Al Park 'Better Already' Collection + Release Show Announced
A collection celebrating the work of Christchurch songwriting icon Al Park is releasing this February, showcasing reimaginings of his tunes by such local heroes as Marlon Williams, Delaney Davidson, Jordan Luck, Anita Clark (Motte) and Adam McGrath (The Eastern). A pillar of Canterbury's musical community, amongst his many ventures Park shaped his local scene as frontman of Louie and the Hotsticks in the 80s, as venue owner for Al’s Bar, and as an influential guiding hand for emerging talent. An ever-present, Zelig-like figure, he can be spotted playing a pimp in Dance Exponents' 1983 video for 'Victoria', saw Delaney Davidson play Rockquest 1989, and mentored a young Marlon Williams. The hard-gigging musical stalwart can still be caught performing around his hometown most nights of the week with Elmore Jones and Adam Hattaway.
Better Already - The Songs Of Al Park features covers of Al Park songs by Marlon Williams, Jordan Luck, Delaney Davidson, Adam McGrath, Barry Saunders, Janice Grey, Anita Clark, Adam Hattaway, Anthea Struthers, and Helen Mulholland. Produced by Delaney Davidson, the collection highlights the instrumental talents of Mike Kime, Ryan Chin, Elmore Jones, Anita Clark, Paddy Long, and Davidson on guitar and piano.
The album launches with a special release show featuring Al Park and selected contributors at Christchurch's Blue Smoke in mid-February. You can experience the first release from Better Already below, a haunting video "taster" collaging together historic footage as accompaniment to Delaney Davidson's emotive cover of Park's 'Blue Afternoon'. Adam McGrath weighed in on the compilation, stating “It’s a thank you, a very loud and appreciative tip o’ the cap to someone who has had a shoulder to many wheels, a hand in many helpings, a voice of wisdom in many thinkings and wonderings”
Al Park and friends — Better Already - The Songs Of Al Park album release show
With... Jordan Luck, Adam McGrath, Barry Saunders, Janice Grey, Adam Hattaway, Anthea Struthers, Helen Mulholland
Friday 15th February - Blue Smoke, Christchurch
Tickets available HERE via UTR
'Better Already - The Songs Of Al Park' is out Friday 15th February via ALP Records / Southbound.
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