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Crackseedslackkey
Akahai
USA
81 Posts |
 Posted - 11/23/2006 : 06:37:42 AM
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Aloha fellow (and fellow-et) Taropatchers, I just wanted to let you know about someone that I just found out about not to long ago. Some of you may have already heard him, his name is ”Bradajo”. He does story telling mostly about his vast experiences here in Hawaii but also about his travels away from paradise and beyond that all relate in one way or the next to what we have all experienced in the islands.
I was invited to check him out by a good friend of mine, Greg Herbst. (more on him later) He was giving his talk story over in Honaunau in a little center called SKEA. I was blown away~ his storytelling is both nostalgic and suspenseful. I say suspenseful because he also tells different stories from Hawaii's folklore about strange happenings, as found in the numerous stories of the Hawaiian Night Marchers. He also tells the story of Christ as well, which I really enjoyed. It was the story I had heard before through church many times over but done in such a different and Hawaiian Pidgin style way it seemed like the first time I had ever heard it. A real treat. I have since seen him perform many times and each time I have the same feeling when I leave, like I just experienced Hawaii in a completely different way.
The part about his storytelling (for me) that really puts a great feel to what your hearing, is that in the background of much of his work he has someone playing beautiful slack key. (as heard in Da' Kapenta, or his latest album that is still just being released) The slack key interlaces itself in and out of what he tells punctuating his stories.
Greg Herbst who I met at Keola's Aloha Camp has become a close friend of mine and I cant say enough about his aloha spirit. He and Bradajo met a year or so back at one of his story telling evenings and became good friends right away and now they combine both of their talents into some of the best story telling to come out of the Hawaiian Islands.
My favorites are Bradajo’s most recent album from the Tin Fish label is “Poems” then “Da Kapenta” and “Supa Natural.” These will make terrific gifts for birthday’s and even Christmas.
Anyway I was so stoked to find out about ‘dis guy and surprised that I hadn’t seen him yet here on Taro Patch so help spread the word if can . . . .
HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT TURKEY DAY
www.bradajo.com/
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T-Dan
Lokahi
USA
132 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2006 : 09:46:03 AM
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Bradajo's classic book, "Chalookyu Eensai" was out of print for a long time but is back out there again (available on the link Chris provided)in an edition that includes an audio CD reading by the author. I found it on O'ahu on a trip a couple years back for my high school reunion. When I first moved to Hawai'i in the early 70's there was an obscure public TV show that had him reading that book on the air. Chris is right: The poems are enchanting and are much more than just phoneticized pidgin. Some deep thoughtful stuff going on underneath, and very picturesque. Close your eyes as you listen and you are right there.
Aloha, and I am Thank-Full for Taropatch!
T-Dan |
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