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!!!
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.
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.
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.
