The Songs Of Al Park ‘Better Already’ Album Release

A showcase to celebrate the release of ‘Better Already’ – The songs of Al Park.

Buy a copy of the new album and get free entry to the show.

Featuring guest performances from some of NZ’s finest musicians; who sang, interpreted and recorded Al Parks songs for his album ‘Better Already’

Jordan Luck, Adam McGrath, Barry Saunders, Janice Grey, Adam Hattaway, Anthea Struthers, Helen Mulholland. (Also on the record but not at the show, Marlon Williams, Delaney Davidson, Anita Clark).

With the backing of an all star band throughout: Elemore Jones, Ryan Fisherman, Mike Kime and Adam Hattaway.

Support from Katie Thompson.

Over the years Al Park has woven a rich tapestry out of the experience of being a musician in the relatively small city of Christchurch. He has commandeered many a Saturday night as front man of his own bands and has given a huge amount of positive energy to the local music scene in his role as organiser and promoter.

Nurturing talent and giving support and advice, he has brought music to the city with his venue Al’s Bar, seeing stars come and go, and as written his own experience into the history of the place. You could say Al has done it all, pushing shows, judging song competitions, vibing up gigs at the door, working record stores, running a tight gig schedule that would make most youngsters dizzy and the whole time constantly writing songs. Never really looking for the big time, for Al it has really been,
to quote Townes, “for the sake of the song”.

Al Parks songs are presented here by singers that have connected with him over the years. Be it starring as a pimp in Jordan Luck’s video “Victoria” in 1983, or collecting Janice Grey from her jail release in 1980. Gigging solidly through the 1980’s in Louis and the hopsacks with Helen Mulholland, or witnessing Delaney Davidson in High School band competition Rockquest
1989. Forging strong ties with Adam McGrath in Echo Records or mentoring a young Marlon Williams.

Al became an integral part of the city’s post-quake musical recovery. Surviving the 2011 earthquake under a table with Barry Saunders led to working with Anita Clark in the legendary
Harbour Union, and Anthea Struthers in Runaround Sue. He currently works with Elmore Jones and Adam Hathaway playing more nights of the week than not.

This album features songs Al has written over the years and serves both as a tribute to his work by his peers and also as evidence of a life lived fully in the heart of a community.

“It’s a thank you, a very loud and appreciative tip o’ the cap to someone who has had a shoulder to many wheels, a hand in many helpings, a voice of wisdom in many thinkings and wonderings” Adam McGrath.