Music month kicks off on bum note (+video/audio)

To be honest I can't quite see the bit where Judith Tizard 'seems unfamiliar with the lyrics'. She seems to follow along fine (if not in a particularly cool fashion).

Ha! My '80s self may well be turning in its shallow grave and my 21st century self couldn't give a damn. I would like to clarify a few points in your strangely antagonistic story about the launch of New Zealand Music Month. Certainly, Ms Tizard got up to sing along with me, as did members of the New Zealand Music Commission and NZ On Air. They did so not out of any desire to be erstatz rockstars but because I had asked for, demanded even, that I be joined by four backing singers for the conclusion of one song. It is hardly to be expected that any of them should be anything but "unfamiliar with the lyrics" - they were hearing the song - from an album only out for ten days or so - for the first time. I salute Ms. Tizard and her fellow enthusiasts for joining in the spirit of the moment and the event. As to my own reported comments, I have not been misquoted but most decidedly quoted very selectively. My remarks about giving "about 30 seconds' consideration to NZ Music Month" were made in the context of attempting to explain to your reporter why I was unable to give substantive answers to her questions about the impact of the Music Month and the Music Commission. And while true that "it's not something that concerns me" this is because music is not my only means of income; that, personally, the need for such mechanisms and enterprises does not impact to any great degree on my creative or financial life. Both the Music Month and the Commission have however had a most beneficial effect for a host of other musicians for whom this art is their only income. Similarly, I certainly "thought it was a good opportunity to push this album"; I would be stupid not to do so. But this was no "confession" or "admission", merely a light-hearted response to your reporter's probing. With little visibility for my new album, this was a minor part of my motive for playing but I wouldn't have done the gig if I was opposed to what it was representing, that's not the way I work. For my money NZ Music Month has done a powerful job of mainstreaming local music and I was most happy to help celebrate that fact. It was a fun little event, everyone enjoyed themselves. There were bum notes but they were all mine - I hit the wrong chords on two or three occasions - but this is nothing unusual. I just find it a little sad that something so positive must be portrayed in such a negative fashion.

Utterly mortifying. The song is 'All I Want Is You', and Tizard looks just like your square old auntie having a song and dance after a couple of shandys. There are few things sadder than an MP trying to be 'hip', but rock musicians who buddy up to them are definitely in the ballpark. Shame on you, Knox; your 1980s self would be most upset. Moreover, no MP should attempt to sing publicly, ever. Who among us can forget the Parliamentary Angry Wimmen Foursome 'performing' that rewrite of 'The Gambler' to John Keys a month or so ago. Brrrr...

I wouldn't give Ms Tizard such a hard time - I think most people would struggle with that quiz and that has no relationship to how much they like or support NZ music. More important that they buy the music rather than download and copy it for FREE!

You say she didn't know the lyrics, what lyrics of what song?