Bill Kerekere Plays Evergreens of Melody Kiwi EA 78 7in. 45 EP

Te Ao Hou, March 1963, Page 54

Bill Kerekere Plays Evergreens of Melody Kiwi EA 78 7in. 45 EP bill kerekere made his first recording appearance some time ago in a brief excerpt as accompanist to Larry Adler (Kiwi LC-5, ‘A Treasure Chest of Maori Music’). The cover note in one place says that Adler ‘gave a demonstration’ to Kerekere on the art of piano accompanying. I recall thinking at the time that if the record were the grounds for judgement, Mr Kerekere could well afford to give Larry Adler a few

‘demonstrations’ instead. Now Kiwi have featured Bill Kerekere in his own right and he thus becomes the first popular Maori pianist on record. He plays in the modern style but mercifully does not belong to the school which are so carried away by their own virtuosity that one can only guess at the original tune amidst the jumble of ‘variations.’ Although Mr Kerekere improvises with zest and ingenuity—he is an able exponent of the rippling arpeggio and the counter melody against his own accompaniament—yet he is careful not to overplay his hand. The melody comes through strong and clear, but with plenty of light and shade. The result is a sparkling little record which is playable over and over again.