Published in the Otago Daily Times, 26 January, 2013
Ariana Tikao’s reflections on such weighty matters as the Christchurch quakes and the death of a friend mix with songs that explore her personal and cultural history on her third album, a smoothly paced and mellow 11-track work.
The mood is that of an intimate back-porch performance, with Tikao and a small cast of players adding discreet touches of taonga puoro, cello, dulcimer, piano and field recordings to a carefully balanced acoustic-folk set sung in a mix of Maori and English. Te Heke and Something To Give are contrasting highlights on this appealing album.
Single download: Te Heke
For those who like: Toni Huata, Maisey Rika
– See more at: http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/music/243638/cd-reviews-january-26#sthash.TSOHEckU.dpuf