|
Island Mele John Berger |
A good recorded-live album reveals facets of an artist's personality not found in studio recordings. Hearing Kahumoku play the opening of "Sunshine of Your Love" as slack-key, or explain how he built a two-bedroom house for $50, makes this more than just another album by one of Hawaii's guitar masters. "Footprints In The Poi"
George Kahumoku Jr.
Kealia FarmsThe album contains excerpts from several mainland concerts. Bob Brozman is the most prominent guest, but Daniel Ho and Kahumoku's son, Keoki, are heard on various tracks. (The title refers to poi so old that rats leave footprints when they walk across it.)
The 15 songs comprise a balanced sample of Kahumoku's Hawaiian and hapa-haole repertoire, and the interplay between Kahumoku on 12-string guitar and Brozman on acoustic steel guitar adds a zesty perspective to several familiar tunes.
kahumoku.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
"Hawaiian War Chant"
Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info
Ahuna was already a veteran recording artist when she signed with Hula Records, but her career has blossomed since her first album for the label was released in 1995. After four impressive albums, three Hoku Awards and consistent popular success, her first anthology is a timely and appropriate retrospective. "All The Best Of Darlene Ahuna"
Darlene Ahuna
Volume 1
HulaFourteen selections cover all four of her albums and show Ahuna's commitment to traditional Hawaiian music, as well as her vocal talent. Most are standards -- "Makee 'Ailana," for example -- and perfect for hula. Two others are family songs co-written by her mother-in-law, and a third is from Tony Conjugacion.
Annotation is essential for Hawaiian albums, and Kalani Meinecke's erudite liner notes add the right, final touch.
hularecords.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info
Despite the grandiose title, this compilation may make for great listening, but it's also several "masters" short of complete. A hodgepodge of relatively unknown acts occupy the space that belongs, by right, to Kahauanu Lake, Moe Keale, Kelly DeLima, Troy Fernandez, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Byron Yasui and Gordon Mark. Auwe! "Legends Of The Ukulele"
Various artists
HanaOla RecordsThe good news is that the other top masters are represented. Jesse Kalima, Eddie Kamae, Lyle Ritz, Ohta-san and Eddie Bush are all here, and Benny Chong and Herb Ohta Jr. deserve their spots, as well. The big find, though, is Bill Tapia, 94, who hasn't recorded much, but achieved his legendary status decades ago.
Ohta-san appears three times and Nedward Kaapana twice. Ohta-san's "Song for Anna" and Kaapana's "Lover - Lady of Spain" are, alas, the only tracks that display the beauty of the ukulele in a solo setting.
cordinternational.com
Mpeg Audio Clips:
Quicktime | RealPlayer | MPEG-3 info
See the Columnists section for some past reviews.
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. Contact John Berger at jberger@starbulletin.com.
