REVIEWS
HONOLULU Star-Bulletin
Island Mele
by John Berger
Friday, June 20,
2003
HanaOla Records honcho
Michael Cord struck gold last year when he teamed up with online radio
personality Aloha Joe to release a compilation album titled "A Place
Called Hawaii." The album hit big and was certainly helped by its play
on Aloha Joe's Internet radio show. This newly released follow-up should
do just as well.
The 21 selections are a
hodgepodge of hits, rarities, obscure filler songs and a new recording
or two. Gabby Pahinui's "How D'Ya Do" and "On a Little Street in
Singapore" by the Peter Moon Band are two standout picks. The list of
artists is equally eclectic. Some are true stars (Dennis Pavao, Melveen
Leed, Moe Keale);
others are known to few outside their personal fans.
As compilations go, this is a
winner.
Almost every song is worth consideration, and Joe's erudite liner notes
explain their
significance to this collection.
<><><><><><>
"A Placed Called Hawai'i 2"
various artists; HanaOla Records
By Wayne Harada
Honolulu Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Genre: Compilation of traditional and
contemporary island music.
Distinguishing notes: Aloha Joe's name is
synonymous with Hawaiian music, thanks to the success of his Internet
radio station, ALOHAJOE.com. Here, he assembles 21 titles, some long
forgotten, but each reflecting a facet of island sounds over the decades
— from Sunday Manoa's original "Hawaiian Lullaby" to Jay Larrin's
indelible "The Snows of Mauna Kea," from Joe Recca's "Talk With Me
Waikiki" to Teresa Bright's "Crushed Flowers in My Lei," from Dennis
Pavao's "My Yellow Ginger Lei" to Buddy Fo and the Invitations' "Kiss Me
Love," from George Helm's "Haole Hula" to Country Comfort's "Manha de
Carnaval."
The outlook: Like a jukebox jammed with
joyful memory-makers, Aloha Joe has the smarts to lead a happy and
snappy parade of classics with an occasional surprise or two. The roster
of performers includes Melveen Leed, Gabby Pahinui, Moe Keale, Ken
Emerson, Danny Kaleikini and more.
Our take: A very colorful stroll down
memory lane, laced with nostalgia and bursting with
the rainbow hues
that make Hawai'i Hawaiian.
A PLACE CALLED HAWAII 1 - 2- 3
were produced by internationally-known Hawaiian
Radio personality,
Aloha JOE,®
who used "listener requests" to assist
in selecting the
songs used on
this album,. Today's best from Hawaii.
ALOHA
JOE.com
