Wa'ahila

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Ray Kane is the international ambassador of slack. Still teaching and performing at age 72, Kane started his career at the age of nine. Slack key guitar gets its name from the way the artists tune, or "slack," their guitars to accommodate different songs in different keys. Kane's second disc on Dancing Cat (the fifth of his career) is part of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters series produced by George Winston for Dancing Cat Records. Winston has been recording hundreds of songs and instrumentals by all the greatest slack key guitarists since the mid '80s. The present release is from sessions recorded in the early '90s. Kane spins motivic accompaniments and solos with gently pulsing bass lines that go from ingenuous folk, like "Kila Kila 'O Haleakala," to melancholy improv-like "Keiki Slack Key," and "Popoki Slack Key." Kane's rich guitar tone and tremulous baritone voice are stirring and blues-like. He shines on "Hi'ilawe." Wife Elodia debuts on this disc with delicate, pretty vocal support on "Aloha Ka Manini," a lilting folk tune, and on the romantic "Ke Kali Nei Au." --Daniel Ferris

Wa'ahila,Ray Kane,Windham Hill Records,Ethnic,Hawaii,Hawaiian Music,Int'l & World Music,Pacifica,Pop,Slack-Key Guitar,World Music

Average customer rating: Lovely acoustic Hawaiian music Kane's tone and skill on the guitar stand the test of time.

Wa'ahila Ray Kane Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Hawaii | Pacific Islands | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Pacific Islands | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Punahele Endlessly Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Night Moon: Po Mahina The Legendary Leonard Kwan ASIN: B000009S47 Release Date: 1998-08-25

Tracks:

1. Keiki Slack Key (Instrumental)
2. I Ka Po Me Ke Ao (Vocal)
3. Hilo E (Vocal)
4. Na Hoa He'e Nalu (Instrumental)
5. Hi'ilawe (Vocal)
6. Aloha Ka Manini (Vocal)
7. Wa'ahila (Instrumental)
8. Wai O Ke Aniani (Vocal)
9. 'Ulupalakua (Vocal)
10. Kilakila 'O Haleakala (Instrumental)
11. Lei Nani (Vocal)
12. Ke Kali Nei Au (The Hawaiian Wedding Song) (Vocal)
13. Honolulu Harbor (Vocal)
14. Popoki Slack Key (Instrumental)

Amazon.com

Ray Kane is the international ambassador of slack. Still teaching and performing at age 72, Kane started his career at the age of nine. Slack key guitar gets its name from the way the artists tune, or "slack," their guitars to accommodate different songs in different keys. Kane's second disc on Dancing Cat (the fifth of his career) is part of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters series produced by George Winston for Dancing Cat Records. Winston has been recording hundreds of songs and instrumentals by all the greatest slack key guitarists since the mid '80s. The present release is from sessions recorded in the early '90s. Kane spins motivic accompaniments and solos with gently pulsing bass lines that go from ingenuous folk, like "Kila Kila 'O Haleakala," to melancholy improv-like "Keiki Slack Key," and "Popoki Slack Key." Kane's rich guitar tone and tremulous baritone voice are stirring and blues-like. He shines on "Hi'ilawe." Wife Elodia debuts on this disc with delicate, pretty vocal support on "Aloha Ka Manini," a lilting folk tune, and on the romantic "Ke Kali Nei Au." --Daniel Ferris

Customer Reviews:

Lovely acoustic Hawaiian music.......2003-05-12

A beautiful set of acoustic slack-key and vocal numbers, including some nice falsetto work by this accomplished, richly melodic, soulful old-timer. Of the Dancing Cat artists, I think Kane is one of the best-rounded and most consistent, performing in the "smooth" ("nahenalie") style, which opts to avoid the bounce and frenzy of some of the flashier Hawaiian guitar styles. A very nice, gentle album... recommended!

Kane's tone and skill on the guitar stand the test of time........1999-02-17

Ray Kane's virtuosity and clarity on the guitar arrested my attention from the very first notes. Reading about his life in the CD insert just confirmed my impression from the music that he is a loving person as well as a superb musician. He simply plays his heart out and keeps me listening and swaying to the music day after day.

His failing health and faltering voice make the vocals difficult to hear. Now, I wish I had heard him sing some years ago.

Kane's five instrumentals, however, make the CD a cherished first in my new collection of slack key guitar music.

Average customer rating:

Wa'ahila Various Artists Manufacturer: Punahele Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Hawaii | Pacific Islands | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005YP1R Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

1. Rain - Kala'i Stern
2. Nani Manoa - Ku'uipo Kumukahi
3. Another Rainbow - Jeff Rasmussen
4. Ka Beauty A'o Manoa - Maunalua
5. Blue Manoa - John Feary
6. Kahalaopuna - Obrian Eselu
7. The Rainbow Connection - Quinn Kelsey
8. Ku'u Home O Manoa - Kenneth Makuakane
9. No Kou Aloha E - Pai'ea
10. Kawaiaha'o - Pandanus Club
11. Rain Tuahine O Manoa - Robert Cazimero
12. No Loko Ku'u 'Upu - Leina'ala Heine

Pop Music:

1. Wir Brauchen Keine Lugen Mehr [Import]
2. Zweisaitig [Import]
3. 102 FM Classicos & Novidades [Import]
4. 50 Anos De Samba De Breque [Import]
5. African Drums [Import]
6. African Tribal Rhythms [Import]
7. Ak Remixes [Import]
8. Alice V.4 [Original recording remastered] [Import]
9. Alma de Espana: Serie de Oro [Box set]
10. Baccini & Best Friends [Import]

Pop Music