Customer Reviews

Hawaiian Nisei Songs - A Musical Cocktail Of Japanese American Songs In 1950's Hawaii

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An unusual compilation which gathers rare pop singles from Hawaii's Japanese community (which comprised roughly forty percent of the population, before WWII...) These tracks are mainly from the 1950s and are not very "Hawaiian," per se, but rather play on exoticized Asian themes, while echoing the society dance bands of the pre-war era. There are also several Asian folks tunes (from China, Indonesia and Singapore, as well as Japan), many reworked with a Latin dance rhythm... If you're looking for little grass shacks and hula dancers, this might not be the album for you, but for a glimpse into Pan-Asian popular culture, this is a fascinating collection. Of note to kitsch fans: some of these songs, such as "Sayonara," were later recorded by lounge music icon Martin Denny: this is the stuff *he* was listening to in his little grass shack by the nightclub, 'way back when... Includes bands like the Club Nisei Orchestra, the Tokyo Serenaders and Sparky Iwamoto & The Japanese Modernaires... Not electrifying, but definitely worth checking out.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I've tried several attempts to describe my elation with this CD, and, in my own Texas way, I simply have to say "BUY IT!" Even my old codger step-father from Arkansas told me how much he enjoyed this music. It's so simple and beautiful. I've found the music that I've been looking for for 30 years! My Korean wife says she remembers hearing these tunes when she was a young child in Pusan (pronounced Busan). I "ain't" kidding you - this is CLASSIC!

the service was terrific- music was not what i expected - had more instrumental then singing; but all in all it was entertaining.