As always, I welcome your comments and appreciate those of you who take the time to tell me about new concerts in your areas.
*** This page marks the end of my first year producing this Hawaiian
music page. I have made so many wonderful friends through this page
-- both online and in person. Special thanks are due to Ryan
Ozawa, who first gave me the idea to pull together all the
individual concerts I was posting into one publication;
Rabbett, who hosted the page on his web site for a number of
months; Keola Donaghy, a guy with a heart as big as his
webspace
*** So, what's coming up with the
page? Well, plug in your sound cards and be prepared to check out
the web page version of this page, as the early December page is
scheduled to have a Christmas present for you all!
Recordings
Just as the summer is the concert-lovers' delight, with major
concerts practically every weekend, November is the favorite month
for the CD aficianados, as many artists try to meet the deadline for
the Na Hoku Hanohano awards. Many more recordings than usual -- a
dozen! -- this time around. I understand that a lot more releases
are expected by the end of the month, including one by Israel
Kamakawiwo'ole! Read about them in the early December page.
Ka'au Crater Boys, Making Waves (Roy Sakuma Productions Inc.
RSCD 4535). The Ka'au Crater Boys follow the same formula that made
them famous - no surprises here. Bobby Ingano joins Ernie on two
Hawaiian songs, Hualalai and Pane Mai, and Brother John Cruz sings
lead on Mother Street. Pop songs include Do You Really Want to Hurt
Me So and Under the Boardwalk. Troy really rips on the lead vocals
on He 'Ono.
Wanda Kanekoa, The Gift of Love (Neos Productions V015).
While the cover art is a trifle tacky, the contents are surprisingly
pleasurable. Wanda uses her rich, full voice to great effect on a
variety of songs, including Hawaiians Sing, Hawaiians Dance;
Makalapua; Green Lantern Hula; and Ke'akua, Let Us Stay.
Emma Veary, Emma at the Royal(Lehua Records SLCD 7026). The
golden- throated Ms. Veary was in perfect form in these vintage
recordings, including six numbers recorded live at the Royal
Hawaiian Hotel. Songs include Medley: Morning Dew/Hanalei Moon,
Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Bali Hai, E Maliu Mai, Akaka Falla, and My
Little Grass Shack. Exquisite voice, beautiful phrasing.
Marcus Wong Yuen, Mauka - Makai (Jus' Press Records 002).
This talented vocalist hits a number of traditional songs as well as
some more contemporary selections. Songs include Moani Ke'ala,
Green Rose Hula, and He'eia. Nice voice!
Anela Kahiamoe, Anela (Innovative Productions IPCD 4425)
Anela is a one-man band, playing acoustic, electric, 12-string,
steel, and bass guitar, as well as Tahitian 'ukulele on the CD. The
CD covers a number of pop songs, such as Down on the Corner, and the
Beatles' I Will, and also touches base with Anela's Hawaiian roots
with Alika. There is one particularly beautiful instrumental,
reminiscent of Hapa, called "Velzy Land."
Kawika Lum Ho, In My Heart (MLP 9601). An assortment of
songs ranging from House at Pooh Corner, Can't Help Falling in Love,
Baby I Love Your Way, Ua Noho Wau a Kupu, and three originals.
Clay Mortensen, When I Hold You In My Heart (Pua Records PCD
1040). All the songs are Ken Makuakane (of Pandanus Club fame)
originals. Songs include Maui Smiles So Sweetly, Pele, Hula Girl,
and the title track.
The Very Best of Country Comfort and Billy Kaui, Cord Classic
Collector Series Vol. 4 (Cord International/Hana Ola Records HOCD
9000), Classic vinyl hits recycled onto CD. Includes Waimanalo
Blues (naturally!), We Are the Children, and Sun Lite, Moon Lite.
Kawaiaha'o Church Choir, Anthems of Hawai'i (Waikiki Records
WCD 331). The Kawaiaha'o Church Choir records some of their
favorite anthems at the histroci church. Narration is provided by
the Reverend Abraham Akaka. Songs include Nani Iehova, Po La'ie
(Silent Night), and the Halleluia Chorus.
Head's up! I hear that a new CD of Hawaiian stories by the
wonderful Nona Beamer, entitled "The Golden Lehua Tree - Stories
and Music from the Heart of Hawai'i's Beamer Family," including
instrumental accompaniment by Keola Beamer. The street date is
November 19, but advance copies can be pre-ordered at
http://www.kbeamer.com.
Head's up again for Japanese Hawaiian music fans! I hear from a
Japanese connection, Yuji, that Teresa Bright sings two songs
on a recent release by Gontiti, entitled "Easy Busy" (Epic/Sony
Records ESCB1796). She sings "Share the Moonlight" and "A Summer's
Medley," both tunes have lyrics by Teresa Bright and music by
Gontiti.
Concerts
Gigs
See the Dakine Online concert schedule at:
http://www.nahenahe.net/concert.html
See you in early December! A hui hou--
--Susan
*** change your bookmark! ***
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
Kekuhi Kanahele, Hahani Mai
(Punahele Productions PPCD 004).
A stunning debut by Kekuhi Kanahele. This CD contains *17* songs,
all but one of which are originals with music by Kekuhi (the other
had original lyrics set to a traditional family melody). All songs
are in Hawaiian. Kekuhi has a voice stunning in its versatility and
secure in technique. At times she sounds like a husky-voice
chanteuse, and at other times she sounds like Gabby's twin sister.
The range of emotions is stunning (compare the tender "Don't Cry
'Oe" to the gravelly voiced "Cut 'm Loose," for example. This is a
beautifully crafted CD with much depth. A truly outstanding
release, one that will haunt you and tempt you to play it again and
again. Click here for a
sound clip. Kekuhi's web page can be found at http://www.nahenahe.net/kekuhi/.
Kekuhi will be making an appearance this month in Honolulu -- check
the concert listings below!
Various artists,
Ki Ho'alu
Christmas (Dancing Cat 08022-38037-2). A simply beautiful,
mostly instrumental CD of Christmas music. Songs and artists
include Keola Beamer - Do You Hear What I Hear?, Barney Isaacs and
George Kuo - Winter Wonderland, Ledward Ka'apana - Silent Night,
Cyril Pahinui - Mele Kalikimaka (vocal), and Ozzie Kotani - It Came
Upon A Midnight Clear. I particularly like Led's Silent Night --
oh, the things that man can do with a guitar! You can find an audio
clip
here. 
Na Leo Pilimehana, Anthology Vol. I
(1984- 1996) (NLP Records, NLPCD 3002). As I mentioned in my
last page, this CD includes a variety of songs from Na Leo's
previous releases, including Local Boys, Candle in the Wind,
Friends, and Flying with Angels. The three bonus songs are Time
and Tide (previously available only on a benefit CD), Poetry Man,
and I Feel Lucky. You can find an audio
clip
here.
November 17, 7:00 p.m.
(Northern California)
Hapa in concert at the
Mountain View Center for the Arts, 500 Castro Street, Downtown Mountain View
(40 minutes south of San
Francisco, 15 minutes north of San Jose). The Island Riddim Band opens.
Tickets: $18.50 advance, $22 on the day of show. Call 415-903-6000. November 17:
Starfest '96: a benefit for Alfredo Romero of the Society of Seven.
The concert runs literally all day, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at McCoy
Pavilion at Ala Moana Park. Performers include the Society of
Seven, Ka'au Crater Boys, Don Ho, Iva Kinimaka, Glenn Medeiros,
Pandanus Club, Loyal Garner, and Nohelani Cypriano. Tickets are $10
in advance, $12 at the door, and are available at Tower Records,
Record Hawai'i, Tempo Music, Easy Music Center,and Harry's Music.
November 18
(San Diego):
Hula Halau Keali'i O Nalani in recital
with the music of Kanilau at University of California at San Diego.
Kanilau has been held
over by popular demand after the huge response to their November 16 concert.
See website for additional info. November 21
(Texas):
Keola Beamer performs as part of the World Music Festival.
College of Fine Arts, Univ. of Texas at Austin.
Info: cpq@mail.utexas.edu. November 23
Kekuhi Kanahele performs with Kaipo Frias at Native Books &
Beautiful Things from 3 - 5 p.m. Free! Info: 599-5511. November 24
First Hawaiian Music Awards at the Hawai'i Theatre.
This production is intended to honor every genre of music available
in Hawai'i, including Hawaiian music, rock, jazz, Latin, classical,
world, reggae, pop, R&B, rap, and country. Performers include Sudden
Rush, Kunia, Dita Holifield, Nueva Vida, Rolando Sanchez, and Z and
the Free Radicals. Tickets are $18.50 and are available at the
Theatre (528-0506) or through The Connection (545-4000). A dance
celebration will follow at Gordon Biersch, Buffalo Bud's, and the
Pier Bar at Aloha Tower Marketplace. November 28
John Keawe at KHPR's Atherton Theatre. Info: 955-8821. November 29
Hawaiian music at Ala Moana Center's Center Stage: Kapena at
11, Ka'au Crater Boys at 1 p.m., and Ledward Ka'apana and Leabert Lindsey at
7:30 p.m. Free! November 29
Ho'omau: Three Generations of Hawaiian Music. The Ho'opi'i
Brothers, the Makaha Sons, and the Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus, with
special guest No Ka Liko, at the Hawai'i Theatre. 8 p.m. Tickets:
$15 and $20. Tickets available at the box office or through the
Connection. [Note: this concert should not be confused with the
annual Ho'omau concert presented by the Hawaiian immersion schools
on Oa'hu at the Waikiki Shell. This concert is a benefit for the
Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus.] November 30
(San Francisco)
Polynesia Polynesia!'s First Annual Holoku
Gala Ball, 5:30 to 11:30 PM at the Sheraton Palace Hotel. Performers: Nina
Keali'iwahamana, Mahi Beamer, Kapalikiko Hawaiian Band, Patrick Makuakane,
Hula Halau Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu. Info: Betty Chang (408) 972-0107 or
vernchang@aol.com, or see:
http://www.punawelewele.com/polynesia2/holokupg.htm December: December 1
CANCELLED: Keali'i Reichel and Tony Conjugacion benefit concert
for Palama Settlement. May possibly be rescheduled for next year. December 6 & 7
The Brothers Cazimero at Holiday Inn
Financial District, 750 Kearny Street. The Friday concert is at 8 p.m., and
the concerts on Saturday are 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Cost: $25 for show only;
$37.50 for show and luau. Info: 415-433-6600 ext 7920. December 11 & 15
A Christmas Spectacular with the Brothers Cazimero!
The Brothers sings Christmas melodies with the Honolulu Symphony at
Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall. The Wednesday concert is at 7:30 and
the Sunday concert is at 4 p.m. Tickets are $45, 32, 25, 20, and
$15. Call the Blaisdell Box Office for tickets. December 13
Hawaiian music at Ala Moana Center's Center Stage. John Keawe
at 1 p.m., and Ron Ku'ula'au at 2 p.m.
susanj@lava.net
Music Pages read since 9/20/96.