Aloha mai!Welcome to the early October version of Susan's Hawaiian Music page! As per the usual, I've got previews of brand new CDs (including one that's a shoo-in as a Na Hoku finalist!), and concert info for concerts here in Hawai`i and on the Mainland as well.
The fabulous Auntie Genoa Keawe, still performing weekly at the Hawaiian Regent, will celebrate her eightieth birthday there on October 29 (starting at 5:30!). It should be a gala event -- if you're in town, try to swing by and wish one of the living treasures of Hawaiian music hau'oli la hanau!
Recordings
Doug and Sandy McMaster, Hanalei Sunset (Aloha Plenty AP1998) I had heard a bit about Doug and Sandy ( who also perform as Aloha Plenty), but as they are neighbor-island based, I'd never had a chance to hear them. I was pleased to learn they'd cut a CD, so I could finally hear their music. This CD is a little gem, a deceptively simple sounding all-ki ho'alu (slack key) album done with retsraint and taste. One of the beuatiful things about ki ho'alu is that it is not a monolithic style, but broadly embraces artists as different as the effortless joy of Ray Kane, the vibrance and joy of Cyril Pahinui, and the cerebral grace of Keola Beamer. The McMasters have their own sweet, simple, but elegantly executed style. Very relaxing.... Most of the numbers on the CD are originals. Songs include Hawaiian Reverie, Hu'i E, Ki Ho'alu Hanalei, Betty's Mele, Pua Sadinia. Pueo's Mele, and Kauai Homecoming. Click here for a sample of Junior and Betty Mele. The McMasters did not have a distributor at the time I received my copy of the CD. Copies are available from the Hawaiian Music Island (www.mele.com) or directly from the McMasters -- $15 +$2 S&H (Shipping free for 5+ items). The mailing address is:
Aloha Plenty , 415 Dairy Rd. #E125, Kahului, HI 96732, and the email address is aplenty@gte.netLorna Lim, 'O Wau Iho No (KPI 1100) This is the first (and hopefully not the last) solo CD by Lorna Lim of the Lim Family. While the whole family is rich in talent, Lorna's silver-pure soprano is particularly suited for showcasing in a solo CD. Her lovely, haunting voice makes this almost all-Hawaiian CD a special treat. "He Mana'o Wale 'Oe" is already getting a lot of local airplay. Look for this one to be on the Na Hoku finalist list. The only flaw I see is giving in to that all-too-common local pratice of tossing in a cover or three of Mainland pop songs. Let me repeat myself again here: it's not necessary, and it breaks the flow of the CD. Flow-breakers here include "Yesterday Once More" and "On My Own Again." Beautiful mele Hawai`i include the title track, 'O Keia 'Aina, Mokihana Lullaby, the duet Kaha Ka Manu, and two versions of "Aloha Wau 'ia 'oe."
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