PublishedHunter Pub., October 2024 |
ISBN9780648848196 |
FormatSoftcover, 288 pages |
Dimensions23.4cm × 15.3cm |
In 1980, Neil Murray arrived in Papunya, 260 kilometres northwest of Alice Springs, with a guitar in hand. 'My peers were all hellbent on getting to Europe as soon as they could. I always had this desire to head bush, I felt there was something of the real Australia that was out there. I felt a lot of that was inextricably tied up with Aboriginal people. I felt that intuitively - I wanted to go and work and live with Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.'
There he formed the iconic Warumpi Band with Luritja brothers Sammy and Gordon Butcher and Yolngu singer George Rrurrambu. One result of this collaboration was the anthemic song 'My Island Home'. From Papunya to Sydney, and on to Melbourne, Alice Springs, and Darwin, and a musical career alongside the Warumpis and Archie Roach, Shane Howard and Uncle Banjo Clarke, before returning home to Tjapwurrung country in western Victoria, Heavy Precious charts Neil Murray's journey in reconciling profound loss - both cultural and personal - while creating new and meaningful ways to belong.
Heavy Precious is a lyrical and emotionally raw meditation on music, love, identity, and place from one of Australia's finest songwriters, offering a timely insight for anyone seeking a deeper relationship to this land.
'Neil Murray's life and work will remain relevant while ever Australians ask the question - what in truth does it mean to call Australia home?' - Martin Flanagan, The Age
'One of the finest songwriters this country has ever produced.' - Rhythms
'Neil Murray sings from the heart of the country.' - Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil)
