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| Song List
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| Reviews
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"Kalani ... Live" by Kalani Smythe; Daniel Ho Creations Genre: Hawaiian slack-key instrumentals with a few vocals. Distinguishing notes: Kalani Smythe got his first guitar as a youth on Maui. In 2003, he recorded this "concert" CD at a restaurant called The Hamlet in the seaside town of Cambria, California. Kalani (using a single monicker) plays Hawaiian ki ho'alu signatures such as Keola Beamer's "Real Old Style," Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett's "Ka Wai Lehua 'A'ala Ka Honua," and the Eddie Kamae-Larry Kimura classic, "E Ku'u Morning Dew." Kalani hurls "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" into the galaxy, too, reworking the children's favorite into a brand new ditty. "Pua Hone" and "Moloka'i Slide" are vocals with a rustic, laid-back mood. There's one Kalani original, "A Cruise to Ke'anae," which earned him ki ho'alu laurels in the 1998 KCCN Pride of the Islands contest. Our take: One night can, indeed, evolve into a CD.
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"Kalani... Live" Kalani Smythe (Daniel Ho Creations) This album by Daniel Ho's latest discovery introduces an artist with an interesting pedigree. Smythe grew up playing slack key on Maui, was a winner in the slack-key category in the 2nd Annual KCCN/FM100 Pride of the Islands talent contest, and was featured (as Ryan Smythe) on a KCCN/FM100 compilation album. Several years later, he met a couple who produced a concert for him at an intimate oceanfront restaurant in California. Tape was rolling, and this album became a memento of the performance. Smythe shares a mixed bag of Hawaiian classic and contemporary island music. The set list includes traditional favorites such as "Meleana E" and "Hawai'i Aloha," a beautiful instrumental arrangement of "E Ku'u Morning Dew," and a fresh recording of his KCCN winner, "A Cruise to Keanae." Smythe also sings in a mellow laid-back style that fits his soft and melodious slack-key arrangements perfectly. Give him credit for an arrangement of "Moloka'i Slide" that minimizes the problematic melodic riffs of the hit version, and also for an extended rendition of "Real Old Style" that does justice to the full spectrum of emotions that percolate though the lyrics. It must have been the producers' choice, but there is almost no sense of a crowd being present except when Smythe takes a moment to explain Hawaiian words and island phrases. On the other hand, who wants to hear crowd noise on a slack-key album? All in all, it sounds like it was night to remember. |
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| Kalani's Notes
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| I grew up in the little town of Wailuku, where life was simple. We’d go to Grandma’s house and run around in the yard while listening to my grandfather, the late Walter Chong Kee, and his sons Ken and Stan play Hawaiian music on guitars. Gabby Pahinui albums were always playing on our Hi-Fi stereo. Mom would often join in on 'ukulele. I began playing 'ukulele in the third grade, then took up guitar in the sixth grade. It was always just a hobby for me. I graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in business, and spent the next eight years in accounting working for an international CPA firm. In 1998, I was lucky enough to win the Ki ho'alu (slack key) division of a state-wide competition called "KCCN Pride of the Islands" (with my original composition, A Cruise to Keanae). I soon began gigging on Maui’s wedding and convention circuit full-time, and have been stress-free ever since! In 2002 I met a gracious couple who loved ki ho’alu - David and Beth Yudovin. They arranged a concert for me in the beautiful California seaside town of Cambria. It was held in a romantic restaurant called The Hamlet on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This is a live recording of that concert. Heart-felt mahalos to: Akua for this great life. David and Beth Yudovin for their friendship and generosity in making this recording possible. Daniel Ho for believing in this project, making a dream a reality and being a nice and genuine human being. Harris Moku for getting me into Maui’s music scene and teaching me the music business, enabling me to play music full-time. Jon Miyabuchi of "Sushi Go" restaurants for supporting my music thru the years. Grandpa Walter Chong Kee and uncle Kenneth Chong Kee for sharing their love of guitar and ki ho'alu. The two best parents in the world, Charles Smythe and Linda Lubera for buying me my first guitar, providing a happy and nurturing household, and the opportunity to create. And last but not least, huge hugs to my two little angels, Halsey and Gabrielle for making me smile. |
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| Credits
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Recorded at the Hamlet in Cambria, CA on January 12, 2003. Live recording produced by David and Beth Yudovin Recorded and mixed by Bill Boothby “E Ku’u Morning Dew” and “The Road That Never Ends” recorded and mixed by Fernando Perez (mojorootsmusic.com) Photos of Kalani by Hanne Ruhnau (hanneruhnauphotography.com) Sunset photo and pier photo by Kalani Smythe (kalanismythe.com) Mastering and graphic design by Daniel Ho Record Label: Daniel Ho Creations Release Date: July 2007 |
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