This new recording sees Meehan presenting Manhire's lyrics in jazz settings, with Meehan, Colin Hemmingsen and Hannah Griffin providing the music and vocals; and Manhire reading from his latest collection,The Victims Of Lightning.

BUDDHIST RAIN features Hannah Griffin (vocals), Colin Hemmingsen (reeds), Norman Meehan (piano) and Bill Manhire (words).

Bill Manhire has won numerous awards for his poetry, had a spot as New Zealand’s Poet Laureate, and continues to be NZ’s best-selling poet. This album represents a new phase in his work. Norman Meehan is a well-established composer, performer and educator, whose album THE BELLS was nominated for Best Album in the New Zealand Jazz Awards in 2008. His last album, SUN MOON STARS RAIN (Attar Music, 2009), successfully set a selection of poems by e. e. cummings to music. Hannah and Colin were also featured (along with fellow Wellingtonian, Nick van Dijk on trumpet), and it set the template for what would lead to this beautifully realised recording.

BUDDHIST RAIN is an intimate, at times witty, but always perceptive and attractive selection of very fine compositions. The recording quality is superb, and the standard of musicianship is extremely high. Norman’s piano holds the music together. Sensitive and supportive, it gently propels each track with confidence, clarity, and great feeling for dynamics and subtle shifts in nuance, mood, and the tonal shifts evident in Bill’s poetry. In this setting, Hannah and Colin shine, bringing an almost tangible visual presence to the words.