After an RNZ career spanning five decades, presenter and producer Lynn Freeman is saying farewell.
Before taking off for a new role with Forest and Bird, she made us a mixtape.
Lynn Freeman Photo: RNZ
For the last 21 years, Lynn has championed the arts as presenter of Standing Room Only (formerly Arts on Sunday).
A couple of her interview highlights were veteran English actor Derek Jacobi and American songwriter Suzanne Vega (on Nine to Noon).
At the end of the conversation, Vega broke into an acapella version of her 1992 hit 'Tom's Diner'.
"I literally stopped breathing and I wanted to give her this big round of applause afterwards but I was in tears."
For her Mixtape, Lynn selected tracks she had a visceral response to when she first heard them.
"I'm very content with these. I think they tell a story of my life and career and a little bit about me, as well. My hope is that I've been quite an individual and quite a few of the singers that I like have strong personalities and really individual voices."
Lynn played...
Phil Collins - 'In the Air Tonight'
This 1981 song is one Lynn has played more than any other - sometimes sitting between her speakers and air-drumming.
"There's just so much meaning and it's really dramatic… and I just think Phil Collins is just a legend. This was him in his prime as a drummer and I could tell you every moment of the track, every beat, every word."
Grace Jones - 'I've Seen That Face Before'
"I think she's a magnificent singer and I don't know anyone else who sounds like her and I appreciate that and I love it. She doesn't care what anyone else thinks of her. I've tried to live a little bit like that myself. Be your own person, do your own thing, be true to yourself ... It's just a damn fine song and that kind of French tango feel to it… it's one of my dance songs."
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - 'Symphony no.25 in G Minor'
Lynn recalls hearing the opening moments of this symphony while watching the 1984 film Amadeus.
"I was just so in love with the music."
Gotye (feat Kimbra) - 'Somebody That I Used To Know'
New Zealanders were so proud when this 2011 collaboration with Australian musician Gotye kicked off the career of young New Zealand singer Kimbra Johnson.
"I loved seeing Kimbra being celebrated because her voice is just gorgeous. Without it, the song would not be what it is. It's really powerful."
Victoria Kelly - 'Requiem' (words by Sam Hunt and featuring the voice of Simon O’Neill)
"I listened to it and I just couldn't move for a while. I was transfixed. I love the fact Simon has gone somewhere unusual for him. I think it's almost falsetto… I love that art can have such an impact that we stop in our tracks."
Tiritiri Matangi Morning Chorus
This recording from one of New Zealand's oldest island sanctuaries features kōkako, saddlebacks and North Island robins singing as though they're being conducted, Lynn says.
