I guess you could call this week part two of last week's column.

I popped out to Paengaroa's Funky Lizard Cafe on Sunday and caught blues maestros The Hipshooters. What a great afternoon! I'd forgotten what a pleasure it is to sit out in the sun with a drink listening to music – roll on summer!

The boys gave me a couple of copies of their brand new CD ‘Broken Man'. They officially launch it at Drivers Bar tomorrow, December 5, after an Auckland release tonight. And we've got a copy to give away (see below).

First up, a brief word on the Funky Lizard, where Tipi Elkington and the boys played. A few people have asked about it and I'm more than happy to give a little plug since it's a very cool spot.

The Funky Lizard is in Paengaroa, which is exactly at the end of the new toll road, so you don't even have to drive through Te Puke (not that there's anything wrong with it...) if you feel disinclined to. There's not a lot in Paengaroa but if you come off the toll road, take the Rotorua turn and then look left you'll see a charming ramshackled wooden house, which is the Funky Lizard.

Inside is a warren of interconnected rooms stuffed with artworks of all sizes and shapes, a stage, tables and a small bar. Outside is a pleasant garden where music happens on Sundays during summer, often a group of locals led by Keith Birley (once of Rex Aperyx and Terra Firma), sometimes a touring band.

That's it really. I just thought I'd mention it as so many people asked what it was. Not a bad place to stop if you're out for a Sunday drive going south.

And back to the album, ‘Broken Man'. It's a great piece of work, easily my favourite Hipshooters collection so far, managing to combine the explosive energy of Tipi's dynamic lead guitar with the often more introspective nature of his lyrics and melodies.

As always there are stylistic echoes of the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan but a bigger influence here would seem to be Hendrix's sweeter chordal playing from such songs as ‘Little Wing'. There's even a touch of Infidels-era Dylan in occasional words and phrasing.

Musically it ranges from the sleazy swing of ‘If This is Love' through two dynamite instrumentals and a couple of funky romps written and sung by bass player Billy Williams, whose playing and singing are immaculate throughout. There's even a fantastic jump band duet with ‘Lil' Fi' that will have audiences dancing in the isles.
But it's a trio of Tipi's songs, ‘Morning Papers', ‘Let It Be True', and ‘Destination', all of which display that Dylan/Hendrix vibe, that particularly stand out.

Tipi at his best is a terrific lyricist, striking in his honesty and with a wry touch of self-deprecating humour. A line from ‘Morning Papers' is typical. As he reads the paper, reflecting on the sad state of the world he sings: 'I've been drinking coffee from dusk through to dawn/I'm broke and wired, but I'm well-informed”.

There's plenty of everything here for Hipshooter fans – exciting blues rock guitar-work, ferocious grooves from the rhythm section, some excellent extra keyboards to vary the three-piece sound, and a bunch of fine songs.

Oh, and Tipi is singing better than ever. In case you can't tell, I'm going to be listening to this a whole bunch and I recommend you do to – turn it up!

‘Broken Man' is online at the usual places or if you want a physical copy contact the band through their Facebook page.

[email protected]