OP-ED: Environmental / Social / Political by Daniel Gannaway

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

http://www.cdbaby.com/all/danielgannaway

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More truly independent releases:

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2006 - ELECPHONIC

2004 - kidameln - the kidameln lo-fi

http://www.cdbaby.com/group/trulyindependent

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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.

http://www.cdbaby.com/group/trulyindependent

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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]

@ http://www.cdbaby.com/danielgannaway8

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

@ http://www.cdbaby.com/danielgannaway7

"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

@ http://www.cdbaby.com/danielgannaway6

"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

@ http://www.cdbaby.com/danielgannaway5

"...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." - AllAboutSurf.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..." - Indie-Music.com

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Daniel's music is available from such online digital providers as:

http://www.Mp3tunes.com/DanielGannaway

AudioLunchbox; Apple iTunes Music Store; Rhapsody; Napster; BuyMusic; Emusic; Sony Connect...

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CafePress Stores Now Open!

http://www.cafepress.com/danielgannaway

http://www.cafepress.com/kidameln

http://www.cafepress.com/trulyindie

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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 MoveOn.org 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

-

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

-

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

-

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

A.M.E.R.I.C.Americans

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

A.M.E.R.I.C.Americans

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?

A.M.E.R.I.C.Americans

Oh Such fine patriots

And concerned citizens

-

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

-

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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