Tonight (sorry for the late notice), a good mate Russell Smith from the Brolga Boys is playing didj on Spicks and Specks with his side band Manta.
Manta is made up of Russell on didj, Ash Naylor on guitar, and Anthony Chien on Cello.
Ash Naylor has his own band Even, and played guitar on Paul Kelly's tour Songs from down South, he is a wonderful guitarist.
I have a copy of their album which I will try and post, Guan will need you help with that one.
Wicked sound, the didj and cello combine with some haunting and deep sounds, and then funk it up a bit with some acoustics from Ash. On one track Russell plays sticks (he uses boomerangs not bilma though) and sings in language, beautiful stuff. Manta means earth in his language (if I remember correctly).
Certainly not traditional didj playing, but Russell is very talented and been playing for a long time (he has played didj for Nelson Mandela and The Pope on his latest visit). He is a Ptintinjara man.
Guan kindly lent him some didj's for a soundtarck he recorded a little while ago (thanks Guan, greatly appreciated from russell I know),although tonight he will be using his own stick.
Cheers, hope you get to see it, maybe someone could tape it and post it (Guan-nudge nudge wink wink)- I have not got the technology sorry,and will get the album up asap.
Tonight- wednesday 28th July- Spicks and Specks ABC 8.30pm, ENJOY!
you can go to the abc website and watch the episode if you miss it:
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/spicksandspeck ... efault.htmcheers
Russ
