REPORT ON THE JEWS BROS NATIONAL NZ TOUR October 2008


Wow, what a full-on tour we did, 22 gigs in 24 days, all over small-town New Zealand. Under the auspices of Arts on Tour, NZ,  directed by the wonderful Steve Thomas and funded by Creative NZ off we set in the Toyota Hi-Ace, with Nigel, our mandolinist, as the trusty driver.   From Gore in Southland right up to Whangaroa in Northland. From big old cinemas  (Hokitika) to  country halls (Kauaeranga, nr.Thames),  boat clubs (Lake Dunstan) to vineyards (Alexandra), with pubs and clubs and cafes in between. Audience numbers ranging from 14 (Reefton, it was a Tuesday night and the people there work night shifts !) to 100 +  (Taipa Bay and what a magical setting staying and playing right on the beach!),



Tour Notes



A Culinary Tale :



Neill, who had come over from Katoomba in the Blur Mountains in Oz, was a la recherche of the genuine NZ whitebait fritter.
Being on the West Coast of the South Island, home of white-bait by the basket-load,  he asked a local in Reefton if there was a place to eat to which he received a perfunctory “Hotel over the road....”
“Do they serve whitebait?”.,”F **ing ask them yourself, mate”  Well, needless to say there were no whitebait fritters just roast lamb, eggs and chips and suchlike.
Next morning as we wandered down the one and only main street prior to departure, Neill saw the same local again. 
Scarcely making eye-contact as he walked past Neill, he said “’D’ y’get ya f**ing whitebait”? .....
But Neill  did succeed in finding the genuine article in Hokitika, and right off the beaten track in a house doubling as a cafe on the beach! (only on the West Coast!)

Our thanks :

On the road we rehearsed and arranged a couple of Paolo Conte songs: Happy Feet and Elisir.  These were fun additions to our repertoire, thanks Paolo,  and Linn got to exercise her Italian since she lived in Naples and Rome many moons ago|!
 
After two full-on weeks in the South Island the inimitable Neill Duncan  ( percussion and saxes)went off back to Australia and we were joined by the fabulous and famed Carmel Courtney, she who plays 2 saxophones at the same time and does some nifty drumming on walls, amplifiers and anything else that is available!  With Carmel in our midst we almost felt that we were back touring Europe in 2002, our first Euro-tour which she did with us. But  no this was not Europe but Matamata, home of the Hobbits, and we were all off for a dip in the hot pools, fringed with sub-tropical forest!

Many people videoed us.  Thank you to Dave Mitchell who drove out from ChCh to Oamaru (well he is a fan and has toured us himself), to Dave Tua in Hokitika, Andrew at Mussel Inn, Gerar in Karamea, Carol in Petone and Ian in Auckland.  We have a lot of footage to trawl through so bear with us guys!

Thank you to all who came out to see us perform on this our Fourth National Tour.
and thanks also to all the presenters. Here are some of their comments:

2008 Jews Brothers Feedback Comments
I thought the band were great.  I think they pulled off a good show in a difficult space.  
Westland Community Centre Inc
Quality was fantastic.  
Just Imagine Russell
Superb...very professional...excellent timing, stage presence & musicianship.  Excellent entertainers and musicians.  
Onewhero Society of Performing Arts
Thoroughly enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience. 
 Whangaroa Community Arts Council
Absolutely brilliant.  
Saracens Cafe & Bush Lounge Karameaå
Awesome...fantastic...top quality and a style we would otherwise never get to see in Cromwell.  
Lake Dunstan Boat Club
The Jews Brothers (and sister) have amazing ability musically...Linn has the most amazing vocal range& lovely bubbly personality...my 13 year old said it was “cool” and great to listen to.  
Inangahua Arts Council
Great night...engaged the audience...positive comments from audience.  
Alexandra Community Arts 
Excellent.  
Waimate Community Arts Council