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Click on album cover for high resolution jpeg. This duet album of Hawaiian music contains three instrumentals and ten vocals sung by Grammy® Award-winning Hawaiian Slack Key Master, George Kahumoku, Jr., playing 12-string guitar, combined with the exotic World Music rhythms of Bob Brozman playing slack key tunings on acoustic lap steel guitar. Four songs also feature the African sounds of Peter Burtt on 26-string kora and two other songs with Gordon Burt on violin. |
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| Song List
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| Liner Notes
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| When George and Bob get together, it’s usually to share music, food, and to relax in the pool or nearby ocean. When they play together, their music flows naturally like water from the mountains to the sea, sometimes placid, other times turbulent. Their music is indeed Kani Wai, like the sound of water. This collaboration is a celebration of their rare time together as both artists live whirlwind lives performing, teaching, traveling, and tending chickens when at home between tours. The idea for this duet album came about while touring the mainland for two years while George was based in Santa Cruz, California. Being in California made it possible to spend extra time at the Different Fur Recording Studio when Bob was home from his international touring schedule. Though their musical styles as soloists differ, magic happens when they play together. George ramps up for Bob, and Bob never plays so sweetly as when he plays with George. George Kahumoku, Jr., a natural pioneer who experiments with new music and combinations, continues to honor his native Hawaiian roots and traditions. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools and of Oakland’s California College of Arts and Crafts, he is famous for his musical compositions, artistic creations and educational contributions. Currently teaching at Lahainaluna High School, he also hosts an annual Slack Key Guitar and 'Ukulele Workshop on Maui. An artist and producer of the compilation album that won the 50th Annual Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album, he hosts the Wednesday night Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series on Maui (www.slackkey.com) and tours when time permits. Bob Brozman is a prolific recording artist, producer, author, and ethnomusicologist. His work with musicians from around the world has marked him as both a virtuoso slide guitarist and as a pioneer in finding a common thread among global musical cultures. Bob’s love for Hawaiian music stretches back four decades. Over the years, he has sought out and collected rare 78-rpm Hawaiian records from 1900-1935 and has produced numerous reissue compilations, helping to make new generations aware of this nearly lost era of music. His first recording collaboration was with the legendary Tau Moe family in Hawai'i; this work led the way to a host of other Hawaiian and global ethnic projects. Guest kora artist, Peter Joseph Burtt, a drummer and student of African drum and folklore, has released two albums, TRAVELOGUE and SUNKEN FOREST. Upcoming releases include MOONBLIND and HAND TO MOUTH. A student of Ghanaian master drummer, Kwaku Daddy, he spent three years in Africa living and performing with traditional musicians in Zimbabwe, Ghana and Gambia. He continues to compose and perform in California playing the 26-string kora and mbira, or thumb piano. Guest violinist, Gordon Burt, a music educator in the Colorado public school system, holds recording credits with musical notaries such as John Denver, John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) and Baxter Black and with the PBS series, "Spirit of Colorado." He continues to tour with regional favorites such as Chuck Pyle, John McEuen, Dakota Blonde and his original music group, "Windy Peak." Albums released include HEADIN' WEST, UPSIDASIUM! and WINDY PEAK. INSTRUMENTS PLAYED ON THIS ALBUM George: Taylor 12-string guitar and Rainsong 12-string guitar Bob: Bear Creek Weissenborn 7-string acoustic, Hawaiian guitar, Bear Creek short scale Kona Hawaiian guitar, and baritone National tricone guitar Peter: P. Burtt 26-string custom kora Gordon: J. Lantzy violin based on Joshua Bell's Stradivarius DEDICATION This album is dedicated to George Winston and Dancing Cat Records who gave us the opportunity to make these recordings in the very special, easy going, and creative setting at Different Fur. Producer George Winston and engineer Howard Johnston, with theirrelaxed humor, George's discerning ear for untuned strings, and HoJo's gentle, professional manner always seemed to get the best out of us. Also, by coincidence, both of us met our wives, Nancy and Haley, at Dancing Cat - so an extra thanks to George Winston for that! We would also like to extend a special thank you to Kiope Raymond. |
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| Song Notes
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1. Waikapu
Words & Music by James Kahale (4:40) Copyright © 1931 CHARLES E. KING MUSIC CO. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D – from the lowest pitched string to the highest), and Bob on Bear Creek 7-string in G Taro Patch, with a low G on the 7th string. Falsetto singer, James Kahale, wrote this song in 1917 memorializing the distinctive winds associated with four famous streams on the northeast side of Maui. Known as “Na Wai 'Eha,” the four waters include Waikapu (forbidden waters), Wailuku (bloody waters, referring to the fierce battle fought in 'Iao Valley in the late eighteenth century between Maui’s King Kahekili and King Kalaniopu'u, ruler of Hawai'i and Hana, Maui), Waiehu (water spray) and Waihe'e (slippery water). 2. Waikiki Hula Written by Isaac Keola (5:46) © 1929 (Renewed 1957) EMI MILLER CATALOG INC All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Used by Permission. Translation by Kamehameha Schools HSI Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch, Bob on Bear Creek 7-string in G Taro Patch with the 7th string a low G, and Peter Burtt on kora tuned to G. This song from the 1920s tells the story of a young lover's disappointment. In the 1970s, Eddie Kamae with Gabby Pahinui and the Sons of Hawai'i popularized it on their 1971 recording, AN ISLAND HERITAGE (Panini Records). 3. Ho'oipoipo O Wai'anapanapa (Courtship of Wai'anapanapa) By George Kahumoku, Jr. (3:20) Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch tuned down to F, and Bob on Bear Creek 7-string in G Taro Patch tuned up to B flat with a low B flat on the 7th string, playing in the key of F (7th position - key of D fingerings as if it were tuned to G). George composed this instrumental melody while listening to Kit Ebersbach’s recordings of nature sounds made in the cold-water caves of Wai'napanapa (glistening water) in the Hana Forest Reserve on Maui. He set the sounds of dripping water and two cooing doves to music. 4. Kaua'i Beauty By Henry Wai'au (6:08) Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch tuned down to E flat, and Bob on Bear Creek 7-string in G Taro Patch tuned up to B flat with a low B flat on the 7th string, playing in the key of E flat (5th position - key of C fingerings as if it were tuned to G). Violin accompaniment by Gordon Burt. Written in 1929, this song honors the island of Kaua'i, home of the wettest place on earth, Mount Wai'ale'ale (overflowing water), of the native mokihana citrus tree found only on Kaua'i and of the ancient chief of Kaua'i named Manokalanipo. 5. Wai'alae By Mekia Kealakai (4:08) Copyright © 1919 CHARLES E. KING MUSIC CO. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch, Bob on Bear Creek 7-string in G Taro Patch with the 7th string a low G, and Peter Burtt on kora tuned to G. Mekia Kealakai composed Hawaiian lyrics for this love song based on a Spanish-style waltz he heard played by Mexican workers on O'ahu in 1902. When Bird of Paradise opened on Broadway in 1912, Wai'alae was one of the songs performed in the show. 6. Meleana E By Francis Samuel Ka'a'a (4:29) Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch tuned down to F, and Bob on Bear Creek short scale in G Taro Patch tuned up to C and playing in F (4th position key of C fingerings as if it were tuned to G). The composer wrote this song in the early twentieth century to honor his daughter, Maryann Ka'a'a Dias, who was of Hawaiian and Scandinavian descent. This spirited party song regained popularity in the 1950s due to Aunty Genoa Keawe. 7. Waiulu By George Kaleiohi, Sr. (7:49) Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch, Bob on Bear Creek 7-string in G Taro Patch, with a low G note on the 7th string, and Peter Burtt on kora tuned to G. Eddie Kamae researched and brought this beautiful Kaua'i love song to life in the early 1970s. Awaiaulu refers to the enduring bond and intimacy of marriage and this waltz is often played at weddings. In this rendition, Bob set the unusual rhythm making it different from any traditional version while George played the basic song to keep it tied to the source. 8. Lei 'Ohu Written by Johnny Noble and George Akiu (4:56) © 1930 (Renewed 1958) EMI MILLER CATALOG INC All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Used by Permission. Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch tuned down to F, and Bob on Bear Creek short scale in G Taro Patch tuned up to C and playing in F (5th position, key of C fingerings as if it were tuned to G). In this lively tribute to four distinguished Hawaiian chiefs, each one is decorated with a lei made from the flower symbolizing his island. The color of each island stems from the color of its flower. The color of the Big Island of Hawai'i is red (lehua); Maui is pink (roselani); O'ahu is yellow ('ilima); and Kaua'i is purple (mokihana). 9. Ka Wailele 'O 'Akaka ('Akaka Falls) Written by Helen Parker (7:23) © 1934 (Renewed 1962) EMI MILLER CATALOG INC All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Used by Permission. Translation by Ka'eo Kawa'a Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch, and Bob on Bear Creek 7-string in G Taro Patch, with a low G note on the 7th string. Violin accompaniment by Gordon Burt. In the 1930s Helen Kauinohea Lindsey Parker wrote this well-loved song about the 422-foot high 'Akaka Falls near Hilo, Hawai'i. The legend of this waterfall tells about a man named 'Akaka who fell to his death and was mourned by two lovers, Lehua and Maile. 10. He Punahele No 'Oe Written by Albert Poai Nahale'a (4:06) © 1962 CRITERION MUSIC CORPORATION All rights reserved. Used by permission. Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in Drop C tuning (C-G-D-G-B-D) and Bob on Bear Creek Baby short scale in G Taro Patch tuned up to C. Albert Nahale’a composed this heartwarming song of affection for his daughter. From 1936 to 1937 he succeeded Harry K. Naope as Choral Director for the Haili Church Choir in Hilo, Hawai’i, a choir famous for nurturing generations of singers and musicians in families like the Naopes, Browns, Deshas, Beamers, Punahoas and Nahale’as. 11. Hilo Hanakahi Words & Music by Keola Naumu (6:22) Copyright © 1928 CHARLES E. KING MUSIC CO. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch, Bob on Bear Creek 7-string in G Taro Patch with the 7th string a low G, and Peter Burtt on kora tuned to G. A musical tour around the Big Island of Hawai’i leaves from Hilo and takes the listener to eight different districts, relating the physical attributes of each area. Place songs (mele pana) that honor the land are one of the most popular song forms used by Hawaiian composers. The sound of the rain in the lehua forest (i ka ua Kanilehua) is a poetic reference to the Big Island. This song also honors Hilo’s legendary chief, Hanakahi, who was a symbol of profound peace. This unique version leaves out the normal II7 chord (the A7th in the key of G) at the end of the verses, instead going right to the V7 chord (the D7th). 12. Different Mosquito By George Kahumoku, Jr. (5:38) Recorded with George on Taylor 12-string in G Taro Patch, and Bob on Bear Creek 7-string in G Taro Patch, with a low G on the 7th string. This original composition captures the exploits and demise of a mosquito. It was written at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel where The Kahumoku Brothers performed regularly. George and Moses first recorded it as Mauna Kea Mosquito on their 1988 duet album, SWEET AND SASSY (Kealia Farms Record Company). This playful version developed at Different Fur; hence the name change salutes that studio. 13. Na Ali’i (The Chiefs) By Samuel Kuahiwi (3:36) Recorded with George on Rainsong 12-string in G Taro Patch tuned to F, and Bob on baritone National tricone in G Taro Patch tuned to F. George learned this song from Violet Rosehill, his first grade music teacher at Kamehameha Schools in 1956. The flowers (na pua) refer to the Hawaiian people. |
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| Credits
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George Kahumoku, Jr. - vocals and 12-string slack key guitar |
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