We call them cyclones here in New Zealand, and that’s exactly what we got this year. Not one, but two, called Hale and Gabrielle. While we all watched the impact on TV, it’s not until you see it with your own eyes just how devastating the cyclones were. Communities had to live with the devastation of the cyclones while cleaning up and rebuilding, which must have taken its toll. Like many, DJ Dave and Coll rose from the ashes.
Each year, our very own resident DJ, Dave, spins up a playlist and ‘best of’ for the year. In a break from tradition, it’s not a festive collection for ’23, but a collage of sound, including his very own road trip Spotify playlist.
But first, as you may have missed last week’s inspiring youth music of the year from the St Andrew’s College cover of Stairway to Heaven by popular acclaim, here it is.
Their performance, featuring musicians from the St Andrew’s College band in Christchurch, has become an internet sensation, accumulating over 150,000 views and 4000 likes on Facebook.
The rendition of the 1971 rock anthem was the main event of the school’s annual prize-giving,
Widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs of all time Stairway to Heaven was written in late 1971 by Led Zeppelin’s guitarist Jimmy Page and lead singer Robert Plant for their untitled fourth studio album (commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV).
The band, comprising more than 100 musicians, skilfully blended the sounds of the school’s rock band, school orchestra, senior choir, and jazz band. Another ‘grab a moment, moment’ for you. You can watch and listen.
So, back to DJ Dave.
Smashed by the Auckland floods, this has been a tough year for Dave and Coll. Their home at the bottom of Hakanoa Street was slammed at the front and back by flood waters that had nowhere to go but right through their gorgeous home. And, yep, that’s floodwater from the otherwise trickling stream at the bottom of their Grey Lynn garden sloshing past the downstairs ranch sliders.
Dave said, “The troops rallied, however the heartache of the hard work even with friends shovelling the muck away was grinding. We quickly went into survival mode. Those early days of insurance assessments and endless Auckland City Council requisitions were intolerable. That’s just us, the privileged articulate advocates that we are. How the hell others less fortunate pulled through we just don’t know.”
This is, however, a before and after story! Nearly a year later the remediation of their home and redesign of their backyard that gently falls to an inner city stream is nearly done. They have risen from the ashes!
There was a California earthquake in the year of ‘83. It shook the living daylights out of the coast.
There wasn’t a building still left standing, when the dust had cleared, all the way to San Andrea. Rodney Crowell wrote about his experience. You can find his song towards the end of Dave’s Country Road Playlist. The chorus, Dave latched onto this year, as it captures his cyclone journey and sums up reasons for rebuilding and remaining in their much-loved friendly community at the bottom of the hill where their dreams can’t be ruined. It’s been a lesson in hope.
California earthquake you just don't know what you've done
We may fall off in the ocean Lord you'll never make us run
You're a partner of the devil Lord we ain't afraid of him
We'll build ourselves another town so you can tear it down again
Lord, we'll build ourselves another town you can tear it down again
In February, with Coll’s shoulder healed, they’re off on a road trip through Austin, Texas. They can’t wait!
So this year rather than quirky Christmas schmaltz, Dave’s leaning into his inner cowboy for the JANZ playlist as he concedes, finally, to Gerry, my song mate, there really are only two types of music … Country and Western! So, slip on a bandanna, wind the windows down, crank up the volume as you cruise to your holidays, enjoy.
And now for my best 5 songs of 2023.
What a year! There were icons making explosive comebacks, with Kylie Minogue’s summer bop Padam Padam tearing up global dancefloors and the Rolling Stones releasing a revered 24th album, Hackney Diamonds, while Paul Simon penned a 33-minute prayer in the form of Seven Psalms. And let’s not even get started on Taylor Swift’s multiple records.
Kylie Minogue
Padam Padam
The minute Melburnian, now 55, had a fabulous year, thanks in large part to this monster of a single. Inspired by Edith Piaf’s 1951 song of the same name, its title evoking the sound of a pounding lovesick heart, Padam Padam was catchy, stylish and face-fanningly erotic.
The Rolling Stones
Sweet Sounds of Heaven
The Stones’ best track in decades sounds like the peak of a jam session for the gods, with the band loosened up, euphoric and effortlessly bouncing off each other. The guest vocalist Lady Gaga holds her own against a rejuvenated Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood turn the clock back to their pomp, Steve Jordan impressively replaces Charlie Watts on drums and a certain Stevie Wonder plays effortless piano, Fender Rhodes and Moog synth.
Paul Simon
The Lord
A dream commanded Simon to make Seven Psalms, his best album in decades: a seven-piece, 33-minute masterpiece on life, death and the great beyond. Taking influence from his time on the 1960s British folk scene, on the opening section Simon reflects on the nature of God against fluid acoustic guitar with affecting grace.
Taylor Swift
You’re Losing Me (From the Vault)
This has unquestionably been Swift’s year, rounded off by her being named Spotify’s No 1 artist and Time’s person of the year. Here is another enchanting example of her magic — a previously unreleased song from Midnights perfectly capturing the dying pulse of a relationship. Listen to the bridge and sob.
Sufjan Stevens
Will Anybody Ever Love Me?
“Chase away my heart and heartache,” begs the elfin indie folkie in a raw clamour for love that builds and builds with swirling harmonies until it breaks into a chant of “my burning heart”. The rest of his latest album, Javelin, is also beautiful.