MP3 Daniel Gannaway - OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political
Documenting many of singer/songwriter/surfer Daniel Gannaway''s previously unrecorded songs of environmental, social and political importance, OP-ED is an inspired compilation of acoustic material on guitar and ukulele - recorded in Hawaii during Feb 06.
13 MP3 Songs
FOLK: like Ani, FOLK: Political
Details:
Daniel Gannaway
OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political
Documenting many of Daniel''s previously unrecorded songs of environmental, social and political importance, and re-interpreting others, OP-ED is an inspired compilation of acoustic material on guitar and ukulele which was recorded in Hawaii during February of 2006.
Since the release of FINE BY ME in 1998, Daniel has been a strident proponent of independent music – following this with five further albums, as well as a group effort with Kidameln in 2004 to create ''the kidameln lo-fi''.
As time and albums have passed, Daniel’s music has stylistically ebbed and flowed – at one point pared back and raw, at another full-bodied and polished, but at all times potent and inspired. Bound and Suburban in 2001, for example, was a composition of stories and recollections which provided a beautiful counterpoint to the poignant simplicity of Bootlegged at the Temple, recorded the previous year.
Daniel’s 2004 release – darling one year – was perhaps his most musically confident effort, traversing a broad range of personal experiences and heart-felt issues, wrapped in some truly quixotic melodies. 2005’s SUMMER STORM | a collection of ukulele ditties, on the other hand, was a wonderfully light composition which often belied the intensity of the lyrical content.
Emanating from these contrasts, OP-ED sits comfortably in the Truly Independent discography. The album is composed of 13 tracks which reflect upon precipitous issues and events faced by various countries and governments since 2000.
For example, the lead track – A Flower Down The Barrel Of A Gun – was inspired by the post-9/11 warmongering of US President George W Bush and written in support of the Global Candlelight Vigil for Peace – a public reaction against the US-led invasion of Iraq.
Track three – Dividing You – attempts to highlight the ever-diminishing value of human life in the modern era by examining a 2001 crisis in Australia when the Norwegian cargo ship Tampa rescued 438 Afghan refugees from a sinking Indonesian ferry and was then denied permission to disembark the weary travellers on Australian soil at Christmas Island.
The album’s closing track, Waterfall Wahine [Waimea Valley] tells of a Honolulu City Council proposal to subdivide and sell a large portion of Waimea Valley on Oahu''s North Shore (just along from Sharks Cove). A huge visitor attraction and home to world-famous botanical collections and a large number of archaeologically significant sites, the valley is of huge cultural value to both the native Hawaiian people and the North Shore community. Through Waterfall Wahine, Daniel sought to speak out against shameless profiteering of developers and custodians of public lands.
Daniel Gannaway’s OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political is an inspiring and poignant examination of the life we lead in this ‘new millennium’ – a life fraught with compromise, greed and stark contrasts between right and wrong. OP-ED, however, is also an exercise in hope: hope in the individual’s ability to affect change and in the capacity of collective action to create a better world.
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Reviews: Daniel Gannaway ~ OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political
Posted on Saturday, June 03, 2006 @ 04:18:25 EST
Topic: Reviews
Artist: Daniel Gannaway
CD: OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political
Home: San Francisco, California
Style: Political Folk
Quote: "Perhaps politics might actually catch on if Gannaway were doing the singing, instead of John Ashcroft''s barbershop quartet."
By Todd Beemis
The aptly titled Op-Ed by Daniel Gannaway is a baker''s dozen of quietly heartfelt, earnest and musically accomplished screeds against ecologically damaging development, war, coastline preservation and New Zealand''s student loan program, to name but a few of the topics.
Unlike some bald-faced political albums however, Gannaway matches political passion with folk-pop chops and a voice that I could listen to singing the phone book. Like Paul Weller''s Style Council, Gannaway uses the clever approach of hooky music to sugarcoat the impatient pill of his call-to-action lyrics.
Recorded in Hawaii, some of the instruments reflect a tropical influence. The strummy ukeleles of "A Just Senator" could be heard at any tourist-trap luau on the Big Island, but they accompany a thoughtful j''accuse of hawkish politicians.
Thankfully, Gannaway lets a spare arrangement and his own mellifluous voice carry the record, never resorting to bombast or cereal filler "big" sounds designed to pander to an MTV ear.
Perhaps politics might actually catch on if Gannaway were doing the singing, instead of John Ashcroft''s barbershop quartet. It''s a thought. But until the Republican or Democratic National Convention is converted into a Broadway musical, we''ll have to make do with Daniel. And that''s going to be just fine for fans of indie folk pop with a message.
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Sitting somewhat to the left of the political spectrum, Daniel Gannaway''s songs examine current environmental, social and political events as they apply on bth a global and more personal level. Even though the songs are placed in stripped down acoustic settings with just guitar, voice and harmonica, this is not really the music of a protesting folkie. More the explorations and observations of life in a new century and how, for Gannaway especially, things could be different. It''s a straight up and down approach that leaves little for interpretation and places the songs in a definite time and space with references to 9/11, the Tampa refugees and local environmental issues. There''s enough of an edge in his performances to keep this album from being just another strum along acoustic folk record, although with the recording done in Hawaii it''s no surprise a laid back surfer vibe surfaces now and then. Maybe Gannaway''s next album will contain the answers to the many questions raised.
Tim Page - NZ Musician Magazine
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Albums by kiwi [NZ] indie singer/songwriter Daniel Gannaway:
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2006 - OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political
2005 - SUMMER STORM | A collection of ukulele ditties
2004 - darling one year
2002 - BOOTLEGGED AT THE 12 BAR CLUB [released 2006]
2001 - Bound and Suburban
2000 - Bootlegged at the Temple
1999 - flashback*
1998 - FINE BY ME
https://www.tradebit.com
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More truly independent releases:
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2006 - ELECPHONIC
2004 - kidameln - the kidameln lo-fi
https://www.tradebit.com
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truly independent has kidameln''s debut & Daniel''s first 3 albums in the CD Baby $5 Specials!
This means that if you buy these four albums [the kidameln lo-fi, FINE BY ME, flashback* & Bootlegged at the Temple] together in one purchase, the price per album will drop to $5. You''ll get all 4 for only $20!!!
These albums contain classic Daniel Gannaway songs like Sarah, Daisy, Zebra Crossing, Rest, Midnight''s Gone, Avenues, Your Winning Way, A French Girl, and kidameln classics like ''I''m in'', ''See me smiling'' Hey ho'' & Circles, just to name a few...
As always, thank you for supporting truly independent music.
https://www.tradebit.com
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truly independent recommends a newly recovered live gem of Daniel:
BOOTLEGGED AT THE 12 BAR CLUB
[11 Songs - Solo Acoustic - London - April 2002]
@ https://www.tradebit.com
Recorded live in an intimate little venue in the centre of London – the 12 Bar Club – Daniel’s vocal range and delicate guitar, sometimes complimented by harmonica, are collected surprisingly well and make for a beautifully meandering compilation.
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Daniel''s latest album:
OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political
@ https://www.tradebit.com
"Documenting many of Daniel''s previously unrecorded songs of environmental, social and political importance, OP-ED is an inspired compilation of acoustic material on guitar and ukulele - all recorded in Hawaii during February of 2006."
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truly independent recommends Daniels popular ukulele album:
SUMMER STORM | A collection of ukulele ditties
@ https://www.tradebit.com
"Written and recorded in Hawaii and New Zealand, Summer Storm - Daniel''s sixth solo outing - references laidback island life with the ukulele''s nylon strings, while wrapping it up in the kind of dynamic folk/indie-rock/electronic feel..."
"...like Gannaway''s home country, this music [SUMMER STORM] is an exotic, faraway place in relationship to the rest of the overall modern musical landscape. Nevertheless, these unique Gannaway sounds offer a pleasant getaway" - Indie-Music.
"...The great aspect of the album [SUMMER STORM] is that each song''s arrangement maintains a minimalistic nature, which shows a discipline and a depth of understanding on Gannaway''s part. Underneath the ukelele, the cruising drums and harmonic supporting bass grooves provide an all around easy and easily recommendable listen..." - NZ Musician Magazine
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Also highly recommended: darling one year
@ https://www.tradebit.com
"...A perfect blend of lyrics, emotion and rhythm...If your looking for some refreshing new music for the soul, I whole-heartedly recommend darling one year as a must have for your collection." - https://www.tradebit.com
"...Down to earth and laid back, it has none of the musical tension of trying too hard or the injection of false emotions. Suburban folky and bohemian chic, it [darling one year] ties up agreeably layered and distorted vocals into an angst-ridden, quirky pop as catchy as The Strokes but easily as mysteriously engaging as James Keenan Maynard..." - https://www.tradebit.com
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Daniel''s music is available from such online digital providers as:
https://www.tradebit.com
AudioLunchbox; Apple iTunes Music Store; Rhapsody; Napster; BuyMusic; Emusic; Sony Connect...
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CafePress Stores Now Open!
https://www.tradebit.com
https://www.tradebit.com
https://www.tradebit.com
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Lyrics, and liner note song explanations below:
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Track 01: A Flower Down The Barrel Of A Gun
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
What we need isa
What we need is a
Flower down the barrel of a gun
What we need is a
What we need is a
Flower down the barrel of a gun
We don''t need no George Bush
He''s raising a war on terror rising paranoia
He''s developing a culture of fear
Surely it ain''t doing any good around here
I say
What we need is a
What we need is a
Flower down the barrel of a gun
What we need is a
What we need is a
Flower down the barrel of a gun
''Cause senseless warmongering
Will only encourage backlash terrorrism
Do you think the use of force is wrong?
Does it show us how to better get along?
I say
What we need is a
What we need is a
Flower down the barrel of a gun
What we need is a
What we need is a
Flower down the barrel of all these guns
All these guns
All these guns
All these guns
Let''s make a prayer for peace
Let''s hope they can work it out
Let''s make a prayer for peace
Let''s hope they can work it out
Well Herman Goering said the public can be dragged along
The leaders just need to decide for a war
We''re endangered if we pray for peace
But they need to know it''s in our best interest
I say
What we need is a
What we need is a
Flower down the barrel of a gun
What we need is a
What we need is a
Flower down the barrel of all these guns
© Daniel Gannaway/Apra - March 2003
-
Inspired by the post-9/11 warmongering of US President George W Bush, ‘A Flower Down The Barrel Of A Gun’ was written in London in support of the Global Candlelight Vigil for Peace. This event – held on March 16, 2003 – was organised by https://www.tradebit.com as a public reaction against the US-led invasion of Iraq.
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Track 02: Selling Off The Country
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
Have we sold off the country as a cure for short term debt?
Have we sold off all our assets for a future full of regret?
Well where is the forward thinking here?
Our future lies in preserving what''s scarce
Create a meal ticket for our own
By not being foreign owned
Are we selling off this country?
Are we selling off this country oh?
Are we selling off this country?
Are we selling off this country oh no?
You can''t blame people for getting ahead
Selling Cape Kidnappers or Young Nick''s Head
Someone offshore owns our monuments
There''s a loophole in our land protection act
Well where is the forward thinking here?
Our future lies in preserving what''s scarce
Create a meal ticket for our own
By not being foreign owned
Are we selling off this country?
Are we selling off this country oh?
Are we selling off this country?
Are we selling off this country oh?
Are we selling off this country?
Are we selling off this country oh?
Are we selling off this country?
Are we selling it off?
Are we selling it off?
You can only sell it once
You can only sell it once
You can only sell it once
You can only sell it once
You hope folk from other places
Will have a similar view of whats fair
They''ll say it''s mine I own it
But you can walk on that coastline there
They won''t drain local economy
With their one holiday month a year
We won''t be shut out by short term dollar''s clout
Aotearoa will remain beautiful beyond all doubt
Beyond all doubt
Beautiful
© Daniel Gannaway/Apra - January 2004
-
Written in London in May 2003, ‘Selling Off The Country’ questions the sale of formerly state-owned land in New Zealand to foreign interests. The preservation of this land for the collective enjoyment of all kiwis and visitors to Aotearoa is an issue of profound significance, yet - in increasing volumes - iconic and culturally significant land has been forever lost to all of us.
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Track 03: Dividing You
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
Adrift in a boat
Paying for escape
A people in this world so dislocated
Praying you won''t sink
With nothing to drink
You''re saved somehow by a Norwegian ship
They''re sending you wherever they can
Maybe Aotearoa Nauru or some other Pacific Island
Sending you wherever they can
Mr Howard''s Aussi government just doesn''t want to let you in
Sending you wherever they can
Maybe Aotearoa Nauru or some other Pacific Island
Sending you wherever they can
Mr Howard''s Aussi government just doesn''t want to let you in
You''re hoping for permission to stand
Free in some Van Diemen''s land
But gun boats and the military
Stopped you dreaming out at sea
They''re sending you wherever they can
Maybe Aotearoa Nauru or some other Pacific Island
Sending you wherever they can
Mr Howard''s Aussi government just doesn''t want to let you in
Sending you wherever they can
Maybe Aotearoa Nauru or some other Pacific Island
Sending you wherever they can
Mr Howard''s Aussi government just doesn''t want to let you
They''re dividing you
They''re dividing you
Oh it''s despicable
Dividing you
They''re dividing you
Oh it''s despicable
Adrift in a boat
Paying for escape
A people in this world so dislocated
© Daniel Gannaway /APRA - September 2001
-
In 2001, the Australian government faced a crisis when the Norwegian cargo ship ‘Tampa’ rescued 438 Afghan refugees from a sinking Indonesian ferry and requested permission to disembark the weary travellers on Australian soil at Christmas Island. ‘Dividing You’ is a reflection on the Howard-led government’s refusal to allow this, necessitating a reroute for the Tampa to Papua New Guinea. New Zealand and Nauru offered quarter to the refugees, flying them from PNG and processed their asylum claims. Written in the Netherlands in September 2001, this song attempts to highlight the ever-diminishing value of human life in the modern era.
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Track 04: A Just Senator
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 1999
You''re a just senator
Hypocrisy is not your fare
You''re a just senator
Hypocrisy is not your fare
You''re sending your children off to war
Just like those of the middle class and those of the poor
You agree with this it''s democratic and fair
Your children proudly serving over there
You''re a just senator
Hypocrisy is not your fare
You''re a just senator
Hypocrisy is not your fare
You''re sending your children off to war
Just like those of the middle class and those of the poor
You serve the government but as a parent you care
That they don''t die for lies while they''re over there
You''re a just senator
Hypocrisy is not your fare
© Daniel Gannaway/APRA - September 2005
-
From SUMMER STORM [2005]
Inspired by Michael Moore''s Fahrenheit 9/11 and by the increasing number of dead or wounded US soldiers in Iraq, ‘A Just Senator’ was written in Hawaii in June 2004 and aimed at the many warmongers on Washington’s Capitol Hill. The willingness of these ‘hawks’ to send other people’s children to fight and die is contrasted by the mythical ‘just senator’ who sends his own to fight and die alongside them.
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Track 05: Save The Waves
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
Another coastal gem
Somehow threatened
By development
A truly unique wave
Might no longer break
If we sit around and wait
''Cause every wave is unique
No two rides are the same yeah
''Cause every wave is unique
No two rides are the same
Save
Save the waves
Can we turn a blind eye
To some pipeline
With alternatives to try?
And that marina wall
No notification at all
Mother nature wasn''t called
''Cause every wave is unique
No two rides are the same yeah
''Cause every wave is unique
No two rides are the same yeah
''Cause every wave is unique
No two rides are the same yeah
''Cause every wave is unique
No two rides are the same
Save
Save the waves
Save
Save
Save the waves
We should be concerned
As surfers we yearn
For every tube and turn
And a thing far worse
Than singing crowded verse
Would be no spots to surf
© Daniel Gannaway/Apra - November 2004
-
Written in New Zealand in November 2004, ‘Save The Waves’ is an attempt to draw attention to coastlines worldwide, ravaged by development in all its various forms. Hopeful that the song would help raise awareness of endangered waves like the now destroyed ‘Harry''s’ in Mexico, Daniel also wanted to highlight the tireless work done by organisations such as Save The Waves, Wildcoast and The Surfrider Foundation.
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Track 06: Inner City Temples
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
I love this inner city temple
It''s a place where you can come and hear
Endangered music drowned out by the sound of that traffic
It''s driving by just out there
So let''s turn the volume up
Let''s all smile and slap the bar top
We might even get arrested
For enjoying our own back catalogue
That''s noise control, people
They want to shut down art
That''s noise control, people
They want to shut down art
Shut down art
Shut down art
Let''s pretend for a minute
We got a country oozing musical talent
Let''s pretend for a minute
These temples provide a home for it
But developers build the walls too thin
And lied-to tenants want to hear willows in the wind
And the council doesn''t know whether
To move art out or in
Art out or in
That''s noise control, people
They want to shut down art
That''s noise control, people
They want to shut down art
Shut down art
Shut down art
Well great cities are centers for cultural collision
And great cities hustle with life 24/7
And great cities know that the secret''s in the feel of their streets
Great cities know that these temples are where the people meet
Where the people meet
Where the people meet
Where the people meet
I love this inner city temple
It''s a place where you can come and hear
Endangered music drowned out by the sound of the traffic
It''s driving by just out there
© Daniel Gannaway/APRA - May 2002
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The Temple – once located on upper Queen St in Auckland City, New Zealand – was one of the few remaining venues which supported live acoustic music and poetry. Now gone – after a prolonged battle with the Auckland City Council - but not forgotten, the Temple will be remembered as a nurturer of unknown talent and cultural exchange, and a venue which lived up to its namesake. RIP the Temple...
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Track 07: Under The Thumb
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
Looks like you’ve made good on your promises
Happy friends now with a war time cash cow
Looks like you’ve made good on your promises
Happy friends now with a war time cash cow
You''ve had a country
Under the thumb
With your cronies in government
Under the thumb
With your cronies in government
Don''t forget about the voter
Don''t forget about the citizens
Looks like it’s time for voter promises
You want a second term now
But did you win the first round?
Looks like it’s time for voter promises
You want a second term now
But did you win the first round?
You''ve had a country
Under the thumb
With your cronies in government
Under the thumb
With your cronies in government
Were you even voted in?
Were you even voted in?
Were you even voted in?
Stolen election
Well that''s what brothers are for
To fudge up the ballot box and more
And daddy''s footsteps are war filled
With these greenbacks and some backslaps
And some greenbacks and some backslaps
Were you even voted in?
Were you even voted in?
Were you even voted in?
Stolen election
© Daniel Gannaway/APRA - April 2004
-
Written in New Zealand in May 2004, shortly before the US election, ‘Under The Thumb’ was inspired both by the farcical US elections of 2000 and the inevitable Republican triumph which would follow four years later. While many were left in a state of confusion over anomalies in Florida’s votes and Governor Jeb Bush’s suggested involvement, the 2004 elections continued this confusion with anomalies in Ohio votes. No doubt a Pandora’s Box yet to be opened...
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Track 08: No Mall At Sharks Cove
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
Give them an inch and
Well they''ll take a mile
Turn a cinema into McDonalds
Say ''Oh how did that happen last night?''
Now say hello to Mc McRonald
If we want country
Let''s keep it country
If we want town
Let''s go to town
We don''t need any
Mall in Sharks Cove
We''ve already got enough of them
Sharks around
They’re swimming around
They''ll ask twice as much so
They get just what they want
When we compromise
Let them make a start
Soon more buildings
Will be they’ll be popping up
''Till we won''t recognise country
And we wish they''d stop
If we want country
Let''s keep it country
If we want town
Let''s go to town
We don''t need any
Mall in Sharks Cove
We''ve already got enough of them
Sharks around
They’re swimming around yeah
Developing it up like hell
Developing it up like hell
Developing it up like hell
Developing it up like hell
Developing it
If we really need to go
Oahu''s got Costco
Ala Moana in
Honolulu
Do we really need more parking lots
In paradise?
We want real progress then
Let''s preserve this place
If we want country
Let''s keep it country
If we want town
Let''s go to town
We don''t need any
Mall in Sharks Cove
We''ve already got enough of them
Sharks around
They’re swimming around yeah
© Daniel Gannaway/APRA - January 2005
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From SUMMER STORM | a collection of ukulele ditties [2005]
Inspired by the ‘NO MALL AT SHARKS COVE’ bumper stickers and idyllic Sharks Cove itself, this song spoke out against a proposed high-intensity mall development which would have utterly destroyed the natural beauty of the area. Sharks Cove is the second most visited Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) area on Oahu after Hanauma Bay and offers some of the best freediving and diving on the North Shore. Written in January 2005 in Hawaii, ‘No Mall At Sharks Cove’ hoped for cancellation of development, in favour of something responsible.
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Track 09: Student Debt Sucks
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
Well there was your your boombox
On the table pounding out a packing beat
And all your talk of student debt
Increasing exponentially
It''s no wonder that you leave
If they just wanted to make money
Why didn''t they say so?
Instead of lending you astray
Then saying you can''t escape to
Somewhere you can make a dent
Against a growing debt
It''s like a mortgage tied right around
Your young young neck
Well they expect to stop this brain drain
By accumulating interest on your payments
While you make no headway
Staying here means ending up with nothing
If they just wanted to make money
Why didn''t they say so?
Instead of lending you astray
Then saying you can''t escape to
Somewhere you can make a dent
Against a growing debt
It''s like a mortgage tied right around
Your young neck
Hey
Keep packing
Well it''s a shame to leave for something other
Than pleasure or adventure
But you got this debt to pay
And no one local can better the offer
And the knowledge you got
Could singlehandedly raise the country’s gdp
But to pay back this debt you got to get get
So keep at it it and keep pack
Keep packing
Hey
Keep packing
© Daniel Gannaway/APRA - February 2004
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From darling one year [2004]
A critical factor in New Zealand''s ''brain drain'' and specifically responsible for the nation''s dire medical skill shortage, the student loans scheme is credited with driving most recent graduates overseas to higher comparative incomes. ‘Student Debt Sucks‘, written some time during the late 90’s, is a reaction to this controversial and punitive system, speaking out against the ludicrous debts now implicit in obtaining a university degree in NZ.
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Track 10: Kiwis Against Seabed Mining
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
What''s this?
It’s just black sand
The government treats it like an extension of the land
Sells it off to the highest bidder
They come suck it up with their giant vacuum
Cleaner
Cleaner
Cleaner
Cleaner
Cleaner
Cleaner
And the government sings
Our Green Agenda is central to our vision
We are committed to protecting and enhancing our
Environment
What''s this?
It’s just black sand
On the West Coast it''s the signature of the land
It''s getting sold off to the highest bidder
Crown Minerals Act ''91 sends it up their giant vacuum
Cleaner
Cleaner
Cleaner
Cleaner
Cleaner
Cleaner
And the government sings
Our Green Agenda is central to our vision
We are committed to protecting and enhancing our
Green Agenda is central to our vision
We are committed to protecting and enhancing our
Environment
[...Gidday
I''m one of the remaining 111
Critically endangered Maui dolphins
You know that same area that protects us from gill netting?
Now it''s open to seabed mining
The next most endangered category for us is ahhh...
Extinct... ]
Our Green Agenda is central to our vision
We are committed to protecting and enhancing our
Green Agenda is central to our vision
We are committed to protecting and enhancing our
Environment
© Daniel Gannaway/Apra - July 2005
-
Following the New Zealand government’s decision to grant a prospecting license for huge areas of the west coast’s seabed, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) sought to highlight the seriousness of the threat to our coastlines and marine environments. Written in July 2005 in support of this campaign, ‘Kiwis Against Seabed Mining’ as a song aims to draw attention its namesake organisation and to the recklessness of this mining activity.
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Track 11: It''s Amazing Grace
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
It''s amazing Grace
He''s doing the world no favors
Least of all that country I''d call your own
He''s pre-emptively turning that flag of 50 stars
Into a skull and cross bones
He doesn''t represent a single one of my friends
Kind giving intelligent beings
I love them all and I would proudly stand
With these
https://www.tradebit.comricans
He''s a mercenary
Using the Lord''s name in vain
He''s offering the spoils of war to those who''ve highest paid
Into his election coffers
His business round table
He don''t deserve the vote if the citizens ain''t able
To have secure public health care
And a good education in school
To live in a country that doesn''t attack other countries at will
These are just a few things said by my friends that ain''t fools
They are
https://www.tradebit.comricans
A.M.E.R.I.C.
It''s amazing Grace
Why''d you save a wretch like him?
It''s amazing Grace he''s doing the world no favors
Least of all that country I''d call your own
With a fraction of the war billions
He could solve world hunger
And sort out those problems that have cropped up at home
Would hatred breed if it was food instead of bombs?
If fair trade ruled instead of free trade pollutions?
Would the world still talk smack about good people like my friends?
https://www.tradebit.comricans
Oh Such fine patriots
And concerned citizens
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With global sentiment towards the US at an all-time low, ‘It''s Amazing Grace’ is an attempt to point out that very nearly half of all Americans did not want Bush to lead their country and must suffer their leader and his follies for years and generations to come. Written in New Zealand in March 2004, ‘It''s Amazing Grace’ will play out to four more years of imperialism under the Bush administration.
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Track 12: Saving Africa [Letter to Tony Blair]
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
You''re returning to a rain swept Westminster
And I hear that you''re going to save Africa
You''ll pull it from some heart of darkness
So that in a civilised light it can exist
Well big claims don''t mean much if they''re all talk and no action
If this is just some kind of publicity grabbing mission
‘Cause that''s a fair bit of debt to clear up with your tax payers permission
Better stop selling arms to those same countries that you talk of saving
Just a point
Maybe it''s you who''ll have to do the listening
’Cause from what I hear
Old colonial rule is not too welcome
But according to you and your sources
It''s the other way around
You''ve got the solution to their third world bind
Big claims don''t mean much if they''re all talk and no action
If this is just some kind of publicity grabbing mission
‘Cause that''s a fair bit of debt to clear up with your tax payers permission
Better stop selling arms to those same countries that you talk of saving
Africa
Saving Africa
Saving Africa
You talk of saving it
Here''s the thing
Maybe to save them
You''re going to have to open your market up to a fairer trade
Stop selling them old missiles guns mines and grenades
© Daniel Gannaway/Apra - March 2002
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Written in London in March 2002, this song was inspired by Tony Blair’s recent ‘goodwill’ trip to Africa. In an attempt to cast Anglo foreign policy in a more benevolent light, the Blair administration pressed the idea that Africa could be ‘saved’ from the burden of western debt. Shortly after this trip, however, the UK completed the sale of military radar systems and surplus weapons to a variety of debt-ridden African countries. A sword that cuts both ways, it would seem...
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Track 13: Waterfall Wahine [Waimea Valley]
Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2006
In ancient times Hawaiians believed
The valley had healing powers
So they''d come to the foot of the Waihe''e Falls
And bath their wounded soldiers
Don''t chop the valley up for an investor''s profit driven funds
It''s priceless preserved for us all and for generations to come
The giant waves are crashing into Waimea Bay
Follow the river up the valley and you just might find
A waterfall wahine
Deep cultural significance and botanical collections aside
Development threatens to change forever what the valley is like
Don''t chop the valley up for an investor''s profit driven funds
It''s priceless preserved for us all and for generations to come
The giant waves are crashing into Waimea Bay
Follow the river up the valley and you just might find
A waterfall wahine
A waterfall wahine
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley
The giant waves are crashing into Waimea Bay
Follow the river up the valley and you just might find
A waterfall wahine
© Daniel Gannaway/Apra - December 2005
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When the Honolulu City Council proposed the subdivision and sale of a large portion of Waimea Valley on Oahu''s North Shore (just along from Sharks Cove), a groundswell of resentment began to build. A huge visitor attraction and home to world-famous botanical collections and a large number of archaeologically significant sites, the valley is of huge cultural value to the native Hawaiian people and the North Shore community. Written in Hawaii in December 2005, ‘Waterfall Wahine’ speaks out against shameless profiteering of developers and custodians of public lands.
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