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Pleasant tunes, from nahenahe ditties to the '60s | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper
Posted on: Friday, January 19, 2007

ISLAND SOUNDS
 Pleasant tunes, from nahenahe ditties to the '60s

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

"Somewhere Underneath" by Kristofer David Gray
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"A Brokedown Melody" by various artists
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"My Back Pages: The Folk Years" by Peter Apo & the Rainbow Nation Band
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From Moloka'i comes Lono's "sleeper" of simple pleasures.

A Big Island resident, with a folk-country style acquired on the Mainland, looks at life and love with an Island perspective.

An activist from the '60s provides a flashback to that era through anthems that touched a generation.

And a soundtrack to a surfing documentary has stand-alone appeal and a backyard flavor.

"Old Style III" by Lono; Monkeypod

  • Genre: Traditional Hawaiian.

  • Distinguishing notes: Subtitled "Imua Kakou" (to go forward, with the folk music of Hawai'i), this entry by Moloka'i native Lono is nahenahe in the purest sense, with simple pleasures galore.

    Lono is a jack of all trades, singing lead, composing 14 of the 16 tracks, playing two kinds of 'ukulele, three guitars, the mandolin and bass, along with Hawaiian instruments such as the pahu, ka'eke'eke and pu (drums, bamboo pipes and conch shell).

    There's both innocence and savvy in his meanderings, as he switches from English phrases to Hawaiian verses, even name-dropping along the way on the delightful "Hammajangjang," mentioning Sonny Chillingworth, Moe Keale, Gabby Pahinui, Joe Gang, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and Leland "Atta" Isaacs. There are surprises galore as Lono explores his life and views from his Moloka'i perch: "Ho'opono ia Moloka'i" speaks with fondness of the pleasures of the 'aina and the people; "Kupuna Beebop" is warm and comedic, with a hapa-haole stance; even the wordless "Holoholo Bucky" inspires images of a dude cavorting along sandy shores of the Friendly Isle.

  • Our take: A bona-fide "find" — a modest but magnificent performance/collection from a master of melody, lyric and mood.

    Sample song: "Hammajangjang" by Lono

    "Somewhere Underneath" by Kristofer David Gray; no label

  • Genre: Folk, adult contemporary.

  • Distinguishing notes: Kristofer David Gray lives at Keauhou, on the Big Island, but clearly he has roots aboard. This CD, in the folk-country mode, features mostly his words and lyrics that likely project his views and sentiments of his life before anchoring in paradise. His work is that of a troubadour, compiling reflections that result in vignettes set to music.

    The title song, "So Loved," "Fears to Flight" and "Something Has Changed" suggest his tribulations in life and love. Gray plays guitar and sings, with simple bass and drum support, giving the disc a personal and raw quality.

  • Our take: An earnest debut by someone who has something to say.

    "My Back Pages: The Folk Years" by Peter Apo & the Rainbow Nation Band; Mayo Records

  • Genre: World music.

  • Distinguishing notes: Peter Apo, a former legislator, was part of the activist movement of the folk-music-dominated 1960s, when pop culture spawned prolific artists who expressed their discontent about war (Vietnam), politics (communist China, the Soviet Union) and life (civil rights and more) through music. Rebellion was de rigueur; confrontation was in.

    With a host of musicians in the Rainbow Nation Band, Apo swims through this era via a dozen songs associated with the leaders of that movement, Bob Dylan ("Blowin' in the Wind," "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," a medley of "Chimes of Freedom," "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "My Back Pages"), Gordon Lightfoot ("Early Morning Rain"), Donovan ("Colours"), Tim Hardin ("Reason to Believe") and The Eagles ("Best of My Love"), among others.

    Brotherly love, flower power, peace symbols, LSD and pot, rose-colored glasses, protest marches — do you remember? If the answer is yes, you can plug into that segment of time and find relevance in the music that challenged the establishment and reconnect with the spirit of Joan Baez, Crosby Stills & Nash, Judy Collins, The Byrds and The Kingston Trio.

  • Our take: A blast from the past, from a present perspective.

    • Sample song: "Something Has Changed" by Kristofer David Gray
    Sample song: "Don't Think Twice" by Peter Apo and the Rainbow Nation

    "A Brokedown Melody" by various artists; Brushfire Records

  • Genre: Movie soundtrack.

  • Distinguishing notes: This assembly of titles, inspired by the surfing documentary by Chris and Emmett Malloy, brings voices and melodies by Jack Johnson, Culver City Dub Collective, Johnny Osbourne, Eddie Vedder, Matt Costa, Beta Band and Astor Piazzolla.

    The best bets — which stand alone, meaning they have potential life apart from the score — have folkie flavor, including Costa's "The Road," three by Johnson and Vedder's "Goodbye," which has an acoustic 'ukulele-sounding backup, giving it a sweet and simple Island feel. More folks will have access to the CD rather than the film, which tracks the surfing in South America, parts of Polynesia and Jamaica.

  • Our take: Homespun informality — the songs sound like they're being performed from a back porch — is a plus.

    Sample song: "The Road" by Matt Costa

    Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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