New Zealand FolkRock
The second Ode Single (1973)
SPIRIT OF
-PELORUS JACK-
-The Single-
WRITER: John Donoghue
RECORDING ARTIST: John Donoghue
LABEL: Ode Record Company (ODE.56A)
"Spirit of Pelorus Jack" is a NZ folkrock song that laments the degradation of our planet's oceans by human activities.
Written in 1971, it was inspired by, and dedicated to, "Pelorus Jack," a world-renowned Risso's Dolphin who guided ships across New Zealand's Cook's Strait from 1888 until 1912.
The single was the title track of the Timberjack Donoghue debut album released in 1973. The album went on to win "New Zealand Album of the Year Award."
"Spirit of Pelorus Jack" is a contemporary folksong written in the 6/8 style of a traditional sea shanty.
CREDITS:
Vocals, Piano and Acoustic Guitar: John Donoghue
Acoustic Guitar and Backing Vocals: Martin Hope
Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals: Graeme Thompson
Accordian and Backing Vocals: Steve McDonald
Engineer: Frank Douglas.
Producer: Terence O'Neil Joyce.
Recorded at: EMI Studios, Wellington, NZ.
__________________________
FOR THE RECORD
"Pelorus Jack," New Zealand's first world-famous Dolphin, appeared in 1888.
He became the first Marine Animal in the world to be protected by an Act of Parliament, (1904) but was to tragically die in mysterious circumstances eight years later.
Pelorus Jack was making headline news around the world right throughout the first decade of the Twentieth Century and here on the right can be seen gracing the 1910 Xmas Eve front page of the British London News
(click on picture to enlarge)
Excerpt from the Roger Donaldson film of "Spirit of Pelorus Jack."
L to R, John Donoghue, Martin Hope, Liz Coulter, Don Jousey.
For full cast listing see credits at end of movie clip below.
SPIRIT OF PELORUS JACK
-The Video-
ln 1973 New Zealand Film Director Roger Donaldson was intrigued enough by "Spirit of Pelorus Jack's" environmental message to offer to create a music clip for it.
Shot on 16mm film at Piha Beach, the video perfectly interprets the artistic intention of the song and was short-listed at the Toronto Environmental Film Awards the following year.
______________
FEATURED MUSIC VIDEO: "Spirit of Pelorus Jack"
"Spirit of Pelorus Jack," The Music Video, directed by Roger Donaldson.
- SPIRIT OF PELORUS JACK -
(Words &
Music by John Donoghue)
LYRICS
Oh Pelorus Jack, he did his best,
to keep mankind on his side
but to man a dolphin's
no more than a fish,
and don't memories soon die.
Now you're pouring your garbage out into the sea
it's reaching out to Jacky's grave
you can bet he's still grinning in his watery tomb
knowing
you cannot be saved.
Chorus:
And the Spirit of Pelorus Jack is alive
to keep us from going wrong
but unless he revives we cannot survive
and
the dolphins, play on.
_________
It was out on the Straits on a blustery morn'
when the Dolphins did find our ship
they played with us and stayed with us
leading us through the rip
and all of the while, they frolicked and smiled,
knowing that we were their friends
but woe betide, if the day does arrive
their mind Jack will change for them.
_________
Now the Sealers and whalers, how could they know?
too
busy killing for gold.
and that is the bloodstock that we're drawn from
though the big pots are rusted and cold
and now like foreign devils it's us doing the deeds
when will we understand?
that the flame of time might be flickerin' & dyin,'
apon this age of man.
__________________________
BONUS VIDEO: The Story of Pelorus Jack.
FEATURED VIDEO: The story of Pelorus Jack, from the NZ Archives.
AND HERE'S WHAT THE PRESS HAD TO SAY...
(Record Previews - Wellington Music Times - 1973)
JOHN'S SONG OF THE SEA
Over the last eighteen months Singer/Songwiter John Donoghue has won public recognition on several occasions.
As a member of the
group "Timberjack" he recorded "Come to the Sabbat."
As a solo act he reached the finals of the Loxene Golden Disc with "Dahli Mohammed" and as a member of The Human
Instinct he is currently reaping interest with the Peter Cape song "Down the hall on Saturday night."
Now John hopes to present something quite different .
He has been working on material for a solo album entitled "Spirit of Pelorus Jack."
The album consists
of all original compositions by John with the exception of one John Philips number he has always admired.
John explains; "The music is mostly acoustic, with piano, bass,
drums and acoustic guitar. It has a very light feel and is quite different to anything I've recorded before.
It includes new and old songs. The last track on side two
I wrote when I was sixteen and another was completed three minutes before we recorded it."
"The title track- "Spirit of Pelorus Jack" is based on the famous Dolphin
who used to guide ships from Cook's Strait through the Pelorus Sound. It was the first marine animal to be protected by an act of parliament."
The number will be released
as a single early next month and the album will be available about mid-February.
by Louise Warren