Til My Song Is Done

When Australian Indigenous singer Emma Donovan was little, her mother regularly entered her in country music busking and talent competitions. With her extended family well-known as entertainers, and the popularity of country and gospel within many Aboriginal communities, it was natural for her to become a musician. But she wanted to find her own path, establishing herself as a stunning soul/R&B singer, backed over the last ten years by her solid band The Putbacks. On this new solo album however she harks back to her country roots, with minimal support from her Uncle Ash on guitar, as well as fellow Aussie troubadours Paul Kelly and Liz Stringer. Honouring her Gumbaynggirr/Dunghutti/Yamatji heritage, these songs feature a beautiful ode to her mother’s passing ‘Sing You Over (feat Paul Kelly)’, along with an in-language version of ‘Yibaanga Gangaa (Sweet By & By)’. There’s also a strident ‘Blak Nation’ and the gorgeous title-track. Wonderful stuff.