Aloha mai!Lots of great news, concerts, CDs, and info this time out! Check below for special Hawaiian music events, including Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco in-store appearances of Keali'i Reichel *this month*, as well as four new ki ho'alu (slack key) CDs in the splendid Dancing Cat series. There's even a special performance of the highly acclaimed Holo Mai Pele set for Californis this fall!
But first...
The Na Hoku Hanohano awards are Hawai'i's version of the Grammy awards. This year's awards will be given out on May 20 and 21 - the May 21 show will be telecast in Hawai'i. All the nominees, with some sound clips, and all the background information can be found at:
The Official Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Site This is the new HARA (Hawai'i Academy of Recording Artists) site, lovingly crafted by Keola Donaghy, who is also responsible for many of the web pages for the most prominent Hawaii musicians, including Keola Beamer, Keali'i Reichel, and Willie K. The site includes cover art and some audio clips for the nominees. There are a couple of special functions on the page, too -- one is your opportunity to vote, on line, for your favorites (this is under development and will open in a few weeks) . The second is a chat function -- Keola will be attending the May 21 event with his laptop, and will be reporting live from the event and sponsoring a chat room with the musicians. Check it out!
It's a Dancing Cat celebration! Once again, this page is out a day late because I wanted to give you the latest scoops on *four* new slak key (ki ho'alu) releases from Dancing Cat records. Four! This, more than anything, says that slack key had arrived in the consciousness of Mainland and international music lovers. Highest praise to George Winston for his efforts and support!
The five guitarists whose works is featured on these CDs (see descript below) will be touring the West Coast between now and May 1. Check them out, and be thankful you have these wonderful CDs to pull out and listen to *every day*!
As I mentioned before, Keali'i Reichel has signd with Atlantic and will be making some promotional appearances (including in-store performances!) on the West Coast. Check below for places, dates, and times!
WOW! I know I usually only report on musicial events, but I have something *too special* to miss out on this time! The fabulous presentation Holo Mai Pele, featuring Halau O Kekuhi from the Big Island will be making their first-ever mainland appearance in Oakland in October! This presentation pulls together various traditional hula kahiko about Hi'iaka's journey from Hawai'i to Kaua'i to bring Pele's lover, Lohiau, to Hawai'i for Pele, to make a complete story. The hula is pure chickenskin! This performance played to sold-out audiences in the island (I was there!) to enormous acclaim. See details below.
Recordings
Keola Beamer, Mauna Kea - White Mountain Journal (Dancing Cat Records 08022-38011-2) I picked Keola's last instrumental CD as my CD of the year for 1995, so I picked this one up automatically! Keola's trademark, crystal clear, meditative style is in sparkling form on this all-instrumental CD, featuring six original songs by Keola and classics such as Pupu Hinuhinu (written, of course, by his mother, Nona Beamer), Akaka Falls, and Hi'ilawe. A beautiful, serene CD, and, to my taste, the best of the Dancing Cat offerings this month. Audio Sample: Kaula 'ili
George Kahumoku, Drenched by Music (Dancing Cat Records 08022-38038-2) A great selection of instrumentals and songs by the versatile George Kahumoku! George has an expressive voice, which he displays to advantage on songs such as Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai, Kaulana O Kawaihae (with guest artist Diana Aki), and, most daringly, Keali'i Reichel's beautiful Kauanoeanuhea. Bob Brozman accompanies him on steel guitar for one number, as well. His instrumentals really shine, and include Queen's Jubilee, Kaulana Na Pua, and Aloha 'Oe. Audio Sample: Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai
Bob Brozman and Ledward Kaapana, Kika Kila Meets Ki Ho'alu (Dancing Cat Records 08022-38031-2) For those of you not up on your Hawaiian, the title to this CD means "Steel Guitar Meets Slack Key," and it surely does in this most interesting CD, where the lead responsibilities are traded off between Bob on steel and Led on slack key. Bob's angular style is matched by Led's unflappable facility, for a real treat for slack and stell lovers. Songs include Ua Like No A Like, E Lili'ue, Maui Chimes, and Akaka Falls. All numbers are instrumental. Audio Sample: Pa'ahana
James "Bla" Pahinui, Mana (Dancing Cat Records 08022-38033-2) Bla showcases his unique vocal and instrumental on this CD. There are four instrumentals, including Incoming and Isa Lei, and a variety of vocals in his trademark gravelly voice, reminscent of his father Gabby, in both Hawaiian and English (the English is a 50s medley including Can't Help Falling in Love with You). Audio Sample: Meleana E
Sudden Rush, Ku'e!! (Way Out West Enterprises WOWCD 9702) I previewed this CD a few weeks ago -- Sudden Rush released a three song sampler. Here's the full version for those of you who like Hawaiian rap and other very contemporary music. A number of guests artists are featured, including Keali'i Reichel on two songs, Willie K., and John Cruz. Songs include Hawaiian Pride, Paradise Found, I Ku Maumau (which is a chant that was heard during the 24 hour vigil at the State Capitol last month in the rally to protect Hawaiian gathering rights) chanted by children, and the title track.
Various artists, John Valentine presents Guitars of Hawaii Today Volume I (JV 1000). This is a very interesting CD featuring a varied assortment of guitar players and their distinctive styles, ranging from simple, unadorned acoustic playing, to the traditional hapa-haole steel guitar sound, to out and out funk. Instrumental numbers include a sassy Paniola O ka Pakipika by Greg Sardinha, Jimmy Funai's compelling Day Dreams, the tangy Cane Field Song by Gordon Freitas, and the gorgeous The Good Old Days by Bobby Ingano.
Kamehameha Schools, Musical Tradition: Na Mele Henoheno: A Musical History of Kamehameha Schools [a double CD ](KS 1001-2) This double CD will entice any one who loves the annual Kamehameha song contest or has a yen for the history of Hawaiian music. The first CD features up-to-date recording in the finest Kamehameha a capella style, with beautiful renditions of classics like Molokai Nui A Hina, Ainahau, and, of course, the soaring Kamehameha Waltz. The second features historical pieces going back early in this century (even the school itself can't date the earliest recording, a duet with Helen Desha Beamer and Sam Kapu Sr., showcasing Helen's lovely soprano). The recordings were cleaned up somewhat but some still have that crackly sound. If you can rise above that, you'll have a CD to treasure. My best bet for the next year's Na Hoku Hanohano Anthology of the Year.
Merv Oana, Everyday Island Life () Here's a local guy with plenty to say and the talent to back it up. Merv's tunes range from a jazzy Latitu to a funky Radio Show, from the sassy Plate Lunch Blues (that one will get air time!) to the rick White Holoku. Nice clean guitar work. (One note: the song "Local Boys" is *not* the Na Leo Pilimehana version.
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