Story: Recording companies and studios

'Blue Smoke'

In lilting 3/4 time and with plaintive lap-steel guitar accompaniment, Pixie Williams' version of Ruru Karaitiana's 'Blue smoke' was the perfect choice to become the first wholly New Zealand sound recording. This is the label for that historic record, made in 1949 by the record label TANZA (To Assist New Zealand Artists). It proved an instant hit. It also sold widely overseas, and was later recorded by international stars such as Dean Martin.

Using this item

Western Bay Museum
Reference: Katikati Heritage Museum collection, IMG_2222.JPG

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Sound courtesy of Blue Smoke Records

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Mark Derby, 'Recording companies and studios - Birth of a recording industry', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/music/45088/blue-smoke (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Mark Derby, published 22 Oct 2014