AOTEAROA

Te Ao Hou, 1973, Page 62

AOTEAROA New Zealand Maori Theatre Trust World Tour Company Kiwi SLC-98 12 33⅓LP Stereo/Mono ‘Aotearoa’ is an interesting contrast, soundwise, to ‘Songs of Maori Heroes’ reviewed above. ‘Aotearoa’ was recorded in a Hamilton theatre at an actual concert. Thus it has all the shortcomings of a ‘live’ performance—applause in the wrong place and interrupting the items; a somewhat uneven quality of sound; and audience distraction in the form of coughs, sniffles and shuffles in abundance. At the same time the performance seems to be tremendously spontaneous and alive and the listener gets a feeling of intimate involvement in the performance. Something of the excitement which the audience must have felt on that night is undeniably communicated by the record. I would not for one moment like to say which of two types of performance—live or studio—is superior, except that generally speaking a live performance often

makes for a patchy recording. However, in ‘Aotearoa’ the performance is so professional that the Theatre Trust Company easily overcomes the drawbacks of live performance and the result is a splendid record. ‘Aotearoa’ is characterised by excellent singing and some truly noteworthy choral arrangements of familiar Maori works by Puoho Katene. Side One opens with a bracket consisting of an action song, a haka taparahi and a poi item. This is followed by one of the best versions of ‘Karu’ ever recorded (Reviewed as a single in Issue No. 70). For me it more than any other item brought back memories of the Company's concert which I attended in Wellington and of the inspired miming of Faenza Rubin in what must also rank as one of the best-ever stage presentations of ‘Karu’. Unfortunately the mere listener will never know anything of this! Perhaps one day, with video recordings… ! For those who want to learn the difficult rhythms and syncopations of ‘Ruaumoko’ this record offers one of the clearest versions of the words on Side One, even though the item is somewhat spoiled by applause in inappropriate places. The haka is followed by Kingi Tahiwi's ‘Aue e te Iwi e’ sung in a fine choral arrangement with Inia Te Wiata as soloist. An exciting arrangement of ‘Pokarekare’, sung for the love song which it really is and not belted out strict tempo as so often happens, opens Side Two. On this side also, Joshua Gardiner features in two solos sung with great feeling—‘Hokihoki Tonu Mai’ and ‘Hoki Mai ki a au’. These arrangements are backed by the choir. There is also, in complete contrast, a spirited bracket of peruperu ‘Koia Ano’, Kume Kumea', ‘Uhi Mai’, and ‘Kia Kutia’. This is followed by what the cover describes as ‘A beautiful and organic (sic)’ song'. On the cover it is called ‘Hui e Taiki e’ but most people will probably know it as ‘Tangihia’. The Company's recording of ‘E Pari Ra’ is the only sour note on the record. Indeed it is one of the least memorable renditions of this well known song. The tempo is far too fast and the group seems to progressively run out of breath as they near the end. The solo is sung in a curiously strangulated manner! In contrast the following ‘Po Atarau’ has a special poignancy. Inia Te Wiata's voice comes clearly through. It was the last time he sang publicly in his native land, I would think. Overall verdict: A fine record with some insignificant flaws.