Chris Bourke

Winner of NZ post Book of the Year for "Blue Smoke - The Lost Dawn of New Zealand Popular Music 1918-1964" speaks about his win and also review Randy Newman's recent Melbourne concerts. Audio

Author of 'Blue Smoke: the Lost Dawn of Popular Music in New Zealand, 1918-1964', which won the General Non-Fiction award, Book of the Year award, and People's Choice award, at the New Zealand Post… Audio

Featuring; Jill Scott, Amy LaVere, the passing of Amy Winehouse and plays a track from her album 'Frank'. Plus Madeleine Peyroux sings a version of a Bob Dylan song. Audio

Chris Bourke's Blue Smoke: The Lost Dawn of New Zealand Popular Music 1918 to 1964 has been named the Book of the Year. Audio

Music commentator Chris Bourke considers recent tributes to three wildly different periods of New Zealand pop music. Audio

Chris discusses three young English singers with fresh takes on folk, country and blues: Eliza Carthy, Eilen Jewell and Thea Gilmore. Audio

The Afterlife by Paul Simon and Where Are You Going When You're Gone by Greg Brown. Chris also dicusses A Fine Romance: Jewish songwriters, American songs by David Lehman (published by Schocken /… Audio

The songs are 'Cold Feet' off the album FOMO by the artist Liam Finn, 'Kiss the Specifics' off the album The Deep Field by the artist Joan as Police Woman (composer - Joan Wasser), 'Streetwise' off… Audio

Chris Bourke looks at the radio dance bands that broadcast live to air during the 1940s and 1950s, covers the impact of radio, and considers the influence of broadcasters such as Arthur Pearce… Audio

In this episode Chris Bourke covers Maori pop music pioneers such as Ana Hato, Dean Waretini, the Tahiwis, the influential guitar teacher and songwriter Walter Smith, and the legendary Campbell… Audio

Chris looks at The Secret Sisters, and The Webb Sisters who have recently been touring with Leonard Cohen. Audio

In this episode Chris Bourke features pioneers such as Tex Morton and the Tumbleweeds, as well as their acolytes such as Rex and Noelene Franklin, Johnny Granger, Jack Christie, Jack Riggir.

The… Audio

The early stars of New Zealand recording: singers such as Marion Waite, Pixie Williams, Mavis Rivers, Esme Stephens, Pat McMinn, and vocal groups such as the Knaves and the Stardusters. 

Blue Smoke:… Audio

Chris Bourke looks at Robbie Robertson, Howe Gelb, plus something funky and something jazzy. Audio

It's 100 years since the birth of Robert Johnson. Today Chris looks at his legacy and where the 'Blues' has evolved to. Audio

Chris reivews Jenny and Jonny, Claire and the Reasons, Little Bark and Patricia Vonne. Audio

Chris Bourke reviews Jenny and Jonny, Claire and the Reasons, and Little Bark. Audio

Rarotongan singer Will Crumber's first album in half a century. Arctic Tales Divide by Andrew Keoghan. Audio

Talking new releases with the author of 'Blue Smoke'. Audio

Music historian and author Chris Bourke has the Ultimate Kiwi Sing-A-Long party record. Audio