Posted on: Friday, August 17, 2007
ISLAND SOUNDS
Cyril Pahinui plays, sings with artistry
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
"He'eia" by Cyril Pahinui; Dancing Cat Records
Genre: Hawaiian slack-key instruments, with some vocals.
Distinguishing notes: A new release by any member of the legendary musical Pahinui family is cause to rejoice. This one by Cyril Pahinui, his third solo cruise on the George Winston label, sees the Grammy-winner keeping the torch burning. As his father, Gabby Pahinui, included "Hi'ilawe" twice on his "Gabby" album, son Cyril here includes the popular title song twice, as an instrumental, and as a soulful vocal. Pahinui runs through familiar tunes — the jazz-tinged "Hula Blues," the hula evergreen "Makee 'Ailana," the South Seas favorite "Salomila," and one of the undeniable staples of slack key, "Ki ho'alu." "Waikiki Hula" also is a vocal, with the inimitable Pahinui stamp, amid atmospheric slack-key riffs. A medley of "Kilakila 'O Moanalua" and "Inu I Ka Wai" has Pahinui's baritone reaching for notes in the upper register, too.
Our take: Much emotion, much artistry, a must-hear.
"Sunny Rain: Guitar Solos" by Cindy Combs; Dancing Cat Records
Genre: Hawaiian slack-key guitar instrumentals.
Distinguishing notes: From her Kaua'i base, Cindy Combs has maintained her ranking as one of the Garden Island's enduring and endearing leaders of ki ho'alu — she remains a favorite at the Hanapepe Cafe. She's come a long way since her humble beginnings as a student, in 1971, of Keola Beamer. This 13-tune release, featuring five originals and some familiar covers, is segmented into three sections — "Morning," "Noon" and "Night." Day dawns with the title song that suggests a drizzle amid the warmth of the sun, and Combs put an instrumental spin on Kui Lee's "Days of My Youth." Noon beckons with several "place" songs, suggesting holoholo time; notables include "Mauna Loa" and "Pu'olo Point." For nocturnal pleasures, "Aloha 'Oe A Hui Hou" is appropriate as a goodnight piece; "Lullabye" is precisely that, a simple and relaxing melody for keiki at bedtime. Combs' masterful style — graceful, precise, emotive without the trickery — is acoustically suited to the gentle pace of Kaua'i and brings solace for the rest of us who live elsewhere.
Our take: This is one you'll comb through, from sunup to sundown, and find special moments to savor.
"Romantic Love Songs" by Harold Uchino; He-U Records
Genre: 'Ukulele instrumentals.
Distinguishing notes: Harold Uchino has an appealing 'ukulele style that emulates the Ohta-san sound, embellished by orchestral sweeps from the Beaumont Symphony. This collection features all-time favorite romantic songs he and his wife selected, and which Uchino and local recording wizard Pierre Grill arranged. The selections are geared for older listeners who can reflect and savor the memories attached to the oldies — "Can't Help Falling in Love With You," "Over the Rainbow," "Unchained Melody," "Let It Be Me," "You Belong to Me," "Please Love Me Forever," "Twelfth of Never," "Till." The overall mood of reflection and sentimentality makes this effort a dandy for dinner music — or for any intimate romantic moment. The CD will be available Tuesday at Borders.
Our take: A sweet introduction to Uchino, a nostalgic re-introduction to old romantic favorites.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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Sample song: "He'eia" by Cyril Pahinui