Stevo's Hawaiian Music Guide - Featured CD: Keali'i Reichel

Featured CD

Keali'i Reichel - Kawaipunahele

Rating:

Reviewed Nov. 1999 by Stevo - See how our 'Coconut' rating system works below.

No personal Hawaiian Music collection is complete without Kawaipunahele. Keali'i Reichel burst into the Hawaiian Music and World Music scene with this smash hit that swept the 1995 Na Hoku Hanohano awards. The CD won in the following categories:

Album of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
Favorite Entertainer of the Year (by Public Vote)
Hawaiian Album of the Year
Most Promising Artist of the Year

Kawaipunahele is one of the top selling Hawaiian Music albums of all time, and for good reason. Kealii's music makes you feel good. I remember being at a lu'au with friends back in 1995 when the CD was at its peak of popularity. We were watching the sunset near Lahaina during a warm summer night. Someone put on Kawaipunahele. We all just sat around having a great time, watching the incredible colors of a Maui sunset (my little girl calls this God's painting), and listening to the beautiful sounds of Kawaipunahele. It doesn't get any better! One of my favorite meles is Kauanoeanuhea. The opening harmonies, peaceful guitar, and relaxing pace of the song takes me away from all the stress in my day. Hanohano Ka Lei Pikake is a catchy tune that you can't help from singing along, whether you know the Hawaiian Lyrics or not. The same can be said of Pua Mikinolia. Keili'i demonstrates his well-known chanting skills on He Mele Inoa No Kawaipunahele. An added feature of this CD is the liner notes which have English translations of all the songs. I have enjoyed all of Kealii's CD's, but this one remains my favorite.

The CD contains the following:

Kawaipunahele
In My Life - A nice rendition of the Beatles' classic
Hanohano Ka Lei Pikake
If we Hold on Together
E Ho'i I Ka Pili
Wanting Memories
Kauanoeanuhea - An absolutely beautiful classic mele!
Ku'u Wehi O Ke Aumoe
'Akaka Falls
Pua Mikinolia
Come Sail Away - A remake of the Styx classic
He Mele Inoa No Kawaipunahele - Chant and drums

This is a 5 coconut CD, a must have for your Hawaiian Music collection.

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.