Customer Reviews

Four Hands Sweet & Hot

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a person who listens to the traditional musics of many different cultures, I must preface my review by saying that this is my first cd of Hawaiian slack-key guitar music. It won't be my last. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because I think it's a great cd, but then again I don't have any other Hawaiian cds to compare it to so I need to leave the door open in case I find myself reviewing even better ones in the future.

I've been on the verge of trying Hawaiian guitar music for several years but I just could never get myself to lose the image of that god-awful tourist music that we see on tv every time someone steps off of a plane onto Hawaiian soil. I am glad I decided to just bite the bullet, buy this cd, and hope that it's different than that music. It is! The Hawaiian tracks on TONE POEMS III really helped in pushing me to explore the style further.

What continues to strike me most about this cd is the variety of moods. Hawaiian music is much more stylistically, rhythmically, and emotionally diverse than I had thought it would be. Some of this cd is very upbeat and really makes you wish there were a beach around, but then other tracks are heart-wrenchingly moving. There is almost a "joyful sadness" to some of this music. And then some of it just flat-out smokes!

I also need to comment on the great sonic quality of the recording. There is a real tonal richness to slide playing on National and Bear Creek Kona guitars. If the recording quality is mediocre the guitars really sound flat and sorta cheezy. On this cd all that richness is revealed and you can really hear the notes reverberating out of these amazing instruments. Just going by this one cd, I think Dancing Cat Records has done a real service to the pure and rich tones of acoustic, stringed instruments.

Pahinui and Brozman make the strings sing! Each is a master of his instrument and the islands come alive. The interplay between Cyril and Bob is incredible and the listening experience is a delight. If you're not familiar with the sound of Hawaiian slack key or if you're just looking for good guitar this an excellent disc.

This one blew me away instantly. Top-notch performances by two masters. The sound quality is so good you'd swear these two guys were sitting in your living room. This is my third CD featuring Cyril. Now it's time to catch up on Brozman.

Who does not love Bob Brozman ? You can grab any of Bob's CDs (and there are many!) and you will be pleased and 100% satisfied. It doesn't matter if he works on his own or if he collaborates with greats like Cyril Pahinui, Ledward Kaapana, Woody Mann, his band 'Thieves of Sleep' or anybody else. Don't hesitate to buy this CD and go for the rest of Bob's stuff.

I have Gabby, The Brown Album. There is NO question that the son has surpassed his father. The addition of Bob Brozman to the mix was a surprise and adds "magic" to the album. I have many Slack Key Albums, but always reach for this one first.

I heard Brozman comment on hhis musical interests and explorations on an NPR program. It sounded very cool. I explored his catalog and decided this was a 'must have.' I was right. Play this for friends who don't know about slack key. They will be in awe, intoxicated, and in debt to you for showing them what (two) acoustic guitar can sound like.

If this is your first time ever listening to Cyril Pahihui, you have a LOT of catching-up to do. You've definitely struck Hawaiian Gold, Slack Key Gold with this album along with the wonderful guitar of Bob Brozman, and almost any other album by Cyril.

Recently, I was lucky enough to catch his show at the PALMS in Winters, CA. There was a full-house in the intimate playhouse, and they blew us all away! Cyril and his guitar were superb. He was accompanied by a host of Hawaii's great slack key guitar masters such as, Patrick Landeza and the most prolific Hawaiian song writer/performer today, Dennis Kamakahi.

"Four Hands" is NOT just "easy listening", it strikes every string of your heart and fills your soul and mind with the most beautiful feelings. Gushing, yes I am, and goose pimples too (chicken skin as they say on the islands) because this is where slack key guitar is at it's best.

I also recommend "Black Sands" with Ledward Kaapana, and "The Gift of Music-From Father to Son" album by Dennis Kamakahi & his son David. If you want to get a really good slack key guitar education, also check-out Chet Atkins' more recent albums and some of the not-so-recent ones like, "Neck & Neck" with Mark Knopfler. Cyril Pahinui credits "Uncle Chet (Atkins)" with teaching him a few things, and vise-versa. For a nostagic look back, check-out Cyril's late-father Gabby Pahinui, from whom he learned his craft.