Waiata Poi and Other Songs: Hannah Tatana and the Concert Party of Queen Victoria School

Te Ao Hou, December 1965, Page 58

Waiata Poi and Other Songs: Hannah Tatana and the Concert Party of Queen Victoria School Kiwi EA-105 45 EP 7in. It is encouraging when Maori singers of the stature of Hannah Tatana can turn briefly from opera and the classics to enhance the simple songs of their people. I found side one

of this disc, which features Miss Tatana with the Concert Party, a most delightful listening experience. In a splendid acoustic setting they sing ‘Waiata Poi’ and ‘Hine e Hine’. Their version of ‘Waiata Poi’ is easily the best recording yet of this often-abused song. There is an ethereal effect in their singing of ‘Hine e Hine’. The sound seems to float gently and then dissolve quietly. Side two features the Concert Party alone. It is more earthy but pleasant enough for all that. The girls give the pop song ‘Tiaho Po’ a touch of the dramatic. Their version of ‘Au e Ihu’ is well sung, but for a Maori hymn it is sung a little too fast for my liking. It is almost as if they were rushing to finish the record!