. Here's my take on the top awards:
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kekuhi Kanahele, Kekuhi (Mountain Apple)
I picked Kekuhi, and she won, so you know I'm a happy camper. I do
point out though, that it every category where Kekuhi went head-to-head
with Amy, Amy won. I find it quite interesting that Amy was not
nominated for this category, but I'm happy with the results.
Male Vocalist Of The Year
- Kawai Cockett, A Traditional Hawaiian - Na Mele Maoli (Hula)
I gave the nod to Israel, but HARA gave theirs to Kawai. Not a bad
choice, but I'd love to hear him branch out from his typical
chalangalang style and switch it off with some ballads. I'm sure he
could do it, and I'd bet the results could be stunning.
Group Of The Year
- Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K., Hanaiali'i (Mountain
Apple)
I predicted Amy 'n' Willie, and Amy 'n' Willie it was. No worries,
Pure Heart; you got your fair share of awards!
Most Promising Artist(s) Of The Year
- Pure Heart,Pure Heart (Four Strings)
I said that this wass the category in which Pure Heart should shine,
and I was right. [g]
Anthology Of The Year
- From Irmgard, With Love, Irmgard Aluli and Puamana (Mountain
Apple), Jon De Mello, producer
I predicted Pride of Punahele, but Irmgard took the award. It was a
nice CD, but ....
Hawaiian Album Of The Year
- Hanaiali'i, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K. (Mountain
Apple)
I was torn between Kekuhi and Amy 'n' Willie, and the latter won. The
former was my preference, but that latter was what I judged more HARA
members capable of liking.
Island Contemporary Album Of The Year
- Pure Heart,Pure Heart (Four String)
I said probably Israel, but it may be Pure Heart, and the latter did
win! Congrats, guys!
Instrumental Album Of The Year
- Great Grandmother, Great Grandson, Kapono Beamer (Onopak)
A lot of good contenders in this one. To my mind, Kapono was a dark
horse, but a nicely done CD all the same.
Contemporary Album Of The Year
- No Boundaries, BB Shawn (Flying Solo Music)
Yee-hah! I said that it really should be BB for this one, and it was!
Great job, Shawn!
Song Of The Year
- Palehua, by Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K. from
Hanaiali'i, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K. (Mountain Apple)
I said: "There is no doubt in my mind, that, although Palehua is a very
pretty, popular tune, the nod should go to the spell-binding Maunaleo."
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. (But still, I'm thinking: Amy
got best song and group of the year -- but not even a nomination as
female vocalist of the year? They put Ilona Irvine on instead of her?
What _were_ they thinking??)
Album Of The Year
- Pure Heart, Pure Heart (Four Strings), Tracey Terada and
Steve Kramer, producers
I chose Kekuhi, and I'd choose her again. Still, Pure Heart has a lot
of style and energy, and their second CD shows that they are artists
with staying power.
Recordings
Pound4Pound, Pound4Pound(Big "D" Productions BDP 1001) I tried
to like this one, I really did, especially as a friend recommended them
highly. But you know what, I just found nothing to really like on this
CD. It's not that I disliked it, but it was utterly unoriginal, from
the fakey synthesizer sound to the overload of reggae songs. "Nani O
Kauai" is an average ballad, "Pelekane" is pleasant but undistinguished
in vocals or instrumentals. [shrug] You can do better, Hawaiian music
lovers. Other songs include "Neon Moon" (the group Ka'u did it
recently, and better), "Aloha Kai'mi" [sic], "Manu O'o" (probably the
best song on the CD), "I Don't Wanna Dance," and "Honihoni."
See you in mid-June- a hui hou!
--Susan
susanj@lava.net
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