Review Summary: a musical phenomenon that comes around once in a blue moon
-Shapeshifter live with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra-
On 29th September 2006
A brilliant explosion, a shining white light
On the 29th September, I remember the night
A shooting star lit up the sky like the constellation Andromeda
The explosion of an Electronica band and a Symphony orchestra
Many cultures roam this land, each living their own lives
One band encouraged people to come out from their hives,
“JOIN US!” they said and we'll shout the word to every corner of this land
We are holding a musical performance,
With an orchestra and our band
Come one, come all, past the church by the river
To the Christchurch town centre, the temple of the giver
People migrated from far corners, through day and through night
Once they reached the temple, they had each earned their right
To come together for music, to stand and unite.
“Christchurch City…you guys are looking really, really good”
We want to thank each and every one for coming down tonight!”-
As the male vocalist announces, to rapturous delight
The song
“Good Looking” kicks off the first of the night.
The swirling synthesizers wrap around the pulse of the beat
“Hey…ooohhh…we’ve come to get down” male vocals softly repeat
Over a canvas of beautiful violin strings, played from soft to loud
Painting a picture of
'Aotearoa, The land of the Long White Cloud'.
After thunderous applause, the crowd is left baying for more
Suddenly a womans voice descends from the heavens, and echoes across the floor
Her voice is carried by a chorus of violins, each becoming fiercer
And reaches higher than the highest mountain peak, “
Aoraki, Cloud piercer”
Soulful vocals sing “music you know, you mean the world to me”
And before long the song is over, a beautiful song called
“Tapestry”
Outside the Christchurch hall, the cathedrals are glowing
The atmosphere inside is electric, the crowd is forever growing
And like the sun melting snow on the mighty
"Ruapehu" mountain
A piano plays a liquid melody, like water from a fountain
The melody is then joined by the pulse of the drum and the bass
And once the chorus hits, the song picks up the pace.
With telepathic understanding the band mirror the symphony
As the audience find their voice and they all sing in harmony
The third song of the night is over, the candle is left to burn
“And I will let it out.....
When I Return".
“Christchurch, look at ya’s, you guys are truly awesome!!”-
Says the big Maori frontman, speaking on behalf of the other foursome
The crowd accepts the compliment, with a collective roar
As the drummer brings the beat, and proceeds to tear up the floor
In the background, the guitarist plays his guitar set to flange
As the vocalist sings “You’ve got to help us
Bring Change!”
The song reaches it’s climax with a fist-pumping beat
Lyrically inspiring, and musically complete.
After an encore break, the band returns to the stage
We’ve come to the final song, we’ve reached the final page.
Piano and saxophone combine to form a seductive pairing
The crowd knows tomorrow, they will be hard of hearing
A flute plays a melody like those Indian snake charmers
But this is not India, this is New Zealand, there’s only sheep and farmers
“Don’t you go and let the world wear you down
Should you ever fall, I’m gonna be around
Pick you up keep you away from harm
Free from all your stress and safe within my arms”
As the music casts a spell over the Christchurch town hall
Images of
'Aotearoa' are projected across the wall
From the rivers, to the mountains, and all the natural things
To the Kiwi people, who look like hobbits from the Lord of the Rings
From the people of New Zealand, we each extend our hand
“Kia ora, haere mai”, and welcome to our land.
“And when our days are done,
We will all be one
Christchurch city……….
……………….
We will be One!
Shapeshifter live was recorded on the 29th September 2006,
at the Christchurch Town Hall in Christchurch.
All the strings on the tracks arranged by Victoria Kelly & performed with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marc Taddei.
Translations for the words in the Te Reo (Maori) language are:
Aotearoa – New Zealand. Land of the long white cloud.
Aoraki – Meaning ‘Cloud Piercer’. Maori name for NZ’s highest mountain, Mount Cook.
Kia Ora – A greeting of strength. Hello!
Haere Mai – Welcome
Ruapehu – Mount Ruapehu on NZ north island.
Shapeshifter is (on this release)
Paora Apera (aka P Diggsss)
Nick Robinson
Sam Trevethick
Devin Abrams
Redford Grenell
