MARCH 21 2026 NEW LYNN RSA
Recently I met family relations who have a dance band ….. in the tradition of Maori dance bands . Like Howard Morrison ,the Maori volcanics ….. going right back to Walter Smith organising dance bands in Auckland a hundred years ago.
Those musicians have a tradition of talented musicianship.
There was a time in the 1960s when The Howard Morrison Quartet played “Take Five” (a very difficult 5/4 number). All the musicians swaped instruments and took it.
Stephen, Chris, and Belda shared vocals ,while Chris played keyboard.
The “D’Starlight” was very popular with the dancers… who follow the band to other Returned Services Clubs.
There was such a variety of popular music…..
Louis Armstrongs “Its a wonderful world”, then the Chiffons “Will you still love me tomorrow” I love classic soul and the singers have the vocal range …. so polished and professional… with latin percussion underneath.
“Halfway to paradise”(inspired by the Johnny Nash version).
They rocked out on “Get your kicks on Route 66”with Chris laying down funky Jimmy Smith groove… and something else. Yes like hipchick going down Boogie ville doing the two hand fingersnap.
“A rocking good way”(inspired by the Brook Benton version).
A Ben E King set “Stand by me” and “Under the boardwalk” all very enjoyable.
Beautiful traditional country”The Tennesee waltz”
A stand out version of “The house in New Orleans” (inspired by that Newcastle band “The Animals)…great vocal range and organ solo.
“Love is in the air”, John Paul Young….by now I found a woman to dance with(I have not danced since my wife died) and I can do modern dancing… and Gloria Gaynors “I will survive”
A Dennis Marsh song in Maori(Dennis is a well respected local country singer)….an Elvis set “Blue Suede shoes “and “Don’t be cruel”.
Lennon Mc Cartneys “While my guitar gently weeps”swirling keyboards outstanding vocals.
I was very impressed with Beldas take of “Tomorrow never comes”(inspired by Elvis).
Stephen took the set out with a pop and latin set…”quando quando” “Spanish eyes”,”Blame it on the bossa nova”, “Please release me( about a dead bedroom and marriage).
Of course we had “Ten guitars “ adopted as a Maori song.
Chris soloed on “Last waltz” … very smooth and polished.
( Even Benny Hill did a version of this.)
An enjoyable and entertaining night.
GT
