A locally-recorded CD featuring Whangarei musicians has won an international award.

Peter Posa’s album My Pick was recently named International Instrumentalist CD of the Year 2007 by the United States’ National Traditional Country Music Association.

Mr Posa – New Zealand’s guitar hero of the 1960s – recorded the double album at Kamo’s Music Mayhem in 2003, after a 20-year hiatus from the music world.

My Pick includes instrumental backing from Whangarei musicians the Outlaws band, featuring Jim Wallace and sons Alex, Jim and Robert.

It includes Oklahoma – an original song written by Jim senior – and was co-produced and engineered by Peter and Alex.

Alex says recording the album with the music legend was an incredible experience.

"I learned heaps off Peter, his attention to detail was amazing, especially tuning, tone, tempo and feel of the music," he says.

"It was an incredible experience watching him play and I was very humbled to be there supporting and providing technical backup."

Recording the double-CD took just a fortnight another 10 days for mixing.

"He played every song perfectly and most were first take. That’s why it’s so good – he’s a perfectionist," says Alex.

Peter was inspired to come to Northland after hearing one of Alex’s mixes and said at the time that the Wallace family was the best backup team he had worked with.

My Pick, featuring country and gospel, is Peter’s return to music after nearly 20 years. His 1963 version of White Rabbit remains one of the biggest selling instrumental records by a New Zealand artist.

Whangarei Leader

My pick [sound recording] / Peter Posa.

Date

2003

By

Posa, Peter., Wallace, Alex., Wallace, Jim, Jr., Wallace, Robert, musician., Wallace, Jim, Sr.

Notes

CD 1: Country. La cucaracha -- Dreaming my dreams with you -- Amigo's guitar -- Maggie -- Oklahoma -- Hank Williams medley : A mansion on the hill ; Take these chains from my heart ; Cold, cold heart ; I can't help it, if I'm still in love with you -- Dark moon -- Mind your own business -- Yellow bandana -- Mexico -- Anita, you're dreaming -- Blue eyes crying in the rain -- Help me make it through the night -- I can't stop loving you -- It's not supposed to be that way -- Six days on the road -- Country medley : Oh lonesome me ; Blue blue day ; I'll walk the line.

CD 2: Gospel. Amazing grace -- The old rugged cross -- What a friend we have in Jesus -- Silent night -- He touched me -- I surrender all -- Why me -- Whispering hope -- Near the cross -- Just as I am -- Softly and tenderly -- In the garden -- Highest place -- The healer -- Scripture song medley : Come Holy Spirit ; Oh how I love Jesus ; He's the saviour of my soul ; Cause me to come ; Set my spirit free ; Thou art worthy.

Popular country and gospel guitar music.

Compact discs.

Peter Posa ; with Alex Wallace, acoustic and electric guitars ; Jim Wallace Jnr, bass ; Robert Wallace, drums ; Jim Wallace Snr, harmonica.

Recorded at Music Mayhem Studio, Kamo, Whangarei.

Publisher

New Zealand : BMG New Zealand, p2003.

Format

2 sound discs (117 min., 39 sec.): digital ; 4 3/4 in.