Marvellous music

Andre Chumko’s article on bilingual recording in Aotearoa (News, July 18) was interesting. My response is that any musician of integrity will follow their own kaupapa, and not be swayed by money, fashion or peer pressures. Ria Hall’s 2020

CD Manawa Wera has only the title in te reo. All seven songs are in English. When questioned about this by Kim Hill, Hall replied that she wanted a wider audience to hear her words.

My personal response is that Manawa Wera is one of the finest recordings of original lyrics in English or te reo released in recent years. Marvellous music and challenging lyrics – to warm the heart and stir the mind of all Pa¯ keha¯ .

John Thornley, Palmerston North