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Slack Key & Hawaiian Music Reviews
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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 great arranging ability and technique while keeping a Hawaiian style feel. Palm alumnus Jeff Peterson's "O Holy Night," and label co-founder Charles Michael Brotman's "The First Noel" are both nice clasically-tinged arrangements that appear on the album. On the other hand, Charles's Kohala bandmate Randy Lorenzo-also of Olomana, Country Comfort, C&K, Beamer Brothers, Peter Moon, and Gabby Band fame- offers us a down home take on "Jingle Bells," and an enjoyable version of "Mele Kalikimaka." On the jazzier end of the spectrum, Sonny Lim does "I'll Be Home for Christmas," and the excellent rendition of "White Christmas" that closes out the album.
In addition to familiar talent, the CD also features performances by some newer names: most notably Dwight Takumoto's arrangement of "Away in a Manger," and Ben Kaili's rendition of "Little Drummer Boy." Overall, a CD well worth a listen over the Holidays and a great way to hear some of these musicians for the first time if you haven't before. - Dec. '07
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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. As Bobby points out, true happiness in music often means going your own direction - even if it's something that most people won't necessarily dig or understand.
To that end, Bobby has taken a risk by putting out an album that's not all 'traditional' Hawaiian music, though his touch on the steel often makes a song sound at least a little Hawaiian. The half-vocal, half-instrumental album features cuts influenced primarily by old timey big band and Western swing music. Though some of the vocal tunes (mostly done by Sean Thibadeaux) are a bit campy, the overall effect is pleasant and cheerful. Bobby's steel weaves it's way throughout, and really shines on instrumentals like "Kula Stars," "Lanai City," and "Missing You." There's even a nice latin tinged cover of "Rhythm of the Rain."
Yet, this album just touches one area of Bobby's musical tastes; he's also heavily into Blues music (one time we talked extensively about Chicago Blues musicians) and Classic Rock... In fact, Bobby started out in a Classic Rock cover band with his brothers in High School (there are plans to reunite with his brothers and do a Blues record).
Bobby even learned some old Philipino Mandolin music - using the Spanish tuning - from an old gentleman he heard playing one day while walking down the street. After the gentleman passed away, his family members told Bobby that their grandfather was glad he could pass on the old traditional music to Bobby since no one in his own family played. Accordingly, Bobby can also be heard playing some Mandolin on "Primrose."
This all goes to show that Bobby is a talented musician with a melting pot of influences as diverse as Hawai'i. While this album is an interesting departure from his usual style, Bobby still can't escape playing with a Hawaiian touch. Pick it up for something a little different on the steel. - Dec. '07
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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 modern crossover that features some excellent Peterson-style arrangements of traditional songs such as "Koke'e," "'Ulili E," and "Wai 'alae." I particularly enjoyed Peterson's cascading arrangement of "Puamana."
In addition to the traditional Hawaiian music, there are also several nice modern style originals: "Almost Home" and "Haiku" delve into intimate fingerstyle territory, while "Let's Ride," is a killer fast-paced blues romp. While Traditionalists might eschew some of the more modern players, I would still recommend they take a listen to Jeff. His right hand technique is worth the price of admission alone. Beyond that, though, it's important to see the possibilities of where slack key might head in the future, and Jeff represents a unique approach and style that is well worth a listen.
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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, and the more conteporary fingerstyle work on "Kaleohano."
While Bobby does well on the guitar, the band does very well in playing together to create a cohesive sound, with no one hogging the spotlight here. Bruce Spencer has some nice solos and fills on the Uke, and Kahi Kaonohi does a good job holding down the low end on bass. All three voices harmonize together very well with sweet two and three part vocal harmonies, and there is also some excellent falsetto work on the album. Overall, this is a good traditional / contemporary album that should satisfy a broad range of Hawaiian music fans.
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| Buy "Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar" |
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 excellent contributions from series host George Kahumoku Jr., and other veterans of the Maui concert series such as his son Keoki, Martin Pahinui, label founder Daniel Ho, and relative newcomers like Sterling Seaton.
Keoki Kahumoku jams on "Blue Slacks Slack Key," which he co wrote with student Brittni Paiva, and leads the rousing "Laupahoehoe Hula" that closes the Cd. One listen to the closing track will explain why Keoki is one of my favorite vocalists as well - he has that great Hawaiian spirit that combines vigor with a sense of humor. Not just a "slack key" CD, this album also features the ever heavenly playing of steel guitarist Bobby Ingano ("Wailana"), and Richard Ho'opi'i's (Sol's brother) rousing ukulele and vocals on "Henehene Ko 'Aka. Peter deAquino and Garrett Probst, featured as 'Da 'Ukulele Boyz' on previous Cd's, can also be heard contributing Uke to various songs. Finally we have the notable inclusion of some excellent female vocals on Owana Salazar's "Ali'i Poe."
Having bought the other Cd's in this series when they came out, I was pleased upon first listen to find that while the line up and song selection is as good as ever, the recording quality of this latest installment is the best yet. It has taken the series up a notch, and if the last ones were worth a grammy then this one definitely is as well. Whether it wins or not, I highly recommend you go out and buy it. - Nov. 07
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Cyril Pahinui, He 'eia, Dancing Cat 2007.
Cindy Combs, Sunny Rain, Dancing Cat 2007.
These excellent CD's were recently released on the Dancing Cat label, the premier label for the genre and one which which both artists have had an ongoing relationship - this is Cindy's second and Cyril's third album for Dancing Cat.
Though not released as a 'set', the albums provide an interesting contrast when listened to together (as is inevitable when you rush out and buy them both). As on previous albums, Cyril favors a heavier, richer style - using a 12 string and tuning down a half or whole step for most of the songs. Most of the tracks are instrumental, with several that also showcase his equally rich vocal style. Tuning-wise, most of the album is in Atta's C. Exceptions include "Ki Ho'alu" in Taro Patch and (doesn't sound like a relation to the one on Pure Gabby done in Mauna Loa tuning, also covered by Ozzie Kotani) and Salomila done in Cyril's signature D 6/9 tuning - also used for Sanoe on Night Moon - instead of the usual Taro Patch. The title track is done twice, first as an instrumental in Mauna Loa tuning, then later as a vocal backed in Atta's C. This is kind of an unusual thing to do, but it works well to unify the album. As the liner notes point out, the song takes place in a bay of the same name in Keauhou (Big Island), where the cover was shot. (As I'm staying about a block from Keauhou Bay right now I plan to search it out tomorrow afternoon.)
For me, highlights included both versions of the title track, Makee Ailana (a nod to Sonny Chillingworth no doubt), Cyril's fresh take on Hula Blues, Meleana E, and Salomila. Overall, this album is of the same quality as the previous two Cyril put out on Dancing Cat... So if you liked the first two, this is a winner. If you haven't picked up any of Cyril's albums, this would be as good a place as any to start.
In contrast to Cyril's deep, rich style, Cindy Combs's style is more open and sparse (similar to Keola's style in that respect). She uses space to great effect on this all-instrumenral album, and comes out with a very vocal personal quality. The use of 'space' puts one foot in the new age / progressive camp, but Cindy also manages to keep the other foot planted in tradition- a tough balance. The tunings are mostly G6 (Half Taropatch) and C Wahine, with a C tuning of her own invention added. Highlights for me included "Laid Back Slack," "Pakala" which alternates between tame and aggressive, "Ua Noho Au A Kupa & Wai`alae," and Mauna Loa. If you haven't heard Cindy, this is a good album to pick up.
While their styles are different, both albums are well thought out and filled with spirited playing. Pick them up together for some relaxed slack key listening. - October '07
Past Kihoalu.org Reviews
Cindy CombsKen Emerson
Steven Espaniola
Cyril Pahinui
Donald Kauli'a
Pilioha