Aloha mai!First, let me thank all of your readers for helping me to break the 100,000 mark last month! Actually, my page has been going for longer than that, but it was on another site and I don't know what the number of hits was there. However, I feel that a milestone has been reached on Keola's site, and I'd like to thank him for hosting me for free, and recognize him for his constant support of Hawaiian music (visit http://www.nahenahe.net and you'll see what I mean!).
Second, I got a semi-indignant post last week from someone who took issue with my criticism of some bands' knee-jerk overuse of remakes. The writer shall remain nameless, but he said that bands needed to do them to get local airtime. So? I am not going to falsely sweeten up my reviews just because a band is adding remakes just trying to get on the radio if I think those efforts negatively affect the overall quality fo the CD. For one thing, if bands all pledged to avoid the lemming-like urge to remake the oldies, the radio stations would _have_ to play the originals. They contribute to the problem by doing the remakes. A number of popular artists seem to get by just fine with no or minimal pop remakes, such as Keali'i Reichel, Kekuhi Kanahele, Hapa, and others. Bands can choose to buck the tide and still have a successful album if the rest of their stuff is quality. I'm writing these reviews for you, the listeners, who are deciding whether or not to plump down your hard-earned bucks on a CD. If I think a CD is junk, or has too many remakes, I'm going to tell it you straight so you have enough information to make your own decisions. If you don't mind or even like, the remakes, fine. If, however, the thought of a Bee-Gees remake makes you gag, I want to give you the info so you'll know. 'Nuff said.
Recordings
Tony Conjugacion, TC2000 (Mountain Apple MACD 2051) First off, let me say that this is not a Hawaiian music CD. Someone familiar with Tony's fine falsetto work, or who has seen the cover of this CD in which is is wearing a malo-like garment and kneeling by a pahu, might buy this under the mistaken impression that it bears some resemblance to Tony's past recordings, his sweet falsetto voice and his chalangalang style. It does not. This is more a techno, hip-hop type of CD that just happens to be in the Hawaiian language. Just when you are ready to write this off (or enjoy it as) a new type of music, Tony switches gears and throws in three oli chanted in the traditional manner, so it's not even a total success as a new art form.
That being said, I understand that at least in one retail outlet, this CD has appeal for the younger, dance music crowd. Since I don't review dance music, I won't comment on it's quality as such. I just will warn you that it's mostly dance music except for the three traditional chants thrown in as -- contrast? -- to the rest. In my discussion with some friends about this CD, the phrase "friends don't let friends buy TC2000." I think that may be a trifle harsh -- you may enjoy it as a dance CD, but don't but it if you're looking for a Hawaiian CD, as the three chants tossed on here willynilly will not justify the cost of the whole CD.
See you in mid July!
--Susan
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