Aloha mai!A lot of great recordings this time! I have to say that I attended a recent Borders mini-concert by Na Leo and really enjoyed it. Their new CD (full preview below) is a real winner, but as much as I enjoyed the music, I also enjoyed the obvious rapport between the women, and the free and easy intros between the songs. Hundreds of people were there, many lining up with CDs and even posters for the group to sign. You go, titas!
Ooh, heard some great news, too for the holiday seasons -- seems as though Ho'okena is currently in the studio recording their Christmas CD that is planned to be released on November 1, 2000. They should be a perfect group to do Christmas mele, and I'm looking forward to it.
Recordings
Led Kaapana, Black Sand (Dancing Cat DC08022-38015-2) Led is one of my all time favorites, and he puts no finger wrong in this latest CD. While his trademark "lima wela" fast finger style is apparent on songs liks "Punahou Special," he's also the master of the slower, more meditative type of ki ho'alu (slack key) as in the bueatiful "Ninipo Ho'onipo." It's almost all instrumentals, the sole vocal being the gracious "Mokupuni Nui." There's an unexpected delight in hearing two masters on Led's duet with Leonard Kwan on "Salomila/New Opihi Moemoe." Led's not afraid to push the envelope, as he's demonstrated on his "Waltz of the Wind" CD, and here he does so by playing "Kanaka Waiwai/O Maria" on the autoharp. As a novelty item, he does a duet with Geroge Winston on piano of "Akaka Falls," but the piano jars the ear after the sweet sounds of plucked strings. That's just a minor quibble -- this is another fine production by Dancing Cat.
Bla Pahinui, Windward Heart (Dancing Cat DC 08022-38052-2). This CD is subtitled "Live Solo," so if live Cds are not your thing, you are forewarned. I find a certain charm in live recordings, especially when they are characteriezed, as here, with personal introductions. Yes, sometimes they ramble, but that's Bla. If you can'[t get past that, this is not the CD for you. However, for the rest of you, this is a fine CD. Bla seems to be channelling his father Gabby sometimes, as in the "Wai o ke Aniani" medley, but other times improves on his own voice, as in the beautiful solo work on the uptempo "Moonlight Lady." His individualistic singing style helps him stamp every song as his own, whether it's one of his soulful originals like "May God Bless You/You'll Never Find Another Kanaka Like Me," or on "Meleana E." A totally different, less polished CD than Led's, but equally enjoyable.
Local Divas, Timeless. Oh, dear. The problem with someone being labeled (or self-labeling herself) as a diva is that there are all these conntations of egocentricity, a "look at me-me-me" attitude that one can either find charming and justified, or overbearing. The four local divas of the group (Nohelani Cypriano, Carole Kai, Melveen Lead, and producer Loyal Garner) all have sumptuous voices, and when they sing in harmony on numbers like "Pretty Red Hibiscus," the total effect is lush and powerful (although the voices don't quite blend: listening to them right before a group like Na Leo says all you will need to know about the sound of a diva). However, many of the songs on the CD are solo efforts with minimal or no contributions by the other divas, and those songs are well done but nothing special. The finale, "Aloha 'Oe," has three of the divas each taking a verse, and some of the divas seem to be trying to raise the bar to showcase her voice, rather than bring her musicality to bear on interpreting the song. That said, this isn't a bad effort, and is way better than their earlier Christmas CD.
Na Leo, A Pocketful of Paradise (NLPCD). Na Leo has seemed to be in a rut with recent CDs, but this one is a real winner, with the women pushing the envelop while retaining the smooooth trademark Na Leo blend of voices that makes this group so appealing. Previous CDds have seemed to focus on Lehua Kalima as the primary vocalist, and while she does have songs in her usual ballad style (such as the lovely "Saving Forever,"), Angela Morales takes the groups, shakes it up, whips it out, and brings new light and life into the group. Her finale, "I'll Be There 4U," is a rockin', stompin' number that deserves wide airplay for its joy and exuberance. They add their personal stamp to a few remakes, such as the Beatles "With a Little Help from my Friends" and Jerry Santos' "Seabird," and have more Hawaiian songs on their CD than usual, including "Kamalani O Keaukaha." The title track is light and upbeat, and it's altogether a fresh and fun CD.
See you in September!
--Susan
susanj@lava.net
Interpacific Networks | |
 This page was last built on 9/21/00 by ![[MAILTO]](../../images/mailto.gif){kind=small} keola@nahenahe.net
|
since 6/5/97. |