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Music Question
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11-09-2007, 07:36 PM
There is a song redone by one of your now deceased Hawaiian artists. It is "What a wonderful world" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. I love it. I wondered if anyone on here had a favorite song of his that you could share other than this one. I am interested in listening to some of his music and wondered what was most popular.
Thanks. Edited by - nanawalejulie on 11/09/2007 23:37:15
11-10-2007, 12:53 AM
All of it! The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau are still popular also.
Cheers, Pua`a S. FL Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL Big Islander to be.
11-10-2007, 12:56 AM
11-10-2007, 02:44 AM
The "Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World" medley is my least favorite song by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, but it is his most popular and is notable for the story behind it (he woke up his producer at midnight and told him to open the recording studio)and for the fact that he is just accompanied by the ukulele. He had the same winning formula on White Sandy Beach which is my favorite Hawaiian song of all time because it describes one perfect day, in one perfect place, with one perfect person and makes clear that the day described is just a memory now --a memory ignited in a dream. It is a zen meditation on the impermanence of life, love and the evanescence of dreams and, of course, on Hawaii --a balmy Pacific Island chain that intensifies the effects of life, love and dreams.
But my other favorite song by him is his version of Hi'ilawe (N Dis Life). This song has been done by everyone, but he makes it his own, with a little help from his friends, who, if my ears are any judge, are the best slack key guitarists on the planet. The instrumental portion of this song is two loosely tuned guitars making love until they reach a glissando crescendo together to the accompaniment of strings. When I hear this song, I feel as if I am flying over the Waipio Valley on my own power, even though I may actually be sitting in the parking lot of the Costco in Carlsbad, California, surrounded by giant SUV's. If you like Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, you might also like Sean Na'auao (try Ka' Eha Ke Aloha). A completely different talent, but he taps into the same vein.
11-10-2007, 09:28 AM
One of my fondest memories of this summer's vacation/honeymoon was driving around the Big Island in a rental car, windows rolled down, with Hawaiian music on the radio and the CD player. We bought 4 or 5 of Iz's CD's (all of 'em, I think), plus one from a Samoan band I can't remember the name of.
One of Iz's songs that has a catchy tune is a tribute to the Sumo wrestlers. Another song of his was very catchy, I think the name was, "For me and you", or at least that's how the chorus went. Ahhhh, I can smell the damp jungle, even here in California. Thanks for jogging that brain cell, my day is a little brighter now. ;^) How do I know?
Aloha! ;-)
11-10-2007, 11:31 AM
The "Me and You" song is probably the very lively Henehene Kou Aka.
Herb Ohta, Jr. told me (and about 30 others) that it is a song about riding around in your car (or on the trolley). Then he made a cute little motion like he was driving a car. It's mostly in Hawaiian but then goes "Our eyes have met, our lips not yet.." and some of the verses end "for you and I". The other song, I think, is Yokuzuna, which is about sumo wrestler champions. That's on N Dis Life. http://www.huapala.org/He/Henehene_Kou_Aka.html Edited by - glen on 11/10/2007 15:35:25 Edited by - glen on 11/10/2007 15:39:13 |
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