Aloha mai!Well, this Hawaiian music page has been going strong for over three years now. Last time I checked, I had over 40,000 hits on the web site alone, and that doesn't count the folks who read this in newsgroups, or through the mailing list. Thanks for all the email suggestions, questions, and concert info! Specific thanks to two special people (you'll be hearing more about them later on this page), Keola Donaghy, who hosts this page at his terrific site, nahenahe.net, on the web, and Auntie Maria, of the Hawaiian Music Island, who trades concert info with me. [g]
On my past two anniversaries, I've shared with you my picks for the best Hawaiian music CDs of the year. This time I've asked Keola and Maria to join me. In addition to being a super host to me, Keola has designed many web site for Hawaiian musicians, such as Keali'i Reichel and Na Leo Pilimehana, and maintains what appears to me to be a complete list of Hawaiian musician webpages listings on his main site at http://www.nahenahe.net. Keola also has his own "Keola Awards" (you'll laugh out loud!) at http://www.nahenahe.net/1298/1998.html.
Maria runs The Hawaiian Music Island, what I believe is the first on-line website devoted exclusively to Hawaiian music. Her stock and her knowledge are vast, and her service reliable (I've used it to send items to relatives on the Mainland). She is also a frequent poster to the newsgroup alt.music.hawaiian.
So here are our picks for 1998:
Maria sez: "Choose my pick of year? That's like asking a parent to choose the favorite child -- impossible to chose among so many talented musicians. But to choose on the basis of innovation and creativity is simple: Keali`i Reichel's album, PRIDE OF PUNAHELE. The first interactive CD-ROM music album to come out of Hawai`i, presenting the best of Punahele Productions, coupled with the newest technology. Bravo!!"
Keola sez: "'Kekuhi' is hands down the best album I've heard all year. I was worried about how she was going to be able to follow up "Hahani Mai", thought for a split second that she might smooth off some of the rough edges and make the follow-up a bit more commercially appealing. I feel silly for thinking that. It just goes to show how deep the well of talent runs in that house, and how deep their commitment is to pushing the envelope in a direction that no one has gone before." On his awards page, Keola also gives top honors to the posthumous CD by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, "Iz, the Man, and his Music."
I sez: I think Maria and Keola covered all the bases that I would have for top CDs of the year, so I'm going to mention some CDs that I *really* liked but for some reason didn't make as big a splash as they deserved. In no particular order, here are some overlooked gems of 1998 from my past music pages:
'Ohana 'O Kaua'i, 'Ohana 'O Kaua'i: Vol. 2 - Instrumentals from the Garden Island. A great selection of superb instrumentals in an exciting variety of styles.Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K, Hanaiali'i A beautiful follow-up CD. Amy has one of the classic Hawaiian music voices, and Willie's accompaniments are her perfect setting. Led Ka'apana, Waltz of the Wind Yeah, I know. Led does country. But I liked it a lot and still play it. Led's a helluva musician. Bobby Ingano, Steel Reflections Hooray for Bobby's debut CD! It's just irresistable.
Daniel Ho, The Voyage Home. Yeah, yeah. Slack key artists from out of state get about as much respect as out of state hula halau (meaningful stare at Hilo). But I liked this gentle, graceful CD a lot.
If you want more info on these CDs, my 1998 database is searchable, courtesy of Keola, at http://www.nahenahe.net/susanmusic.html
That's it for 1998! On to 1999!
Recordings
Guy Cruz, Judgment Time (Liliko'i Records LLKICD02). Oh, dear. Sometimes it's really hard to be from a musical family. The Cruz family has produced Ernie Cruz Sr., Ernie Cruz Jr., and John Cruz, and now younger brother Guy jumps on the bandwagon. Unfortunately, he doesn't meet the family standard. He tries to do it all, a la John's Acoustic Soul CD, but he lacks John's (or even Ernie's) vocal skills. Songs choices are also unfortunate, with predictable Hawaiian-lite tunes like "Slave to Your Love" and "Sugar and Spice," the Paul Simon classic "Me & Julio" delivered in cheery pop-style, and "Remember Then," his Ernie sound-alike tune, and "Play On," his John sound-alike tunes. Some folks may like this John-manque knock-off (the Honolulu Weekly went nuts over it, saying "This is feel-good Island pop, soaked with blood, sweat, and tears" which makes me wonder exactly what their reviewer does to relax), but it feels like a flash in the pan to me. That said, I do like a couple things about the CD -- some of the quieter, more reflective songs such as "These are the Oceans" and "Do You Right" show lyrical insight and melodic promise, but Guy needs to mature a few years -- particularly vocally -- before he's ready for prime time.
'Oiwi, 'Oiwi (Tropical Jam Productions TJP 00232) Oh boy. Was everyone trying to beat the Na Hoku deadline or what? This is an average Hawaiian music CD with ragged production values and insipid vocals. The only songs that are worth a replay are "Laupahoehoe", transformed into an amusing vocal duel, and "Lei 'Ohu." Other songs include "Hula 'O Makee", "Nani Waimea," "My Cherie Amour" (don't ask), and "Not Pau."
Hau'ula, Hau'ula is Mele 'Ohana (Mele Ohana Records MORCD-8). This Cd starts off with a whimper but ends creditably. The opening songs are all too reminiscent of cocktail lounge music, , but later songs develop a more intimate and authentic feel, such as the steel-imbued "Noho Paipai," the nice slack 'n' steel "It's in Hawaii," and the Brothers Caz tribute, "Home in the Middle of the Sea." Other songs include "Come Stay With Me," "The Hula," "Koke'e," and "Sometimes Love Don't See So Straight."
Kawai Cockett, A Traditional Hawaiian (Na Mele Maoli - The Native Songs) After these others, I was ready for a dive into a more traditional sound, and that describes Kawai. His sound is quite distinctive, with full-throated vocals and piano backing up his ukuleles. If you like chalangalang style, Kawai's your man. The songs choices are a bit varied form the usual assortment of oldies, which is a refreshing change, but I note that the song "Pauoa Ka Liko [sic] Lehua" is listed as traditional, but it sure sounds a lot like Emma Bush's "Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua." Other songs include "Ne'ene'e Mai A Pili," "Awaiaulu Ke Aloha," "Anahola," "Wahine Holo Lio," and "Ka Wai Lehua 'A'ala Ka Honua."
See you in mid-January - a hui hou!
--Susan
mailto:susanj@lava.net
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