The Best Of Prince Tui Teka

Nice clean vinyl and cover

Rare! Finest from legendary New Zealand performer - the late great Prince Tui Teka.

Prince Tui Teka learned his craft/earned his stripes working with The Maori Volcanics and other showbands of the time. He was born Tui Teka and took on "Prince" as part of his stage-name; a royalty bestowed upon him. Elvis was the King, so he wanted to be (New Zealand's) Prince. Another stage name was Tui Latui - he performed in bands, The Royal Samoans and Maoris and Prince Tui Latui & The Maori Troubadours.

He moved to Sydney to cut his teeth and learned something that can't be taught - the craft and skill of being an entertainer. He unlocked his natural talents (which were plenty) and, just as important, he did the yards. He worked the stage; he treaded the boards. He amassed the repertoire. He built a persona around his actual personality - if it was ever an act it was impossible to tell. He made himself the act.

From there he travelled further afield, spent time in Germany, travelling Europe, Australia, Japan, the Islands and back to New Zealand.

In 1970 Tui went solo. He spent the 70s touring New Zealand and Australia, working the pub circuit, working hard, bringing joy and music to people. He married his sweetheart, Missy. They were a comedy duo and sweet duet partners.

Tui Teka could play a dozen instruments, or thereabouts. He would ham it up on stage, his humour - which he, almost self-effacingly, called "dry" - would sometimes fall flat on purpose. Sometimes it was funny only to him ("hello Butcher, thanks for meating me") but this was part of the set-up - he could then win any audience over with a sensitive ballad, with a blast of trumpet or saxophone; with his and Missy's Guitar Boogie duet (on the one guitar).

Tui taught his band to play. His cousin David Mapu was the Tui Teka Band drummer. But only after Tui taught him some chops. ("It took two solid weeks of hard work. Now he is a very good drummer.") Teka believed it was best to teach the musicians what to play - then he knew what they would do and they knew what he was going to do. He choreographed and orchestrated his shows; his act.