Howick and NZ music legend John Hanlon on East FM, Saturday arvo

Phil from Farm Cove

John Hanlon knows he’s fortunate to be alive after suffering a life-threatening illness in recent times, and that’s why it’s with great delight we announce the Kiwi music legend is the NZ Music Month feature artist on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, 3-7pm (NZ time, May 28) on East FM.
We’ll be talking live with John Hanlon at 4.30pm and playing his latest album, Naked Truths (Ode), with all its 23 songs, from 5pm. He was thinking he might die when he was writing, playing and singing the tracks on this worldly work of art. “Confronted so starkly by my mortality I became even more determined to release these songs for posterity,” says Hanlon’s sleeve notes for Naked Truths.
“While, as the singer-songwriter I am credited with Words and Music, the reality is that my songs owe much to the genius of the Producer/Arrangers, Russell Finch in Australia and Bruce Lynch in New Zealand, and some other brilliant musicians.
“Over many years of recording, having my work so wonderfully interpreted by talented and sensitive people, has been my greatest reward.”
John Hanlon grew up in Howick and on this East Auckland patch started writing the songs that would bring him to national attention 50 years ago when his environmental and humanist folk-pop songs hit the top of the charts in New Zealand and made people think about social causes and conditions.
“You will find I continue to write in several genres, which means that with this album – like the proverbial box of chocolates – you never know what you might get next. I hope every unexpected change will surprise and delight you.”
If you admire and enjoy the music of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman and Dr John (and more), you’ll enjoy John Hanlon’s Naked Truths, superbly played on and produced by Bruce Lynch and Russell Finch and their fellow players.
When we’re not playing John’s music on Saturday’s She’ll Be Right, we’ll be spinning other Kiwi tracks on the last weekend in what has been an excellent NZ Music Month.
East FM is East Auckland’s vibrant community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally at www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.
She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. And this Saturday we’re grateful for John Hanlon. – PJ