| Emeralds & Greenstone: Harbour Lights Theatr, Lyttleton (NZ) ***** |
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The one adjective I can find that best embodies folk fusion group Emeralds and Greenstone is ethereal. Ethereal in name, image and music, the band delivered a spellbinding re-working of traditional songs along with their own contemporary offerings at a unique concert in the Harbour Lights Theatre as part of Lyttleton's Heritage Week festival on the 24th of October. Emeralds and Greenstone would appear as at ease in a mythical setting such as Valhalla as they did in the atmospheric Harbour Lights venue. As a collective they ooze character, cross-cultural credentials, multi-lingualism and instrumentalism which bring their varied individual roots and heritage to life through colourful songs and tunes which transport, enthral and inspire. The body count of a Die Hard movie would be nothing compared to the number of different instruments that were played throughout the night with technical precision, innovation and at times virtuosity. The band and their well chosen friends used (deep breath) guitars, ukuleles, fiddles, whistles, flutes, bodhran, key-board and bass along with traditional Maori instruments (Taoka Puoro) such as the mesmerizing Poro Te Te. What was most remarkable for a Scot steeped in the musical heritage of Scotland and Ireland was the seamless way in which the band interwove these traditions with the quite distinct, yet equally stirring, Maori traditions indigenous to New Zealand. This was achieved in a dazzling variety of ways, such as a tempo or key change in an a'cappella Maori song which would suddenly transport the listener from the shores of the Tasman Ocean to the Atlantic North Western Highlands of Scotland through a shift into some Gaelic mouth music. Similarly an Irish whistle break or accompaniment to a Maori song would add depth and richness, while further stirring the cultural melting pot which is what Emeralds and Greenstone are all about. Never did these gear changes seem forced or jarring, testimony not only to the craft of the musicians, but to the deeper issue of how cultures can and should rightly intertwine and share in proud collective celebration, as opposed to parochially sticking to their own. Emeralds and Greenstone boast a cast of shining stars of traditional musical revival in a nation sadly bereft of more of these gems. Born entertainer Laura Tomlin (vocals, flute, whistles, key-board) seems the closest thing the band has to a captain of their ship, and is one of the brightest young stars of New Zealand's folk music scene. Her own performance mirrors the raison-d'étre óf the band, fusing the old (wooden flute) with the new (key-board) and singing at times in a highly contemporary style in English, at others reaching back down the centuries through vocals in Irish and Scots Gaelic or Maori. Argene Montgomery-Honger drives the band with a rhythmic bodhran and haunting whistle, writing some of her own tunes that warmed the heart with their authenticity and soulfulness. Ariana Tikao has the kind of voice, especially when singing in Maori, that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck while adding colour and atmosphere to the spectacle through the subtle touches of her Taoka Puoro. The ingenious Poro Te Te is a piece of greenstone on an elasticised string which revolves like a yo-yo, making a mesmerizing whirring sound like the wind in the trees, adding remarkable depth to one of Argene's whistle tunes. Jon Hooker occupies a central role with his economic, precise finger picking style guitar and characteristic image, reminiscent of a wise Gandalf-type of figure. A highlight of the night was the opening of the second half when he invited his young and talented son on stage to play a rhythmic piece of music written for two guitars in harmony. In short, Emeralds and Greenstone are living embodiments of all that is good about cultural and musical fusion, invention and exploration, and are not to be missed. Hope that the band makes a tour of the UK soon, and buy yourself a ticket! |