Please support our very first Starbulletin.com advertiser!

Island Mele

Friday, January 5, 2001

By John Berger

Chorus sings of
school’s heritage

Na Keiki O Kamehameha: By Na Keiki O Kamehameha (Kamehameha Schools MACD 2076)

The third album to come out of Kamehameha Schools in recent years features the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus and showcases chorus director Lynell Bright's work as a song writer.

Most of the nine Bright originals here are expository in style. Some speak of the great pride that comes with being a student at Kamehameha. Others reflect the staunch Protestant perspectives established in the Kamehameha Schools curriculum by its founders more than a century ago (the liner notes hint that one of Bright's songs may be an oblique attack on outsiders who criticize school policies).

"Kau Kau Song, the Island Way" combines silly but harmless ethnic stereotypes and dialect humor in reworking "Polly Wolly Doodle" into a kiddie song about local food and hospitality.

"Be Strong My Friend," in contrast, is excellent in all respects. This should be the chorus' musical signature and theme song.

The chorus members aren't credited, but fans of the genre will enjoy their work, even though the kids are often used as backing singers for outside artists.

One guest, Crystal Mateo, is a Kamehameha student ; others are graduates who have become stars. The guest spots by Na Leo (KS '84) and the Brothers Cazimero (before '84) are particularly nice.

Henry Kapono and Teresa Bright aren't Kamehameha graduates but both add further legitimate star-power.

The guest thing is stretched thin by including the Anguay Sisters, products of the Castle High School theater arts program, who are related by marriage to Lynell Bright and her father-in-law, Ron Bright. (Ron worked with several of the sisters as head of the Castle theater program.) The group has a nice local pop sound and belongs on their own album.

Credit David Kauahikaua (KS '74) with the arrangements and most of the musical effects. Song lyrics and informative liner notes complete the package.

http://www.mountainapplecompany.com

Mpeg Audio Clips: The Master's Champion with Na Leo Pilimehana E Kolu Mea Nui with Teresa Bright Being Loved By You with the Anguay sisters Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

---

Kuahiwi Nani: By Darlene Ahuna (Hula CDHS-9615) CD-single

Few local artists do CD-singles these days, but singles are still a shrewd way to promote new material or reach people who won't invest in an album.

Releasing a CD-single at year's end ups an artist's odds of winning a Hoku Award as well. That strategy helped Darlene Ahuna win "Single of the Year" in 1999. This CD-single makes her a favorite to win again in that category.

Ahuna sings beautifully as always. An all-star quartet adds a clean acoustic arrangement. Traditionalists will applaud this one.

Mpeg Audio Clip: Kuahiwi Nani Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info

---

See Record Reviews for some past reviews.
See Aloha Worldwide for locals living away.

John Berger, who has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972, writes reviews of recordings
produced by Hawaii artists. See the Star-Bulletin's Today
section on Fridays for the latest reviews.