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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
 Posted - 02/21/2007 : 01:48:47 AM
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This book, published by Kamehameha Schools, was written by Lena Machado's hanai daughter, Pi`olani Motta and Kihei DeSilva. It gives some insight into her life and personality, but more importantly, documents 30 of her mele with sheet music. The best part is the "behind the mele" that is presented with each of the songs. You get a glimpse into what caused her to write the mele, how she presented it, who she wrote it for, etc. The stories are at times touching, many times kolohe, worth chuckling over. The important thing here is that the music has been documented; the stories have been documented, which saves the music and history from being lost.
All of you who posted under the thread about vocalists being mad at the Grammy Awards and talked about the "old" ways, the truly "Hawaiian" music need to buy this book. You will see from this book a woman who knew the `olelo well and wrote mele in the traditional fashion, as well as in the modern times and methods. She knew how to market herself and did so with great aplomb. I never really paid much attention to her music. I thought it would all be hapa-haole papp, but her songs are much more than that. Many are so beautiful and touching. Then there are those that broke with tradition and provided commercial success..like "Ku`u Baby Hot Cha Cha". Book can be found at the following web site.
http://www.kaiwakiloumoku.ksbe.edu/makalii/lena_orderforms.php
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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