What World Music Are You Listening To?

[bart]

Originally Posted by joel_hifi

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Exodus

Recorded in Kingston (1976) and London (1977)

Released on Island Records in 1977

I couldn't resist...

(Qobuz 234/96 stream)

[Antonmb]

Do you guys think of Hawaiian as world music? Not the tourist music of the resorts and movies, or even the Windham Hill version, but the more traditional music of the islands, and the newer, more modern innovators like Makana. Hawaiian music has its roots in chant and dance, but has also been heavily influenced by Portuguese and Mexican folk music. It was Mexican cowboys (paniolo) who introduced the guitar to the islands in the 1800s, and the Portuguese brought their machete, the inspiration for the ukulele. And Hawaiian music is the origin of the slide and steel guitar in blues and American country. Here’s Sonny Chillingworth, master slack-key guitarist and Hawaii’s answer to Elvis:



Gabby Pahinui is probably one of the best known slack-key guitarists outside of Hawaii because of Ry Cooder’s involvement in this album:



For a more modern take, Makana is the musician who is most responsible for pushing the envelope and recognizing the need for the music to evolve instead of becoming static “traditional” archival music. Listen to his version of the popular Hawaiian standard “Ku’u Lei Awapuhi.” I don’t think this one’s available on Qobuz, but you can find it on Tidal.

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Saw this singer mentioned elsewhere and gave her a listen. She should appeal to those who like to keep their vocals on the "fresh and contemporary" side of things and like "Indie Rock".

Nice tempo, rhythm, pleasant voice. Her vocals drive the message hard with the powerful rhythm section backing her on this album. This will get your head bopping and toes tapping if this genre is your taste.

An Icelandic singer/songwriter whose music embraces elements of folk, electronica, pop/rock, and trip-hop, Emilíana Torrini has earned favorable comparisons to such vocally gifted artists as Beth Hirsch, Kirsty Hawkshaw, and Björk. Torrini was raised in Kópavogur, where she worked at her father's Italian restaurant and attended opera school as a teenager. After releasing three albums in her native Iceland (Spoon, Crouçie D'où Là, and Merman), she joined forces with Tears for Fears' Roland Orzabal to produce her first widely released effort, 1999's Love in the Time of Science.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Do you guys think of Hawaiian as world music? Not the tourist music of the resorts and movies, or even the Windham Hill version, but the more traditional music of the islands, and the newer, more modern innovators like Makana. Hawaiian music has its roots in chant and dance, but has also been heavily influenced by Portuguese and Mexican folk music. It was Mexican cowboys (paniolo) who introduced the guitar to the islands in the 1800s, and the Portuguese brought their machete, the inspiration for the ukulele. And Hawaiian music is the origin of the slide and steel guitar in blues and American country. Here’s Sonny Chillingworth, master slack-key guitarist and Hawaii’s answer to Elvis:



Gabby Pahinui is probably one of the best known slack-key guitarists outside of Hawaii because of Ry Cooder’s involvement in this album:


For a more modern take, Makana is the musician who is most responsible for pushing the envelope and recognizing the need for the music to evolve instead of becoming static “traditional” archival music. Listen to his version of the popular Hawaiian standard “Ku’u Lei Awapuhi.” I don’t think this one’s available on Qobuz, but you can find it on Tidal.

Never gave Hawaiian traditional music any serious thoughts or attempts to listen to specifically but sounds like it would be a nice exploration and a musical journey to embark on for a few hours. Will give it a try this coming week.

[joel_hifi]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Do you guys think of Hawaiian as world music? Not the tourist music of the resorts and movies, or even the Windham Hill version, but the more traditional music of the islands, and the newer, more modern innovators like Makana. Hawaiian music has its roots in chant and dance, but has also been heavily influenced by Portuguese and Mexican folk music. It was Mexican cowboys (paniolo) who introduced the guitar to the islands in the 1800s, and the Portuguese brought their machete, the inspiration for the ukulele. And Hawaiian music is the origin of the slide and steel guitar in blues and American country. Here’s Sonny Chillingworth, master slack-key guitarist and Hawaii’s answer to Elvis:



Gabby Pahinui is probably one of the best known slack-key guitarists outside of Hawaii because of Ry Cooder’s involvement in this album:



For a more modern take, Makana is the musician who is most responsible for pushing the envelope and recognizing the need for the music to evolve instead of becoming static “traditional” archival music. Listen to his version of the popular Hawaiian standard “Ku’u Lei Awapuhi.” I don’t think this one’s available on Qobuz, but you can find it on Tidal.

Tony, great post! I'm sure many of us have learned a few things about Hawaiian music thanks to your contribution And definitely World Music

[bart]

Following Tony's suggestion:

Sonny Chillingworth - Endlessly
via Qobuz




Oh boy, it's like there is not coming an end to this album...
Kidding aside, he's good!
And the sound is surprisingly decent, considering the fact he died in '94.

[bart]

As flying to Hawaii will not be possible in the near future, the best way to get in a Hawaiian mood was playing Tony's recommendations:

The Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band
via Qobuz




One of the classic Hawaiian albums, and possibly the point where island consciousness and music first touched a wider audience, this was first released in 1975, and its return on CD is very welcome. It's not perfect -- the heavy lacing of strings on "Pu'uanahulu" and on the sentimental "Moonlight Lady" are things of their period which really haven't stood the test of time -- but it's about as close as the '70s produced, with some glorious singing from almost everyone concerned and some brilliant guitar work, especially from Gabby on "Moanl Ke'ala," where his Hawaiian steel rings above the song like bells. Recorded in 1974 in an isolated part of North Kona, this offers the real Hawaii, beyond the tourist areas, and the legacy of guitar music that was a century and a half old. Having Ry Cooder as a guest certainly helped it receive slightly wider notice at the time (and at almost every moment since its release, too), although he plays just a peripheral role. The emphasis is on Gabby Pahinui and his band and on the interplay of voices and guitars -- in addition to his sons, Pahinui's band included two world-class slack key players, Sonny Chillingworth and Leland Isaacs. The music is best when they steer away from the overly sentimental material, which can sometimes confuse -- "Hawaiian Love" sounds as if it's going to be maudlin, but resolves as a glorious instrumental, while on the other hand the upbeat "Wahini U'l" gets bogged down with unnecessary strings that detract from its innate loveliness. The wonderful "Oli Komo" chant, with its log drums, returns everything to basics before the album closes with "Ipo Lei Manu," as laid-back and restful as a Hawaiian sunset. Even though not everything is perfect, it's a wonderful document of its time, and shows a great talent like Pahinui at the top of his form.

© Chris Nickson /TiVo

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by bart

As flying to Hawaii will not be possible in the near future...

You can fly to Hawaii, you just need to have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of your departing flight. [emoji41]

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