One of Aotearoa’s most beloved songwriters, Don McGlashan, releases a career first: his debut solo live album, Take It to the Bridge. Reflecting on the show, McGlashan says:
“The “Take It To The Bridge” Tour was a stand-out. Even though I’ve toured a lot, there was something about this one: the people we met, the venues we played in, and the new things we learned about the songs every night, that made it extraordinary.”
Captured over 23 nights across the motu with special guest Anita Clark (Motte), the album is more than just a keepsake from the road. It’s a portrait of a musician at the height of his powers, distilling decades of songwriting into intimate performances that carry all the warmth, humour, and emotional depth McGlashan brings to the stage.
Among the highlights is the album’s focus track, ‘Miracle Sun,’ which earned McGlashan a 2006 APRA Silver Scroll nomination and remains a luminous example of his storytelling craft. Evoking a mythical Kiwi summer, the song nods to Opo, the friendly dolphin whose visits to Opononi in the 1950s became part of national legend.
Released on limited edition 8-track black 12’ LP and 13-track CD, as well as digitally. More than just a souvenir of the tour, Take It to the Bridge offers up McGlashan’s songs in their rawest and most intimate form, proof of the enduring connection between this performer and his audience.
Alongside celebrated solo material, McGlashan breathes new life into songs from Blam Blam Blam, The Mutton Birds, and The Front Lawn. His stories, part folk diary, part social history, are stripped back to their essence. At his side throughout is Anita Clark. Her violin, mandolin, and theremin lines, along with her vocal harmonies, weave quietly but powerfully through the set. The result is something both delicate and commanding.
August has been a landmark month for McGlashan, with the NZIFF premiere of Anchor Me: The Don McGlashan Story, performing with Neil Finn’s Infinity Session, a sold-out Nelson show, and a packed house and a standing ovation across the other side of Te Wai Pounamu at the Christchurch Town Hall for his show with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Now, another milestone: his debut solo live album, Take It to the Bridge, is out now.
Don McGlashan – Take It to the Bridge
Out now
ORDER | LISTEN
TRACKLISTINGS
12” Vinyl
Side A:
‘Harbour Bridge’ – Loons, Lyttelton 28.09.23
‘Charles Kingsford Smith’ – Globe Theatre, Palmerston North 22.09.23
‘Miracle Sun’ – Q Theatre, Auckland 31.10.23
‘White Valiant’ – Loons, Lyttelton 28.09.23
Side B:
‘Shackleton’ – Q Theatre, Auckland 31.10.23
‘The Heater*’ – Q Theatre, Auckland 31.10.23
‘A Thing Well Made’ – Loons, Lyttelton 27.09.23
‘Anchor Me’ – Q Theatre, Auckland 31.10.23
CD | Digital
‘Harbour Bridge’ – Loons, Lyttelton 28.09.23
‘Don’t Fight It, Marsha, It’s Bigger Than Both Of Us’ – Cannon Heath, Carterton 17.09.23
‘Charles Kingsford Smith’ – Globe Theatre, Palmerston North 22.09.23
‘Miracle Sun’ – Q Theatre, Auckland 31.10.23
‘Bathe In The River’ – Cannon Heath, Carterton 17.09.23
‘Nothing On The Windows’ – Q Theatre, Auckland 31.10.23
‘White Valiant’ – Loons, Lyttelton 28.09.23
‘Go Back In’ – Cannon Heath, Carterton 17.09.23
‘Shackleton’ – Q Theatre, Auckland 31.10.23
‘The Heater*’ – Q Theatre, Auckland 31.10.23
‘Pulled Along By Love’ – Loons, Lyttelton 28.09.23
‘A Thing Well Made’ – Loons, Lyttelton 27.09.23
‘Anchor Me – Q Theatre, Auckland 31.10.23
