Record Making Charcuterie

Recently opened gourmet Charcuterie 'Big Bad Wolf' at 262 Wakefield Street, Wellington has celebrated its connection with Pixie Williams by offering the remastered collection for sale from its premises.

"Our building was Radio Corporation’s purpose built Columbus Recording Studio where the majority of Pixie’s songs were recorded under the TANZA label – and is where her most famous song ‘Blue Smoke’ was recorded. As the first record wholly written, recorded and produced in New Zealand back in 1948 – we are incredibly proud of the association.   In fact, we believe the recording studio where Pixie would have stood is actually my office,"  said Julie Powell, owner of Big Bad Wolf. 

"We knew the historical connection our building had with this recording, and adore everything about the remastered collection - from the songs themselves of course, to the beautiful story of their original making.  And in a twist of fate, I was actually involved in helping Blue Smoke Records on the remastering project – so it was even more important to me that Big Bad Wolf was able to share the story with our customers, and offer Pixie’s CD for sale. We also have a framed copy of one of the original 'Blue Smoke' Shellac records which has been signed by Pixie which is very special for us to have.”

So for a food and music match made in ‘smokin’ heaven’ – pop into Big Bad Wolf and secure yourself the best of both. Guaranteed to please.

Tribute Album out early April

Blue Smoke Records is proud to announce the long awaited tribute album 'Do You Remember? A tribute to Pixie Williams' by Shelley Mac is to be released digitally on 5 April 2013.

Featuring several Pixie Williams remakes, the album has been 2 years in the making and will be available from www.amplifier.co.nz and iTunes.

Recorded on both sides of the globe, Mac travelled to the home of jazz and blues, New Orleans to work with songwriter and producer, Bud Tower to rework some of the lyrics and contemporise the songs.

Recorded in renowned Fudge Recording Studio, Mac was fortunate that co-owner of the studio, Shane Theriot (guitar frontman for the likes of Beyonce, LeAnn Rimes, Madeleine Peyroux, Willie Nelson and the Neville Brothers) was moved to join them in the recording studio when he heard the original Williams' recordings and the story behind the tribute.  An absolute legend on guitar, his contribution to the recordings are standout. Other outstanding jazz/blues contributions include Harry Connnick Jnr's band leader and trombone player Mark Mullins, David Tokanowsky on keys and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Crossing the globe back to New Zealand, several of our own standout musicians were employed to finish off the tribute. Our own jazz and blues Te Reo diva, Whirimako Black, lent her magic, and Dr Richard Nunns (internationally recognised authority on Maori instruments) played Putatara.  A haunting Karanga, courtesy of Ria Hall with backing vocals by Lisa Tomlins, Kirsten Te Rito and Rio Hemopo took 'Maoriland' to an entirely different level, and our own Black Seeds producer and steel guitar aficiando Dr Lee Prebble not only played, but produced the New Zealand component of the album.  

64 years ago Pixie Williams first stepped into a recording studio to record Blue Smoke and 12 other songs of the time. Remastered and released again in 2011, 2 years on, we hope you enjoy Shelley Mac's tribute to Pixie, and her version of these muscial treasures.

Happy birthday

On 12 July Pixie Costello (nee Williams) turned 84 years old, and enjoyed her birthday with friends, family and caregivers supping on champagne and her beloved Speights beer. "I do love a glass of bubbles, but  you can't beat a Speights," was her response when asked what her favourite tipple was.

And on reaching the age of 84 she said, "Who me, you've got the wrong girl, I'm 21 and loving it!'

Pixie, who lives in a Rest Home and Hospital in Upper Hutt, suffers from Parkinsons but still enjoys singing and humming her way through the day. She can still carry a tune.

Only NZ Album Nominated...

Blue Smoke Records is proud to announce For the Record: The Pixie Williams Collection 1949-1951, nominated in the Reissue Album Category of the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards, is the only kiwi album in the running to win out of over 300 self-released and independent music label artists.

Winners will be determined by a panel of 77 influential artist and industry judges including Keith Richards, Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Joshua Redman, Tori Amos, Michael Franti, Bettye LaVette, Del McCoury, Ozzy Osbourne, Shelby Lynne, Alan Light (Live From The Artists Den), Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center), Sara Beesley (Joe's Pub) Chris Diaz (Knitting Factory Entertainment), and Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter) and will be announced in April, 2012.

In addition to industry-determined Winners, music fans from around the world have until Friday, July 20, 2012 to cast their votes at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected IMA Winners.

Global Music Award Nomination

On March 8, 2012 Blue Smoke Records got the email we'd been waiting hoping for!  

On behalf of Music Resource Group, The IMAs, and our distinguished judging panelists, it is our pleasure to congratulate Pixie Williams on being nominated in the Reissue Album Category for For the Record - The Pixie Williams Collection 1949-1951 in The 11th Independent Music Awards.

Celebrating the democracy of creativity and meritocracy of talent, The Independent Music Awards honor exceptional independent artists traditionally ignored by mass media and big box retailers.

For the past 11 years, artists and labels from around the world have found new fans and prominence through The Independent Music Awards. Produced by Music Resource Group, publisher of the popular industry networking database The Musician's Atlas, and producers of the webTV series, Grooveable Feast, The IMAs uses its unrivaled access to performance, promotion & distribution opportunities to connect Winners and Nominees to new audiences and revenue opportunities.

This year, more than 300 exceptional self-released and independent label artists, as well as former major label acts, were named by Music Resource Group (MRG) today as Nominees in The 11th annual Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.

Representing the broad spectrum of today's global independent music scene, the Nominees in over 70 Song, Album, Music Video and Design categories were culled from thousands of submissions from North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Details and complete list of Nominees and Judges are available at TheIndependentMusicAwards.com