The Ballad of Joe Taihape

In his new collection of poetry Glenn Colquhoun pays tribute to the narrative poem, and to all the joys of rhythm and rhyme that are associated with it. It also introduces us to the adventures of one of New Zealand’s most enigmatic and elusive musicians — Joe Taihape. Beautifully presented as a graphic epic poem by some of Aotearoa / New Zealand’s leading artists and illustrators it is a wonderful way to re-discover the power of poetry to spin a yarn — and to put a smile on your face. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of learning a poem by heart, wondered about things that go bump in the middle of the night, or heard what you thought was the wind moaning along some empty Aotearoan valley, then cock your head and listen out for Joe Taihape. He’s a singer, he’s a singer, he’s a wanderer-a-longer, and for every sort a’ sorrow he’s a cure.