Kaleponi Slack Key Links
Kaleponi Slack Key Home  
  Kaleponi Slack Key Music
Kaleponi Slack Key Calendar  
Kaleponi Slack Key News Kaleponi Slack Key Contact
 

Music

My first CD, Kaleponi,is completed and consists of a dozen solo instrumental slack key pieces. You can check out the cover, listen to samples, and buy the CD at CD Baby!!!

Buy the CD

at CD Baby


You can now buy individual tracks or the whole album on Itunes by clicking here.

Want to check out the complete liner notes and back cover notes of Kaleponi? They're right here.

I'm building up a fair collection of clips on my YouTube channel. Please stop by and look around. If you enjoy these clips you can subscribe to my channel and receive notification when I add new clips. I've also started posting videos on Vimeo as well, for their better audio and video quality.

 

Our house-sitting job was across Kailua Road from the Kawainui Marsh and the more I studied this vast wetlands the more I was intrigued by its history and geology. Here's a version of Lei Nani shot on the jogging trail in the marsh, with footage from around the area, including the Ulupo Heiau.

 

 

Valentine's Day came while we were house-sitting in Kailua and Ninipo seemed like just the right tune to celebrate the day. I shot this video in the backyard where we were staying.

 

 

While Ledward Kaapana was visiting I shot some video of him and came up with a pretty unusual clip - Ledward playing Weeha Swing on a small guitar called a Tacoma Papoose.

 


I also got some clips when I opened for Ledward at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse. Here's my version of Isa Lei from that show:

 

 

When I played Doug Young's Acoustic Guitar Showcase I set up several cameras. This is a version of my Honolulu Medley as played that night:

 

 

One thing that makes most guitars players happy is a new guitar! I treated myself to a Composite Acoustics guitar after trying one belonging to a friend, and celebrated with a video of an old hula favorite, Papalina Lahilahi:

 

 

While we were in Hawai`i this past fall I added a new camcorder to my collection and shot this video at our Kailua rental cottage. The song is one of my originals, Kui Lima:

 

 

I've captured a few clips from the Aloha Friday in Downtown Pleasant Hill series. It's been a lot fun trying to upgrade my video skills. Here's the first one, Maika`i Ka Makani O Kohala from July 24, 2009:

 

Green Rose Hula has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I recorded this version on August 7.

 

With some help from Lynn on a second camcorder, I came up with this version of Ku`u Ipo Onaona recorded on August 14.

 

And on August 21 I snagged these shots by myself with some lucky camera positioning. The song here is Maori Brown Eyes.

 

Here are a couple of new tunes I've learned lately. `Imi Au Ia `Oe is a classic in waltz time. Listening to the beloved late Uncle Sonny Chillingworth one day, I picked up a guitar and started playing along. If you enjoy this interpretation I hope you'll search out Uncle Sonny's version and add it to your collection:


Moani Ke `Ala is an old song of longing written by Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku. Shaun Gavigan, one of my Kawili bandmates, stirred my interest in this one. The arrangement is inspired by Gabby Pahinui.



Noted luthier Kathy Wingert held her first house concert on March 28
, 2009, and invited me to be her first performer. It was a wonderful experience, with a full house of very appreciative guests, and a great opening act. Lehua Kaapana Nash and her duet partner Chuck Burnett played two songs before I began. I captured some of the show on video and posted it on YouTube and Vimeo. Here's the Vimeo clip:




On February 1st, 2009, Lance McCollum, noted luthier, passed away. Lance lived in Colfax, CA and by coincidence we rode the train through Colfax that morning. When I heard the news about Lance I was reminded of an old Hawaiian song, E Nihi Ka Hele, written by King David Kalakaua for his queen on the occasion of her trip to London for Queen Victoria's Jubilee Celebration in 1887. Queen Kapi`olani certainly passed through Colfax on the transcontinental railroad during her journey. I tuned up my McCollum Grand Auditorium and recorded this version of E Nihi Ka Hele in remembrance of Lance:

 



Here's a YouTube video of "Salomila,"
one of my oldest favorites in the slack key repertoire.

 

 

When I opened for Led Kaapana at Don Quixote's in Felton, CA, Lynnie caught this version of "Grandfather's Clock" on video.

 

We did some video of my first show at the Caffe Teatro in Orinda, CA. I've posted a clip from that show on Youtube. Just to make it a little easier, here's that clip:

 

 

E Lili`u E is a traditional song, based on a chant in honor of Queen Lili`uokalani. This version was recorded live at the Pacific Bay Coffee Company in Walnut Creek, CA. For recording details, take a look at my new Homebrewed Music blog.

or click here to download this song.

 

Isa Lei is another traditional tunes, and one that I especially enjoy. The song originated in Fiji and was part of the Pahinui family repertoire. This is another live track from Pacific Bay Coffee Company.

or click here to download this song.


Ka Makani `Olu`olu is a tune I wrote for my wife. The title means "A Sweet Gentle Breeze." This is a full length version, captured from my KMUD radio broadcast.

or click here to download this song.

 
 
Kaleponi Slack Key Home
Kaleponi Slack Key Calendar Kaleponi Slack Key News Kaleponi Slack Key Music Kaleponi Slack Key Links Kaleponi Slack Key Contact