Geoffrey Gurramul Yunupingu

Band: Gurramul with support from Ego Lemos
Venue: Palais Theatre
Date: 23rd May 2009
Reviewed By: Espylyn

Tonight I prepared myself to see a muscian who has been nicknamed The Voice of an Angel and I'm not sure if timing was deliberate but the show was played on the day the AFL call Dreamtime. Gurramul is supported tonight by a East Timor talented man called Ego Lemos with two fellow band members. Together the trio of highly talented musicians spoke and sung about the environment, politics and other issues with force and passion in their native tongue. In East Timor Ego Lemos is recognised as their top musician and tonight they brought their life and music into the Palais Theatre and they didn't dissapoint the crowd. A wide variety of punters joined the beautiful Palais Theatre in experiencing some very cultural musicians, be it five year olds to seventy five year young.

Soon the man the crowd came to see appeared. Gurramul was seated with guitar and into the music he leap. A shy guy who barely spoke throughout the show, yet his voice displayed no hint of shyness at all. Gurramul has around him his double bass player, acoustic guitarist and four violinists who captured his music whilst he played his native music in his native tongue. The backdrop consisted of three screens that translated to us in english the words that Gurramul sang about. This was a wonderful addition to the show as it brough awareness about his life and history that we may never have known. The screens also displayed pictures that were just beautiful. Although Gurramul barely spoke, his bassist told us stories and explained songs to us. When Gurramul did speak (to say thank you) the house lept into full applaude.
Gurramul's last song about his blindness was very touching and although he never does a encore, tonight he came back out with Ego Lemus and band for one last song.
Gurramul got the standing ovation he so duly deserved. Thank you for a perfect show.