Press

Daily News New Plymouth April 2002
by Garry Sharpe-Young

What did the Scotsman and the Irishman say to three Kiwis? No, it's not a joke. Apparently they must have said words to the effect of 'Let's form a band' and almost in the same breath 'and let's not leave anything out!'

Wellington act Jacky Tar offer the following advice to record shop employees on their 'Defenestration' album; 'file under New Zealand, World, Celtic, Funk, Rap, Rock and Dance'. Either they're astute enough to think stores will have to stock seven records in order to fulfil every category (actually advisable) or this band genuinely covers all the bases. There's not much Jacky Tar don't have a stab at, you'll also find both Blues and even an undercurrent of Punk attitude on display.

Jacky Tar's enthusiasm for drawing in a full range of cultures has been borne upon a self industry that first generated the 'Poor Man's Labour' debut CD. Since then they've toured Europe, a veritable haven for Celtic infused music and obviously impressed enough people to be invited back for a further round. Oddly the European nations that have no discernable Celtic history have been the ones to really take this type of music to their hearts as Jacky Tar have discovered in Italy, Holland and even Scandinavia.

Now I've been in an Irish bar in Europe, packed to the gunnels with normally unimpressionable Germans all going uncharacteristically bananas for Celtic Rock acts and it's a sight and sound to behold believe me. If Jacky Tar can whip up the kind of gusto they portray on record at their forthcoming New Plymouth shows we are in for a rare treat.

One listen to 'Defenestration' though takes the listener on a varied and eclectic journey through pretty much every genre the label credits warned of. Jacky Tar weave traditional Celtic instruments such as the Bodhran and pipes of Grant Shearer alongside banjo and mandolin of Nick Swan along with some lyrical fiddle work Sarah McFadyen yet somehow manage to keep the whole thrust of their music exceptionally modern. The employment of varied vocal styles also manages to add further variety if any were needed and to cap it all it seems they invited in a friend to lend the percussive embellishments of shakers, guerros, timpani shells and, er.hub caps.

On paper it might come across as an impending cacophony but on disc Jacky Tar certainly make it work with the range of instruments giving colour to a finely crafted set of songs. The band joyfully raid olde English, traditional Scottish and naturally Irish musical archives but even throw in the odd shade of deepest Africa. Their dedication even extends to wrapping the whole thing up in genuine and very broad accents. More timid listeners be warned though, the tradition does not stifle frontman Andy Kerr from offering up some very funny and tongue in cheek risqué lyrical content. The band make Folk music both fun and faithful and if they washed their mouths out with soap and water they could find themselves with some welcome radio play!

Jacky Tar play a two night run at Peggy Gordan's bar on Friday the 12th and Saturday the 13th of April. This will be their last Taranaki appearance upfront of touring in Europe. If anything it's going to be a unique experience.

-ooOoo-

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