Stevo's Hawaiian Music Guide

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Featured CD

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Facing Future

   
Rating:

Reviewed Oct. 1999 - See how our 'Coconut' rating system works below.

I can not even put into words how much I love this CD from 1993. This is one of my favorite CD's of all time (in fact I'd probably say it is my favorite). Since Stevo's Hawaiian Music Guide went on-line in January of 1996 I have recommended this CD to dozens of people that write me asking for recommendations. Almost everyone that I have recommended the CD to has written back saying that they can't stop playing the album. The first time I put this CD on I was blown away at the beauty of the music. I think I played it every day for 3 or 4 months in a row.

Is that enough build-up for you? Now let me tell you why the CD is so good. Israel was a big man with an incredibly soothing voice and was a very talented ukulele player. Hawaii 78, which the CD opens and closes with, is a hypnotic mele in which Iz describes being Hawaiian and the sadness of the developments that have taken over sacred lands. His incredible vocals really shine on my favorite meles White Sandy Beach and Kaulana Kawaihae. Do any of you remember the show Byrds of Paradise (which, sadly, only lasted 1/2 a season a few years back)? You may have recognized White Sandy Beach during an opening scene where they panned in on the Byrds house and the beautiful valley that they lived in. Kaulana Kawaihae offers a beautiful vocal by Iz that starts out quietly and slowly rises in volume until you have a serious case of chicken skin by the end of the song.

The CD also features favorites such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful Life which received a lot of air play on National Public Radio and has recently been played in the background of etoys.com TV commercials, and Maui Hawaiian Sup`pa Man which describes the Hawaiian God Maui. Take Me Home Country Road is a fun rendition of the John Denver Hit, but the words have been changed to fit places and scenes in Hawaii. I also love the opening ukulele work in Ka Huila Wai.

The CD contains the following:

This is a 5 coconut CD, a must have for your Hawaiian Music collection. Have I convinced you yet?

How our rating system works

5 Coconuts - These CD's are must have CD's that every Hawaiian Music fan should have in their collection. They are classics that you will play over and over for years. The quality of the music is excellent.
4 Coconuts - These CD's are highly recommended. Although they are not necessarily classics, most Hawaiian Music Fans will really enjoy them.
3 Coconuts - These are CD's that some people will love, but others will not care for as much. Overall, though, they contain good quality music and are a nice addition to your collection.
2 Coconuts - These are good CD's, but won't appeal to everyone.
1 Coconut - These CD's would only appeal to a small percentage of people... like the artist's auntie ;-)

Because a large percentage of our e-mail are requests for CD recommendations, our reviews will typically focus on CD's ranked 4 and 5 coconuts, with a few 3 coconut CD's sprinkled in.