Celebrating NZ music throughout May: 7 – Blerta / Corben Simpson / Bernie Griffen

I think we might be going from the sublime to the ridiculous today. Check it out and see what you think.

My Brain Exploded!

Don’t worry, I’m ok. I'm talking about the track showing today on the Music Month website. Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men, with “My Brain Exploded” from the 2018 album “Doors Wide Open”.

When I started watching this, before I knew anything about it, I spotted that the male dancer in the tango is Michael Parmenter, who you may remember me raving about during the Arts Festival. That earned it a thumbs up right away.

Bernie Griffen and The Thin Men are Bernie Griffen (guitar, vocals) Kirsten Warner (guitar, vocals) Chris Kemp (drums) Garry Trotman (bass). According to the MuzicNetNZ website:

A powerful voice full of soul, humour and sadness, Bernie Griffen is a story-teller to the core, penning songs about characters real and imagined existing in a world of criminals and saints; dusty feet and wounded hearts. Griffen draws influence from blues, from the country-rock of Gram Parsons and The Grateful Dead, the sharp-tongued lyrical wit of Bob Dylan, the mournful wails of Neil Young and outlaw country singers like Johnny Cash.

Their previous album, in 2014, was Salvation. Out of the track listing, I was intrigued by one titled Patti Smith. How could I not check that out? It’s only had 5 views! Let’s change that.

His gravely voice reminds me of someone but I can’t quite put my finger on who. Iggy Pop maybe? Although he’s described as Country / Folk, there is a bit of a Punk / New wave flavour at least to this song.

And even further back, before The Thin Men, were Bernie Griffen and the Grifters. Their 2011 album Everything So Far featured the song 29 Diamonds. Here it is live, when they opened for Emmy Lou Harris.

Now back into the archives

The question is – what can I pair with Bernie? Yesterday I was thinking about Blerta, which led me to Quincy Conserve (featured today by @ravenruis) and then to Allison Durbin. Blerta’s well known song, Dance All Around The World, from 1972, is actually a beautifully light hearted counterpoint to the darkness of 29 Diamonds, so let’s check it out.

But first, who are Blerta? From this article:

Blerta, short for the Bruno Lawrence Electric Revelation and Travelling Apparition, was formed in October 1971. The concept was to have a travelling band of musicians, actors, light show operators, movie people and friends on a relaxing holiday-type tour of New Zealand, to get away from the high pressure show business scene.

Bruno put together a group of people which included Corben Simpson, Alan Moon and Tony Littlejohn, all from Bruno's previous involvement with Littlejohn. Alan Moon had originally played with Sons and Lovers and Bruno lured another ex-Sons and Lovers player, Kemp Turirangi. Bruno acquired the bus that Kemp and Alan had previously used for tours. Also added to the group was Chris Seresin, the young keyboard player who had impressed Bruno during his stint in Fresh Air. Geoff Murphy, and his family, a friend Bruno had made from his very early days also joined. Bruno wanted a woman vocalist as well and invited Beverley Morrison along. Beverley soon became known by her nickname "Beaver". A late addition was Eric Foley, to play saxophone.

The group was now ready and on 30 October 1971 Blerta left Wellington on the first of two pre-tour trips to the Wairarapa. They played to small audiences, but found if they sent an advance party to put up posters and generally create an interest, more people were attracted. The trip was not a financial success, but showed that it was possible to continue with the concept.

Let's dance around the world now.

As you read above, prior to Blerta was Littlejohn, a group focused on singer / songwriter Corben Simpson. One of their songs "Have You Heard A Man Cry" won Corben the 1971 APRA Silver Scroll, and in 1975 it also won a Golden Scroll for the best New Zealand composition of the previous 10 years. Read more here

Thanks for listening

Videos from Youtube. Top image is the official logo and appears everywhere. This copy came from Eventfinda.

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