential people
aside from that the haunting and emotional sound of his music is captivating
on this day at womadelaide it's a huge crowd gathered at dusk in front of stage 1
it must be intimidating even for a blind performer to play to such a crowd
but as the crowds he plays to get bigger so to must his confidence
though in reality i suspect he can very naturally perform faultlessly
last year at the aria awards he stopped a pumped up crowd in their tracks
then at another show i saw he wowed a sold-out enmore theatre
there using a string quartet to beautifully augment his lovely tunes
it's quite a magic feeling as he is lead on stage and the crowd falls silent
his companion michael on double bass as usual at front right of stage
and on this day accompanied by 2 other guitarists and a viola player
gurrumul then plays the opening notes of the opening track of the cd
and there's an almost collective sigh from the audience as he sings
the tune wiyathal as moving and emotional as it is in recorded form
from there the performance just does not falter at all in any way
each tune delivered confidently and beautifully to a captive audience
michael again doing the duties as m c and providing brief introductions
one thing i did notice in at least the people around me in the audience
there seemed to be a pervasive sense of pride and love going forwards
success will do that for any performer most likely but today its different
my feeling being that these other long time womadelaiders were very proud
happy to know that one of their own countrymen had cracked it big time
but then again - maybe it was just a real love for the man's music
whatever - no issue - just a great atmosphere on this beautiful evening
the whole album played and a few other tunes from the saltwater band
the set closed out with his signature tune titled gurrumul history (i was born blind)
a totally moving tune that i'm sure would have turned on a few tear ducts
as the last note was played there was a spontaneous standing
every person in the audience on their feet and clapping wildly
a lot of very happy people having witnessed the man live
a perfect performance from australia's world music star
