About

Graeme Humphreys and Peter Keen were the primary songwriting partnership of the critically acclaimed Able Tasmans, a New Zealand band in the Flying Nun stable that produced 4 albums and one EP from 1986 to 1996.

The imminent departure of vocalist and lyricist Peter Keen to an oceanographic research vessel hurling about on fearsome oceans over 5km above the seabed for the next 2 years drove the two to complete the project before he left.

Recorded in November of 2003 at  Helen Young Studio with the assistance of Andre Upston.

Former Able Tasmans Jane Dodd and Craig Mason feature on this record as well as Tasmans Ron Young assisting with synth set-up and Leslie Jonkers, who provided the cover artwork. Peter Scott provided double bass on the majority of the tracks. Other selected musicians completed the picture. Victoria Kelly realized the string components and Kingsley Melhuish the brass.

Peter and Graeme collaborated with a wide variety of musicians and this is an album that focuses on the potential of the studio to refine and shape ideas. Recorded in 2003 with Andre Upston at Helen Young studios and completed after Peter left to work in England the album might well be enjoyed by former followers of the Tasman ethic but presents new work in a new way by this song writing duo.

The album takes it’s name from the A B Paterson character Clancy of the Overflow. Patterson’s work being long admired by both Graeme and Peter, but the ideas are drawn from many sources; Australian outback poetry; magic realism; a train between Bologna and Firenze; and our dark little rainy island.

Until 2006 Graeme worked at Radio Sport in New Zealand as the afternoon host and compiled sardonic sports highlight video packages as well as appearing on Sports Café on TV2 in New Zealand under the name Graeme Hill.  He continues to write for satirical television productions Eating Media Lunch and The Unauthorised History of New Zealand and is a weekend Radio Magazine-Show host on Radio Live in New Zealand as well as hosting talkback on Monday and Tuesday nights.