World Music takes on a new road
Opal Road is the result of a collaboration between Mark Atkins and
husband/wife duo Parris Macleod and Wu Pu-Yu in 2004.
Initially known as "Mark Atkins & Jade",
this collaboration has seen them tour regularly together as an
original group headlining at festivals throughout Australia and
overseas.
"After performing with Mark, we all decided that it
would be exciting to capture this unique sound in the
studio." - Jade
"It has been a long time dream of mine to have the
sound of the didgeridoo seen in the same light as other recognised
instruments within the various styles of music such as classical,
dance/techno, and jazz, etc... The exciting collaboration with
Parris and Pu-Yu brings me closer to that dream." -
Mark Atkins
Mark Atkins
Acknowledged as one of Australia's finest didgeridoo players, Mark
Atkins is also recognised internationally for his collaborative
projects with some of the world's leading composers and
musicians. A descendent of Western Australia's Yamijti people,
as well as of Irish/Australian heritage, Atkins is known not only for
his amazing didge-blowing skills, but also as a storyteller,
songwriter, drummer, visual artist and instrument maker.
As both a soloist and an ensemble player, Atkins has incorporated the
didgeridoo sound into some unlikely musical environments, adding its
primal pulse to orchestral works, theatrical production and dance
presentations.
Mark creates and paints his own didgeridoos from bush logs, which he
collects near his home in Tamworth NSW. Exhibitions of his
traditional and contemporary visual artwork have also been shown in
Japan, Europe and the United States.
Mark has appeared with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and founded the cross-cultural groups
Kooriwadjula (black man/white man) and Ankata. He has worked
alongside Philip Glass and Peter Sculthorpe, appeared with Ireland's
Donald Lunny, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and
Australian greats James Morrison, Jenny Morris, John Williamson and
Gondwana.
His iconic didge has also been utilised on a number of symbolic
occasions, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the
Australian Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games and the
Queen's Jubilee Concert in London. He also welcomed in the new
millennium by playing didge from the sails of the Sydney Opera
House.
In 2003, Mark featured in a film documentary about his work, Yamitji
Man: Geralton 6350 via New York, which was screened on SBS.
He went on to perform with Philip Glass on a major piece that was
premiered as part of the 2004 Athens Olympiad.
In 2004, Mark formed a collaboration with Parris and Pu-Yu Macleod,
and recorded their trio album Didge Odyssey.
In 2005 Mark joined "The Reason to Breathe" quartet.
More Opal Road
|
 |
DISCOGRAPHY
Didge Odyssey
(2nd edition 2006)
Mark Atkins:
Didgeridoos, Narration
Parris Macleod:
Piano, Drums, Bass, Guitar
Wu Pu-Yu:
Flute, Pan Pipes, Piano
Additional
musicians
Dheeraj Shrestha:
Tablas
Gordon Rytmeister:
Drums
Shaun Cullerton:
Acoustic Guitar
Original didge concepts:
Mark Atkins & Parris Macleod
All music composed by
Parris Macleod except for:
"When The Wind Comes" - Mark Atkins
"This Time Round", "Didge Odyssey" -
Parris Macleod and Mark Atkins
"Troubled World" -
Parris Macleod, Mark Atkins and Wu Pu-Yu
"Fire Shadow Dance" - Wu Pu-Yu
Produced and mixed by
Parris Macleod
Additional programming and engineering:
Shaun Cullerton
Mastering:
Colin Abrahams
|
