Aloha mai!
I've got something special for you this time: a preview of one of the songs on Keali'i Reichel's gonna-be-released-any-moment CD, Melelana. Click here 5o listen to a 5 song preview medley, kick back, and enjoy! Street date is still holding at December 21 ... just in time for Christmas!
And speaking of Christmas, I'm not sure how many of you know that Keola (who runs Nahenahe.net) has a search engine on my prior music reviews. Want to know if there's a great item waiting out there as a stocking stuffer? Check out the archives.
Hawaiian music lovers practically anywhere in the state can treat themselves to Hawaiian music as the new Millennium dawns -- see the concerts listed below! If you want to ring in the new year with Hawaiian music ringing in your ears, you have plenty of choices!
Auntie Maria is the proprietor of The Hawaiian Music Island, http://www.mele.com, a website that has proven so popular that she's branched out and opened her own, bricks 'n' mortar store, in Capitola, California. The store, IslandStyle, is at 831 Bay Avenue (at Highway One). It's open 7 days a week, from 10AM to 5PM. In addition to Hawaiian music, she will sell books, videos, clothing, slippahs, snacks, handcrafted seed & shell lei, decorator items, and gift items. Best wishes, Auntie! You go, girl!
Just heard from the duo Aloha Plenty that they're back in Kaua'i after a year on Moloka'i, and that they've landed a regular gig at Surt's on the Beach in Haena, Kauai, right next to the Hanalei Colony Resort (the old Charo's place) for Friday and Saturday evenings 6 to 8 p.m. Hawaiian music lovers and visitors to Kaua'i take note!
Picked up the new Cazimero Christmas Favorites CD, thinking it was new material, only to find that it's a compilation of two previous Christmas CDs, plus one bonus track. Just so you know....
Recordings
Imua, Live Aloha (Island Groove IGPD 2000) Imua is the instantly-recognizable band responsible for the song that's been terrorizing the airwaves for months now, "Menehune Beach Bum Boogie." That song is not on this new release, but the lead vocals and the style are instantly recognizable. This is a light, playful CD, with mostly original songs about life in Hawaii. There's that definite Jawaiian flavor, but the local focus in the lyrics and the rather spare but secure instrumentation (mostly just one guitar, a uke, some nice percussion) keeps it clean. I liked it, which speaks to its cohesiveness and good humor: generally fake reggae makes my teeth ache. The only tinny part is the remake of "Groovin'" with the tinny synthesizers. These guys have a lot of personality, and while there songs may err a bit on the repetitive side melodically, they manage to keep it fresh. The one instrumental, "Another Time and Place," is a real winner. Songs also include: title track, "Waimanalo Style," "Hanapa'a Hula," and "Swing" (two versions).
Willie K, Willie Kalikimaka (Mountain Apple MACD 2062) Willie used to have one of the finest voices in Hawaiian music -- ever heard him do the Phantom of the Opera duet with Amy? -- but of late he's concentrating much more on a stunning array of instrumentals. He is the guiding genius behind the Willie and Amy CDs, where his inspired instrumental settings encase Amy's voice with aural gold. In this CD, his vocal take a back seat to his exploration of a variety of stylings for a wide array of Christmas music. He does reggae, C&W with Willie Nelson, gospel -- even a touch of Bruce Springsteen in his dramatic "Little Drummer Boy." This is not the kind of Christmas music for traditionalists, but those who appreciate fresh twists on classics will like it. Songs include: Willie's famous version of "O Holy Night," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," "Away in a Manger," "Reggae Christmas," "Unto Us is Born a King," and "Mele Kalikimaka."
See you in the new century - a hui hou!
--Susan
susanj@lava.net
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