Roger Bowie is a passionate philanthropic supporter of New Zealand music, and we are gathered again at his back porch to enjoy some wonderful Kiwi artists.
Stellar performances this afternoon from Reb Fountain with Dave Khan, the DeSotos, Lachie Hayes, and introducing some young musicians who all come from nearby Baradene College, demonstrating that this country is still fertile ground for burgeoning talent.
We are in the heart of St Heliers, and summer is having a late renaissance despite the recent weather bombs up and down the country. Bombs of another kind are casting dark malevolent shadows, and the world appears to be in the grip of uncertainty and fear unmatched since the last World War.
Strange Things Happening Every Day. That’s a Rosetta Tharpe gospel classic from an artist who was crucial to creating Rock’n’roll, as much as Elvis and Sam Phillips Sun studios. Plenty of echoes of that this afternoon from the featured artists.
Lachie Hayes is up first and he’s a Southland cowboy of sorts, and his debut album Subsatellite is well wort checking out.
First time I saw him at the Big Fan venue here in Auckland, he was distinctly unwell with a virus. Nothing like that today as he strides down to the stage, straps on a harmonica, and begins with a brisk version of Corinna, channelling particularly the Taj Mahal Folk Blues version.
His songs reflect a thorough immersion in the older styles of Roots Country and Americana, and the cross-pollination that occurred with the Border Radio (50,000 watts out of Mexico) as latterly immortalised by the Blasters.
Outlaw Country Folk is what informs his own song King of a Night Out on the Tiles. A song about a scoundrel full of scathing humour. LouAnn is a more traditional plaintive Country weeper.
Some inspired covers. What Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out Of Me) is an inspired cover of Jerry Lee, and he manages a credible blue yodel on Jimmie Rodger’s Free From the Chain Gang.
Baradene College in Remuera seem to be able to cultivate their own school of Rock.
This afternoon we experience Sunfish, a four piece with Indie lead vocals and guitar, Charlotte bass, Mischa lead guitar, and Amy drums.
They lead with Nicole Bowie (Roger’s daughter) singing on an abrasive New Wave styled belter I think is titled Kwenchy Kups.
They do sound like a blend of Power Pop, with a high vocal lead, mixed with bursts of guitar blasts, underpinned by necessary solid engine room rhythms.
A little artier than a straight thrash band, they identify 299 (false confessions?) as a song they would like to work up in a studio sometime soon.
Round out their set with a good go at the Foo Fighter’s Generator.
Imogen Howie is also college alumnus, and she won a Smokefree Rockquest 2023 gong for her song Fireflies, which is available on Spotify. Look for her music under the handle Immy.
She plays a rousing cover of the Killer’s Mister Brightside, matching it with her own composition (written as a14 years old) called Fundamentally Fictional.
The DeSotos play immersive heart and soul classic Americana, which used to dominate in golden era American Top Forty days. For a lot of the Boomers amongst the audience, that would be the glory days of Radio Hauraki
A good mix of Country and R’n’B, a harder-edged Eagles sound and mining the spirits of the likes of Tom Petty and Neil Young,
Paul Gurney, lead vocals and guitars, is from Wellington, and played in cover bands until he started writing his own material. The band formed around the mid-point of the millennium’s first decade. Steady bass lines from Stuart McIntyre, Ron Stevens plays swirling keyboards fills reminiscent of Faces playing behind Rod Stewart. Rounding out the band is ace session drummer Greg Tell, originally from West Coast America, who sits behind an impressive array of percussion.
They start with some straight up R’n’B on the opening few songs, then switch to a highway road song with Close Your Eyes.
I saw them playing at Kumeu Live about a year ago when they were talking about a new album, and they run through Restless Heart tonight. An effective minimalist rhythm drive, some blues phrasing and a few licks of that classic Faces styled keyboard tones.
McIntyre gets a turn to lead the vocals on Summer Wine, off their well-regarded first album Cross Your Heart, one that is well worth checking out.
That album also has Greedy Men, which benefits from some Doors-styled organ fills.
Then it’s Reb Fountain who turns up on the deck, backed by the perfect sideman Dave Khan, who seems to be the session musician for everyone.
Have seen Fountain at big venues like the Auckland Town Hall and the old Mercury theatre where she puts on a big show. This afternoon it is a closer intimate, and informal setting and her voice is nothing short of stunning. Powerful in an understated folky manner.
Khan is the perfect foil with twanging acoustic guitar and teardrop fiddle breaks.
Maybe it’s better if I don’t come home tonight and the guitar lays out some measured Western fills.
Hopeful and Hopeless is one of many highlights, referencing her American roots. Many times, she has been outspoken on stage. This time she seems to be carrying the burden. All you guys better open your eyes and get us out of this goddam mess.
I was half expecting to hear her sing a version of The Weight, but just as effective was Fountain’s own song Hey Mom. A melancholic piano intro prefaces a tender and soulful rendition.
The DeSotos come back on and help with a banging louche version of Paul Fuemana’s How Bizarre. Emphasises the Hunter S. Thompson tone.
All finish this set with Reb’s celebrated closer Don’t You Know Who I Am. You never know who’s listening at the gates of hell. In the late afternoon sun, it sounds prescient.
The DeSotos return for a set of covers, but my time is cut short by having another show to catch early in the evening.
Haul out a rousing Tom Petty number, Mary Jane’s Last Dance, and indulge their love of curmudgeon genius Neil Young with an even better one, When you Dance (off After the Gold Rush of course).
Nicole Bowie told me she is singing three covers, and I manage to catch one, a raucous robust takeout of Chris Knox’s Love Not Given Lightly. Nicole mentions her Dad’s friendship with Knox from fifty years ago. Was she told the song was inspired by the Velvet Underground’s Venus in Furs?
Somebody To Love and Me and Bobby McGee I sadly had to miss.
Roger Bowie was contemplating mortality a few years ago. But these BowieFests are superb showcases for the best of Kiwi musical talent, and an expanded production crew means the shows will go on. We hope.
Rev. Orange Peel
Photos courtesy of Vanda Gazo
Discover more from Red Raven News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.