RATANA PRESENTS Viking VP256 33 ⅓ Stereo LP

Te Ao Hou, 1971, Page 62

RATANA PRESENTS Viking VP256 33 ⅓ Stereo LP This record features the Ratana Senior Concert Party. It is a mixed bag of items but for all that a very pleasant mixed bag indeed. The cover unabashedly admits to the record being a programme of Maori and English song favourites. The Pakeha melodies are further identified by name in the notes to each item, which effectively draws the teeth of anyone who wants to criticise the record for passing off Pakeha music as Maori. Side one contains items of a more or less traditional nature beginning with an interesting chant, for the Maori listener, called Kingitanga which relates the history of the first Maori King and his successors. There is also a women's haka powhiri a lament for the departed, a stick game and a poi item. The latter, Paki-o-matariki, has a catchy tune but the singing is rather uninspiring, and without the appeal of being able to see the poi movements, the item tends to become monotonous with the repetition of numerous verses with the same tune. I enjoyed the stick game which tells the story of a road gang clearing snow and scrub. Side two contains the ‘English song favourites’. These are a well-sung selection of Pakeha items with Maori words. In the bracketed selections the change-over between items is smoothly done. The singing is very good with the entire group meshing in smoothly rather than just a few voices dominating the scene. As I mentioned above, no attempt has been made to present these Pakeha items as anything other than what they are. However, the very adequate cover notes make it clear that all these items were originally composed for auspicious occasions. I would therefore say in passing that it is a pity that a party of the stature and quality of Ratana have to draw so heavily on Pakeha tunes to present as the star pieces at notable marae functions. However, that cavil aside (which really has nothing to do with the record anyway), this disc is bound to be deservedly popular with the public as a well-sung collection of catchy tunes.