AUGUST 3 2019 LISTENER 55
T
wo of New Zealand’s finest clas-
sical guitarists, Jane Curry and
Owen Moriarty, offer an astonish-
ing range of colours in their new
release. In a well-curated programme of
New Zealand compositions, they contrast
ringing melodies, dramatic strumming
and fancy finger work in an
impeccable display.
The fascinating Muisca,
by John Psathas, was
inspired by the Muisca
civilisation of ancient
Colombia, a people who
flourished before the
16th-century Spanish
conquest. In the open-
ing Soledad (“Solitude”), a
folk-like tune sings above
a repetitive underlay that
drives the music forward.
Sensuous guitar lines weave
together in the contemplative Chia, while
the finale, El Dorado, evoking a chiefly
“gilded one”, builds rhythmic momen-
tum with syncopated accompaniment.
Jack Body, master of transcription, was
inspired by recordings of a Madagascan
zither and West African harp for his
African Strings for two guitars. The work’s
exotic and exhilarating virtuosity is well-
suited to the instrument, although thefrenetic repetitions in the outer move-
ments are too protracted to hold one’s
interest.
Composer/guitarist Marek Pasieczny’s
inventive setting of Pōkarekare Ana is
“borrowing” of another kind, and he has
created a charming encore piece from
Aotearoa’s favourite love
song.
The album ends with
Pas de Deux, five “dances
for lovers” by Anthony
Ritchie. The musicians
capture the work’s whimsy
with an acidic Au Revoir,
lively games in Jeux and a
regretful Valse Triste. All is
resolved in the thoughtful
little Episode as Ritchie’s
lovers join in musical
unison. Curry and Mori-
arty toss this appealing
music back and forth with nonchalant
grace, their beautiful playing well cap-
tured in balanced stereo. l
MUSIC FROM NEW
ZEALAND FOR TWO
GUITARS: Jack Body,
John Psathas, Anthony
Ritchie; Jane Curry and
Owen Moriarty (guitars)
(Naxos)Impeccable
display
Local
composers’
works for
classical guitar
are turned into
a beautiful
recording.
CLASSICAL
by Elizabeth KerrClassical guitarists Owen Moriarty and
Jane Curry: a well-curated programme.and writing and production roles.
It’s also a throwback to Crowded
House’s Karekare sessions – the band
rented Airbnbs in various locations as
a way to spark different songwriting
inspiration.
“It started out when Jaden had a house
in Māori Bay, near Muriwai, and we set
up and played music and had fun – we
wrote 12 or 13 songs in the first five days
and realised, then, that we are definitely
receptive to our environments,” Suskov
says.
The resulting album, Twister, is as glori-
ously varied as those locations.
Opener Feeling Free was born in a
hurry out of Auckland’s inner city as the
band were trying to hit their album-
delivery deadline. It relies on a stonking
dancefloor beat, a Jamie xx-meets-
Screamadelica-era-Primal Scream fuzzy
disco-rave groove and an urgent bassline.
The dubby slow-groove Falling perches
atop a smoky Young bassline and is as
chilled as the Raglan surroundings from
which it emerged. Other upbeat high-
lights include the poppy On My Mind and
the outstanding soul-funk of Too Much of
a Good Thing and Easy Way Out.
The quieter, slower moments are best
demonstrated by the deep dub-funk of
Money and the final track, Alone Together,
which pays titular homage to the 1993
Crowded House album while rounding
things out with Sade-like soulful pop.
Early reception to Twister’s new songs
at gigs in Paris, London and Berlin shows
the band’s decision to think more about
their live show has paid off.
“Yes, we’ve all come to terms with real-
ising we’re a touring band now – as long
as we ensure we keep it fun like when we
started,” Suskov says. “When we’ve been
on other tours with the other bands,
we’ve got to the end and been glad to be
back home. Now I think we’d all agree
we really miss each other after this past
tour, so we have to accept we’re a band
that needs to keep on playing.” l
TWISTER, Leisure (Nettwerk)
Leisure play at the Powerstation, Auckland,
on July 26; San Fran,
Wellington, on July
27; the Foundry,
Christchurch, on
August 1; and Starters
Bar, Dunedin, on
August 2.