BLUE SMOKE RECORDS
Music has the power to transport us to another time and place.
Blue Smoke Records was established to do just that - to transport listeners to the music
of post-war New Zealand by restoring the magical recordings of Pixie Williams
more than 60 years after their release.
In 1949, as an unknown 21 year old, Pixie became a household name singing Blue Smoke, a song that appealed to post-war sentiments, evoking the emotion and sadness of parting loved ones heading to war. Little known today was that Pixie went on to record a further 12 songs, mixing universal themes and international musical styles with an unmistakable flavour of Aotearoa, New Zealand,
before slipping quietly from the limelight she didn't enjoy.
Blue Smoke Records' first project was to gather and digitally remaster Pixie's unique collection
of original recordings for the first time for a new generation to enjoy.
"The discovery and restoration of Pixie Williams' recordings is an important event in the history of New Zealand music. It will make available to the public fantastic works that would have otherwise been lost forever."
Stephen O'Hoy, Amplifier 2011
PROJECTS
Blue Smoke Records is proud to present three very special projects
that celebrate the music and story of
- Pixie Williams -
The Documentary
PIXIE
PIXIE is the remarkable story of
Pixie Williams, our first pop star,
and Aotearoa's musical pioneers.
Given New Zealand's post-war cultural landscape was more discriminating than today, PIXIE is the fascinating tale
of how two self-taught artists from the same iwi came to make
New Zealand recording history.
Director: Danny Mulholland
Producer: Julian Arahanga, AWA Films
Live Show
Portrait of Pixie
A unique festival performance
showcasing the songbook of
Pixie Williams and the music
that influenced her.
Songbirds Kirsten Te Rito, Rachel Fraser and Katelin Little with The New Blue Band
bring Pixie's music to life, and light the stage with songs that shaped a generation.
TSB Theatre, New Plymouth
Saturday, 14 November 2020
7.30pm
Tribute Album
The New Blue
Remixed and Reimagined
A tribute album is under production to reimagine Pixie's recordings with Aotearoa's leading and emerging contemporary artists. The album will include Te Reo versions of select songs, including Blue Smoke with Stroma Filmworks Orchestra recording a remix version accompanying Pixie's original vocals.
Producers: Mike Gibson, Munki Studios
Riki Gooch & Lisa Tomlins
SUPPORTED BY
Blue Smoke Records gratefully acknowledges the following funding partners,
without whose support these nationally significant projects would not be possible.
He ao te rangi ka uhia, mā te huruhuru te manu ka rere.
The sky needs clouds to clothe it. Birds need feathers to fly.
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