Come Hear Our Songs

Te Ao Hou, September 1968, Page 62

Come Hear Our Songs Kiwi EA 141 7 in. 45 rpm EP This pleasant record features the Concert Party of the Turakina Maori Girls' College near Marton. There are two excellent poi items, ‘Piupiu’ and ‘Hokihoki’ in which the ‘gentle tapping ‘gainst the raupo wrapping’ of the poi and the swish of the piupiu come through beautifully. There is the short chant ‘Taku Ripene

Pai’ and then the remaining four items are action songs sung precisely with effective harmonising. The record cover notes, rather apologetically, that although ‘all songs are usually performed unaccompanied … in this recording a guitar was used in two of the action songs for purposes of rhythm’. I have noticed before among Maori groups this guilt complex about having items accompanied by a guitar. There are, of course, some items such as waiata etc., which should not be accompanied. However, I can see no special virtue in action songs being unaccompanied and indeed a tasteful guitar or other accompaniment can often enhance an item immeasurably. On this record, the accompaniments do just that.