Don’t miss Neil Murray, one of Australia’s great music-makers, when he takes the stage at Godinymayin on Friday 11 August for a Dry Season event not to be missed. The singer-songwriter will be unpacking his latest album, The Telling, and revisiting earlier material from a storied career. Originally a founder of Warumpi Band, Murray now has ten solo albums under his belt—and a catalog of songs that speak of injustice, sadness, inequality, and the Australian condition. His one-night-only Katherine appearance will reveal a storyteller, a First Nations champion, and a musical craftsman like no other. Tickets are now available, but limited to 150 lucky attendees. Reserve your place today for The Telling by iconic artist Neil Murray at Godinymayin.     

About The Telling

After three albums with the Warumpi Band and one with Sammy Butcher, The Telling is Neil Murray’s 10th original solo album and marks a recording career of four decades since the Warumpi Band released their debut single – “Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out from Jail)” in 1983.

The Telling—recorded in Melbourne by Roger Bergodaz and mixed in Sydney by Ted Howard—contains some of Murray’s strongest songs ever. The songwriter has never held back from the way he sees the world, and he’s not about to let up here—with a litany of injustice and loss (both historic and recent) explored on much of the album.

“As the title implies, it is about truth telling,” explains Murray. Through his music, he speaks out with a characteristic candour against injustices, environmental problems, and societal conditions. The Telling also features positive tracks that celebrate country, culture, and kinship.

The opening tracks “Broken Land”, “No Justice”, and “Tears of Wybalenna” present a powerful and moving reckoning. “Rainbow Serpent and a Mine” (co- written with traditional owner Jack Green) brings graphic detail to the devastation wrought by mining in the Territory. “The Murrumbidgee” is an affirmation of perseverance and hope—despite environmental setbacks. The troubled affairs of the heart gain clarity in “Heal my Life”, and the honouring of the departed are heard in “For Evermore” and “The Manager”. Rounding out the album and new songs is a positive reflection on an indigenous town, “My Yuendumu Song” and a sea shanty, “If the Wind be Kind”.

While Murray will be performing solo for Katherine, The Telling features instrumental contributions from Bill Heckenberg,(drums), Craig Kelly, (bass) Stephen “Stretch” Teakle (keys, accordion, clavietta), Damien Neil (mandolin, guitar), Jack Howard (trumpet), Shane Reilly (pedal steel) with vocal harmonies from Grace Robinson and Damien Neil.