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KEOLA
& KAPONO BEAMER |
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Back
in 1990, while in Hawaii, I purchased a CD from Hawaiian guitarist
Kapono Beamer entitled Secrets Under The Sun. As the
owner then of Breakthru Recordsa label that specialized
in state of the art guitar musicI was stunned and excited by
the music of Kapono's album and I even contemplated releasing it to
a bigger audience, if only my distributors didnt conspire to
put me out of business! Mixing traditional Hawaiian slack key guitaralso
known as ki hoaluwith a modern New Age, meditative vibe,
that instrumental Hawaiian album classic inspired me to contact Kapono
and we stayed in touch for quite a few years after that while I discovered
the wealth of great music he recorded as a solo artist as well as
albums made with his brother Keola Beamer, who has also developed
quite a name for himself as a solo artist. Looking back on their early
albums and music making together, Cord International Records has done
a great job reissuing their very first album as the duo Keola &
Kapono Beamer. Simply entitled Hawaiis Keola &
Kapono Beamer, Cords late 2008 CD release is
a fine reissue of their late 70s debut classic. Compared to
the instrumental New Age vibe of Kaponos Secrets album,
Hawaiis Keola & Kapono Beamer shows just how great
these brothers were as a singing sensation. They were like Hawaiis
version of the Everly Brothers! Cord has done a great job reissuing
this Hawaiian music classic complete with new and original album liner
notes and full credits. Also released on Cord, one of their Tradewinds
Records reissues, is a 2009 CD release of a real vintage looking album
from Hawaiian ukulele great Harry Kalahiki, entitled Mungo
Plays Ukulele. The uke is a favorite instrument
of Hawaii and the gentle strains of this classic acoustic instrument
sounds great in the hands of Kalahiki. Interestingly, Kalahiki had
chosen a number of song classics that he performs instrumentally with
subtle backing including classic tracks composed by Kurt Weill, Debussy
and others topped off by his acoustic instrumental ukulele medley
of Americas fighting song anthems like Over Hill, Over
Dale, Anchors Aweigh, and more. Harry makes
you feel real patriotic! Another one of Cords vintage Hawaiian
Tradewinds Records reissue is a 2009 release of Ukulele Stylist
from Hawaiis uke great Nelson Waikiki. Called
the greatest ukulele player of all time, Nelson fulfills his mission
on an instrumental album that features a number of Hawaiian and Polynesian
classics including fresh takes of song classics like Never On
Sunday, Misty and Caravan. Slack key
guitar fans will also want to take a listen to Slack Key Tradition,
first released in 1996 and reissued in 2008 on Cords
Hana Ola Records. This 17 track all instrumental slack key collection
features the music of four distinctive Hawaiian acoustic guitar mastersGary
Haleamau, Elmer Lim, Robert Keliihoomalu
Jr. and Nolan Hao. Cords 2008 CD release of
Slack Key Tradition is simply one of the great instrumental
collections of the last two decades. Put it on and turn on the lava
lamp. Its like visiting the 49th state without leaving your
living room. For the latest and greatest music from Hawaii take a
look at Cords extensive catalog, all featured on their web site.
www.Kapono.com
www.CordInternational.com |
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