KOIA ANO (Here we are again)

Te Ao Hou, December 1966, Page 57

KOIA ANO (Here we are again) Kiwi LC-38 331/3 L.P. This is a very pleasant record featuring some of the best loved songs of Te Arawa Concert Party of Rotorua. This durable group was for many years under the leadership of Guide Rangi. Now the leadership has passed to her protégé Guide Huhana Mihinui, better known in some circles as ‘Bubbles’. Men's leader is Hapi Winiata. This concert party has recorded previously for another label and I can recall giving the record a somewhat rough passage in Te Ao Hou. The group more than make amends in Koia Ano. Te Arawa Party is one of the few which gives regular public performances of Maori items, and their weekly concerts in the Regent theatre in Rotorua do much to create a favourable image of the Maori people amongst the thousands of overseas visitors who pass through this popular tourist area. The recording is made during an actual concert but it seems remarkably free of the coughs, sneezes and snufflings which are the usual accompaniment to live recordings. In fact, by and large, this disc has captured faithfully the air of happy informality which is the hallmark of most Maori concerts. Pretty Maori Girl, for example, is performed with great good humour and at the end one can easily visualise the discomforted husband being led off by the ear! In parts the singing is ragged, mainly in the poi items, where it is a common fault for many groups to concentrate on actions at the expense of words. The rather tinny ukelele accompaniment becomes obtrusive after a time. There are several good solos—Hohepa Mutu in Hine e Hine, unfortunately somewhat marred by an uninspired accompaniment, and Haare Hurihanginui in Pakia Kia Rite. The track featuring hand games is too long for an item which has essentially visual appeal. It is a pity that Putiputi Pai is marred by incorrect words (‘Kuarongo i nga ra’). The record concludes with the inevitable Po Atarau. In contrast to the usual manner of