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Ray Sowders
Akahai
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2008 : 09:15:49 AM
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Good for you Fran, go get 'em!
Ray |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1583 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2008 : 10:38:36 AM
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Eh, Auntie, thanks for the bump. And Ray, I really appreciate your encouragement, I still remember with pleasure your generous lesson in the subtleties of Uncle Raymond's style.
Last night was a whole big lot of fun. Portland was in the middle of a serious downpour, so getting into the show was a bit uncomfortable, but once inside we were all warmed by the spectacular music coming from the stage. We persuaded several of our Portland friends to see the show and they were all, naturally, totally blown away by the personalities and musical virtuosity of Led and Mike.
Led has a cool new guitar made by Noah Kitakis of Ko`olau Guitar and `Ukulele. The story goes that Noa was inspired by Led's old Guild Songbird, and set out to build a great stage guitar that sounds and feels acoustic but avoids feedback and delivers a reliable and consistent plugged in tone. To achieve these goals he constructed a cutaway acoustic with a flamed redwood top, but omitted the soundhole to reduce feedback and runaway resonance. I didn't get all the details of the bracing and pickups, but the sound was rich and clear, and Led seemed to have a lot of fun playing it. His stage uke for this trip is a Ko`olau Pono, deep bodied tenor cutaway. It sounded absolutely great ... I don't need another `ukulele, I don't need another ...
Speaking of ukes, you should have been there when Led pulled out "Opihi Moemoe" on the `ukulele. As always, the guy has something up his sleeve to surprise even the most ardent fans. There seems to be a lot of uke interest in Portland, with Lyle Ritz now residing here, but my ukish friends were totally unprepared for what Led can do on that tiny little box. Then later in the show he did his symphonic arrangement of "Killing Me Softly" and absolutely brought down the house.
One unfathomable downside, somehow someone booked this show on the same night that Jake Shimabukuro played in Portland as well. I can just imagine how torn some people must have been having to choose between these great acts. When I asked the audience if any Taropatchers were present, no one raised their hand, so I can only assume all the Portland gang were over at Jake's show.
This afternoon we're on the road to Eugene for some more big fun. I've already communicated with a couple of guitar buddies who live there, and I'm looking forward to meeting some 'Patchers as well.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi Slack Key on YouTube
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Auntie Maria
Ha`aha`a
USA
1918 Posts |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2008 : 6:49:37 PM
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Fran,
I can guess that many Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz members will be on hand for YOUR Don Quixote's show. I don't think Mr. Jake will be around these here parts this time...
Anyway, we are looking forward to seeing you, will you please bring some of that warm, sunny Hawaiian weather with you?
Hugs, Julie
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catheglass
Lokahi
USA
312 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2008 : 07:21:55 AM
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Aloha pumehana Fran:
So glad to hear you're having a good time on tour - but what guitar/ukulele are you playing? And how did you decide which instruments to bring with you?
Can't imaging how much fun one could have with Led and Mike! Must be over the top. . . . . ou hui hou, |
cathe |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1583 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2008 : 1:17:02 PM
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Julie, I hope the weather in SC is as warm as it is here in WC today. We just got home and 65 degrees feels tropical after a few days in February Portland.
The Eugene show was another treat. The venue (the WOW hall, which is now owned by a community arts association) is about twice the size, the stage was larger, and the audience was over double the size. I ran into Maggie (MahinaM) and Cathe Howe's sister (hi from your sis!!) along with lots of friendly enthusiastic fans. There seemed to be a large collection of HI expats, and they couldn't get enough of that sweet music from home. Led and Mike seemed to feel the need, and the show ended almost three hours after it began.
There are a few things I can't tell you about because I want you to enjoy the surprise, but these guys were in _such_ a groove that they elevated the whole place to a new level. Telepathic interplay on guitar and vocals, raucous kidding back and forth, and lots of material we hadn't heard in Portland. Well, no surprise there because both Mike and Led seem to know _every_ Hawaiian song and most from other genre as well.
Led is opening the show, as he did last year, and he continues to add new twists to old familiar tunes. I sometimes think he could do a concert of only one song, done 30 different ways!! And come up with 30 more the next night. When he did "Love Is Blue" on the `ukulele he mentioned that it was one he learned "in the seventh grade." So that means when he was 13 he was probably already one of the world's greatest uke virtuosi!!
Mike adds such a richness to the show, of course. His personality is generally a bit understated in contrast to Led's exuberance, and his dry wit contrasts so well with Led's bubbling laughter that the audience gets swept up. He sang several numbers during the duet portion of the show, including dedicating "Ku Lahilahi" to Lynnie - it's a big favorite of hers. As much as I love Ledward's "Killing Me Softly" on the uke, it takes on a whole other dimension with Mike playing perfect subtle 12 string accompaniment, never over shadowing but always supporting with that rich deep sound. Can you tell I'm in awe of these two?
I hope everyone in Seattle will get to enjoy the show tonight, I'm more sorry than ever that we had to miss it.
Cathe, on the techie side, I used my Martin OM for these shows, because it fits in the pre-battered Calton flight case. I plan to bring the Wingert out for the Bay Area shows, though. And I never play `ukulele when Ledward is around <grin>.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi Slack Key on YouTube
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HRasco
Aloha
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2008 : 2:58:52 PM
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Wanted to report that Fran did a great job of opening the show for Mike and Led in Portland. I didn't get to visit with him so I had to "come lookin'" for him in the interweb. Now, as a result, I'm a new member of Taropatch.
Thanks again, Fran, for your contribution to an amazing night of music and aloha.
Hank |
Swims with Honu |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1583 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 07:13:14 AM
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Hank, welcome to the 'Patch, and thanks for the compliment. I wish you could have joined us last night at the Freight & Salvage ... but you would have needed advance tickets. The guys sold out on a Sunday night.
The Freight ( http://www.thefreight.org ) is a Bay Area institution, the longest running folk/acoustic music venue west of the Mississippi, an inspiration to many of us, and long supporters of Hawaiian music. Patrick Landeza talks often about being inspired to pursue slack key by seeing Uncle Raymond Kane at the Freight. Last night was one more tremendous show to add to the history of the place.
The sound equipment and Alan the sound engineer combine to make it one of the most enjoyable places to play and to hear music, and that seemed to inspire the guys to even greater heights. Both the music and humor hit new levels, and the packed house was swept up in the fun. Plenty of 'Patchers made it to this show, some from over an hour away. How'd you like that arrangement of that old hula classic, folks??
Led has been doing "Morning Dew" as an `ukulele instrumental with Mike backing him, and last night I was struck again by the wonderful sophistication of Mike's playing. He has such a concept for using the richness of the 12 string to support the music rather than overwhelm it, like a careful bit of seasoning rather than a main ingredient. He weaves smooth moving voices, jazzy harmonies, walking bass lines, and rhythmic accents together but always keeping the spotlight on Led's melodic tapestry. A very impressive performance.
Ledward continues to surprise, his supply of musical ideas is simply inexhaustible. I'm sure I've heard him do "Ku`u Ipo Onaona" over a hundred times, but this one was new again, and not simply new for the sake of new, but a clever new logical path through the tune, with lovely new colors and details. It was the same in song after song, the evening just flew by as the music poured out.
I have to say that one of the high points for me was seeing my sweet Lynnie do her first Freight & Salvage hula!!!! Two of her hula sisters were at the show, and when she mentioned it to Led and Mike they must have hatched a plan. Near the end of the evening they brought up some dancers from a North Bay halau, then called Lynn and the Na Mamo ladies up for "Lei Nani" - it was quite a thrill seeing her up on that venerable stage.
Still a nice assortment of shows coming up in the SF Bay Area, I hope we'll be seeing lots more fans from the Taropatch.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi Slack Key on YouTube
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 08:47:46 AM
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Hi Fran,
Great job last night at The Freight! Did you feel (more like hear) our aloha from the audience? You made us Taropatchers proud.
I don’t have much to say right now about the concert. I think it’s because my senses are still stunned by what we experienced last night. Let’s just say that Led and Mike put on an extremely entertaining show. Having Led share the stage with Mike allows Led to kick back, sing harmony, and improvise with incredible runs and accents, a side of Led that we don’t normally get to see.
Mike is an outstanding guitarist and singer in his own right. Fran, you are dead on about Mike’s playing. It was very interesting to watch what he was doing, when I wasn’t distracted by the guy sitting next to him. Lots of subtleties -- the epitome of blending.
I’m listening to their brand new album, “Force of Nature,” which I was told is just a few days old. It was recorded live at The Triple Door in Seattle during last year’s tour. Last night, they played a lot of the tunes from this album. I definitely recommend this album. However, you really need to see these guys live to fully appreciate their skill, artistry, and story telling. Their “Twelfth Street Rag/Sweet Georgia Brown” closing medley has to be seen to believe. It’s not from this planet.
There are a few more concerts left on this tour (with Fran opening on several of them), so don’t miss out.
Aloha,
Doug
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Auntie Maria
Ha`aha`a
USA
1918 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 1:02:53 PM
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Before any more of you email me about the new CD... 
"Force of Nature" is only available at the gigs on this tour, for now. As soon as the tour is over, it will be distributed to retailers. |
Auntie Maria =================== My "Aloha Kaua`i" radio show streams FREE online every Thu & Fri 7-9am (HST) www.kkcr.org - Kaua`i Community Radio "Like" Aloha Kauai on Facebook, for playlists and news/info about island music and musicians!
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les_maverick
Lokahi
USA
238 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 07:52:48 AM
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Hi Fran: Glad to hear you have been having fun with Led and Mike on tour. welcome back to sunny CA. See you Thursday night in Redwood City. My wife Louise and I will be there in the crowd. James is coming too. Les |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 05:05:36 AM
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Ha-ha, Auntie Maria -- I was just going to ask about the new CD. We got Mike's Kanikapila CD last spring at Honey's and figured we might have to wait until May to get it at Honey's again. Oh well, worth the trip, yeah?
PS: I got my income tax refund even without claiming mele.com as a dependent. |
Me ke aloha Malama pono, Wanda |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 05:06:30 AM
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PS: When is there going to be a new FRAN GUIDRY recording? Huh? Get busy, buster. |
Me ke aloha Malama pono, Wanda |
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markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 10:52:01 AM
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Hey Fran, What did you think of the songs that Led did on the autoharp last night. Just blew me away even more that I knew it would!! So good to see you again. Your opening set was just great. I'll never forget the smile you had on your face after the show.
Norman |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and haunts me sleeping and waking." Mark Twain |
Edited by - markwitz on 02/14/2008 10:56:56 AM |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 8:37:48 PM
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So Norman,
Does Led play everything with strings on it? And how did you know he could play this autoharp? I was blown away as well, it was a little much to comprehend, but then some people just have a way with stringed instruments...
It was a truly magical show, so interesting that I could not tear myself away eventhough I had planned to learve early due to some health issues.
And Fran did not "smile", that was a huge grin! 
Way to go Fran! You're pretty good yourself!
Julie |
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