Track Listing

1. Panini Pua Kea - Cyril Pahinui
2. Ku'u Kika Kahiko (My Old Guitar) - Ozzie Kotani
3. Pohakuloa - Moses Kahumoku
4. Ke'ala's Mele - Leonard Kwan
5. Maui Medley - Barney Isaacs And George Kuo
6. Moe 'Uhane' (Dream Slack Key) - Sonny Chillingworth
7. Kalena Kai - Keola Beamer
8. Whee Ha Swing - Ledward Kaapana
9. E Ku'u Morning Dew - Keola Beamer
10. Waikiki Hula Medley - George Kuo
11. Punahele - Ray Kane

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37279 in Music
• Released on: 1998-07-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Compilation

From Amazon.com
Hawaiian slack-key guitar began evolving in the 1830s, when Spanish and Mexican cowboys brought guitars to the cattle ranches of the Big Island. It became a recognizable style around the turn of the century. The term refers to the practice of slacking some strings from standard tunings to create open tunings; the thumb provides the bass line while the other fingers play melody and improvise. It might thus remind some listeners of the fingerpicking of a country master like Doc Watson, but the style has a wind-blown, wide-open quality all its own. Traditionally an accompanying instrument in a group setting, slack key has recently moved out front, and this all-instrumentals CD shows why. From the light touch of Moses Kahumoku or Leonard Kwan to the bluesiness of George Keo or Ray Kane to the pop feel of Keola Beamer, it offers the best possible introduction to the music. --John Morthland