Music | Mar 11-Mar 13 | Reviewed by Alexander Bisley

Rain
I can hear you
making small holes
in the silence
rain

If I were deaf
the pores of my skin
would open to you
and shut

And I
should know you
by the lick of you
if I were blind

the something
special smell of you
when the sun cakes
the ground

the steady
drum-roll sound
you make
when the wind drops

But if I
should not hear
smell or feel or see
you

you would still
define me
disperse me
wash over me
rain

SIMPLE YET cosmic, extraordinarily beautiful, charged with Maoritanga and a profound connection with the environment, Hone Tuwhare’s ‘Rain’ is a masterpiece. Don McGlashan’s gorgeous, soulful, delicate rendition does it justice. Pure poetry in motion, and the highlight of Tuwhare, talking ‘bout our home, land and sea.  

Hone Peneamine Tuwhare Tipa Te Pona responded with his characteristic, infectious down-to-earth wit when approached with the project. “What do you want to work with those blimmin’ old things for?”

I had listened to the excellent CD of this national treasure closely before coming. Like all good live music, it’s electrified by sensitive, gutsy performers. (Dallas, of the magisterial ‘We, who live in darkness’, is at Parihaka Peace Festival the night I go). The enormously sympathetic Rawiri Paratene passionately narrates Charlotte Yates informed script; which contextualises the poems and shares colourful, amusing yarns about Tuwhare’s lively life.

A backdrop screens footage from Tuwhare’s picturesque crib at wild, beautiful Kaka Point in the Deep South to his marching on the 1975 Maori Land March. Hone Hurihanganui understands ‘Papa-tu-a-nuku’, Tuwhare’s ode to this Hikoi of Hikois from Making a Fist of It.

Goldenhorse’s intense lush styling of ‘O Africa’ (what a climax Kirsten Morell gets with “the moon’s black evil”) juxtaposes with Whirimako Black’s verdant ‘Spring Song’. Mahinarangi Tocker’s ‘Covetous’ and ‘A northland heartscape’ are ballistically beautiful.

Consumed by the new day job, Robert Fisk and movies et al, I made it to less at the Festival than I should have. (DJ Spooky was a right disappointment.)  Tuwhare is soulful, witty and moving.  This special show shares the man’s magic. I can’t wait for the sequel, and the movie.

» Tuwhare @ NZ International Arts Festival