It's a Long Way to Tipperary
John McCormack
Nana was the one who first got me into music. At 5.30pm every Sunday, we'd hear the strains of It's a Long Way to Tipperary coming from the oak radio cabinet and know it was time for the Diggers' request session. Nana lost
her two stepsons and her brother in World War I. She'd sit in a brocade chair (which I still have) in her blue dressing gown, lapping up every word. I wonder now if she was waiting for someone to mention her own loved ones.
April Sun in Cuba
Kantuta
I used to hang out with the guys from Dragon back in my university days when I was playing flamenco at the Oyster Barrel on Queen St. I think this version takes their composition back to its roots. And I love how it reflects the multi-ethnic community that is Auckland.
Flamenco Puro
Sabicas
My guitar hero as a kid was the Roma artist Agustin Castellon, known as Sabicas – this is Jimi Hendrix's Are You Experienced for flamenco. His style switches from whimsical and romantic to blazing intensity. Every note is crystal clear. What makes him unique is the beautiful rich tone he evokes. The flamenco guitar he plays on this album was made in Madrid in the 50s, by Marcelo Barbero.
The Definitive Collection
Ray Columbus and the Invaders
She's a Mod was one of the first songs I learned to play on Nana's guitar. Later, I spent an idyllic week with the man himself for TVNZ's Sunday programme. He showed me over the Green Room in Christchurch, where he used to play for US servicemen from the Operation Deep Freeze missions to Antarctica back in the 50s. That was his introduction to rock 'n' roll and pathway to mod culture. A couple of years later, the Green Room vanished in the earthquake. I'd always thought his name was theatrical – not so. He told me his family claimed descent from Christopher Columbus but were forced to flee the Spanish Inquisition.
Community Music
Asian Dub Foundation
In 2001, I shot a story for the Holmes show in Oldham [near Manchester in the UK] about race riots between whites and Asians. One of the Asian gangs had just beaten up a BBC crew, but when they realised we were all the way from New Zealand, the reception was completely different... suddenly they were world famous! They showed us where a bus had been torched the previous night, the pub where windows were smashed; and talked about the poverty gap and why they resented being marginalised. The white skinheads were equally co-operative. This was the soundtrack we used for the story. I'm a big fan of Asian dub and the melting pot of British music.
Spanish TV (YouTube)
Diego del Gastor and Miguel El Funi
When I was growing up, there were just three books in the public library on flamenco. Two were about guitar maestro Diego del Gastor and his nephews, Paco and Juan. I never dreamed that one day I'd be taught by Juan in Spain, let alone become his friend. A few years ago, he took me on a social visit to [flamenco gypsy singer and dancer] Miguel's village. We were sitting in Miguel's lounge when after a couple of vinos, Juan got out his guitar and the two began to jam. Every time they hit something Juan had taught me, he gave me a theatrical wink.
As told to Joanna Wane
* Flamenco guitarist and former TV news reporter Ian Sinclair is on the road with his nationwide My Secret Life tour until March 29, supported by Arts on Tour NZ. For details, visit aotnz.co.nz
