There was a moment last night at the Chris Knox benefit gig at the Kings Arms when I walked back inside from chatting to someone and looked up at the stage and I saw Neil Finn standing splendidly alone in the spotlight. He hit the first chords of the Split Enz song ” One Step Ahead” and many in the room stopped. He played a stirring version of “Private Universe”, and finished up, with a bit of help from his wife Sharon and others, with his version of Chris’ song “Its Love”. It was a stonkingly good performance on a night of them.
This was the launch party for the album of songs for Chris who suffered a debilitating stroke in June this year. But it was much more than that. It was a celebration of Chris life and work and it brought together folk from different parts of the music industry in NZ in a way you might not ever have imagined. SJD, Don McGlashan, Graeme Downes, The Finn Whanau, David Kilgour and Shayne Carter came and went on the stage in all manner of combinations.
The highlights were many. David Kilgour apologised to Chris for his version of Pull Down the Shades. To me it was the best I had ever heard. Shayne Carter played a memorable set from his back catalogue including three Double Happys numbers, the best of which was Needles and Plastic- the video for which I am pretty sure was filmed in Chris and Barbara’s living room.
There was also the moment where Chris got on stage. He may have lost the power of speech, but he has not lost the charisma of performance. It was, as someone near me said, a tribute to the triumph of human spirit.
Huge congrats to all involved. And please, buy the album.
So sorry I couldn’t be there. I was in spirit. And yes I will purchase the album and probably several for others. For me, Chris has been, is, and always will be, legend.
PS: Do we still call them albums?
Yes we still call them albums.
Good on them for coming out and helping their mate.
I tried to purchase the album at my local Warehouse today – was disappointed as they usually have the latest CD’s in stock, will keep looking and will probably have to go to a more up market muso shop. Was surfing the TV channels the other night and came across a doco on TVNZ7 where Chris hosted a group of people doing a photo shoot in the bowels of the South Island – can’t remember the photographer’s name, but one of the ‘models’ was Brian Turner and the photos were shot in costume at a graveyard which were absolutely wonderful. I was so impressed with Chris’ commentary and am so sorry he has lost the power of speech. Go well, Chris.