Aloha mai!It was chicken-skin time in Honolulu on Saturday December 4th, when as the tree outside Honolulu Hale was lit, Keola Beamer sang the classic, "Honolulu City Lights." Yes, ok, it was about leaving Honolulu, not lighting Christmas trees, but it was still a special moment.
I hav received an advance copy of Keali'i Reichel's newest CD, entitled (at least at this moment!) Melelana. Street date is supposed to be December 21. It may be your answer to Christmas shopping this season!
Great news for you Californians: The Hawaiian Music Island, long a staple of the Internet Hawaiian music scene, is opening a store. I hope to have the details to share with you next page. The website will still be open, but now there will be a new place to come, browse, talk story.
Recordings
John Keawe, Heartfelt
(Homestead Productions HPCD 1005). John is one of my favorite ki ho'alu (slack key) artists, and this is a delightful way to experience his music. The songs are good and the instrumentals first rate. He is joined on this CD by his sons John (bass) and Mark (drums). All but one of the songs are originals, and some (Ka'auhuhu Homestead, Hi'olani - Keiki O Hawaii, and Slack Key Heaven) have appeared on other CDs. New songs include "Hana by the Sea," "Kalaupapa's Prayer (instrumental)," "Encantada (instrumental)," and "Manu Aloha." John's graceful and effortless playing deserves wider recognition. This is a good introduction to John's style.
Various artists, Duke Kahanamoku presents A Beachboy Party (Hana Ola Records HOCD 33000) Wow! Hana Ola, a division of Cord International, has brought back the Waltah Clarke 1963 recording of Waikiki beachboys Chick Daniels, Panama, Kalakaua, Fat Kala, Jimmy Hakuole, Splash Lyons, Squeeze Kamana, Harry Robello, Turkey, Ox, Steamboat, and even, singing along with the chorus, Duke himself. This remastered CD was originally recorded on the beach at Waikiki at the Outrigger Canoe Club. You can tell that it was a helluva party! It has the effortless style of something not trying to recapture a long-ago style, but the unselfconscious actual style of the time itself. Songs of particular merit are "Okole Maluna," "Waikiki," and the two instrumentals, "Lover" and "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise," but the whole thing is a party and not meant to be analyzed, just enjoyed. Another excellent job from Hana Ola. BTW, this CD is alleged to contain the only recording of Duke Kahanamoku's voice ever made.!
See you in mid-December - a hui hou!
--Susan
susanj@lava.net
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