Last week, I reviewed a Christmas comp that was the last present I received last December. This CD was the very first present I received.
Back in November, my good friend Martin Johns sent me his annual Christmas comps (which I'll be reviewing some time down the road). Inside the box was a wrapped Christmas package that read "DO NOT OPEN 'TIL DEC. 25". I dutifully tucked it under the tree and there it remained until Christmas morning.
What went through my mind on Christmas morning as my kids tore through their gifts with this CD staring at me in the face? I remembered reviewing Martin's 2005 comp "No Rain, No Rainbow: A Contemporary Hawaiian Christmas" and mentioning this very CD when reviewing a version of "Jingle Bells" in Hawaiian:
WOW! "Jingle Bells" in Hawaiian! Featured on the 2001 comp "Old Hawaiian Christmas" which is OOP? I'm about to cry here...
I also remembered that a year earlier, I sampled a track from Martin's comp for my 2007 Christmas CD - the hilarious track of the SeaWest Artists trying to record "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" played on the ukulele that came from this very CD.
I wanted to give Martin a hug - this was totally unexpected, I was thrilled to no end, and it added another great Christmas memory to a long line of Christmas memories. Without a doubt, it was the best wrapped Christmas CD I had ever received:
As you could tell by the date on the picture, I had a hard time opening this one up - the wrapping was such a festive part of the CD. But how does one listen to the music? I finally opened the CD and the cats had a field day with the ribbons.
I wish there was more I could tell you about SeaWest Records - their website seems to be offline, their recording studios in Pahoa, Hawaii are still open by all accounts, and searching for other releases on their label has come up short. Can anyone add any details?
I did manage to find a mini-review of this album from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin along with other Hawaiian Christmas releases in 2001. But nothing else much. Sooooo...
TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Leka & D Nui of Ka'u - Old Hawaiian Christmas
This reworking of Lee Greenwood's "Lone Star Christmas" isn't too Hawaiian nor too Christmas. Next...
2.) Kevin & Joe of Pa'ani Pila - Mele Kalikimaka
This is a fool-proof song; you can't really screw it up and Lord knows many have tried. These guys do a fine job with their version.
3.) Bryan Kessler - What Child Is This?
A simple acoustic guitar with added surf effects gives it just a touch of a Hawaiian feel. Okay.
4.) Bradshaw Ellis of Pu'uwai - Po Hemolele
A lone ukulele, Bradshaw's fine tenor, add some great backing vocals, and you have an amazing Hawaiian version of "O Holy Night".
5.) Bruddah Smitty - Please Come Home For Christmas
With a great song and above par singing voice, how can you go wrong? From note one, it sounds like the entire band is on a programmed synthesizer churning out the beat (despite a fine harmonica solo). A canned feel throughout...
6.) Ken Emerson & Jordyn Pung - (Walking In A) Winter Wonderland
Ken plays the lap steel guitar and Jordyn shows an amazing maturity for a then-8th grader on vocals! The end result is a great version of this winter song!
7.) D Nui & Leka of Ka'u - Pretty Paper
Now we're talking - the guitars give it the Christmas feel and the fine Willie Nelson lyrics are sung well!
8.) Bruddah Smitty - Christmas Big Island
WOW! Very good original song by Smitty - no band in a can here!
9.) Ken Emerson & Orchestra - O Holy Night
Ken's guitar talents are on full display with both acoustic & lap steel guitar - the orchestra is fully synthesized and detracts whenever Ken isn't playing.
10.) Alicia Bay Laurel - Festival Of Lights
Man, this is so tranquil and Christmas-ey, I can't stand it! Laurel especially composed this song for this album and it deserves to be heard! Absolutely wonderful.
11.) Na Leo 'o Leilani - Jingle Bell Rock
To quote the liner notes: Na Leo 'o Leilani are a group of friends who got together at the recording studio... just for fun. [Producer] Rick played the guitar, ukuleles, and bass (all at the same time)... what a guy. Why not join us and 'sing along' with Jingle Bell Rock! I pass judgement on this one.
12.) Kevin & Joe of Pa'Ani Pila - Po La'i'e / Silent Night
Sung in English, Hawaiian, and both toward the end. Very reverent and Hawaiian all at once.
13.) Lindsey Trinidad - Merry Christmas Darling
Lindsey was a 16 yr. old high school student at the time of recording. Many synthesizers in effect.
14.) Ka'u featuring D Nui - Kani Na Pele / Jingle Bells
Sung straight in Hawaiian - this is more fun than a one horse open sleigh ride!
15.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas
It gets funnier every time I hear it. Aw nerts!
This Christmas CD is out of print so if you can find a used copy, grab it because the pluses outweigh the negatives on this comp. Some tracks were great, others good, a few bad. But even the bad tracks have their moments to those without a Hawaiian Christmas ear.
"Old Hawaiian Christmas" is the 17th Hawaiian Christmas CD in my collection - Christmas organ took over as the largest sub-genre in my collection a while back. If I were to add two or three more Hawaiian Christmas CDs, it's right back at the top of the list. I have found a new goal for 2009!
Martin, many many mahalos for this gift. I'm glad to have it but even more happier to have you as a friend.
Capt
Last week, I reviewed a Christmas comp that was the last present I received last December. This CD was the very first present I received.
Back in November, my good friend Martin Johns sent me his annual Christmas comps (which I'll be reviewing some time down the road). Inside the box was a wrapped Christmas package that read "DO NOT OPEN 'TIL DEC. 25". I dutifully tucked it under the tree and there it remained until Christmas morning.
What went through my mind on Christmas morning as my kids tore through their gifts with this CD staring at me in the face? I remembered reviewing Martin's 2005 comp "No Rain, No Rainbow: A Contemporary Hawaiian Christmas" and mentioning this very CD when reviewing a version of "Jingle Bells" in Hawaiian:
WOW! "Jingle Bells" in Hawaiian! Featured on the 2001 comp "Old Hawaiian Christmas" which is OOP? I'm about to cry here...
I also remembered that a year earlier, I sampled a track from Martin's comp for my 2007 Christmas CD - the hilarious track of the SeaWest Artists trying to record "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" played on the ukulele that came from this very CD.
I wanted to give Martin a hug - this was totally unexpected, I was thrilled to no end, and it added another great Christmas memory to a long line of Christmas memories. Without a doubt, it was the best wrapped Christmas CD I had ever received:
As you could tell by the date on the picture, I had a hard time opening this one up - the wrapping was such a festive part of the CD. But how does one listen to the music? I finally opened the CD and the cats had a field day with the ribbons.
I wish there was more I could tell you about SeaWest Records - their website seems to be offline, their recording studios in Pahoa, Hawaii are still open by all accounts, and searching for other releases on their label has come up short. Can anyone add any details?
I did manage to find a mini-review of this album from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin along with other Hawaiian Christmas releases in 2001. But nothing else much. Sooooo...
TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Leka & D Nui of Ka'u - Old Hawaiian Christmas
This reworking of Lee Greenwood's "Lone Star Christmas" isn't too Hawaiian nor too Christmas. Next...
2.) Kevin & Joe of Pa'ani Pila - Mele Kalikimaka
This is a fool-proof song; you can't really screw it up and Lord knows many have tried. These guys do a fine job with their version.
3.) Bryan Kessler - What Child Is This?
A simple acoustic guitar with added surf effects gives it just a touch of a Hawaiian feel. Okay.
4.) Bradshaw Ellis of Pu'uwai - Po Hemolele
A lone ukulele, Bradshaw's fine tenor, add some great backing vocals, and you have an amazing Hawaiian version of "O Holy Night".
5.) Bruddah Smitty - Please Come Home For Christmas
With a great song and above par singing voice, how can you go wrong? From note one, it sounds like the entire band is on a programmed synthesizer churning out the beat (despite a fine harmonica solo). A canned feel throughout...
6.) Ken Emerson & Jordyn Pung - (Walking In A) Winter Wonderland
Ken plays the lap steel guitar and Jordyn shows an amazing maturity for a then-8th grader on vocals! The end result is a great version of this winter song!
7.) D Nui & Leka of Ka'u - Pretty Paper
Now we're talking - the guitars give it the Christmas feel and the fine Willie Nelson lyrics are sung well!
8.) Bruddah Smitty - Christmas Big Island
WOW! Very good original song by Smitty - no band in a can here!
9.) Ken Emerson & Orchestra - O Holy Night
Ken's guitar talents are on full display with both acoustic & lap steel guitar - the orchestra is fully synthesized and detracts whenever Ken isn't playing.
10.) Alicia Bay Laurel - Festival Of Lights
Man, this is so tranquil and Christmas-ey, I can't stand it! Laurel especially composed this song for this album and it deserves to be heard! Absolutely wonderful.
11.) Na Leo 'o Leilani - Jingle Bell Rock
To quote the liner notes: Na Leo 'o Leilani are a group of friends who got together at the recording studio... just for fun. [Producer] Rick played the guitar, ukuleles, and bass (all at the same time)... what a guy. Why not join us and 'sing along' with Jingle Bell Rock! I pass judgement on this one.
12.) Kevin & Joe of Pa'Ani Pila - Po La'i'e / Silent Night
Sung in English, Hawaiian, and both toward the end. Very reverent and Hawaiian all at once.
13.) Lindsey Trinidad - Merry Christmas Darling
Lindsey was a 16 yr. old high school student at the time of recording. Many synthesizers in effect.
14.) Ka'u featuring D Nui - Kani Na Pele / Jingle Bells
Sung straight in Hawaiian - this is more fun than a one horse open sleigh ride!
15.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas
It gets funnier every time I hear it. Aw nerts!
This Christmas CD is out of print so if you can find a used copy, grab it because the pluses outweigh the negatives on this comp. Some tracks were great, others good, a few bad. But even the bad tracks have their moments to those without a Hawaiian Christmas ear.
"Old Hawaiian Christmas" is the 17th Hawaiian Christmas CD in my collection - Christmas organ took over as the largest sub-genre in my collection a while back. If I were to add two or three more Hawaiian Christmas CDs, it's right back at the top of the list. I have found a new goal for 2009!
Martin, many many mahalos for this gift. I'm glad to have it but even more happier to have you as a friend.
Capt
With eight days left before Christmas, I wanted to spend today looking at several new Christmas albums on the shelves this season - perhaps a last minute gift guide for those who love Christmas music.
This is the second review today and it's from the good people at Double Crown Records. From the end of my "Seasonal Favorites V2" review last month:
"Double Crown doesn't have a "Seasonal Favorites V3" for this Christmas (think 2009). However, a band on their label named King of Hawaii released a Christmas EP just in time for 2008. At $6, this might be the bargain of the season."
Recorded at the House of Rock in October, 2006, this EP has five tracks which allows me to do...
TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Greensleeves
Hawaiian surf flavored version of this traditional Christmas carol. Where's my sunblock?
2.) Feliz Navidad
Surf guitarish with Latin flavor throughout... not bad from a group called "King of Hawaii"!
3.) Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
WOW! I'm not sure Tchaikovsky envisioned this song to be played by a rock group in creepy Groovy Ghoulies style-surf guitar but it works!
4.) Our Favorite (Christmas) Martian
I thought this was the Ventures at first (something off their "Ventures In Space" album). Not heavy on Christmas but I don't mind one bit.
5.) Road Kill Christmas
The ghost of Jerry Reed lives! Honky tonk surf guitar never sounded so goooooood!
This Christmas EP is flat out amazing - well worth the $6 and then some. I'm torn between "Feliz Navidad" and "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" as best tracks on the CD. Since I'm pressed for time today, I'll simply call them "co-winners".
According to the U.S. Post Office, Saturday December 20th is the final day to ship anything first class to get it to your home before Christmas. Head over the the Double Crown website and order your copy today!
Capt
With eight days left before Christmas, I wanted to spend today looking at several new Christmas albums on the shelves this season - perhaps a last minute gift guide for those who love Christmas music.
This is the second review today and it's from the good people at Double Crown Records. From the end of my "Seasonal Favorites V2" review last month:
"Double Crown doesn't have a "Seasonal Favorites V3" for this Christmas (think 2009). However, a band on their label named King of Hawaii released a Christmas EP just in time for 2008. At $6, this might be the bargain of the season."
Recorded at the House of Rock in October, 2006, this EP has five tracks which allows me to do...
TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Greensleeves
Hawaiian surf flavored version of this traditional Christmas carol. Where's my sunblock?
2.) Feliz Navidad
Surf guitarish with Latin flavor throughout... not bad from a group called "King of Hawaii"!
3.) Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
WOW! I'm not sure Tchaikovsky envisioned this song to be played by a rock group in creepy Groovy Ghoulies style-surf guitar but it works!
4.) Our Favorite (Christmas) Martian
I thought this was the Ventures at first (something off their "Ventures In Space" album). Not heavy on Christmas but I don't mind one bit.
5.) Road Kill Christmas
The ghost of Jerry Reed lives! Honky tonk surf guitar never sounded so goooooood!
This Christmas EP is flat out amazing - well worth the $6 and then some. I'm torn between "Feliz Navidad" and "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" as best tracks on the CD. Since I'm pressed for time today, I'll simply call them "co-winners".
According to the U.S. Post Office, Saturday December 20th is the final day to ship anything first class to get it to your home before Christmas. Head over the the Double Crown website and order your copy today!
Capt
As far as I can remember, I've always had an affinity for Hawaiian music. Somewhere among my archives is a picture of me in a fourth grade school play where I play an obnoxious tourist flying to Hawaii.
If that ever surfaces (think Jimmy Hoffa), I'll be sure to post it...
Some time in high school, I began actively searching out Christmas music. I cannot recall what was the very first Hawaiian Christmas music album in my collection but I was hooked, lined, and sinkered onto that genre.
I tried to find as much Hawaiian holiday hulas as I could find. When the smoke cleared, it emerged as the largest sub-genre of my collection (until Christmas organ overtook it last year).
These sat on my upgrade list for quite awhile until two wonderful people named PDMan (from the FaLaLaLaLa community) and Ernie (of Ernie (Not Bert)) came through in a big way last year.
The first album (pictured above) by the Paradise Islanders was offered by PDMan at FLLLL.com back last December and not only did it have complete artwork but it was in glorious STEREO!
I wish I could give you the background of the group but there's very little out there. According to the Goldmine Christmas Record Price Guide, "Christmas In Hawaii" was released, both in mono and stereo, in 1961 on Decca Records.
The album is strictly instrumental, contains lots of pedal steel guitar, vibraphone, and ukuleles - giving it the classical Hawaiian sound with a Christmas flavor.
Standout tracks include "Jingle Bell Rock", "Mele Kalikimaka" (might be the perfect instrumental version of this one), and two exceptional medleys ("The First Noel", "O Holy Night", and "Joy To The World" in the first medley, "Adeste Fideles", "Deck The Halls", and "Silent Night" in the second) that are perfect in conception and execution!
"Christmas In Hawaii" is perfect for the luau, the office boombox during Christmas time, a cold VFW dinner with relatives on a cold, December night, or any time you want to feel Hawaiian or Christmas-y.
The next album was offered by Ernie way back in 2005 (the first time I downloaded it). For some strange reason, I was missing the back cover on this one (an errant mouse click I believe). Ernie thankfully shared it again last year and presto! There was the sought after back cover and some much needed background info on the group! To quote:
"THE SURFERS are all native Hawaiians. 21-year old Clayton Naluai is leader of the group, singing tenor and baritone. Alan Kalani, age 20, sings high tenor. The 18-year old baritone voice heard is that of Pat Sylva and 19-year old Bernie Ching sings bass.
"The arrangements, which are all their own, give their voices the unusual quality of sounding like the brass section of an orchestra. When singing as a group their voices blend perfectly, with no one voice standing out in front of the others.
"With THE SURFERS are Harold Chang, who plays bongos and shakes mararas and sleigh bells for Santa Claus; James Kaopinki, who keeps the bass rhythm; and Jules Ah See, who comes in on chimes and plays a really clever Hawaiian steel guitar. Jules, at times, makes the electric steel guitar sound like an organ which with a bowed string bass is quite effective.
"If you like Christmas, you will find this album an unusual Christmas treat."
The understatement to end all understatements. The voices and harmonies are reminiscent of a barbershop quartet. Add in the Hawaiian element, then sprinkle Christmas all over it, and this is quite the San Honolulu treat!
Standout tracks? "Here Comes Santa In A Red Canoe" is the first song on the album and a Hawaiian Christmas song that should be right up there with "Mele Kalikimaka" - quaint, funny, and extremely catchy. You'll be humming this one for hours after you hear it.
Others include "Deck The Halls", "Hawaiian Santa" (another song that should be up there with "Mele Kalikimaka"), "Adeste Fideles" (in Hawaiian!), "Come Dance And Sing" (to the tune of "Carol Of The Bells"), "Jingle Bells", "Winter Wonderland" (with intro intact! WOW!), and a touching "Silent Night" (sung in Hawaiian).
This above the rest album was released in 1959 on HiFi Records. If these lads were in their early 20s then, that means most should be in their late 60s now - I would love to hear from any of the Surfers about their careers, other albums they recorded (Ernie reported he found at least one other from them), and what they've been up to since.
PDMan and Ernie, mahalo! Nice scores, gents!
UP NEXT: The first of 125+ Christmas albums I downloaded last Christmas!
Capt
As far as I can remember, I've always had an affinity for Hawaiian music. Somewhere among my archives is a picture of me in a fourth grade school play where I play an obnoxious tourist flying to Hawaii.
If that ever surfaces (think Jimmy Hoffa), I'll be sure to post it...
Some time in high school, I began actively searching out Christmas music. I cannot recall what was the very first Hawaiian Christmas music album in my collection but I was hooked, lined, and sinkered onto that genre.
I tried to find as much Hawaiian holiday hulas as I could find. When the smoke cleared, it emerged as the largest sub-genre of my collection (until Christmas organ overtook it last year).
These sat on my upgrade list for quite awhile until two wonderful people named PDMan (from the FaLaLaLaLa community) and Ernie (of Ernie (Not Bert)) came through in a big way last year.
The first album (pictured above) by the Paradise Islanders was offered by PDMan at FLLLL.com back last December and not only did it have complete artwork but it was in glorious STEREO!
I wish I could give you the background of the group but there's very little out there. According to the Goldmine Christmas Record Price Guide, "Christmas In Hawaii" was released, both in mono and stereo, in 1961 on Decca Records.
The album is strictly instrumental, contains lots of pedal steel guitar, vibraphone, and ukuleles - giving it the classical Hawaiian sound with a Christmas flavor.
Standout tracks include "Jingle Bell Rock", "Mele Kalikimaka" (might be the perfect instrumental version of this one), and two exceptional medleys ("The First Noel", "O Holy Night", and "Joy To The World" in the first medley, "Adeste Fideles", "Deck The Halls", and "Silent Night" in the second) that are perfect in conception and execution!
"Christmas In Hawaii" is perfect for the luau, the office boombox during Christmas time, a cold VFW dinner with relatives on a cold, December night, or any time you want to feel Hawaiian or Christmas-y.
The next album was offered by Ernie way back in 2005 (the first time I downloaded it). For some strange reason, I was missing the back cover on this one (an errant mouse click I believe). Ernie thankfully shared it again last year and presto! There was the sought after back cover and some much needed background info on the group! To quote:
"THE SURFERS are all native Hawaiians. 21-year old Clayton Naluai is leader of the group, singing tenor and baritone. Alan Kalani, age 20, sings high tenor. The 18-year old baritone voice heard is that of Pat Sylva and 19-year old Bernie Ching sings bass.
"The arrangements, which are all their own, give their voices the unusual quality of sounding like the brass section of an orchestra. When singing as a group their voices blend perfectly, with no one voice standing out in front of the others.
"With THE SURFERS are Harold Chang, who plays bongos and shakes mararas and sleigh bells for Santa Claus; James Kaopinki, who keeps the bass rhythm; and Jules Ah See, who comes in on chimes and plays a really clever Hawaiian steel guitar. Jules, at times, makes the electric steel guitar sound like an organ which with a bowed string bass is quite effective.
"If you like Christmas, you will find this album an unusual Christmas treat."
The understatement to end all understatements. The voices and harmonies are reminiscent of a barbershop quartet. Add in the Hawaiian element, then sprinkle Christmas all over it, and this is quite the San Honolulu treat!
Standout tracks? "Here Comes Santa In A Red Canoe" is the first song on the album and a Hawaiian Christmas song that should be right up there with "Mele Kalikimaka" - quaint, funny, and extremely catchy. You'll be humming this one for hours after you hear it.
Others include "Deck The Halls", "Hawaiian Santa" (another song that should be up there with "Mele Kalikimaka"), "Adeste Fideles" (in Hawaiian!), "Come Dance And Sing" (to the tune of "Carol Of The Bells"), "Jingle Bells", "Winter Wonderland" (with intro intact! WOW!), and a touching "Silent Night" (sung in Hawaiian).
This above the rest album was released in 1959 on HiFi Records. If these lads were in their early 20s then, that means most should be in their late 60s now - I would love to hear from any of the Surfers about their careers, other albums they recorded (Ernie reported he found at least one other from them), and what they've been up to since.
PDMan and Ernie, mahalo! Nice scores, gents!
UP NEXT: The first of 125+ Christmas albums I downloaded last Christmas!
Capt
