Mid-December
(© 1997 Susan Jaworowski)

Aloha to all you Hawaiian music fans! Hawaiian music makes the perfect Christmas/Hanukkah/ New Year's gift -- introduce someone you love to it. From classic hapa-haole "sunset-at-Waikiki" sweetness to chant, from falsetto stylings to contemporary, vital Hawaiian music in Hawaiian, from Jawaiian to rap, there's something for almost every musical taste.

As the Na Hoku Hanohano deadline looms, there are plenty of new releases on hand! Check out the eight CD previews below.

I have a little advance word on the Mainland slack key concert series featuring the Reverend Dennis Kamakahi, George Kahumoku Jr., and Cyril Pahinui: I understand that there are dates in . Freight & Salvage (Berkeley) on 1/3, Knoxville TN on 2/1, Nashville TN on 2/2, Salt Lake City on 2/7, Boulder CO on 2/11, Villa Montalvo (Saratoga CA) on 2/12,and Folsom CA (near Sacramento) on 2/13. I'll share info on locations and tickets when I get it!

I have some sad news to share: a net friend, "FirstPrize@aol.com" has passed away. Joni posted occasionally to alt.music.hawaiian and often sent me her passionate reviews of the many mainland Hawaiian music events she attended. We'll miss her candid voice on alt.music.hawaiian and in her email correspondence. A hui hou, e Joni.

Recordings

Teresa Bright, Quiet Nights (Dolphin Hawaii DLH-001). Teresa Bright has two faces: the lush, assured Hawaiian songbird of such memorable songs as "Poli'ahu," "Nani Kaua'i" and the "Hawaiian War Chant," and the jazzy, after-dark chanteuse who delivered the definitive version of "Uwe, Ami and Slide." While I personally prefer Teresa's Hawaiian recordings, she is equally gifted at both. Quiet Nights features Teresa in her nightclub mode. She is in fine voice on songs such as "Heavenly Islane/ A'e Halawai," "Dream a Little Dream of Me," "I Only Have Eyes for You," "Scotch and Soda," "Blue Hawai`i," and "Moku O Hawai`i."

Wade Cambern, A Blue Canoe (Mountain Apple Company MACD 2041) Wade Cambern, formerly of the Hawaiian Style Band, is back with a new CD in his trademark catchy, melodically interesting songs. (Wade authored HSB hits "Happy 2 B w/U," "The First Hawaiian," and "Rhythm of the Ocean.") After Robi Kahakalau left the group, HSB focussed less on Hawaiiana and more on contemporary music. A Blue Canoe is another step away from Hawaiian music and toward a more maniland sensibility. It's catchy, but I miss the synthesis of modern and Hawaiian that infused HSB's first two CDs. BTW, I heard Wade give a radio interview on this CD, in which he mentioned that the "Blue Canoe" was really the name of the new band, not just the CD, and that the original title of the CD was going to be "Funky Hula Girl," one of the songs from the CD that's been getting a lot of local airplay. Songs include: "Cookin' >From the Heart," "Funky Hula Girl," Holoholo Ka'a," "A Big Girl, a Little Boy," and "Live a Little," the updated version of HSB's "Live a Little (Hawaiian Style)."

Keao, Whee-Ha!: Hawaiian Falsetto Stylings of Keao (Mountain Apple Company MACD 2045) Falsetto fans, rejoice! There's a new kid on the block, with a fine voice reminiscnt of Tony Conjugacion. He's got energy to burn and plenty of style. His accompaniment is tasty, featuring steel guitar, piano, and old fashioned chalangalang 'ukes and guitars. I liked this one a lot.

Na Kane Nui, It's a Miracle(Cinnamon Red Records CRR 009). This CD features an easy-going, contemporary island sound on a variety of songs, including 5 originals and some old favorites. Songs include Eric Clapton's "Dont' Want to Talk About It," "Kalena Kai," "Hihi Wai," "Mauna Loa," "Flower Lady of Waikane," and the title track. Nice work.

John Ka'imikaua, From Deep Within: Mai Ka Na'au Kuhohonu Kumu hula John Ka'imikaua brings us a CD five years in the making, featuring original music and previously undocumented history of pre-contact Moloka'i. John is no O'Brien Eselu, the kumu hula whose debut release displayed a voice of dazzling power and brilliance, but John in a secure, pleasant singer, with a variety of interesting songs, good backup, and detailed, absorbing liner notes. Songs include "He Kama A Hina," "Kaula Wale No O Moloka'i," "Dreary Afternoon," "Hilo I" (great backup singing!), "Hilo II," "Fly Away," and Wil's Song."

Canoe Club, Along for the Ride (Roy Sakuma Productions RSCD 8296) Wow! Such a catchy, sassy recording, featuring the great 'ukulele work of David Ho and the vocals of Brigette Bryant. I had been half-expecting a generic, Mainland wanna-be sound from this CD, but was I ever wrong. The instrumentals were tasty, the singing individual and compelling -- it had the same impact on me, although certainly not the same sound -- as the early HSB CDs. I liked almost everything I listened to at first hearing. Songs, most of which are instrumentals, include: "Kumu Mele," "Lia," "Pineapple Mango," "Haiku," and the title track, with particularly nice work by Brigette.

Cecilio and Kapono, Journey Through the Years (Sony Music/Cord International A28) This CD re-releases C&K's greatest hits ("Lifetime Party," "Sunflower," "Friends," "Sailin'," "About You") and adds as a bonus, because most of you have these songs already, probably on more than one album [g] three songs previously unreleased in CD format: "Searchin'," "Harlequin," and "50 cents a Song." Die-hard C&K fans will want this one, but the rest of us may be content to pop in one of our old C&K hit CDs.

Cindy Combs, Land of Endless Summer (Better Days Records BDR CD 003) Interesting that this should come out about the same time as Quiet Nights, because Cindy seems as though she's heading for Teresa Bright country in this intimate, night-club-mood release. She has picked out a stellat backup cast, including Casey Olsen on steel guitar, Jerry Santos on backup vocals, Mike Muldoon on percussion, and Bryan Tolentino on 'ukulele. Cindy's voice is indeed reminiscent of Teresa's, both in sound and style. If you like Quiet Nights, give Cindy a try. Songs include "Ei Nei," "Pua Lilia" (sung, to my taste, too low), "Maile Swing," "Come Summer," and "'Au'au pu" (instrumental).

--Susan
susanj@lava.net

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 Pages read since 9/20/96.

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