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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
 Posted - 04/22/2004 : 1:09:59 PM
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Well, since I'm the guy who wrote the criticism, I feel like responding.
K & S - you both make a good point. I should know better than to try to figure out why someone acts the way they do. I could simply be that Makana really liked what he was wearing.
On the other hand, when one performs in public, myself included, criticism is part of that process. So, I will try to be more accurate with my comments: I thought Makana's performances in San Jose and Santa Rosa were superb playing and singing. I also thought that his choice of costume was tacky. |
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huiohana
Lokahi
115 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2004 : 1:54:20 PM
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Aloha Ray,
When first saw Matt with his long hair and his new look, at first we were shocked also. But as we do when we see young(sometimes older)people with mohawks or earrings in every crevice that our good Lord has created...They are just trying to find themselves, yeah? Sometimes...attention, too. Besides this, he is a very nice guy. It's cool, Ray!!! A hui hou, Keali'i. |
Edited by - huiohana on 04/22/2004 1:55:23 PM |
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Auntie Maria
Ha`aha`a
USA
1918 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2004 : 2:36:00 PM
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This thread is making me laugh -- remembering a similar discussion happening on the 'net newsgroup alt.music.hawaiian when Dennis Kamakahi's black nail polish was first displayed (at a mainland performance). Then came the discussions of his all-black attire...then he bleached his hair, causing another uproar. Many of us _longed_ for him to return to his Sons of Hawai`i persona -- palaka shirt, etc.! 
But his music continued to be sweet and well-received.
Now it's Matt's turn to be on "the hot seat" with regard his attire. This too, shall pass -- that young man's talent is undeniable! |
Auntie Maria
===================
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2004 : 3:52:43 PM
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Damned hippies and their guitars and long hair! :)
Always wanted to type that.
I saw Makana in Boulder Creek with Barry Flanagan 18 months ago or
so. He is a first rate guitarist. I enjoyed it very much. I would
highly recommend his music. |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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Steven Espaniola
Lokahi
225 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2004 : 4:00:27 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by huiohana
P.S. Brada Steve, maybe you can teach me some bass runs like Hui Ohana(uncle Ned). I saw your website. Pretty heavy, brada. Leo Ki'eki'e is the bomb!!! A hui hou, K.
Howzit Keali`i - Aiea is close to where I'm from in Aliamanu (near Salt Lake). My website is in much need of an overhaul. Kind of outdated. Check out my friend Patrick's beautiful new site: http://www.patricklandeza.com/j3/servlet/HomePage
Nedward is da man as far as melodic bass runs go! Knew exactly how to counter his brother's intricate lead lines. Then there is the master himself: Dennis Pavao! Still unequalled in the fine art of Leo Ki`e Ki`e. I'm glad to see that falsetto is gaining popularity with artists like Na Palapalai and Raiatea taking the torch!
Raymond - No prob. Just that image is an area that hits close to home. In a video age where the media markets control what we see and hear, all too often image takes precedence over real talent. Case & point: American Idol. I've even been criticized of not looking like a typical "traditional" Hawaiian singer.
Aunty - I agree with you! |
Steven |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2004 : 6:17:52 PM
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Wow!
Don't know how I got in so late on this one! A month ago someone asked who their favorite slack key player was, I had just recieved his third CD (on the advice of Bobby Moderow, his first teacher) and found it to be my personal favorite in an instant. So, Raymond, he is a little dorky looking in a skirt and, but then there are sack dresses, bowling shirts and golf pants, too. I just love his voice, and his playing is exquisite (did I spell that right?). I also agree that we all go through stages of creativity and experimentation in all aspects fo our lives, so why not music. Look at how Dylan got booed off the stage the first time he appeared in public with an electric guitar....did hs fans forget that his two latest albums to that point had been recoreded on electric and not acoustic guitar??..Why does a person have to stay in the pigeon hole others would like to cast for him/her? OK, ki ho'alu is a traditional art form, but that doesn't mean someone is less a person for leaving that to explore other genres and perhaps brign someof that back to enliven nd enrich that tradition. I lke quality guitar and voice, and this guy has it in spades.
I have not yet heard his first two CDs, maybe I will get them, maybe not, but his "..Journey.." CD is a must have.
By the way, my second favorite pick is MaunaLua (eponimous album), and my newest addition to the top three is Moses Kamukohu's Dancing Cat CD. His stuff has some of what I have come to hear as 'traditional' slack key, and, among the limited number of artists I have listened to so far, a completely original bouncy form of playing style. I have listened to this album (it was my March drawing prize from taropatch...thanks, guys) a dozen times in the 3 days i have had it, and have yet to read the credits, so i don't know if songs like "Moke's Bounce #1" are his originals or covers....guess i should go find out. That particular song immediately brought to mind an imaginary meeting of Leo Kottke jamming with Led Kaapana, distilling both guitars into one track. Doesn't sound "traditional" to me, but what a cool song.
OK, back to Makana.
I look forward to hearing more of his music soon.
Karl |
Karl
Frozen North |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2004 : 02:07:18 AM
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You know, ldies and gentlemen, that in at least 2 threads I said that Makana's level of playing and singing is excellent -- I believe that his newest album is very high quality and deserving to be, at least, a Na Hoku finalist, and I voted that way.
As to costume - that is indeed a matter of taste. FYI, I see some guys come out in white shoes, polyester pants held with with white belts and matching aloha shirts -- well unless they are kupuna I'll probably make a comment about the costume. I know it's personal taste -- and I tend towards very conservative in dress. Maybe I just been around too many people trying to find themselves over the years, and God love 'em, we all had to do them in order to grow up -- and if the performane is free, I don't say anything about it. But if I'm paying and the clothes look tacky, by my taste, I'll say it. Will I pay to see Makana again? You bet - he's a dynamite performer. Would I pay to see Jerry Garcia one more time -- you bet, although I would comment about his being stuck in a time warp long long ago. Did I pay to see Dennis in black with black nails -- yes, but somehow that one didn't bother me. Woulde I pay to hear Gabby, even if he appeared in his birthday clothes? What an awful thought, but sure I would, just wearing very very dark tinted glasses that are, maybe a bit out of focus.
I think it's ok to say we sometimes don't like something, without that criticism negating the whole picture of an artists or a performance. Heck, there are some tracks Keola did that I didn't record onto my own compilation disks. That doesn't mean Keola isn't a great talent and superb performance. Ain't gonna like everything everyone does. That, too, is part of "diversity."
I did apologize for the "cheap shot" in terms of impuning motives. But to tell you the truth, the origin of that was really a comment my that came from my 19 1/2 year old neice whom we took to the performance. (She studies guitar at conservatory and also thought that Makana played very well.) |
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huiohana
Lokahi
115 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2004 : 10:10:57 AM
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aawwwwwRighty Then!!! A hui hou, Keali'i K. |
Edited by - huiohana on 04/23/2004 10:12:18 AM |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2004 : 1:08:05 PM
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Sarah and I also love Makana's current album. Actually, Raymond's earlier thoughts about Makana's music on this album echo ours: his "covers" (it really doesn't seem proper to me to call slack key pieces "covers", though, I just did, because, in a traditional form, you build on the tradition, obviously) are superb in every way. He captures the essence of the piece, and the artist, that made it famous and the builds on it. We listen to it often.
About costumes - Dennis is a seriously smart guy and his various alterations of his appearance were quite ingenious. First the black fingernail polish: it was only on his picking hand when we saw him in New York and it made your eyes focus, even from far away, on the fingers and their tremendous dexterity. His skill was impressively made obvious. In addition, his Zorro oufit really was different from George and Cyril's casual clothes. The people in Symphony Space who knew nothing about Slack key (and there were a lot, because it has many "Series" ticketholders) were all buzzing. Then, all the other costumes made him stand out from the other musicians whenever he thought he needed to. One time we spent a wonderful evening at the (then) Hawaiian Regent with him and George Kuo and Martin Pahinui. He wore only slacks and an aloha shirt and everyone was comfy. However, a night or two later, at Auntie Genoa's 80th Birthday party, at the same place, he had his leather motorcycle jacket and stuff on. He was suffering in the heat when we talked to him, but he sure was noticed by everyone.
...Reid |
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huiohana
Lokahi
115 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2004 : 1:34:06 PM
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Aloha Reid,
I was,also, at Aunty Genoa's 80th b-day. Was'nt it something special. I never saw so many people by the pool area for a show. Well, maybe when the Hui Ohana got together on stage there that same month. But she is so beloved by everyone, yeah? It was one of those nights that you just wanted Aunty to just "HANA HOU" all night!!! A hui hou, Keali'i Kahumoku. |
Edited by - huiohana on 04/23/2004 1:37:50 PM |
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Stacey
Lokahi
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2004 : 12:39:59 AM
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Aloha e taropatch.net ohana!
I just had the opportunity to see Makana perform last Tuesday, April 20, at George Kahumoku Jr's Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui and was completely blown away!!! Makana is a phenominal musician! I found him to be very humble and a genuinely nice person with a beautiful soul. I also prefer Makana's latest album Journey of Slack Key Guitar and I didn't see any of the sexy stuff folks were complaining about, just super fantastic slack key music! He dressed modestly, played barefoot and talked story in between songs. For example ~ he said he has a friend who plays violin proffessionally and attended Julliard. This friend asked him "Why bother with all these tunings?" His reply was, "Why bother going to Julliard?"
He also did a hilarious imitation of Uncle Sonny Chillingworth's Kaula 'ili, "when you fall down, you pick yourself up and ride again..."
Attached is a pic I took of Makana, Uncle George and David (didn't catch his last name cuz they always said so fast) on ukulele.
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Edited by - Stacey on 04/24/2004 1:58:24 PM |
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OHIO-HAOLE
Akahai
USA
86 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2004 : 04:14:56 AM
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| Wow I don't know about you guys but around here a KiHoalu gig is like a precious drop of rain in the desert! After reading in this topic I just found out by going to Makanas site that he will be on the East Coast in my hometown Cleveland, Ohio!! On MAY 25TH! This looks like one I don't wanna miss! Aloha...Ken. |
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kihoalukid
Lokahi
USA
289 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2004 : 1:40:59 PM
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| Barefoot?!!! The nerve of some peoples kids!! : ) |
Lee |
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Bwop
Lokahi
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2004 : 2:11:16 PM
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Aloha,
Let's give him a break about dressing-- he's probably a Libra (we have a penchant for pushing the "style" envelope). And (sorry to beat this horse, Andy), he WAS born in New Jersey. That could explain a few things. |
Bwop |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2004 : 09:49:13 AM
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Aloha kaua e Keali`i,
Sarah and I have mixed feelings about Auntie Genoa's 80th la hanau. On the one hand, it was marvelous to be there to honor her and to be with others who did. Sarah gave her a Birthday kiss, too.
But, there were lots, too many, people who were there for some kind of "political" ( I guess that is what you would call it) reason - to be seen and network and talk story with others in the audience. There was so much talking and table hopping going on - and while Auntie was singing and talking, too - that it was just about impossible to hear what was being said or sung or played most of the time. It was really disrespectful (if that's a word) and upsetting.
Although we got there quite early, we had to sit back near the end of the pool ( lots of people had sent "scouts" in really early and they "reserved" seats and tables as sort of guards) and the chattering between us and the stage was so loud that we could barely hear anything.
However, we did see and hear Auntie Genoa in a much more respectful setting - Carnegie Hall in NYC - where she was given a standing ovation and everyone hung on her every word. Andy and Lynette were there, too and can vouch for how wonderful that night was.
me ke aloha,
...Reid |
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