Search - Various Artists :: Hawaiian Memories: Vintage 1928-1941

Delightful time capsule of Hawaiian music, expertly restored

Scott MacGillivray | Massachusetts, USA | 04/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This beautifully produced set is a refreshing, 40-song collection of vintage Hawaiian music. If you're expecting two redundant hours of muffled, scratchy records and languid, lazy rhythms, you're in for a surprising treat. First and foremost, the original recordings have been expertly remastered, giving them new sparkle and immediacy. Second, the producers have hand-picked a fine cross-section of Hawaiian melodies, showing the gradual evolution of the Hawaiian musical scene as the form became more popular in the 1930s.



The oldest tunes are the most straightforward. Traditionalists will enjoy these no-frills, native-tongued songs like Mike Hanapi's "Hano Hano Hanalei," a disarmingly simple recording with the Hawaiian equivalent of barbershop harmony. The emergence of hot jazz resulted in breezy, up-tempo novelties peppered with Hawaiian expressions (exemplified by Sol Ho'opi's crowd-pleasing "I Like You" and "Hula Girl"). The influence of American dance bands is heard in such ballads as Andy Iona's "Hawaiian Paradise" (vocal by Bob Cutter, who has Dick Powell's range and phrasing) and Ray Kinney's "My Hula Lady" (with its high tenor vocal soaring over the steel guitars). Then, American performers dabble in tropical themes, as Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Tony Martin and Red Nichols sideman Mannie Klein, and Frances Langford take the microphone (Langford's "in Waikiki" is slower and shorter than the version seen in the 1941 film "Navy Blues"). Finally, swing mania hits the islands with brassy, bouncy arrangements: Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra are at the top of their game, with the Hawaiian lyrics giving way to all-American slang ("Honey, Let's Go for Broke" is outstanding). One special surprise is "Hawaiian Smiles" by "Waikiki Swingsters," neither a swing tune nor a big band; the only musicians are (uncredited) guitarists Johnny and Ralph Kolsiana, playing a slow, haunting melody that is more evocative of the islands than many Hawaiian-styled hits. The programming on the CDs is not chronological, so listeners can enjoy the traditional tunes alternating with the commercial ones.



Some dealers offer this two-CD set at relatively higher prices. Don't worry, it's worth every penny. These magnificent restorations offer hours of listening pleasure. Highly recommended."