Aloha mai!Welcome to the new year! While there's only one new Hawaiian music CD to talk about, there are *plenty* of Hawaiian music concerts coming up, especially for you ki ho'alu (slack key) fans on the mainland. See the calendar below.
But first, I wanted to list my CD picks of 1997. I was having a tough time deciding between three CDs I have really enjoyed, and then I thought, shoots, just list all of them as my favorites. (This isn't that Na Hoku awards, right? [g]) Besides, most Hawaiian music fans I know buy more than one CD a year [g], so you probably wouldn't mind hearing about three great recordings.
In no particular order, the first one I recommend from 1997 is Amy Hanaiali'i's Hawaiian Tradition. (Amy's a little hard to keep track of. [g} She released her first CD, Native Child, as Amy Gilliom, and makes concerts appearances now as Amy Hanaiali'i (which I believe is her middle name). However, the CD jackets simplys lists her as "Amy." However, by any name, she has come out with a stunning CD. Her voice is *strongly* reminiscent of a young Genoa Keawe, sometimes as effortlessly lyrical as a bird, sometimes vigorous and brassy, and sometimes with a vibrato you could drive a car through. Yet her touch on these songs, whether carefree or tender, is sure and heartfelt. Complementing Amy's voice and sending the CD into another dimention of excellence is Willie K, whose instrumentals are fresh, forceful, and never, ever dull. His use of mandolin on the incredibly catchy "Hanaiali'i Nui La Ea" and his soft as a cloud guitar work on the pensive "Kaulana Wailua A'o Moloka'i," are only two examples of his exquisite accompaniment. Buy this one.
The second recommendation is from Hawai'i's shy and unassuming megastar, Keali'i Reichel. His eagerly awaited third release, E O Mai, follows the familiar formula that worked so well for Kawaipunahele and Lei Hali'a, but you have to forgive him for that because it works so well. [g] Keali'i simply has one of the richest, most approachable voices in Hawaiian music. His warm, expressive middle register caresses songs in both English and Hawaiian. And Keali'i proves more than just another pretty voice with his originals compositions, the haunting title track, "Malie's Song," and "Ka 'Opihi O Kanapou." This CD is not quite a pretty to the ears on first listen as Kawaipunahele, but if you give the music a chance you'll find numbers that will make their way into your heart, especially (for me) "E O Mai," "Patchwork Quilt," "Ka Ano'i Pua," "If I Had Words," and "Malie's Song." I'm not crazy about the English language duet, "My Love is a Natural Thing," but "Ballad of the Broken Word" sets out new, and interesting direction for Keali'i. Buy this one too. [g]
My third recommendation slipped out quietly in the end of 1997, but I have it on my CD player more often than anything else. It's the boringly-titled, ugly covered, but musically fascinating Celebrating Life Through Friends and Music by "Uncle" Harry Koizumi. Harry is a first-rate instrumental talent, and he has surrounded himself with equally talented friends to make this amazingly fresh and vibrant collage of music. Some of the songs are twangy, rough, and down-home, like "Patches" and "Amazing Grace," some are smooth as sueded silk, such as his 12-string version of "Nani Kaua'i," and others are just plain beautiful and easy on the ear, like the best backyard jam you ever walked into. Standout numbers include "Hula Lady" with Greg Sardinha on steel guitar; "Lei Nani," a joyful trio with Rolinda Bean and Ellsworth Simeona, the delicate "Ku'u Wahi Aloha," the heartfelt "Kilakila Haleakala," with kumu hula Vicky Holt-Takamine on vocals, and the cutest, funkiest version of "I'll Remember You," again with Greg, sounding like something you'd hear off a victrola. The variety of styles is amazing, but Harry and company pulls it off. This is an overlooked gem -- there's not a number on this CD I didn't like. What the heck, buy this one too. [g]
Bonus CD: I was giving serious consideration to the 5-song CD sampler released by Mo'opuna as best CD, and then I thought that it wasn't fair to stack it up with full length CDs. I will tell you that I was so impressed with the smooth yet passionate vocals and the tasty guitar playing that I played the heck out of it, except for the last song which just seems, stylistically, as though it should be on another CD. These guys are going places, and this CD is goona be a colelctors item. Get yourself a copy so you can say you knew them when. [g]
I've listed all the concerts I know of through January. If you know of any concerts coming up in your area, please drop me an email at "susanj@lava.net" Please don't drop the "j": the woman with the account "susan" at lava net does not appreciate getting my mail and does not forward it to me.
And now on to the CD!
Recordings
Pekelo live! Piha Hau'oli(KKR 4111) Here's the latest from Hana boy Pekelo Cosma. Pekelo fans will be happy, as he showcases his full-bodied instrumental style and Gabby-esque unpolished but heartfelt vocals. Live recordings have that special vibrancy that give a sense of excting immediacy. Songs are highlighted with banjo, guitar, and steel guitar, and include Pekelo's inimitable stylings of "Manu'o'o," "Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua," "Ahi Wela," "Manawela Boy" (apparently a Maui variation on "Manuela Boy [g], and the outstanding "Ka Ua Loku."
--Susan
susanj@lava.netLike Hawaiian music? Find out the latest concerts and releases on Susan's Hawaiian Music Page, now at:
http://www.nahenahe.net/susanmusic/current.html or
http://www.interpac.net/~nahenahe/susanmusic/current.html
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