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Island Mele
Friday, April 20, 2001
Swing is the thing for singer Joe Kingston in this glorious collection of American pop music classics. Kingston sings with an engaging freshness reminiscent of John Pizzarelli and perhaps a hint of the brashness of a young Tommy Sands. A tight sextet -- drums, bass, brass, reeds and piano/keyboards -- provides excellent support. On the Swing Shift
Joe Kingston (Flying Mongoose PTP1724)On first listen this is a natural pick for romantics. The order of the songs makes it promising dance party material as well. Kingston follows "Route 66" with a swinging arrangement of "Fly Me to the Moon" before slipping into "Twilight Time." He and the combo vary the tempos nicely thereafter. Dropping the horn section on two tunes adds a smooth lounge ambience to the set.
If there are occasional hints of rawness, they add to the emotional authenticity of Kingston's overall performance. He and his band do a fine job throughout.
Email: paleohi@aloha.net
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Route 66
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Kenneth Makuakane founded Pandanus Club in 1987 and led it to three Hoku Awards in 1990. While changes in the band's lineup over the years were part of its original concept, that proud history isn't mentioned in this anthology nor are any of the band members identified. That makes "Ua Mau" far less than the first-rate commemoration of the Pandanus Club it so easily could have been. Ua Mau
Pandanus Club (Kawai KCD 2100)Liner notes by Makuakane and Chris Keliiaa describe "Ua Mau" as an opportunity to "glimpse into our souls." Omiting English translations ensures that the "glimpse" is enjoyed by relatively few. Since Makuakane co-wrote all 15 songs it would have be easy for him to include a little information.
Each song here certainly has a story behind it. C'mon, Ken, show some aloha and share your knowledge!
http://www.booklineshawaii.com
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Willie K won four Hoku Awards including Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for his hot 1991 debut album, "Kahaiali'i." Equally versatile as a performer, studio musician, producer and song writer, Willie hit big in all areas. His professional relationship with Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom resulted in several Hoku Awards for her as well, and the two albums they recorded as Amy Hanaiali'i & Willie K were also Hoku winners. So was "Willie Kalikimaka." Live at Hapa's
Willie K (Willie K Ent. WKE-1983)Through it all Willie stayed in touch with his bar band roots by playing for hometown fans on Maui. This self-produced "live" double album has been out for a while in Kihei but should now be in major record stores on Oahu. It's his best album yet, showing what he can do when he's free to play for himself.
His work on songs like "The Thrill is Gone" and "Over the Rainbow" displays his rare skill and imagination as a song stylist.
(808) 879-9001
Mpeg Audio Clips:
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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.
