TRADITIONAL MUSIC OF THE MAORI— Ethnic Folk Series

Te Ao Hou, September 1967, Page 55

TRADITIONAL MUSIC OF THE MAORI— Ethnic Folk Series Vik'ng VP 243 12in LP 33⅓ rpm This is an interesting and in many ways unique record. According to the cover it was produced in connection with Dr Terry Barrow's book Traditional and Modern Music of the Maori. The obvious intention was to provide music illustrative of that written about in the book, Unfortunately the paucity of cover notes or other explanatory material leaves this aim almost completely unfulfilled. Certainly the record should stand on its own feet without the necessity of the listener having to have recourse to the book to appreciate it. Nevertheless the reader of the book who is interested in the account of, say, the peruperu may well turn to the record to hear just what such a dance sounds like. There is a peruperu on the record but neither on the cover or record label is it identified as such. Thus, to the uninitiated, side two of the record will consist in the main of just a collection of sounds, for he will have no notes to identify them as war dance, action song, etc. Much less will he be able to appreciate their meaning and significance in the scheme of Maori life and musical tradition. This is a great pity. It is side one which gives the record its uniqueness. It consists of an interview by Dr Barrow with Mrs Paeroa Wineera (incorrectly described on the cover as the late Mrs Wineera) of Ngati Toa, interspersed with musical items both vocal and instrumental by Mrs Wineera. Mrs Wineera is possibly the last exponent of the traditional koauau or Maori nose flute. She was born at Poroutawhao Pa near Levin and learned to play the instrument when she was only twelve years old. During a long lifetime Mrs Wineera has learned a wide selection of ancient music and chants and we hear a few of these on this recording. There is no slickness about the interview. It is conversational, in places a little hesitant, but very very natural. Whilst there is little in the dialogue for the serious student of Maori music. Mrs Wineera charms with her observations and