We Mavericks
27th May 2022
Poukawa Hall, Poukawa, New Zealand.
Review by Rob Harbers, photography by Andrew Caldwell.
While some welcome, with a strong degree of nostalgia, the Cruising of a Maverick through cinematic skies, a capacity crowd were tonight enthralled by the offerings of a pair of Mavericks, with music coming from far deeper roots than 1986. Such was the setting for the glorious rolling cavalcade of musical talent that is the Small Hall Sessions, hosting in its latest incarnation the glorious harmonies and touching melodies of We Mavericks.
We Mavericks are a perfect example of the camaraderie that lies at the heart of trans-Tasman relations, with the duo having a member from each side of the ditch. We get to claim this one though, given that their first musical encounter occurred at the Wellington Folk Festival – keep fighting over pavlova, this one’s settled! Principal vocalist Victoria Vigenser, who also provides guitar and banjo accompaniment, is joined by Lindsay Martin on violin, mandolin, guitar and heavenly harmonies. Together they craft exquisite folk music, evoking spirits originating from Appalachia to Alba.
Music such as this sprung forth from a predominantly rural base, and as such the likes of the tiny Poukawa Hall form the perfect setting in which to hear it – the music of a people being transplanted into fresh, but familiar, soil. The bijou nature of the venue allowed the playing to be truly acoustic (Look mum, no wires!) and thus the means of transcending temporal boundaries – take away Victoria’s frenemy the electronic tuner, dial in a degree of inbreeding and indigenous exploitation and this could’ve been 1822, or earlier, in any settler outpost. Not as fanciful as it may seem, given that one of the few non-originals played goes back even further than this, to the time of Charles II. Yes, even older than Jamie!
Lyrical matter for the largely original set came from a range of inspiration, covering subjects as diverse as the indomitable rural spirit, care for one’s fellow travellers on life’s journey, breaking free of behavioural cycles, identity politics, and much more besides. A noted lack of murder ballads though! All delivered via angelic harmonies and emotive playing, from which the duo derived a highly evident degree of enjoyment, at least as much as the audience. And all linked via an extensive repertoire of tales from the road, sharing the lives of characters such as Bruce from Bundanoon, Dave(s) the car guy(s), and numerous more besides – while expanding vocabularies in a way this writer could only admire!
It’s by now a cliche of my reviews of these sessions that they end on a note of urging you to get along – but I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe it. Two more chances before this roadshow concludes – take them if you can! Would I put you crook?
Were you there at the Poukawa Hall for this intimate gig? Or have you seen We Mavericks 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.
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