Audio Cassette review:
Keola Beamer - Kolonahe: From the Gentle Wind

Keola Beamer - Kolonahe: From the Gentle Wind

Band: Keola Beamer Title: Kolonahe: From the Gentle Wind Rating: Release Date: 13 April, 1999 Media: Audio Cassette Tracks: 1: Ku'u Lei Awapuhi [Vocal Version] - Keola Beamer 2: Shaka Slack Key [Instrumental] - Keola Beamer, George Winston 3: Maika'i Ka Makani O Kohala (How Fine the Wind of Kohala) [Vocal Version - Keola Beamer 4: Beauty of Mauna Kea [Vocal Version] - Keola Beamer, George Winston 5: Pele Trilogy [Vocal Version] - Keola Beamer 6: Maui Waltz [Instrumental] - Keola Beamer 7: Kauhale O Kamapua'a [Instrumental] - Keola Beamer, George Winston 8: He Wahine Hololio [Vocal Version] - Keola Beamer 9: Blue Water Dolphin [Instrumental] - Keola Beamer 10: He Aloha Mele [Vocal Version] - Keola Beamer 11: Ipo Lei Manu/He'eia [Vocal Version] - Keola Beamer 12: Honolulu City Lights [Vocal Version] - Keola Beamer 13: Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha [Vocal Version] - Keola Beamer, George Winston

Editoral Review In particular, he's enchanted with the sound of the slack-key guitar, a finger-style approach with strings tuned lower, and--literally--slacker, than normal. Pianist George Winston has been unearthing a Hawaiian music that goes deeper than the resort-hotel image of ukulele songs, hula dancers, and Don Ho. One of the modern players Winston has released on his Dancing Cat label, Keola Beamer has that laconic, slack-key-guitar sound down cold, but he weds it to more atmospheric songs and arrangements. Kolonahe: From the Gentle Wind is more vocal than Beamer's other recordings, full of vowel-filled melodies, such as "Ku'u Lei Awapuhi," sung with gentle grace. He's surrounded by sparse but evocative arrangements with percussion, nose flute, mandolins, and, on "Kauhale O Kamapua'a," reverberant electric guitars. He's also joined on four tunes by Winston playing piano and guitar. Kolonahe is a magical celebration of the Hawaii behind the travel ads. --John Diliberto .. You can see a complete list of all Keola Beamer discography, or go back to the Keola Beamer tabs