Mid-February
(© 1997 Susan Jaworowski)

Aloha mai!

Recordings were scant this time around, but plenty of concert opportunities are coming up! I'd also like to let any Las Vegas readers know about a Hawaiian music radio program in their areas --Island Kine Radio-- on every Sunday from 12 noon to 2 pm on KLAV AM 1230. I know there are plenty of Hawai'i transplants in Vegas -- if you like the show, give the station a call and see if they'll do a longer or more frequent show.

I was disappointed and a little shocked that I only found one new Hawaiian music release on the shelf this time around (maybe because it's a short month). There were some other new releases by local artists, but they weren't what I would call Hawaiian music -- they were pop music that just happened to be done by folks from Hawai'i. Sometimes I give CDs the benefit of the doubt -- if they have a mix that includes one or two Hawaiian songs, I usually include them. But this page is for Hawaiian music -- ki ho'alu (slack key), steel guitar, leo ki'eki'e (falsetto), 'olelo Hawai'i (the Hawaiian language). If one strays too far from these elements, it's not Hawaiian music to me. So -- there's only one CD this time around, but it's a good one!

But first, for newcomers, this is how this page works: every two weeks I list the latest Hawaiian music CD releases, and the Hawaiian music concerts for the ensuing two week period around the world. I also list new concerts that I hear of, no matter when they are, to give those of you out there a "head's up" to get those front row seats. [g] If you're looking for other concerts, or for gigs, you can use the Dakine Online link at the bottom of my page.


Recordings

Gabby Pahinui and Atta Isaacs, Two Slack Key Guitars: A Livin' On A Easy (Tradewind Records TWCD 1124) Two of Hawai'i's legendary ki ho'alu players join forces in this re-release. Just pure, joyous slack key, the way God intended. Songs include the title track, Manuela Boy, Wahine U'i E, Po La'ila'i, plus four bonus tracks from Atta Slack Key: Mele Li'i, Kokohi/Moani Ke'ala, Na Molokamu, and Sweet Lei Lehua. Warning to audiophiles: yes, this is an older recording so it's not unblemished CD quality. However, if you can set aside the dated recording quality, it's a goooood listen!

And, just to whet your appetite, I just heard from Auntie Maria of the Hawaiian Music Island (http://www.mele.com - a very knowledgeable source for Hawaiian music and videos) that Dancing Cat will be releasing the following recordings, all on April 15:

Keola Beamer - MAUNA KEA: WHITE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
George Kahumoku Jr. - DRENCHED BY MUSIC
James "Bla" Pahinui - MANA
Bob Brozman with Ledward Kaapana - KILA KILA MEET KI HO`ALU

I understand that Keola's is another all-instrumental CD, like his stunning Moe'Uhane Kika -- sure hope they come out as scheduled! (I'm still waiting for the Hapa CD that was to be released Valentine's Day -- 1996. [g])



Music Pages read since 9/20/96.

Music Report Homepage & Archives | NahenaheNet Homepage
Interpacific Networks