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Perhaps it's a throwback to my more radical youth, but I’m a sucker for a political song.
More likely it was seeing Strawbs on British record chart television programme Top Of The Pops singing Part of a Union.
I ran round the house copying them for days though it was hardly a political awakening, what with being eight and not knowing what a union was.
New Zealand does not have a great lineage of political songs.
Sure, we remember the heady days of Herbs’ French Letter and the protesting Topp Twins, post-punk band Blam Blam Blam’s There is No Depression In New Zealand and The Knobz’s Culture. But the very fact that those were 40 years ago rather reinforces the point.
I struggle to think of much political music since outside the rap/hip-hop/reggae scene.
Uncommon
You’d think these would be ideal times for writing and releasing music in immediate reaction to current events. Yet, despite the technology making it easier than ever, it’s uncommon. At least Bruce Springsteen’s been doing it in reaction to America’s authoritarian crackdown.
And hats off to Wellington bluesman Darren Watson, who just released a new song, Move On, in response to current initiative of shuffling the homeless to places where they won’t disturb decent folk like you and me.
Watson first came to prominence in the 1980s with high-flying blues band Chicago Smokeshop. He has made much fine music since.
In recent years that included a fair whack of political songs including the infamous Planet Key, which caused a stir when the guardians of our elections debated in court whether an anti-government song constituted political advertising or free speech. Good song.
The new song is very good too, a pitch- perfect acoustic slide piece with a great lyric, timeless blues and timely political commentary.
A shout-out to Adam McGrath of Christchurch band The Eastern, another of this country’s avowed political singers.
His album, released in May, Wrecker Songs, subtitled Songs from and for the Maritime Union of New Zealand, comes with sampled historical voices such as Jock Barnes, union leader during the 1951 waterfront strike.
It's a powerful set of original songs, from sparse ballads to rollicking reels and grungier folk.
A killer night
Following that blues thread...Trevor Braunias, something of an ace blues guitarist, is fronting a band at the July 17 Black Coffee session at the Tauranga Club.
These monthly jazz/blues evenings are really picking up steam and Braunias has assembled a top-notch bunch of local players to offer gig The Songs of Chess Records.
Trevor Braunias. Photo / Sally Garner
Chess Records for the less-obsessed blues lovers was Chicago’s main label in the 1950s and 1960s, whose roster included Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Etta James, Chuck Berry, you know, everybody important. It’ll be a killer night.
More blues?
International Blues Music Day is the first Saturday in August. Which means Kokomo's annual blues celebrations: August 1 at The Jam Factory followed by Sunday afternoon at Katikati's Arts Junction. After their big Easter Baycourt concert perhaps get in quick.
Hear Winston’s latest Playlist: