DUDLEY Benson makes beautiful music.
His latest album, Forest: Songs by Hirini Melboune, interweaves elements of barbershop, choral and folk music with beat boxing, ethereal harmony and bird mimicry. The entire album is made up of human voice, except contributions from taonga paoro (traditional Maori instrumentation) authority Richard Nunns. The idea definitely gets points for originality.
Benson’s expert musicianship and his respect for the songs of Hirini Melbourne and for Maori tikanga (culture and customs) is what ensures the experiment pays off.
“The project was a two and a half year process,” says Benson, which includes 18 months of Te Reo study at University of Auckland, “not just for the language but to step into Te Ao Maori [the Maori world]. After that I felt very comfortable semi-straddling the two places. Although I fully acknowledge that I am Pakeha, and can only do as well as a Pakeha person tackling Maori art.”
The album is a testament to Melbourne’s bird waiata, written for children. “Hirini felt that if Te Reo had any chance of surviving it would be through our tamariki. His was very seminal and vital work for us as New Zealanders at the time.”
How have the Maori community received the interpretation of Melbourne’s works by this Pakeha boy from Christchurch?
“Some are protective about his life’s work, it’s very important to many people. But it’s never rude, more just a slight hesitance and I so understand that. That usually disappears through korero and through sharing the work,” he says.
Working with Melbourne’s longtime collaborator Richard Nunns on Benson’s last tour stirred initial ideas for the album, but the need for it really struck home when he visited Te Wharawhara, or Ulva Island, a sanctuary off Stewart Island.
“It’s incredibly beautiful ancient forest, but at the same time there were very alarming periods of silence. It’s my duty as an artist to help that cause.”
As his study of Te Reo progressed, Benson began to feel more strongly the need for its conservation too.
“I’d love to think possibly my record may encourage someone with no background in Te Reo to do so,” he says.
Benson’s own relationship with Te Reo has only just started.
“It’s a journey you have to go on for many years, and really immerse yourself in it from day to day. I haven’t had the opportunity to do that yet. My time learning was very much a foundation, the first step through the door.”
Dudley Benson Live with vocal ensemble the Dawn Chorus and internationally-ranked female beatboxer Hopey One, Pipitea Marae, 55 Thorndon Quay, November 20.