Aloha mai!
The biggest news in Hawaiian music this time around is the announcement
of the potential dates for the Na Hoku Hanohano awards. Right now, the
choice is between Sunday May 23 or Monday May 24 (no more of that
split day format ... I know it's more expensive, and it had its
glitches, but two days of Hawaiian music concert! It was great!).
I'll keep you all posted when it's been finalized ... but those of you
who fly in for this event now have a time frame to shoot for. I don't
know if HARA will sponsor another "live" report from the floor on the
night of the awards. Two years ago, Keola Donaghy had a live chat line
going from the Sheraton, so we could update folks not in Hawaii with
the winners as they were announced. Maybe they'll do something like
that this year, as HARA slowly becomes more net-aware.
Onto the recordings!
Recordings
(Active links indicate RealAudio file available for listening)
Kohala, Kohala (Palm Records PRCD 4010). Kohala is a group of
three instrumentalists from the Big Island who have collaborated on
this spare, clean updating of island contemporary classics from the 70s
and 80s. The CD is all acoustic instrumentals, never cloying, no
[shudder] synthetic anything. The quality of playing is outstanding
and the arrangements fresh. It's music for adults. Songs include a
few originals, but mostly updated hits such as "Moloka'i Sweet Home,"
"Kauanoeanuhea," "Honolulu City Lights," "Sunflower," and "Highway in
the Sun."
Various artists, Slack Key Guitar(Palm Records PRCD 4012).
This is a delightful introduction to a variety of quality ki ho'alu
(slack key) artists. The Big Island is well-represented with Kohn
Keawe, Sonny Lim, and Chalres Michael Brotman, and it is always a joy
to hear Ken Emerson's playing. Popular artists Randy Lorenzo and Bryan
Kessler lend well-done tracks, and two of the artists from Kohala,
Charles Michael Brotman and Kevin Teves, fit is well with such
distinguished company.
Even though the individual styles are quite distinctive, the parts form
a pleasing whole. Even Sonny Lim's exuberant ki ho'alu jam blends in
with the otherwise dreamy tone of the rest. I have occasionally been
asked for a recommendation for a Hawaiian lullaby CD. As far as I
know, no one has produced such a thing, but from now I would recommend
this, except it's too fine to sleep through. Songs include Kaulana Na
Pua (John Keawe), Miloli'i (Ken Emerson), Give a Lei (Bryan Kessler),
Island Style (Randy Lorenzo), Saddle Road (Kevin Teves), and Hapuna
Sunset (Charles Michael Brotman).
Various artists, Moloka'i Now!(Monkeypod MPCDC1) This is a
grab-bag of original tunes composed and performed by Moloka'i
residents. Sterling Kalua is featured most prominently, but other
artists, including Isaac Kamaile and Greg Camara, appear multiple
times. The songs range from a more traditional combined song/chant
("Song from Home," with Sterling and the beautiful Penny
Paleka-Gomard), to jazz ("Hele On Times," with Isaac Kamaile), to the
original version of "Moloka'i Slide." The production values are geared
more to the feeling of immediacy than to the flawless, but this truly
does provide a vibrant portrait of the music scene on Moloka'i.
There's something for everyone on this sampler disk. Other artists
include Darrell Labrado, Sweet and Chrissy, and Freddy Reyes.
See you in early February- a hui hou!
susanj@lava.net
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