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| Buy "Slack Key Christmas" |
Various Artists, Slack Key Christmas, Palm Records 2007.
The idea behind "Slack Key Christmas," is certainly nothing new; in fact, it's a no-brainer. The melodious open tunings of Ki Ho'alu lend themselves quite well to arrangements of Christmas songs, as was shown just over ten years ago when Dancing Cat released the first of its two Slack Key Christmas albums. But if you don't have either of those (or even if you do), you might start out your Hawaiian-style holidays by picking up this latest collection from Palm Records.
There are several diverse styles of slack key represented on the CD, from down home to contemporary. Jim West's excellent arrangement of "Winter Wonderland" starts off the CD on a high note, showcasing his ... Read More...
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| Buy "Stranger Here" |
Bobby Ingano, Stranger Here, Get-Your-Own-Band Records 2007.
Bobby Ingano is one of the more under-appreciated musicians on the scene, if only by the general public. Most of his fellow musicians have known for years that he's a first call session guy who knocks out smooth steel licks at the drop of a straw hat, creating an unobtrusive part of the song that often becomes essential to it. Bobby's last album "Steel Reflections," has enough Hawaiian standards to keep avid steel aficionados happy, but while he's a first rate Hawaiian musician, Bobby's interests don't stop there. ... Read More...
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| Buy "Pure Slack Key" |
Jeff Peterson, Pure Slack Key, Peterson Productions 2007.
When Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom needs someone in a tux to back her up, she calls Jeff. When a symphony orchestra needs a classical player that knows slack key, they call Jeff (who has played with the Nashville Symphony and Matt Catingub's Hawai'i Orchestra). Even the Clintons and Eric Clapton have called upon Jeff for performances. Rather than a true 'old style' player, Jeff has a unique, modern style that incorporates classical and jazz lines into smooth "uptown" arrangements of traditional Hawaiian songs, all played with some of the best chops in the biz.
So if pressed, even Jeff might have to admit that the album title, "Pure Slack Key," is a bit of a misnomer. Aside from the very straight ahead version of "Punahoa Special," done much the same as Led might play it, the album is a mostly ... Read More...
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| Buy "Ho 'okanaka" |
Maunalua, Ho'okanaka, 2007.
The third album from this popular Oahu trio finds them in good form. To the uninitiated, Maunalua is a band that does traditional tunes with a touch of contemporary and 70's style Hawaiian folk & country... the imprint of Hui Ohana is there, but with a slightly more contemporary vibe.
Guitarist Bobby Moderow, Jr. contributes some nice Slack Key and guitar throughout the album - from traditionals like the opening cover of Dennis Kamakahi's "Koke'e," or Gabby's signature "Hi'ilawe," to contemporary country influenced songs like "Endless Miles," and the crooner "Now is the Hour." Guitar highlights include the instrumental "Mai Ae I Ka Hewa," which is reminiscent of Sonny Chillingworth... Read More...
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CD Reviews:
Various Artists, Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Daniel Ho Productions 2007.
You can tell that the holidays (and Grammy time) are around the corner when the compilations start coming out. This CD is the third in a string of albums recorded at George Kahumoku Jr.'s Maui concert series and released on Daniel Ho's label. No doubt, the generic "easy to vote for" title will produce grumblings from certain circles in Hawaiian music that don't like slack key to win the Hawaiian Grammy every year. That's a shame, because this CD is as well deserving as any with its roster of top notch Hawaiian artists doing some very traditional songs.
Dennis Kamakahi begins the album with a brief chant before breaking into the full on "Maika'i Kaua'i" with his guitar. Led produces a fine instrumental rendition of "Ku'u Ipo Ona Ona," followed by Cyril Pahinui singing "Nani Ka'ala." Hard to get more Hawaiian than that, but the album continues on with ... Read More...
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| Cyril Pahinui Teaching a class at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea, Big Island of Hawa'i - Nov. '07 |
News:
Fall '07 & Winter '08 Slack Key Workshops
Every Fall and Winter there are several slack key workshops that take place throughout the Islands. These events range from weekend long festivals to full blown week long camps, and cost anywhere from $60 to $1,200 to attend. Most camps are headed by a legendary slack key musician with other prominent Kihoalu masters and Hawaiian musicians joining in. Recognizing that many students treat the events as a vacation and bring along (non-musician) spouses and family, many of the camps have expanded to offer instruction in other areas of Hawaiian culture, such as Hula Dancing, preparing Hawaiian Cuisine, and Hawaiian language and chant. Of course, understanding these additional facets of the culture also helps students understand Ki ho'alu and Hawaiian music, in addition to keeping their significant others busy.
Kahilu Theatre's Ukulele and Slack Key Institute (Nov. 7-10, 2007) This annual event is held at the birthplace of slack key, the ranch town of Waimea on the Big Island of Hawai'i. This year, the camp featured slack key masters Cyril Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, and Jeff Peterson, in addition to steel player Bobby Ingano and Uke player David Kamakahi. The weekend-long event features several concerts, an open jam, and a "talk-story" stage, with both group and private lessons available to students during the day. The concerts and lessons can be ordered a la carte, and there are plenty of fine restaurants nearby to dine at while you're in town. Accommodations can be had at either the Parker Ranch Inn or Kameula Inn (Waimea is also a short 20-30 minute drive from the Kohala Resort area.) Of special note this year, prominent singer Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom was part of the series, teaching classes on Hawaiian vocal technique and playing the Saturday evening concert. See http://www.kahilutheatre.org/ukulele/index.asp for more info.
Cyril Pahinui's Camp (Nov. 26-30, 2007) This is a new event in 2007, and seeks to be something unique. The ambitious program seeks to teach students the music based around specific locales on the Big Island: Waipio Valley (Home of Hi 'ilawe Waterfall), Waimea, Hamakua / Honoka'a, and Kawaihae, and features instructors such as Led Ka'apana, Dennis & David Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, and Britney Paiva. According to a recent e-mail from Cyril, students will stay the first night in Waipio Valley, then travel by van (or their own cars) to the other locales from Kalopa State Park (they can also stay elsewhere if they like or live nearby). Special rates are available for students who just want to attend one or two days ($40 day / $100 overnight). There will be kanikapilas at night, and a concert on Dec. 1st at Honoka'a theatre. More information is available on Cyril's wife's website, humumoolelo.com.
Keoki Kahumoku's Camp (Nov. 30- Dec. 8, 2007) Keoki's camp, which takes place in the old sugar town of Pahala on the South part of the Big Island, is one of the fastest growing in the islands. Students stay at the nearby Pahala Plantation House (2-3 bedroom homes and 'dorm' rooms also available) and attend daily classes on Hawaiian Chant, Food Preparation, and Hawaiian language. Instructors at the camp include Keoki's father George Kahumoku, Jr., Dennis & David Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, Jeff Peterson, Jon Keawe, Herb Ohta, Jr. on uke, Britney Paiva, Diana Aki on Hawaiian vocals, and "Kona" Bob Stoffer on lap steel and his Kona Walking Bass. It is also rumored that Keoki's uncle Moses Kahumoku will show up this year. There are special kama'aina and family rates available. I've heard the food is excellent (Keoki makes his own sausage!), and the kanikapilas are better. For more info, see http://www.konaweb.com/keoki/ or call (808) 935-0643 or 960-8385.
Keola Beamer's Aloha Music Camp (February 3-9, 2008) - Perhaps the most famous of them all, this camp takes place twice a year now on Maui, at the Kaupoa Beach Village. Several members of the talented Beamer family will teach classes in Hula, Ukulele, and Hawaiian storytelling and culture. Keola will teach slack key guitar, and Sonny Lim and Owana Salazar are already confirmed. Unique to the camp, there is also a course on lutherie - ukulele construction, offered by Dennis Lake. Starting at $1,700 per person, this camp is also the most expensive of the lot. For More info, see Keola's Home Page or http://www.alohamusiccamp.com/.
Spotlight:
Slack Key Guitar
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar is one of the oldest finger-styles in the world, dating back to the 1800's when Kamehameha III brought Latin American cowboys, or vaqueros, to teach the Hawaiians to ranch. The "Paniolos" as they were called brought their guitars and gave them to the Hawaiian cowboys, who invented their own style by 'slacking' or detuning the strings. Read More...
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Featured Instructional Book:
Guitar Playing Hawaiian Style, by Ozzie Kotani with Dennis Ladd. Mel Bay, 1996 / 2000.
This is a great book for beginners, and may well be the best book to start with if you have relatively little experience overall. Ozzie Kotani is perhaps Slack Key's premier living teacher. Ozzie himself began taking lessons from legendary master Sonny Chillingworth (along with the likes of George Kuo and Makana), and has continued Sonny's tradition of teaching anyone interested in learning slack key. Not content to reach those who live on Oahu, he has written this excellent book so that the rest of the world may also learn from him.
Ozzie's book is focused around 9 tunes - either songs he wrote (i.e. the into from Kani Ki Ho'alu, ) or traditionals arranged by him (i.e. Manuela Boy). The helpful CD has the songs recorded at both slow speed and regular tempo for practicing along. The book covers the basics ... Read More...