"Lei Maile"
Mark Yamanaka
(Hulu Kupuna)
Big Island falsetto singer Mark Yamanaka hit big in 2010 with his first solo album, "Lei Pua Kenikeni." The album contained an assortment of Hawaiian standards and newly written Hawaiian songs, almost all sung in a beautiful, clear falsetto, and it made him the big winner at the 2011 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Yamanaka was only the third artist in the history of the Hokus to win male vocalist of the year, album of the year and most promising artist in the same year. He also won a composer’s award for song of the year for "Kaleoonalani," which he wrote for his daughter.
Three years after the release of "Lei Pua Kenikeni," Yamanaka is back with a second album. "Lei Maile" is another superb showcase of his talents as a musician and Hawaiian falsetto vocalist. It is also an excellent introduction to Hawaiian falsetto for malihini (newcomers).
Several selections are Hawaiian standards ("Hanohano No ‘o Hawai‘i," "Hilahila ‘Ole ‘Ole," "Kanaka Waiwai"). Others are modern compositions by famed kumu hula Johnny Lum Ho. It isn’t necessary to know Lum Ho personally to imagine the nocturnal goings-on that are implied in "Ka Leo o ka Moa." The liner notes explain that the song describes a situation where the voice of the moa (chicken) crowing means the time has come to go home and go to sleep.
There are also two songs by Yamanaka. He celebrates the beauty found on a trip to Maui with a hapa-haole song, "Maui Under Moonlight," and partners with lyricist Kalikolihau Hannahs Paik to create the album’s title number. As with many songs that describe the beauty of lei, there is a sense of kaona (hidden meaning) in Paik’s lyrics.
Two non-Hawaiian songs draw on Yamanaka’s broader repertoire. "Yesterday Once More," a 1973 hit for the Carpenters which Yamanaka sings here as a duet with Lehua Kalima, expresses universal feelings of nostalgia. The modern Irish standard "Danny Boy," a perfect fit for Yamanaka vocally, is a memento of a performance he gave at a memorial service for U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. Dwight Tokumoto’s steel guitar gives a Hawaiian sense of place to the quintessential Irish ballad.
It’s indicative of Yamanaka’s growth as an artist that he is accompanying himself on ukulele and guitar while also singing some of the backing vocals. Guest musicians this time include steel guitarist Tokumoto, Ho‘omanawanui Apo (piano) and Nathan Aweau (electric bass). Apo, Kellen Paik and producer Kale Chang all share credit as acoustic bass players on the project.
Yamanaka and his co-producers complete "Lei Maile" with a beautifully illustrated 20-page booklet that contains the Hawaiian lyrics, English translations and background information. For instance, "Kanaka Waiwai" was one of his grandmother’s favorite songs. She died as he was about to start work on the album, and he recorded it as a tribute to her.
Lyrics and translations are an essential part of any Hawaiian-language recording. Background information personalizes it.
"Lei Maile" will be available in stores Nov. 5.
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"Ka ‘Oli O Lanikaula"
