Customer Reviews

N Dis Life

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this recording. IZ was a master of Hawaiian music and dedicated to his people and his culture. When he died, it was like the passing of Hawaiian royalty.

This album is perhaps less bittersweet than Facing Future (my favorite IZ album) but it is more consistent. Again, the best tracks are the traditional tracks in Hawaiian. Hi'ilawe is mesmerizing and 'Opae E is a beautiful track, with a tasteful and unabstrusive arrangement. The modern material is also quite beautiful, perhaps not instrinsically, but IZ could take the most mundane material and make it shine. Lover of Mine is a great example. In other hands it would be an undistinguished song, but IZ transforms it with the beauty of his voice.

Highly recommended.

There can be no mistaking Israel's pure heartened voice. The timbre of his passion for Hawaiiana shows up in every note. True feeling, something lacking in virtually every style of music these days, is laid within the body of his music. The cover of Collin Raye's hit, "In this Life," is enough to show that Israel was more than a beautiful voice of the Islands, but a beautiful person as well. Hopefully his untimely death will not deter the long-deserved resurgence of Hawaiian music in the world. This is a culture full of beauty that the rest of the world may finally get more than just a glimpse of, and mahalo nui loa to Israel for sharing his gift with us in the time he was here.

My wife and I heard IZ for the first time while on our honeymoon back in June 1997 while on a Helicopter Ride over Kauai. The pilot was playing his music over our headset as background music. At the time we didn't even realize how nice the music was and didn't think to ask the pilot who was singing.

Several days later we were in a shop and once again I heard his voice over the stores speakers and had to have the CD. This is classic Hawaiian music that brings me back to Hawaii every time I hear his music...and that is far since I live in New York.

Several years later I looked him up on the Internet and was heartbroken to learn he passed away...a week after we left Hawaii. I have purchased every CD as well as DVD's that have become available.

IZ died with a huge heart and the world has lost a great singer that believed in Hawaii and the land that was meant to be. You would be surprise to hear how many times you hear his music in movies, commercials and shows. A performer that will be remembered forever.

Tim

I am a hawaiian and hawaii born and bred islander, I am blessed by the fact that my parents brought me up with hawaiian music but most of all the late great Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole. The day that shocked hawaii I was out and about with my family when my father stoppped at a gas station as he came out of the gas station a newpaper in his hand and a heartbroken look on his face..." what's the matter daddy" he handed me the paper and i started to cry there it was "Braddah Iz passed away at the age of 38 in his sleep last night" I couldn't beileve it such a beautiful voice silenced he will never make another record.But just to have had Braddah Iz on this earth for just this short time to hear the music with and without the makaha sons of Niihau is truly magical..so his music lives on. I've read all these amazing reviews of Braddah IZ...I am happy and touched that so many people have been touched by his music. Unforunately i didn't know braddah iz but in a way all us hawaii born islanders always seem to truly know braddah Iz, his music touched us all. to understand how huge Braddah Iz was he is still mourned and celebrated in hawaii and his music is still played constantly on the radio.The day of his birth and passing is celebrated like a national holiday. When you listen to any of the LATE and GREAT Israel Kamakwiwo'Ole's cds..you will hear one the most beauitful voices god ever put on this earth. But when you look at this man ,this giant man with this amazing angel like voice you will be blown away. god gave this late singer the voice of angel. a voice that must have been blessed and touched by god himself and it was...the songs , music and lyrics will leave you speechless and breathless ..his voice and the way he delivers the songs with that teardrop in his vocal chord...will send chills up and down your spine..any of this mans cds is excellent and it is a must of anyone who wants to get a cd that reflects the spirit of islands this man , this legend was the spirit of hawaii, BRADDAH IS WAS AND STILL IS HAWAII. even thou IZ passed away some time ago his voice his music his legend still lives is the islands thru his voice and music.his voice alone will leave you with a tear in your eyes... buy any one of his cds..trust me it's worth it...also braddah iz was with a hawaiian group called Makaha sons of Niihau pick up those cs as well, and let the memory of Braddah IZ and his music live on for the future generations to hear and love

"Ka'ano'i" was his first, and "Facing Future" is the biggest selling; but "In Dis Life" is IZ's last album and his most consistent and overall best work. From start to finish it is so good, that the album seems to finish too quickly and will have you pressing replay for another runthrough. The first 5 songs seem lifted from a Greatest Hits album. Get it and get all of IZ's albums while your at it!

Another mixture of Hawaiian and English songs. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole made your heart sing or your heart break depending on the song. His music is full of longing and joy, love and peace, humor and sometimes just plain silliness! The title song for this CD, In This Life, is beautifully done. If you want translations to some of the Hawaiian songs, go to http://www.huapala.org/

Is there no end to this giant's majesty and magic with the new hawaiian music?? Every piece of music Israel has recorded goes right to the hear of the matter--the heart of the listener!! His voice, coupled with his presentation style easily captivates the listener, taking them deeper into what must be the most beautiful soul ever to record music. In Dis Life, the song, speaks to the heart of any person who has ever loved somoeone. The other songs, both traditional and original, let the Bruddah talk to us through the mastery of his art. I met this man while living in Hawaii, and have been in awe of that which he sang ever since. Buy this CD, sit back, turn on a water fountain for the sounds of the sea, and drift off to the world of Bruddah IZ. This CD ranks with all of his other music, the Best of the Best, of all the Hawaiian music there is to listen to. He was a GIANT...He lives on in his music for us all. ALoha!

A big man physicially, Iz's musical talent was even greater. "In Dis Life," represents IZ at his very best, singing some traditional Hawaiian songs as well as some originals. His voice is both soothing and enchanting, and to me he represents everything that's wonderful about Hawaii. One of my favorites from this CD is "In This Life," but every song is wonderful.
Five starts is not enough.

Though all of his albums are recommended, no Israel Kamakawiwo'ole collection is complete without "In Dis Life." This album, I believe, is his best ever, despite the fact that it doesn't have his "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" medley on it. If you are looking for that particular song buy "Facing Future."

As for the selections on this CD, I particularly enjoy the title song, "Wai'alae," and his rendition of the Hawaiian Style Band's "Living in a Sovereign Land." The contemporary tunes show a different side of him. "'Opae E" has been a favorite of mine forever. I also like his jazzy rendition of "Aloha Ku'u Pua" and his medley of "Na Ka Puio" and "Keyhole Hula," otherwise known as "Kauoha Mai."

The only song that I think is just okay is "Yokozuna," at least for now, but maybe it'll grow on me eventually. I don't hate it though, just not one of my favorites. Maybe that's just because I would choose Hawaiian language songs over contemporary if I had to make a choice.

Please get this CD as well as all his others.

I remember the year Braddah Iz died,I live in Waianae and it was a shock to the people of Hawaii.I remember the day of his funeral his ashes were scattered out to sea with his brother Skippy,people came from all over the island traffic was horrid,but it was for the love of the music this one man brought. I have lived most of my life in Hawaii,and have gotten to known the Hawaiian culture and music,my children are Hawaiian and have been blessed to been brought up with this man's music.Braddah Iz will always be apart of the Hawaiian aina, and culture and his music is still listened too this day........ God Bless Braddah Iz...and his family.