Chris Yeaton Kikaha Malie – Slack Key and American Fingerstyle Guitar
I met Chris at the first Beamer Aloha camp in August of 2001 so it with excitement that I learned of and received his first CD titled Kikaha Malie (Gliding Free). Chris's recording debut presents 12 instrumentals and 1 vocal track.
As the title indicates, Chris performs a number of traditional slack key numbers paying homage to those players who inspired him.
Mana `Olana by John Keawe
Moe `Uhane by Sonny Chillingworth
Old Timer's Hula (traditional)
`Opihi Moemoe by Leonard Kwan
While to this listener Chris's ki ho`alu appears most influenced by John Keawe and Keola Beamer, his originals incorporate other American fingerstyle influences such as Alex de Grassi and Peppino D'Agostino. It should also be noted that Chris was a student of Patrick Landeza.
As an artist, Chris tells many stories through his fingerstyle arrangements including finding an injured myna bird, sunsets of the Big Island, first crushes, and the ending of relationships. His playing is full of emotion and his arrangements ranging from simply beautiful to richly complex. The final track is a unique remake of Ku`u Home O Kahalu`u featuring backup vocals by John Keawe and includes a percussive element to Chris's playing.
Topic Locked
Posted - 07/07/2003 : 01:27:38 AM
