Grant Haua, Whakatu NZ, 2022

Grant Haua

10th June 2022
Whakatu Community Hall, Whakatu, New Zealand.

Review by Rob Harbers, photography by Andrew Caldwell.

Like the ever-flowing river, the Small Hall Sessions keep rolling on, spreading vitality as they go. The latest traveller to navigate these waters is Grant Haua, formerly one half of Swamp Thing (I leave it to those more knowledgeable than myself as to whether he’s the Swamp or the Thing!) but now forging a solo path, sharing his brand of blues with appreciative audiences everywhere.

Among such a stellar line-up as those who grace the Sessions, it takes something extra special to truly stand out and shine any more brightly than the rest, and that is what this man possesses. He refers to his medium as Awa Blues, yet this is no sedate cruise on a lazy river, rather an action-packed whitewater ride which fully engages all those taking part! This is a blues that is complex and detailed, all played at a frenetic pace which feels at times to carry the incipient threat of spontaneous combustion. Think of Cream’s “Crossroads”, with Clapton’s lightning-fast and multi-layered virtuosity, and expand it to a 2-hour (give or take) performance, and you might be getting there – but all this sound is produced by only one man. Fingers of fire, indeed!

Making this even more impressive is the fact that most of the material is original, with a smattering of covers which paid homage to those who went before, including his and my gateway drug to this style, the late lamented SRV. Also a couple around a hundred years old (I missed the opportunity to ask the promoter if he remembered them from his youth) by the originator himself, Robert Johnson, including the aforementioned “Crossroads”. The quality of the original material, though, is such that it fit seamlessly alongside the other, the only (very minor) disparity arising from the occasional lyrical reference to more contemporary concerns, most notably in the song inspired by ACTing fool and dance-partner dropper, the slapheaded Rodney Hide (“Knucklehead”).

The touching “This is the Place”, a tribute to tūrangawaewae, featured a strong infusion of Te Reo, fusing the strands of influence, giving new life to each of its elements. This is a fusion that Grant seeks to explore further, promising much for future endeavours.

Time and deadlines wait for no man, however, and as I’m already exceeding the boundaries of my deadline, here’s the takeaway: Blues, fast and driving, played by a man with fingers of fire. Spellbinding performance, with an intensity and depth of sound that will cause you to repeatedly want to confirm for yourself that there’s only one man up there! Absolute top-notch entertainment that will keep you enthralled, making time slip away. Napier, this is a call to you in particular – as of last conversation, Sunday’s ticket sales were somewhat less than impressive, so get out there and remedy this state of affairs! Grab a friend, or an enemy, even a frenemy, and pack out the Scinde Hall. Even if only for your first chance to be inside a masonic building, with the music being an ancillary benefit (which will soon assert its rightful place, in any case) just do it. Take a chance and enjoy the ride!

Were you there at the Whakatu Community Hall for this intimate gig? Or have you seen Grant Haua perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Note: Ambient Light was provided passes to review and photograph this concert. As always, this has not influenced the review in any way and the opinions expressed are those of Ambient Light’s only. This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase a product using an affiliate link, Ambient Light will automatically receive a small commission at no cost to you.

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