SING MAORI SING

Te Ao Hou, December 1967, Page 58

SING MAORI SING Viking VP 232 12in 33⅓ L.P. This features for the first time on record a Maori Concert Party from Bridge Pa Hastings. Side 1 is recorded in a studio and Side 2 is obviously taken from an actual concert. As several items are featured on both sides there is an opportunity for an interesting comparison. I have often hit out in these columns at the unsatisfactory nature of much material recorded ‘live’ by Maori cultural groups. Constant interjections of coughs, snuffles and other audience noises can be very distracting to one's appreciation of a record. On the other hand, live performances often have a verve and spontaneity lacking in studio presentations. On Side 1 of ‘Sing Maori Sing’ the singing is very smooth and controlled—almost too controlled—and it is only in successive tracks that the group seems to warm to its job. Nevertheless there is some very good singing and some fine bass voices. Apart from some slight slurring in the words of the first item the enunciation is good. A medley item consisting of ‘Rere atu Rere Mai’, ‘Kotiro Maori’. ‘E Rua Nei’, ‘Hoki Hoki’ and ‘Haere Ra e Hine’ is the best on Side 1. Side 2, recorded live, has much more vitality but the applause, a considerable amount of which comes during the items, is a not inconsiderable distraction and mars the overall effect. In contrast to Side 1, however, the men's voices hardly come through at all for most of the items on Side 2. A measured but spirited performance of the great East Coast women's haka powhiri ‘Ka Panapana’ is the pick of the items from this group but I also enjoyed two rousing items from the Cook Islands—‘Rarotonga e’ and ‘Drums of Rarotonga’. It is good to see Maori Concert Groups sparing a niche in their repertoire for the culture of their first cousins in the Cooks. The record cover is disappointing in that

there is absolutely no information whatsoever about the party or the nature of the items performed. This and a few minor points aside, the record is a good one and should prove enjoyable to those who buy it.