VA - Hulaland, The Golden Age of Hawaiian Music [2015] (4 x CDs)

HAWAIIAN

VA - Hulaland, The Golden Age of Hawaiian Music [2015] (4 x CDs)

If you’ve ever dreamed of drifting through a Technicolor luau with steel guitars humming and palm trees swaying, Hulaland is your passport. Released in 2015 by RockBeat Records, this 4-CD box set is a sprawling, sun-drenched celebration of Hawaiian music’s golden age, 105 tracks spanning nearly five decades, from the 1920s to the early ’70s.

Each disc is its own island. 

Disc One, From Hollywood to Honolulu (1931-1957), captures the moment when Hawaiian sounds swept through American pop culture. You’ll find Louis Armstrong teaming up with Andy Iona, Jo Stafford swinging through “Hawaiian War Chant,” and Dorothy Lamour melting through “My Little Grass Shack.” It’s playful, romantic, and occasionally surreal, Ethel Merman and Betty Boop even make cameo appearances.

Disc Two dives into the tiki craze with Splendor in the Grass Shack (1958-1974), where exotica meet surf. Martin Denny, The Ventures, and TV themes like Hawaiian Eye conjure a cocktail-soaked fantasy of island life. 

Disc Three rewinds to Hawaiian Classics (1927-1940), spotlighting native musicians and traditional melodies.

Disc Four, Contemporary Hawaiian Music, adds a twist with novelty gems like “Yiddish Hula Boy” and “Everybody Does It in Hawaii.”

The packaging is a treat: a hardbound book filled with vintage sheet music covers, memorabilia, and liner notes by James Austin that read like a love letter to the genre. This compilation traces how Hawaiian music shaped and was shaped by the mainland’s imagination.

Whether you’re a collector, a curious listener, or just someone who wants to feel the breeze of a bygone paradise, Hulaland delivers. It’s joyous, strange, and utterly charming, like stumbling into a forgotten postcard and hearing it sing. (B)

==========================================================

ALL 

OR

ALL 

===========================================================

Track lists

CD1     From Hollywood To Honolulu: Hawaii Goes Eclectic, 1931-1957

01 Louis Armstrong With Andy Iona and His Islanders - On A Little Bamboo Bridge 3:16

02 Tau Moe - Hula Blues 2:53

03 Felix Mendelsson & Hawaiian Sisters & George Barclay - Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula 2:36

04 Rudi Wairata & Mena Moeira Minstrels - Pua Jka Lani 2:52

05 George Kainapau - Ke Ka'upu 2:06

06 Sol K. Bright's Hollywaiians - Heat Wave 3:04

07 Jo Stafford - Hawaiian War Chant 2:09

08 Dick McIntyre & Jerry Byrd - Twilight Blues 2:17

09 Ethel Merman - Ukulele Lady 2:42

10 Ukuele Ike - Sweet Leilani 2:31

11 Edward F. Cline - Hawaii Calls 0:36

12 Roy Smeck - Crazy Uke 1:41

13 Burns & Allen - Gracie Allen's Hawaiian 0:37

14 Gracie Allen - Honolulu 3:37

15 Dorthy Lamour With Dick McIntyre - My Little Grass Shack 2:40

16 Hal Aloma and His Hawaiian Orchestra - Pretty Maui Girl 2:46

17 Andy Iona and His Islanders - Vana Vana 2:29

18 Sol Hoopii's Novelty Quartet - King Kamehameha 3:09

19 Frances Langford With Dick MC Intire - In Waikiki 2:32

20 Gino Bordin - Crépuscule Hawaien 2:36

21 Betty Boop - Max Fleischer - Betty The Hula Dancer 0:46

22 Moana Serenaders - On The Beach at Waikiki 2:50

23 Felix Mendelsson's Hawaiian Serenaders - Mood Indigo 3:12

24 Jules Ah See - Sand 3:02

25 Slim Whitman - Hawaiian Cowboy 2:04

26 Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant - My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua Hawaii 2:43

27 Andy Iona & Jerry Byrd - How D'Ya Do 2:55

28 Rudy Wairata & His Hawaiian Minstrels - Rock & Roll and Breezes 2:33

29 Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant - Ka-Lu-A 2:10

30 Louis Armstrong - On A Coconut Island 3:09

CD2     Splendor In The Grass: Tiki And Exotica, 1958-1974

01 Warren Barker - Hawaiian Eye Theme 1:17

02 Bobby Christian - Caravan 2:11

03 Arthur Lyman - Jungle Drums (Lyman) 2:26

04 Passions - Jungle Drums (The Passions) 2:32

05 Milt Raskin & His Orchestra - Koko Head 3:33

06 The Ventures - Taboo 2:52

07 Alan Smithee - Surfing Soft Drink Commercial 0:51

08 Wout Steenhuis - Puka Paka 2:27

09 Lincoln Trio - Garden of Eden Pt. 1 2:18

10 Waikiki's - Remember Boa Boa 2:38

11 Mary Kay Trio - Hilo Boy 1:46

12 Martin Denny - Banana Choo Choo 2:16

13 Paul Page - Castaway 1:37

14 Waikikis - Sugar Moon 2:35

15 Original Hula Hawaiians - My Honolulu Hula Girl 2:02

16 Robert Drasnin - Chant of The Moon 2:30

17 Alan Smithee - Newport Cigarettes 0:48

18 Santo & Johnny - Adventures in Paradise 2:46

19 Alan Smithee - C & H 0:51

20 Morton Stevens - Hawaii Five-O 1:37

21 Rob E.G - Peter Gunn Goes Hawaiian 2:46

22 Robert Drasnin - Tambuku 3:22

23 Earl Grant - House of Bamboo 2:56

24 Richie Allen - The Quiet Surf 2:12

25 Webley Edwards - Alika 2:30

26 Alan Smithee - Hawaiian delight 0:32

27 Surfers - Ulili E 2:04

28 Anna Valentino - On A Tropical Island 2:31

29 Billy Mure - Pink Hawaii 2:00

30 Ethel Azama - Green Fire 2:52

31 Walt Steenhuis - Albatross 3:08

CD3     Hawaiian Classics, 1927-1940

01 Hawaiian Serenaders - Honolulu Stomp 3:21

02 Jim and Bob - Hula Blues 2:44

03 Sam Alama - I Went to Hilo 3:05

04 King Benny Nawahi - My Girl From The South Seas Isles 2:56

05 Kanui and Lula - Oua Oua 2:53

06 Sol Hoopii's Novelty Quartet - Hula Girl 3:09

07 Sol Hoopii's Novelty Quartet - La Rosita 2:58

08 Eddy's Hawaiian Serenaders - Down in Waikiki 3:17

09 Kalama's Quartet - Inikiniki Malie (Gentle Pitches of Wind) 3:04

10 King Nawahi's Hawaiians - May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii 3:25

11 Sam Ku West - Huehue (Hawaiian Hula) 3:08

12 Emma Bush - Lei E 3:21

13 Hoot Gibson - Mai Givee (Don't Give it All Away) 3:07

14 Kalama's Quartet - Tu-Tu-E, Tu-Tu-Hoi 3:00

15 Jim and Bob - Sweet Georgia Brown 2:06

16 Sol Hoopii Quartet - I Like You 3:15

17 King Bennie Nawahi - Hawaiian Capers 2:58

18 Andy Iona & His Islanders - Hawaiian War Chant 2:46

19 Clara Inter (Hilo Hattie) - Hilo Hattie Does The Hilo Hop 3:04

20 Andy Iona & His Islanders - Naughty Hula Eyes 3:12

21 Clara Inter (Hilo Hattie) - Ukulele Lady 2:46

22 Sol. K. Bright's Hollywaiians - Hawaiian Cowboy 3:05

23 Little Brown Gal - Little Brown Gal 2:46

24 Andy Iona & His Islanders - Minnnehaha 3:08

25 Mike Hanapi - Kuu Lei (Wreath of Flowers) 2:42

26 Andy Iona & His Islanders - Hawaii Sing to Me 2:59

CD4 Contemporary Hawaiian Classics

01 Ken and Bob - Palakiko Blues 3:30

02 Casey MacGiill and Orville Johnson - I Wonder Where Little Hula Girl Has Gone 2:53

03 Ken and Bob - Hapa Haole Girl 4:25

04 Robert Armstrong & Sourdough Slim - The Cat's Whiskers 2:22

05 Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong - Everybody Does it in Hawaii 3:10

06 Sweet Hollywaiians - Singin' The Blues 2:27

07 Janet Klein and The Parlor Boys - Yiddish Hula Boy I Ain't Coming Back 3:03

08 Joy Buzzards - Moana Chimes 3:46

09 Elaine Hoffman with Ken and Bob - Pidgen English Hula 2:51

10 Prlor Boys - Honolulu Stomp 2:40

11 Ken and Bob - Shanghai Lil 3:29

12 Casey MacGill & Orville Johnson - Native Guitars 3:50

13 Ken and Bob - Tiger Shark 3:12

14 Joy Buzzards - Someday Sweetheart 5:46

15 Ken and Bob - Fish and Poi/In A Canoe 3:56

16 Ken and Bob - Waltz Don't Run 4:24

17 Coconut Entertainers - In A Little Hula Heaven 2:53

18 Ken and Bob - Hawaiian War Chant 4:08

=============================================================

=============================================================

Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

=============================================================

=============================================================

VA - Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Collection, Vol. 1 [1995] + Vol. 2 [1999] (2 x CDs)

VA - Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Collection, Vol. 1 [1995] + Vol. 2 [1999] (2 x CDs)

The albums “Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Collection: Volume 1” and “Volume 2” are exceptional showcases of the distinctive Hawaiian music style known as “ki ho’alu”, or slack key guitar. This style is defined by the unique tuning of the guitar strings, which are typically loosened or “slacked”, creating a resonant and vibrant sound that is characteristic of this music.

The first volume was initially released in 1995, and then re-released on Dec 23, 2004, while the second volume was released on July 27, 1999. Both albums were brought to the public by Dancing Cat Records, a label renowned for its commitment to promoting Hawaiian music and artists.

The music style presented in these collections is a fusion of various genres, including Finger-Picked Guitar, Slack-Key Guitar, Hawaiian, and Oceanic Traditions. The second volume further incorporates elements of Blues, New Age, and Pop/Rock, resulting in a sound that is both soothing and invigorating, rich and diverse.  The primary instrument used in these albums is the acoustic guitar, the cornerstone of slack key music. The music also showcases the versatility of slack key guitar, demonstrating how it can be played solo, in duets, or with a variety of accompaniments such as 'ukulele, acoustic steel guitar, and multiple guitars. This diversity in instrumentation adds depth and complexity to the music, making each track a unique auditory journey.

The “Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Collection: Volume 1” and “Volume 2” are a celebration of Hawaii’s rich musical heritage. They attest to the versatility and beauty of slack key guitar music, offering listeners an opportunity to experience and appreciate this unique music style. These albums are a must-listen for anyone interested in world music, and particularly for those who appreciate the artistry of guitar playing. (B)

==========================================================

ALL 

or

ALL 

===========================================================

Track lists

Vol. 01

01 Cyril Pahinui - Panini Pua Kea 4:02

02 Ozzie Kotani - Ku'u Lika Kahinko (My Old Guitar) 3:51

03 Moses Kahumoku - Pohakuloa 4:44

04 Leonard Kwan - Ke'ala's Mele 6:13

05 Barney Isaacs & George Kuo - Maui Medley 6:37

06 Sonny Chillingworth - Moe 'uhane (Dream Slack Key) 2:59

07 Keola Beamer With George Winston - Kalena Kai 4:25

08 Ledward Kaapana - Whee Ha Swing 2:37

09 Keola Beamer - E Ku'u Morning Dew 4:51

10 George Kuo - Wakiki Hula Medley 4:33

11 Ray Kane - Punahele 3:36

Vol. 02

01 Raymond Kane - Popoki Slack Key [Instrumental] 2:43

02 David Kamakahi - Ulili E [Vocal Version] 4:20

03 Bob Brozman - Hilo E/E Lili'u E [Instrumental] 3:58

04 Sonny Chillingworth - Liloa's Mele [Instrumental] 2:49

05 Ledward Kaapana - Radio Hula [Instrumental] 3:35

06 Keola Beamer - 'imi Au La 'oe [Instrumental] 3:13

07 Dennis Kamakahi - Pu'u Anahula [Vocal Version] 6:51

08 Cyril Pahinui - Hurrah Lani Ha'a Ha'a [Vocal Version] 4:14

09 James Bla Pahinui - Maori Brown Eyes [Instrumental] 3:47

10 Dennis Kamakahi - Wahine 'ilikea [Vocal Version] 4:30

11 Bob Brozman - Lei 'awapuhi (Yellow Ginger Lei) [Instrumental] 4:43

12 George Winston - The Beauty Of Mauna Kea 5:10

13 Sonny Chillingworth - Mai Poina 'oe Ia'u (Not To Be Forgotten) [Vocal Version] 5:30

14 George Kahumoku - Aloha Oe [Instrumental] 6:35

15 George Kahumoku - Ulu Niu Ke'eke'e (The Crooked Coconut Tree) [Vocal Version] 5:51

16 Leonard Kwan - Slack Key Serenade [Instrumental] 2:29

=============================================================

=============================================================

VA - Aloha,The Beauty of Slack Key Guitar (A Butterboy Compilation) CD1+CD2 REPOST

 

SLACK KEY GUITAR

VA - Aloha,The Beauty of Slack Key Guitar (A Butterboy Compilation) CD1+CD2

Slack-key guitar (from Hawaiian ki ho?alu, which means "loosen the [tuning] key") is a fingerstyle genre of guitar music that originated in Hawaii and uses open tunings. Most slack-key tunings can be achieved by starting with a guitar in standard tuning and detuning or "slacking" one or more of the strings until the six strings form a single chord, frequently G major.

In the oral-history account, the style originated from Mexican cowboys in the late 19th century. These paniolo (a Hawaiianization of españoles—"Spaniards") provided guitars, taught the Hawaiians the rudiments of playing, and then left, allowing the Hawaiians to develop the style on their own. Musicologists and historians suggest that the story is more complicated, but this is the version that is most often offered by Hawaiian musicians. Slack-key guitar adapted to accompany the rhythms of Hawaiian dancing and the harmonic structures of Hawaiian music. The style of Hawaiian music that was promoted as a matter of national pride under the reign of King David Kalakaua in the late 19th century combined rhythms from traditional dance meters with imported European forms (for example, military marches), and drew its melodies from chant (mele and oli), hula, Christian hymns, and the popular music brought in by the various peoples who came to the Islands: English-speaking North Americans, Mexicans, Portuguese, Filipinos, Puerto Ricans, Tahitians, and Samoans.

The music did not develop a mainland audience during the Hawaiian music craze of the early 20th century, during which Hawaiian music came to be identified outside Islands with the steel guitar and the ukulele. Slack key remained private and family entertainment, and it was not even recorded until 1946–47, when Gabby Pahinui cut a series of records that brought the tradition into public view. During the 1960s and particularly during the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance of the 1970s, slack key experienced a surge in popularity and came to be seen as one of the most genuine expressions of Hawaiian spirit, principally thanks to Gabby Pahinui, Atta Isaacs, Leonard Kwan, Sonny Chillingworth, Raymond Kane, and the more modern styles of younger players such as Keola Beamer, his brother Kapono Beamer, Peter Moon, and Haunani Apoliona. During this period, luthiers such as the Guitar and Lute Workshop in Honolulu specialized in the development and manufacture of guitars custom made to order for slack-key performance. (Wikipedia)

This compilation highlights some of the masters of slack key guitar. It is full of beautiful and relaxing sounds that are unique. If you listen closely, you will hear the historical influences and the joy of playing these songs by the individual artist. Aloha! means Love as well as Hello. That feeling is translated into the songs that appear on this compilation. Enjoy!

=======================================================

OR

=======================================================

Track lists

CD1
01    George Winston - The Beauty of Mauna Kea    :05:11
02    Gabby Pahinui - Ki Ho'alu    :02:57
03    Sonny Lim - Donna's Smile    :04:06
04    George Kahumok Jr (Feat Daniel Ho) - Kealia    :04:22
05    Atta Isaacs - Ke Ka'upu    :03:03
06    Sonny Chillingworth - Moe 'uhane (Dream Slack Key)    :03:00
07    Patrick Landeza - No Ke Ano Ahiahi    :04:26
08    Led Kaapana Ledward - Kaapana Ikona    :03:15
09    Fely Gabriel - Hoomalimali    :03:03
10    James Bla Pahinui - Maori Brown Eyes [Instrumental]    :03:48
11    George Kahumoku Jr (Feat Moses Kahumoku) - Kaula Lli    :04:17
12    Keali'i Reiche - E Ho'i I Ka Pili    :04:15
13    Keola Beamer - Imi Au Ia    :03:11
14    Cindy Combs - Mauna Loa    :03:55
15    Cyril Pahinui - Ku U-Pua I Paoakalani    :07:25
16    Ozzie Kotani - Kani Kipaipai    :02:08
17    Bob Brozman - Hilo E-E Lili'u E    :03:59
18    Jeff Peterson - Hawaiian Skies    :02:21
19    Leonard Kwan - Slack Key Serenade    :02:30
20    Brothers Cazimero - Pua Hone    :03:46

CD2
21    Led Kaapana Ledward - Slack Key Lullabye    :05:39
22    George Kahumoku Jr. - Ua Mau    :03:05
23    George Kuo - Wakiki Hula Medley    :04:33
24    Raymond Kane - Popoki Slack Key    :02:44
25    Ray Kane - Punahele    :03:37
26    Moses Kahumoku    Pohakuloa    :04:44
27    Jim Kimo - West Ka Manu Iwa    :03:55
28    Atta Isaacs - Sweet Lei Lehua    :02:53
29    Dennis Kamakahi - Anahula    :06:51
30    Iwalani Kahalewai - Wehi Wehi Oe    :04:31
31    Daniel Ho - Pineapple Mango    :02:47
32    Cyril Pahinui - Panini Pua Kea    :04:03
33    Ozzie Kotani & Daniel Ho - Paka Ua    :03:51
34    John Keawe - Molokai Morning    :03:26
35    Barney Isaacs & George Kuo - Maui Medley    :06:37
36    Sonny Chillingworth    Liloa's Mele [Instrumental]    :02:49
37    Ozzie Kotani - Ku'u Lei Poina'ole (My Unforgettable Lei)    :02:56
38    Leonard Kwan - Ke'ala's Mele    :06:13
39    Keola Beamer - E Ku'u Morning Dew    :04:51
40    Makana - Going to California    :04:56
======================================================
======================================================