Lawrence Arabia

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January 27, 2013 by Simon Sweetman

Gig Review: Lawrence Arabia (Jan 26, Wellington)

Lawrence Arabia San Francisco Bath House Saturday, January 26 As he sings of everyone “mucking in”, it’s apparent, instantly – everyone on stage mucking in so beautifully, so perfectly – that James Milne (working name: Lawrence Arabia) has, over the last half-dozen years, built and shaped a sound-world around him. The on-stage character all but [...]

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January 18, 2013 by Simon Sweetman

Five Albums I’m Loving Right Now: James Milne (Lawrence Arabia)

Proud Cantabrian and cricket bore James Milne’s last album as Lawrence Arabia, The Sparrow, came out last year, and remains out to this very day. Herr Arabia is playing with a band and a string quartet at Wellington’s San Francisco Bath House on Saturday January 26, at Laneway Festival on Monday January 28, and at [...]

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November 23, 2012 by Simon Sweetman

The Vinyl Countdown # 1464

Harry Nilsson, The Point! (1971) Saturday mornings now I get up early. I have a son, one year old Oscar. He gets up early. And that means I do too. Sometimes I woke up before he does. And when that happens I go and get myself a coffee – or get one started. I get [...]

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November 9, 2012 by Simon Sweetman

The Vinyl Countdown # 1490

Lawrence Arabia, The Sparrow (2012) I think James Milne – aka Lawrence Arabia – is one of the best, sharpest songwriters working in New Zealand today. And I think he’s ahead of the game in terms of knowing how to manage shtick, write tremendous songs, coax wonderful performances and reference a range of pop songwriting [...]

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November 4, 2012 by Simon Sweetman

The Vinyl Countdown # 1500

Fabulous/Arabia, Unlimited Buffet (2011) Lawrence Arabia hasn’t put a foot wrong if you ask me – and this collaboration album is a charming side-step that isn’t really too wildly divertive from his solo albums. There’s a more pronounced feeling of groove, sure. And I continue to hear this as being on a line with some [...]