Category Archives: Reviews
Lorna Lim is doubly-blessed – she possesses one of the most beautiful voices in Hawaiian music, and was raised in one of Hawai‘i best known and gifted music and hula families. Her latest release, Polinahe, reflects her strong roots in both the Hawaiian music and hula traditions.
Polinahe contains Lorna’s signature vocal stylings on many Hawaiian standards, such as Hula ‘O Makee, ‘Alekoki, I Aloha ‘Ia Nō ‘O Kanaio, and an exquisite rendition of Lena Machado’s “Aloha Nō.” It also includes some new compositions. While the CD jacket lacks lyrics and translations, the lyrics can be found on the Palm Records website, along with audio samples of each track. The background instrumentation is sparse and tasteful – just enough to support and not detract from Lorna’s vocals.
We can only hope that this new release is the first of many to come from this gifted songstress.
Rated 4/5 on Sep 23 2009
Posted in New Release, Reviews.
By keola
– September 23, 2009
Cody Pueo Pata has two full CDs to his credit, 2001′s “E Ho‘i Nā Wai” and “He Aloha…”, released in 2007. The latter CD garnered Pata the prestigious Haku Mele Award at the 2008 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for his composition “Mili‘ōpua”.
Pata follows up with his third CD, “Mo‘ohana”, a mini-release containing only six songs. While lacking in quantity of recordings, “Mo‘ohana“ does not lack in quality of either song or performance. Pata shows off the versatility of his voice by performing in chant style, and while he eschews falsetto on most of this recording, he shows he is as equally gifted when singing in full voice. His carefully chosen uses of falsetto and the ha‘i enhance the songs meanings beautifully. Two strong original compositions, Ho‘i I Ka Piko and Mele Mahalo are well supported by refreshing interpretations of traditional melee.
In the brief liner notes, Pata defines the meaning of “mo‘ohana” as tradition – a succession or series of actions, deeds and behaviors – and declares that tradition as right, privilege and a responsibility. He has certainly carried out his responsibility well.
Rated 4/5 on Sep 22 2009
Posted in New Release, Reviews.
By keola
– September 22, 2009
Kūkahi: Kealiʻi Reichel Live In Concert
Punahele Productions has released performances from Keali‘i Reichel’s “Kūkahi” concert series on both standard as well as HD DVD formats. “Kūkahi” has clearly set the standard for Hawai‘i concert DVDs in every way.
Keali‘i Reichel and Punahele Productions have brought together performances from 2005 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center and from 2006 at the Blaisdell Arena to create two “Kūkahi” DVD offerings – one in standard DVD
format and the second in HD DVD. Each contains an astounding 26 musical performances, many accompanied by his Hālau Ke‘alaokamaile and kumu hula Keali‘i Ceballos from California. I received a copy of the standard DVD, and even in this format the video quality and cinematography are spectacular. The video frequently cuts away to both scenic and underwater footage that fit the mood and theme of the mele being performed. The quality of the audio recording and mixing is equally outstanding.
The DVD opens with a series of oli (chants) some featuring Keali‘i’s voice alone and others which are accompanied by hula. It then launches into hīmeni (western-influenced songs) accompanied by his band and dancers. They include a pleasant mix of his own compositions, Puakea Nogelmeier’s masterful “Melelana”, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett’s “Ka ‘Eha Ke Aloha”, as well as many traditional favorites. Ben Vegas performs his composition “Pua Nani” while being accompanied by Keali‘i and his background vocalists. Keali‘i’s marvelous sense of humor and dedication to the Hawaiian language and culture are on display throughout the video, particular his explanation of mele ma‘i (procreation chants/songs).
Bonus features included a long and well-deserved tribute to kumu hula George Holokai, who passed away one year ago this past week, as well as a video retrospective of Keali‘i’s career, his appearances and victories at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.
“Kūkahi” has clearly set the standard for Hawai‘i concert DVDs in every way. I’ll be buying a couple to give as gifts this holiday season – perhaps you should, too.
Rated 5/5 on Nov 03 2007 by Keola Donaghy
Review Tags: hawaii, hawaiianmusic, kealiireichel, kukahi, music, nahenahe
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Posted in Reviews.
By keola
– November 3, 2007
Matt Catingub Orchestra Of Hawai‘i: Back To Romance
My favorite release of 2007 (so far). I can’t think of a CD I would want to have in my stereo for a romantic night at home. I might even take it to the restaurant with me and ask the staff to play it for a romantic night out.
Matt Catingub Orchestra Of Hawai‘i follows the theme of their debut 2006 CD, “Return To Romance,” with this years “Back to Romance.” If features an all-star lineup of some of Hawai‘i’s leading male vocals, back with the lush and tasteful accompaniment of the Orchestra.Henry Kapono’s bouncy “Pretty Woman” offers a funky and original take on the Roy Obison classic, Hapa follows with George Harrison’s masterful “Something.” There are jazz, rock and pop standards from all eras of recorded music, most vocals with a few instrumentals for a change of pace. Robert Cazimero, Fiji, Eric Gilliom, Afatia, Kaukahi, Bruce Hamada and Jaku Shimabukuro are among those that join the Orchestra for vocal or instrumental solos. Cecilio and Kapono revisit their classic rendition of Boz Skaggs “We’re All Alone” and offer another take on it. Matt himself shines as both a vocalist and instrumentalist. Jimmy Borges’ closing with “My Special Angel” is simply the icing on the cake, a fitting place for one of the greats in the history of Hawai‘i jazz.
The arrangements and performances are impeccable, and recording quality excellent. I can’t think of a CD I would want to have in my stereo for a romantic night at home. I might even take it to the restaurant with me and ask the staff to play it for a romantic night out. And it’s not to early to mark your calendar for the Hawai‘i Romance Festival next May.
Rated 5/5 on Oct 21 2007 by Keola Donaghy
Review Tags: hawaii, hawaiianmusic, mattcatingub, review, nahenahe
Rate this review or write your own at LouderVoice
Posted in Reviews.
By keola
– October 21, 2007
John Cruz “One Of These Days”
It’s been over ten years since John Cruz released his debut CD “Acoustic Soul”, and fans have been breathless with anticipation for his second release, “One Of These Days”. Was it worth the wait?
I can’t think of any sophomore release that has been more highly anticipated that John Cruz’ One of These Days
. His debut release, Acoustic Soul
(1996) was one of the most popular contemporary music releases in the history of the Hawai‘i industry, and firmly established John among the elite of Hawai‘i’s singer-songwriters. A documentary film on his life, “Made of Music – The Story of John Cruz,” debuted at the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival in 2006, and documented his personal and musical trials.
The title track “One Of These Days” opens the CD and John’s warm but weathered vocals instantly reconnect the listener to his previous success. His guitar performances and arrangements are impeccable, as are the performances of the many guest musician on the release, including percussion legend Paulinho Da Costa, Imua and Tiff Garza and Nir Z.
Highlights include “Hurricane”, “Angel” and the closing track “Be There”. I don’t hear a song that will become an anthem in the way that “Island Style” did for him in 1996, but the quality of the songs and performances is very high. His Hawaiian pronunciation on “Hi‘ilawe” missed the mark, and seemed to mimic some of the classic but also poorly pronounced renditions of this Hawaiian standard.
While “One Of These Days” doesn’t quite reach the heights that “Acoustic Soul” did, it does not miss by much. John Cruz fans will undoubtedly rejoice, and I have no doubt it will win him many new fans as well.
Rated 4/5 on Sep 26 2007 by Keola Donaghy
Review Tags: contemporary, guitar, hawaii, hawaiian, johncruz, music, nahenahe
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Posted in New Release, Reviews.
Tagged with contemporary, guitar, hawaii, hawaiian, johncruz, music.
By keola
– September 26, 2007
Posted in Reviews.
By keola
– January 5, 2007
