Search - Cyril Pahinui, Martin Pahinui, James "Bla" Pahinui :: The Pahinui Bros

An Essential CD

applewood | 08/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I found this CD by accident while in Hawaii. Lucky for me! it has become one of the few essentials in my collection. It is so musically and vocally rich, the guitar work so beautiful, it transports me effortlessly to my favorite Hawaiian places. I have owned it for six years and despite regular play it has never worn out its welcome. James "Bla" Pahinui's vocals have a unique character which I quickly grew to love as much as the rich and beautiful guitar work, and the vocals of his brothers Cyril and Martin are equally beautiful on the Hawaiian tracks. Well-known artists help out; I like to listen for Dwight Yoakam's yodelling in the background of the second verse of "Do You Love Me". The brothers' remake of "Come Go With Me" is an original in its own right. You can imaging the brothers and their friends kicking back and recording this album in Hana. It has been hard finding another Hawaiian album I like as much as this one, but "The Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band" is a candidate (I gave away my copy before it fully grew on me.) My only wish is that the brothers would get together and create another album to complement this one. That might not be easy - this work is a tough act to follow."

Wonderful Talents, please do more!

applewood | everywhere and nowhere | 12/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The three sons of the legendary Hawaiian slack key guitarist Gabby Pahinui made this fantastic CD in 1992. Cyril, Bla and Martin are accomplished guitarists and vocalists on their own, and with the help of session heavy weights Ry Cooder, David Lindley, and Jim Keltner they make such tasteful magic. I keep waiting and wishing they'll do it again!



I knew Gabby's music before hearing this CD, and I've followed Cyril's subsequent excellent recordings on Dancing Cat records. I've also gone on to become a big fan of Lindley and Cooder, and realize now how much they add to the richness of this recording. (They play a variety of acoustic and electric guitars on 8 out of the 11 cuts, laying down many great leads and a lot of tasty backup rhythm.) But, this combination of the Brothers and their friends together is really special.



Hawaiian music is somewhat of an acquired taste, making a niche genre with its combination of laid back virtuoso guitar work and falsesetto vocal. This is much broader, a mix of Hawaiian, country, blues and folk roots sounds. It is tender and happy music. It carries me to the best part of the islands, the lovely mix of ocean and sun with wind breezing through the koa leaves, amid smiling friendly folks. Get this CD and enjoy great musicianship in a Hawaii you'd not likely experience on vacation...."

Attention Ry Cooder Fans!

Tomato Pie | West Chester, PA USA | 06/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The other reviews here have covered how good this album is, and I concur. Most tracks sound like they could be on a Ry Cooder album like "Chicken Skin Music". That makes sense, since Cooder and his typical recording pals (David Lindley and Jim Keltner) appear on most of the cuts.Beautiful stuff, music that transcends categorization. You are short-changing yourself if you think of this LP as merely "Hawaiian Music". Folk, rock, blues, island, all sorts of influences going on here."