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Click on album cover for high resolution jpeg. |
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| Song List
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| Liner Notes
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| Slack key guitar has been the music of Hawai'i since the 1800’s. Traditionally played in island backyards, slack key has come to represent Hawai'i as a true folk art form and is now known and enjoyed around the world. At the weekly Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series on Maui, Hawaii’s best musicians gather to play this unique style of music. This is the fourth collection of songs recorded live at this show. The first three albums won GRAMMY awards for Best Hawaiian Album: Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Volume One (2006), Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar (2007), and Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar (2008). The concert series continues at the Napili Kai Beach Resort in West Maui. For information go to www.slackkey.com or call 888-669-3858 toll free for reservations. |
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| Song Notes
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Collected in this album are works by many of the islands’ most famous musicians,
masters of the art of slack key. Also included are tracks featuring two other beloved Hawaiian musical traditions - falsetto (Richard Ho'opi'i) and steel guitar (Bobby Ingano). 1. Hawaiian War Chant was written by Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku. George Kahumoku, Jr. performs the song in his unique bluesy style perfectly suited for Norton Buffalo, one of the world’s most talented harmonica players. The energy of this song directly reflects the enthusiasm of their adoring workshop audience. George plays this piece in F Taro Patch tuning (C-F-C-F-A-C). 2. Wahine 'Ilikea is a Hawaiian classic that likens the white clouds of Moloka'i to a fair-skinned woman. Dennis Kamakahi revisits his 1970s masterpiece with passion and sincerity. G taro patch tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D). 3. Hi'ilawe is a twin waterfall in Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawai'i. The song, attributed to Sam Li'a Kalainaina, Sr. and performed by Owana Salazar, describes in poetic terms a secret love affair there in the valley. Drop C Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-D). 4. Na Ali'i Puolani (The Chiefs of Puolani) was composed by Dennis Kamakahi in honor of his ancestors. This song traces the royal bloodlines of the last great chiefs of Maui. Sonny Lim, along with Keoki, Peter, and Sterling perform this number jam session style. Sonny is in a D major tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D). 5. Moana Chimes was written for the steel guitar by Sol Ho'opi'i in the 1920’s. Hawaiian steel guitar master Bobby Ingano is accompanied by Derrick Mau. 6. Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai by Edith Kanaka'ole describes the delight of going to the seashore to gather varieties of seaweed. George Kahumoku, Jr. performs this hula standard on his Art Davis 12-string guitar in Taro Patch F tuning (C-F-C-F-A-C). 7. Lahainaluna, an ode to the town of Lahaina on Maui, was composed by Kui Lee. Keoki Kahumoku alters verses to entertain the workshop students in the audience. Accompanying him is noted 'ukulele player and fellow workshop instructor, Herb Ohta, Jr. Keoki plays in G Taro Patch (D-G-D-G-B-D). 8. I Ali'i No 'Oe (You Are a Chief) is a traditional song performed by Richard Ho'opi'i in his powerful falsetto style. He accompanies himself on 'ukulele and modulates from key to key in his characteristic fashion. 9. Maunakea is based on a chant commemorating a journey by Hawaii’s Queen Emma to the top of Mauna Kea in the early 1800’s. Dennis Kamakahi plays in C Moana Loa (C-G-E-G-A-E). 10. Pomaika'i (The Blessing) is a hymn-like composition by Daniel Ho that blends his classical and jazz backgrounds together with slack key guitar. Daniel plays in his signature G Kilauea tuning (D-G-C-G-B-E). 11. La Canción de los Paniolos (Song of the Cowboys) celebrates slack key guitar’s origin with the Mexican cowboys. Composed and performed by Sterling Seaton (guitar) and Peter deAquino ('ukulele), this song is often played during the weekly jam session. Each guest artist adds a unique touch. This outstanding version includes Bobby Ingano on steel guitar and George Kahumoku, Jr. Sterling uses a C tuning (C-G-E-G-C-E). |
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| Credits
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Produced by George Kahumoku, Jr., Paul Konwiser, Wayne Wong, Daniel Ho, & Dennis Kamakahi |
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