Aloha mai--
Ah, you can tell when summer's coming -- the new releases just keep rolling in, and the concerts start to pile up. Two great CDs are profiled below.
I would like to recognize Na Leo Pilimehana (whose latest CD is reviewed below) for the thoughtfulness of their CD release party. Instead of the usual format, they made it an event for the HUGS program (Help, Understanding, & Group Support for Hawai'i's seriously ill chuldren and their families). There were games for the keiki, a casual buffet, and a real backyard jam atmosphere that made it a memorable night for the families. Kudos to Na Leo for such a thoughtful gesture!
Final results of the Na Hoku awards can be found at:
My personal comments about some of the results can be found below.
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. I *don't* list every concert every time -- takes up too much bandwidth.You can check my back pages for other concerts, or the Dakine Online link at the bottom of my page.
These are some of my personal comments about Hawaiian music and the recent Na Hoku Hanohano awards. I don't set myself up as an authority on Hawaiian music. I do spend a lot of my time listening to it on the radio, and I try to catch every Hawaiian music album that comes out so I can pass on the info. I do realize that tastes differ, and that's why my CD reviews tend to be brief and factual (unless my enthusiasm simply sweeps me away [g]) -- I recognize that there are fans out there of everyone in the Hawaiian music field -- there are Keali'i Reichel fans, Na Leo fans, Auntie Genoa fans, BB Shawn fans, Ka Leo O Kalani fans, Brothers Cazimero fans, Harold Kama Jr fans, John Keawe fans, Palolo fans, Brother Noland fans, and even Sunland fans [g], so I try to accommodate you all by letting you know when your favorite artists have a new CD out, and a little basic info about each one.
I am sometimes unsure of where to draw the line in reporting new Hawaiian music CDs, because the field is so broad, embracing everythign from the classical sweep of somgs like the Kamehameha Waltz, chalang-a-lang stylings, classic hapa-haole uke and steel music, ki ho'alu, contemporary, Jawaiian, and even rap. Some CDs are pretty mainstream Mainland contemporary, but throw in a couple of Hawaiian classics, so I let them in. Maybe I shouldn't, but I figure it's better, in this context, to be overinclusive than underinclusive.
I asked a very knowledgeable friend to help me come up with a definition of what makes Hawaiian music Hawaiian music. I'm still waiting for his reply. [g] One thing I do think is that the more elements that are added from Mainland music, the more the music moves away from its center, however that may be defined. That's probably why Hawaiian rap doesn't do much for me. However, I think that elements that stress the Hawaiian language and Hawaiian culture help to bring the music back to its center.
For this reason, I was *wholly* astounded at Kekuhi Kanahele's shut-out at the Na Hoku awards. To me, her unique voice, with its frequent overtones of oli (chanting) adds to the Hawaiian nature of her music, not to mention the songs themselves are almost entirely in Hawaiian, many with traditional Hawaiian kaona. I recommended it as my CD of the Year last year, and I stand by that because I think it's an exciting new *Hawaiian* direction for Hawaiian music. (I certainly don't mean to put down any of the winners, especially Darlene Ahuna, who won the female vocalist award. Darlene does have a beautiful voice and is a talented traditional stylist.) However, I was surprised that the Academy didn't rush to support and celebrate this new direction in Hawaiian music. Change is inevitable, and it can either be away from the Hawaiian element in Hawaiian music, or toward it. I know which way I'd prefer.
My friends at the awards themselves seemed stunned at the shut-out. They also seemed taken aback, as I was, at having Moloka'i Slide win for single and song of the year. Sure, it's a cute song, but it's a lightweight novelty number. Is it the best song of the whole year? I think not. Is it a symptom of a general trend for lite music ear candy over songs of beauty and style (and where was the Makaha Sons' nomination for Hopoe, anyway?)? Perhaps.
I did run into an acquaintance a few days ago, a voting member of HARA, who told me that he didn't vote for Kekuhi because of what he termed her her chant style of singing. I told him that he must have a problem, then, with Gabby Pahinui's style of singing, as Gabby was known for his use of chant techniques with his singing. He hemmed and hawed and refused to condemn Gabby for his use of chant elements in his songs, but still insisted that he would want to hear a "prettier" sound from Kekuhi. (Do I hear a double standard here?)
I am sorry that this relatively young man -- and apparently some other HARA members -- are unable to fully appreciate Kekuhi's unique talent. A truly original voice is rare in any field, so we are lucky in ours to have Kekuhi (and Kaipo Frias, lyricist for her songs). I don't know whether she considers her trip to Honolulu for the Na Hoku awardss to be a waste of her time or not, but I sincerely hope that her shut-out will in no way cause her to regret the time she spent in doing this CD. It's a treasure, a beacon, and a revelation. (And if you ever get a chance to hear her sing *live* -- go!!)
Recordings
Ku'uipo Kumukahi, Na Leo Kama'aina O Ku'u 'Aina Ho'oheno (Ho'oli Productions ICD 7801) Another beautiful CD from Ku'uipo Kumukahi! This lovely CD features a terrific blend of new and old songs, most all in Hawaiian. Ku'uipo's beautiful voice is shown to advantage on every song, but she generously shares the vocal stage with Marlene Sai on "He Aloha Ku'u Ipo" (a companion piece to "Ka Lehua I Milia" from her last CD) and the instrumental stage with the amazing Haunani Apoliona on a terrific version of "He Aloha No O Honolulu." Concertgoers at last February's Ho'omau concert will remember "Leo 'Oiwi," the Puakea Nogelmeier number which was the song the combined Hawaiian immersion school children sang -- great lyrics, catchy melody! The second version of this song features the recorded voices of ten native speakers over the instrumental version. Chickenskin.... Beautiful songs, enchanting singing, great production values.
Na Leo Pilimehana,
Colours (NLP Records and Publishing Inc. NLPCD 3004) This
is the most personal CD yet from Na Leo. The back of the CD states that "we
share OUR music, OUR lives, OUR colors...." and the range of songs bears
witness to this. Thirteen of the fourteen songs are originals written by
Lehua, Nalani, or Angela (and her husband). The sole cover is the catchy
"Not the I but the You in Me." The liner notes give a brief description of
the impetus for the creation of each song, ranging from grief to love, from
playfulness to religious faith. The classic upbeat Na Leo "Taro Patch
Twist" is already getting a lot of airplay, as well as Lehua's beautiful
ballad, "The Rest of Your Life." The lone Hawaiian song on the CD is
another creation by
Lehua, "Nani No Ke Ko'olau." Look for this to be another Na Leo bestseller.
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