A Musical Tradition: Na Mele Ho'oheno: Various artists (Kamehameha Schools)
THE Kamehameha Schools/Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate Trustees are criticized for many things -- their choice of investments outside Hawaii, their landlease policies here, their failure to purchase and preserve the Twigg-Smith collection of rare and valuable Hawaiian stamps. This beautiful 36-song double album should momentarily placate even their harshest critics. It is a perfect introduction to the traditions of a capella choral singing in Hawaii, and will delight fans of Hawaiian music.
The album commemorates a century of music and 75 years of singing competitions at the schools. Students were once segregated by sex, and a song contest at the School for Boys began in 1921. The first combined contest was held in 1952.
The selections on this recording comprise a cross-section of Hawaiian choral music at its best; many written by alumnae Charles E. King (1891), Helen Desha Beamer (1900) and Palani Vaughan (1962). Others are by the prolific composers of the Kalakaua Dynasty (Queen Liliuokalani, Queen Kapi'olani, Prince Leleiohoku and Princess Miriam Likelike). Kamehameha Schools history is represented by "Sons of Hawai'i" and "I Mua Kamehameha." (The former was adapted as the schools' original alma mater over a century ago.)
Chronologically, the second disc/tape comes first. It opens with a pair of recordings said to date from the 1920s: "Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha" is performed by Sam Kapu (1927) and the Alumni Glee Club; "Ua Like no a Like" is a duet by Kapu and Helen Desha Beamer. Complete audio restoration was apparently not possible but the two recordings are historical gems. Producers Marsha Heu Bolson (1970) and Marlene Sai (1959), and technical director David Kauahikaua (1973) did well to include them.
The collection continues with a handful of recordings from the early '50s. A slightly larger selection represents the '70s and '80s; "Ku'u Leilehua" will bring back memories for anyone who witnessed the 1972 Song Contest.
The first disc/tape contains 20 songs recorded in the last few years by the Concert Glee Club, the Children's Chorus, and the Class of 1997. What a graduation commemoration for them!
Song lyrics aren't included but detailed annotation places the songs in historical perspective and shares the basic meaning for listeners not fluent in Hawaiian. This album belongs in every collection of Hawaiian music
A companion book is scheduled for release this summer.
Tunes With Love: By Mark Coleman (Kekela Sounds) cassette
THIS informally recorded collection of originals takes Mark Coleman outside his role as a Star-Bulletin staffer and member of the band Potato Cannon.
As a composer's statement, the album is a success, but if the songs reflect his personal situation he's extremely unlucky in love. The first six address aspects of rejection, loss, sundered relationships, and the emotional trauma of seeing an ex with someone else.
Coleman keeps the sound sparse but explores several distinct styles. There are traces of Stealers Wheel, "Heartbreak Hotel," Crosby Stills & Nash, country-rock, Ricky Nelson, and the Rolling Stones.
Quality annotation completes this musical portrait of one man and his music.