Sunday, June 24, 2007

Repost: I've Been Everywhere

About a year ago I ran a Counting The Beat special on songs that were named after New Zealand towns and locations. I recorded the show but a few technical problems meant the sound wasn't great. I've finally had a bit of a tinker and got it to a passable standard so I decided it was time to re-run the posting that accompanied the show, but this time you can listen too! This is a show I'm particularly proud of, I hope you like it. Working on this has also prompted me to turn my attention to a sequel - that should be coming in a few weeks. Listen into the show at 6pm on Sundays for details. You can listen to a stream of the place name special on the player below or download it from our friends at the Internet Archive.


Here is the long promised place name special. The deal is that all songs on the show have a New Zealand place name as their title. As you may imagine the result is an eclectic array of musical styles, from folk, to electronica, to punk and more. This post highlights a few of the artists, songs and locations featured.

Auckland Tonight - The Androidss
One of two songs about Auckland comes from The Androidss (sic), a band that actually hail from Christchurch. You can read a short bio on the excellent thebigcity site, an essential for your favourites list if you are into alternative kiwi acts.

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu - Peter Cape


One of the reasons this show took so long to put together was because I had to learn how to say the name of this place. The song is by Peter Cape, a cleric, broadcaster, and folk singer with a very interesting history. Believe it our not the song title is an abbreviation of the actual place name.

Cape Turnagain - The Warratahs and Sam Hunt
Named by Cook on his inaugural visit to these shores, Cape Turnagain became the subject of this fantastic song written by Barry Saunders and Sam Hunt. Here's Barry with the Cape in the background.

Otaki - The Fourmyula
Not much to say about this one. All you need to know is here on another essential kiwi music website.

Wellington - The Mutton Birds
Don McGlashan has a new solo album out called Warm Hand. I haven't heard it yet, but reviews are good. The Mutton Birds still have a site you can check out.

Christchurch (In Cashel St I Wait) - The Dance Exponents
Brilliant, Naming not only the city, but the specific street. Are there any kiwi songs with an actual address? If so, I want to hear about them.


Purakanui - Jetty
One of my favourite places in the world. I was very excited when I discovered someone had recorded a song about this beach on the Otago coast. Incidentally the band Jetty are also named after a place. The band name came about because their practice rooms were on Jetty St, down by the wharf area in Dunedin.

I've Been Everywhere - John Hore
John Hore gave John Denver his name. He later changed his own name to John Grenell. Who knew? More info here.


There you go; a musical journey from North to South. Keep a look out for the sequel.

15 comments:

michaelb said...

Crazy. And here I thought New Zealand was just filled with left-over extras of Middle Earth.

The Sports Satirist said...

It looks like a nice place for a vacation :-)

Anonymous said...

It's a great idea to promote your station through a blog. Congrats on blogs of note!

www.smokeveil.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

The great island... I think it's the good vacation place for me.

Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

Congrats on becoming a blog of note!!! Awesome site!!! My writing critique partner is from NZ. I hope I make it there some day to see the picturesque islands. :D

JJ

!Teq-uila Del Zapata said...

kool i didnt knew that about john denver.

Anonymous said...

Nice blog,

I found you via Xeoss.com
Guys got Blogger button on site.

I'd like to go in New Zealand as well, nice place!

Unknown said...

I've been everywhere man - except New Zealand - it's on the list !

Simon said...

Your blog looks good. I would definitely like to visit New Zealand in the future.

DirkStar said...

Very fine blog.

Tastefully presented and your content is interesting and informative.

Well done...

mully said...

i like the last name on that guy...

Michael said...

Hey guys , grand blog and personally im abit jealous you never asked me along the island trek. hehe Anyways enjoyed the blog,stop by my few blogs if you get a chance.

LZ Blogger said...

My visit to New Zealand was only to Auckland and it was obvious that there is much more to New Zealand than just the City of Auckland or to the North Island for that matter! ~ jb///

Erica Ortiz said...

I want to hear you say the name of that place...

Anonymous said...

nice touch. really enjoyed the write ups. been there but cannot write the way you did.

Cheryl