I guess I should have expected that something new might cause a little consternation...

And so it’s been with the Winston Watusi Playlist on Spotify. There has been reaction, some positive, some negative, some – as expected – just rude.

If I might pick a single example of each to share with you: one tasteful music lover opined “An interesting eclectic music mix”; another was less satisfied and said: “I really didn’t like very much there at all”. And on the less polite end of the spectrum came: “what do you expect but crap from Tauranga”.

Perhaps I might explain the playlist idea in a tad more detail. It’s intended as an accompaniment to the column, for while it’s all very well reading about music I figured it might be a little more informative if you can actually hear it too.

So this is not intended as a playlist of my favourite songs. If, on occasion, it is, I’ll make sure the description clearly reads ‘Winston’s Favourite Songs Right Now’.

But, this week, like last week, the playlist is bands recently mentioned in the column or those releasing music or gigging in the Bay. Some of the bands were on last week’s list; these are different songs. Do drop me a message if you like the music – or not! Or have suggestions. I even have a Facebook page now.

Celebration

Moving right along, there’s a show at the Jam Factory, a relatively rare outing for a man who has been part of the Tauranga music scene for many years, alternately being very active and disappearing from sight.

I’m talking of singer-songwriter-guitarist Derek Toner, who has decided to hold something of a career retrospective, or ‘introspective’ if such a word can be applied to a concert, since he’ll be looking back and reflecting on the songs that have influenced his journey as a songwriter.

Derek says: “The title of the show is ‘The Songs That Shaped Me’. It’s a celebration of life and music. I don’t know if anyone really thinks about how music is in one’s life, even if you don’t perform”.

Derek cites songs that might remind you of a loved one, songs that helped you get through a broken heart and even songs that makes you just want to dance whenever you hear them. That means he’ll be starting the night by reaching back – in some cases to his pre-teens – for songs that have an emotional connection deep within him.

Who exactly? “Pink Floyd, Paul Simon, Glen Hansard, Neil Finn, Foy Vance, Peter Gabriel, Counting Crowes to name a few. And if we get the chance a nod to Sinead O’Connor. I’m still unsure if I’m brave enough to take on her voice!” This will lead into a selection of original songs.

History

Derek moved to Tauranga from his native Ireland in 2006 and during the next decade formed bands the Mellow Drops and Nine Mile Stone with fellow ex-pat Cian O’Cinnseala, whom he’s played with for 34 years, ever since the pair were at school together. Both bands released albums and when everyone drifted into other projects Derek recorded his first solo album, ‘The Importance of Yar’, and pulled together the band known as Tuner.

This is where he first met bass player Brian Franks and guitarist Mike Everard, who sadly passed away in 2021, with Derek and Brian going on to play in a very popular cover trio with drummer Ian Gilpin.

On Saturday, October 7 from 7pm, Brian will join Derek at the Jam Factory, as will Cian and two other bandmates from Nine Mile Stone, keyboard played Tim Julian and drummer James Bos.

They also have special guests: violin player Shelby Maples will bring a classical refinement to proceedings while Steve Macken will chip in on vocals and guitar. Making their debut will be Derek’s two boys: Finn, the oldest, is covering MC duties and youngest son Conor will join for a song or two and opening the show with some instrumental guitar music along with Steve’s son Josh.

There are still $30 tickets available via The Incubator website.

Hear Winston's latest playlist: