Well, as I mentioned in early August, I didn't get a mid-August page out -- had my first real vacation in four years! [g] To celebrate, I asked Keola to change my photo up top. It's still me; just a little more in focus. I had a great time, and I was so enthused to come back to Honolulu and check out the new Hawaiian CDs. The selection is terrific -- I have four winners for you this time, and how often does _that_ happen?
Dancing Cat released two -- count 'em, two -- ki ho'alu (slack key) CDs this time out, and is supposed to be releasing another this month. See below for details! It's not out quite yet, but I did hear a cut from the forthcoming Lorna Lim CD. It's beautiful! Lorna (of the Lim Family) should make her solo CD debut later this month, and I'll report on it when it's in the stores.
I have made arrangements for those of you who haven't bookmarked this page to
find me sooo easily! Simply type in
www.listen.to/Hawaiian.music. It's a lot simpler than memorizing the whole
URL!
Recordings
Ray Kane, Wa'ahila (Dancing Cat 08022-38002-2). Ray Kane is one of the
old-timer ki ho'alu artists still perfroming and recording, and it is truly a
joy to hear the effortless sound he spins. "Nahenahe" means "soft, sweet,
melodious," and that is as accurate a description of Ray's style as you are
likely to come by. Oh, he can still make the fingers fly on cuts like
"Kilakila O Haleakala," but songs with a gently rolling lilt are his
trademark. This CD contains 5 instrumentals and 9 surprisingly solid vocals.
Two of the vocals are duets with his wife Elodia. Songs include the title
track, Keiki Slack Key, and Popoki Slack key (instrumentals); and Hilo E,
Hi'ilawe, Wai O Ke Aniani, Lei Nani, and the Hawaiian Wedding Song (vocals).
Another hit from Dancing Cat!
For more info on this CD, visit the Dancing Cat site at
www.dancingcat.com
Cyril Pahinui, Night Moon - Po Mahina (Dancing Cat 08022-38030-2). I
love the rich, jangling, twangy sound of Cyril's 12 string! It's not better
than Ray's style, just quite different. Ki ho'alu devotees will want both, as
this is a joyful and exciting CD. Cyril gives us 7 instrumentals and 5 vocals.
The vocals include Hi'ilawe, Mauna Loa, and Po Mahina; the instrumentals
include Kowali, Sanoe, Pu'u Anahulu, and 'Opihi Moemoe. This is a completely
different experience from Ray's CD, yet each is pure ki ho'alu in its finest
form, and I absolutely can't rate one over the other. They are equally
enjoyable, and I would recommend that you bring home lunches to work for a
week and get both. [g]
For more info on this CD, visit the Dancing Cat site at
www.dancingcat.com
Agnes Kimura, In the Hawaiian Style (Island Viking IVCD 198).
I wasn't sure how this CD would sound: Agnes is a Japanese musician from Japan
(local readers will realize that this statement is not redundant) who has
become so enamoured with Hawaiian music that she has changed her name to Agnes
Kimurato honor local musician Audy Kimura. Given that my advice for the last
Hawaiian music recording I previewed done by a Japanese national was "run! do
not walk away from this one!", I was curious about this CD. However, not to
worry: Agnes Kimura does Hawaiian music with style, grace, and taste. While
the songs are varied, from straight ki ho'alu to steel, to ukes, and even
flute, she has a firm grip on the style, a more-than-creditable voice, and
great taste in song selection. Her classic selections include Leonard
Kwan's "Opihi Moemoe," Emma Bush's "Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua," Vicky I'i
Rodgrigues' "Tewetewe," (although note that nobody, nowhere, will ever top
Haunani Apoliona's version), Johnny Almeida's "Kanaka Waiwai," and Prince
William Lunalilo's "Alekoki." She shines vocally on Lena Machado's "Kamakai O
Keaukaha," and the Japanese sugar camp song "Hole Hole Bushi."
This is a very well done CD and a debut to be proud of. The only quiblle I
would make is that it is very difficult to determine from the CD cover what
the actual name of the CD is. It could be "In the Hawaiian Style," but it
actually may be "Agnes Kimura in the Hawaiian Style." Ask for it under both
names.
Na Kama, Ke Ala Hou (Kipuka Records FEH 812). I was getting hungry after
listening to the above thre records, and ready to take a dinner break, and I
reluctantly punched up this CD, ready to desert it ruthlessly, given the
slightest flaw, and leave it until next page. Well, I tried. And I tried.
But what I found was a real gem, and I couldn't quit until I had at least
sampled every track.
From the compelling opening chant by guest artist Manu Boyd on, this CD is
the paradigm for which many local groups should strive. While the cover just
shows two guys, leading me to believe it would be a thin-sounding two-guys-two
guitar CD, the lush vocal arrangements, very reminiscent of Ho'okena, were
stunning (another Ho'okena member, Horace Dudoit, has an instrumental credit).
Other guest artists include John Koko and Ernie Cruz Jr. The band does no
wrong on its Hawaiian numbers, whether it be the downright funky "E Koa'e E,"
the romantic "Nohea No 'Oe," or the rocking "Ese Su'u 'Osole." No taint of
Jawaiian mars the CD -- it's modern Hawaiian music at its best -- creative,
catchy, and definitely not formula -- the beautful "Prelude" owes a bit to
Bach's Bouree, yet sweet and sanely segues into the Beatles' "Here Comes the
Sun." I could have done without the Beatles and the other two songs in
English -- "She's My Life" and "Island Woman," as the Hawaiian songs are done
so well. A winning first CD.
Like Hawaiian music? Find out the latest concerts and releases on Susan's Hawaiian Music Page, now at:
http://www.nahenahe.net/susanmusic/current.html or
http://www.interpac.net/~nahenahe/susanmusic/current.html
Music Report Homepage &
Archives | NahenaheNet
Homepage
Interpacific
Networks