Love Me As I Am - Auckland Arts Festival's tribute to Mahinaarangi Tocker
The Creative Director of Love Me As I Am, Tama Waipara writes:
"With the blessing and generosity of the Tocker whānau, this concert is a celebration of the life and music of the late and great, Mahinaarangi Tocker. Ten years on from her untimely passing, we honour Mahinaarangi through her songs and with the aroha she shared so willingly with us all.
"Mahinaarangi Tocker was a bright, blazing light whose music radiated out with far reaching appeal, impact and inspiration. A true one of a kind, her brave and prolific songwriting was propelled by the uniqueness of her mellifluous voice. Her live performances were characterised by energy, humour, aroha and deeply compelling narrative from her life and experiences.
"As a musician and artist, Mahinaarangi was an innovator and trailblazer. Her explorations and expressions were wide ranging and similarly her influence on many artists is equally diverse. Her songs are taonga, as was she and they embody her vulnerability, sharp intellect, raucous humour and boundless creative genius.
"This show is a loving tribute brought to life by artists who knew, loved and revered her.
"My sincerest and deepest aroha to the whānau for allowing us the chance to sing, speak and dance her music into the air once more. He pō whakamaharatanga, he pō aroha, he pō whakanui hoki tēnei ki tō tātou mareikura, a Mahinaarangi Tocker."
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The songs, the singers, and the supporting cast ...
Te Ripo (Tocker) - Hinewairangi Tocker, Kīmai Tocker, Huirangi Tocker
Kei Hea Koe? (Tocker) - Hinewehi Mohi, Anahera Higgins, band
Wahine Toa (Tocker) - Hinewairangi Tocker, Kīmai Tocker, Huirangi Tocker
Heart Winds (Tocker) - Anika Moa, band
Papatūānuku (Tocker) - Moana Maniapoto, band
When I Grow Up (Tocker) - Don McGlashan
Tender (Tocker) - Maree Sheehan, string quartet
A Woman Who Feels Nothing (Tocker) - Charlotte Yates
Danger Kissing (Tocker) - Annie Crummer, Kenji Iwamitsu Holdaway (guitar)
Only She (Tocker) - Anika Moa
Cloud 29 (Tocker) - Emma Paki
My Love Be Still (Tocker) - Shona Laing, string quartet
I'll Breathe For You (Tocker, David Downes) - Charlotte Yates, Victoria Kelly (piano)
The Wild Winged Messenger (Tocker) - Anahera Higgins, Karen Hunter, string quartet
Ending (Tocker) - Nadia Reid, string quartet
Make Up (Tocker) - Annie Crummer, Kenji Iwamitsu Holdaway (guitar)
Forever (Tocker) - Hinewairangi Tocker, Kīmai Tocker, Huirangi Tocker, band
Picture On My Wall (Tocker) - Shona Laing, band
Love Me As I Am (Tocker) - Mahinaarangi Tocker (taken from the TriStar CD Mahinaarangi), followed by all performers including GALS, the Gay and Lesbian Singers Auckland
Ko Te Nau Parahahi (Kīngi Te Ahoaho Tāhiwi) - Hinewairangi Tocker, Kīmai Tocker, Huirangi Tocker
Band: Jol Mulholland (leader, guitar), Mike Hall (bass), Matthias Jordan (keys), Alexander Freer (drums)
String Quartet: Charmian Keay, Alex Taylor (violins), Sophie Buxton (viola), Claire Cowan (cello)
String arrangements by Claire Cowan
Kaikarakia: Mera Lee-Penehira
Taonga pūoro: Sharon Hawke
Creative Director for Auckland Arts Festival: Tama Waipara
For RNZ: Producer: Tim Dodd; Recording and mixing engineer: Adrian Hollay