Dreamtime Wisdom Modern Time Vision
Wirrinyga Band
CAAMA Music
Review by Deb Sorensen
Arnhem Land has produced some great bands over the years. Arnhem bands will often tour communities in the region, where they have an established following, but not visit larger population centres or produce a CD. Consequently their music isn't heard by the wider community.
Quite probably, this is due to a lack of resources or the unwillingness of record companies to back artists who are seen as appealing only to a niche market.
Over the last decade, however, several Arnhem Land bands have make the big time, the most prominent being Yothu Yindi.
Dreamtime Wisdom Modern Time Vision is Wirrinyga Band's second album. They have been together for over 10 years. Several of the tracks on this CD are reminiscent of Yothu Yindi.
Perhaps an "Arnhem sound" is developing here in the Top End. Some songs from the been-around-for-ages Sunrize Band also have this sort of laid back, atmospheric rock sound.
The much younger Wild Water, who are just starting to make a name for themselves, also do some great laid back rock songs about their country.
Dreamtime Wisdom surveys other influences — from the reggae-based "History of Schooling in Arnhem Land" to the acoustic guitar-dominated "Djesuny ga Ro\iyirra Rålin".
My favourites are "Balanda's Totemic Waterhole", which reminded me of No Fixed Address, and "Love Magic" which has a far-away-sounding lead guitar mixed with some beaut didgeridoo. The harmonica on "Proud Young Arnhem Land Man" is also very good.
Wirrinyga Band sing about the issues facing Aboriginal communities, like grog in "Balanda's [white people's] Totemic Waterhole" and the impact of modern technology in the title track, as well as more traditional (in both senses of the word) subject matter.
The anthemic country-rock track "Proud Young Arnhem Land Man" is a song about the rock-solid identity gained from growing up knowing exactly who you are and where your country is. Unfortunately, this is not the experience for all Aboriginal people.
Wirrinyga Band's latest CD will make a great addition to your rack, especially if you want to expand your Australian rock collection.