“Sacred Slack & Steel Guitar”
Ken Emerson
(HanaOla)
Ken Emerson reintroduced Hawaii to the sound of the acoustic steel guitar in the late 1970s when he and brother Phil Emerson recorded a self-titled album in 1979 and did a second milestone album, “South Sea Island Magic,” with Moe Keale in 1980. In recent years Emerson has been active as a multitalented solo artist. He plays conventional six-string guitar, ukulele and bass in addition to acoustic steel guitar. He uses all of them here.
Emerson explains in the liner notes that he wanted to blend the Hawaiian traditions of steel guitar and slack key with similar traditions found on the mainland. From there he used his imagination. These are all songs with Christian themes, and some are classic spirituals, but he doesn’t play all of them as church music. Emerson gives “Joshua Fit the Battle at Jericho” a particularly thorough makeover into something closer to the acoustic jazz of the 1920s. An exquisite arrangement of “Amazing Grace” played on a single brass-bodied resonator guitar is another gem in an inspired collection.
Emerson’s meticulously crafted arrangements of “Jesus on the Mainline” and “Down by the River- side” evoke memories of earlier times and of disparate cultures united by similar traditions and Christian faith.
"Amazing Grace"
www.cordinternational.com
"They Come and They Go"
Reggie Padilla
(Pass Out)
Tenor saxophonist Reggie Padilla made an impressive transition from studio sideman and band member to solo artist with the release of his first solo album, "Almost Home," 18 months ago. He builds on that solid foundation with his second.
Two new musicians, Romain Collin (piano) and Shawn Conley (bass), join Padilla and drummer Abe Lagrimas Jr. in bringing his compositions to life. To use an old-time term, they’re a great combo.
Conley and Lagrimas are a solid rhythm section. Padilla gives them plenty of room to stretch out as soloists. "Don’t Forget to Smile" is the first of several showcase numbers for them. Conley’s opening solo on "Count on Me" is another memorable piece of work.
Collin cooks whether playing accents or taking a solo.
The up-tempo songs are great music for driving when traffic is not an issue. The mellow tracks are soothing and romantic. Padilla’s work as a musician and as an arranger deserves attentive listening on headphones to fully appreciate.
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www.reggiepadilla.com
"’O Keia Ka Manawa (Now is the time … )"
Komakakino
(KMM)
Falsetto harmonies and traditional bass-guitar-ukulele instrumentation make this young Hawaiian trio a delightful discovery. Namaka DeMello, Kinohi Neves and Koma Wana sing and strum their way through an assortment of newly written songs and island standards. The originals include songs written for family members and special friends, another for a beautiful woman and another for use in church.
The most unusual new song is "’Eulopa"(the Hawaiian rendering of "Europe"). It includes words in several of the languages spoken there. "He Mele Aloha o Tusitala" adds a melody and newly written Hawaiian lyrics to Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem of farewell for Princess Kaiulani.
Opening with an original Hawaiian song, "Ke Aloha Kupaiamaha," with a verse from "Elvira," a song best known as an Oak Ridge Boys hit, is puzzling. Whatever the reason for using it, Dallas Frasier, the guy who wrote "Elvira," will certainly appreciate the composer’s royalties.
"Ke Aloha Kupaiamaha"
www.nahalauhaaokea.org
"Island Style Ukulele 2"
various artists
(Neos Productions)
If you have a friend who likes the sound of the ukulele and could not care less about who’s playing it, then this compilation is what he’s looking for. The producers provide more information about the artist who did the cover art than about the 14 musicians whose work is heard here. The performers are a mixed bag that range from virtuosos (Herb Ohta Jr., Brittni Paiva and Bryan Tolentino) and up-and-coming stars to unknowns who may be recording for the first time.
Brief artist bios and background information on the songs would have made this CD a valuable showcase for these 14 diverse artists. Without that essential information it’s just beautiful background music.
www.neosproductions.com
