Customer Reviews

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Collection 1

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hawaiian music can mean many things - anything from old steel guitar to contemporary "Jawaiian" music. Out of all the genres of Hawaiian music however, slack key guitar is probably the most accessible to those unfamiliar with any type. Simply put, slack key is a unique form of tuning and playing acoustic guitar - often with gorgeous results!

This collection of songs from Hawaii's most famous living slack key guitar artists is some of the most beautiful and relaxing music you may ever hear. Listening to each song, it is hard to believe that only one person is playing - each artist has a unique technique of playing both bass and melody at the same time.

If I were trapped on a desert island with the choice of only one CD, this would probably be the one I would choose. One final note - this CD contains excellent liner notes as well, which makes it is the perfect intro to slack key information-wise as well as musically.

Having once lived in the islands, this album was a real find for me. The music is great to have in the background at work or at home (it's marvelous to have on the CD player when getting a massage). It's relaxing and relieves stress (hence the massage music).

If you've never heard slack key you are in for a real treat, and this album is a marvelous introduction. The artists, while well known in the islands, may not be familiar to you. However, they are the best around, and will surely have you hooked with the first cut!

Honolulu City Lights continues to touch my heart whether instrumental (as it is here) or vocal (on the Beamers' album).

I am really shocked to see that this CD is in the top 1,500 in sales rank. That is a great suprise. More people into slack key than I knew. Cyril Pahinui's opener is a 12-string masterpiece, and my favorite cut is a classical guitar slack key track, "Pohakuloa", done by Moses Kahumoku. His style is simply as heartfelt as it comes. Keola Beamer is represented on this one, too. Might I suggest a CD by John Keawe, "Auhele" for some more serious mastery of this beautiful and unique genre. ALOHA!

This is definitely different from the Hawaiian music I used to hear in the old days. There's more heart and soul, more imagery here.

Noted pianist George Winston produced this CD for the purpose of bringing the solo guitar to the forefront, featuring a number of quite talented players. The result is harmonious music which is quite soothing to the ears, and yet alive with vibrancy. George Winston proves his versatility by playing the guitar with Keola Beamer on "Kalena Kai", a standout cut. Also especially notable are Ledward Kaapana's "Whee Ha Swing" and Keola Beamer again with "E Ku'u Morning Dew".

So if, like me, you're unlikely to be visiting Hawaii in person, stretch out then in your back yard with this CD on your player and a cool tropical type drink in hand...

I bought my wife this CD for her birthday. My musical reality was rocked forever at hearing the absolute beauty of this soulful, relatively unknown style. I am a surfer and have surfed in Hawai'i and spent lots of time with the local surfers there. They showed us lots of aloha and they are wonderful people with lots of respect for the ocean, land, etc.. Slack Key is an expression of this... played from the heart-- just beautiful. Hearing it made me want to play it-- to express the aloha "I" have inside. I even bought a Koa guitar to keep it pure (and a high end one to ensure I learn).

I'm just a sentimental fool (as Brian Ferry said).

If you are looking for one CD to introduce yourself to this style of music, buy this CD. There is not a single bad track on the CD.

The liner notes are excellent, and if you particularly enjoy one artist, you can order the CD referenced for that artist.

I lived in Hawaii for ten years, and this CD put me right back on the beach at sunset. It is one of the most beautiful collections of music that I have ever heard.

You will not be disappointed in this CD.

This instrumental Hawaiian guitar music album plays like a blessing in song. The melodies are achingly beautiful. It can transform the darkest mood.

The tradition of Hawaiian slack key started in the 1800's when guitars were first introduced to the Islands. The instruments were adapted to Hawaiian musical traditions. Hawaiian musicians developed their own tunings which in some cases were passed down through the generations.

Ordinarily these guitarists are not heard solo. Luckily for us, we have this collection of Hawaiian slack key guitarists. Enjoy this beautiful album!

I was "turned on" to Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar by an article in a magazine. So I came here and did some listening, and ordered this disc. It is gorgeous. My wife calls it "relaxing", and I suppose it is, but I find it hard to relax when I'm concentrating so hard on the music...it's beautiful. And the producers are kind enough to list each song's tuning so if you're brave you can give it a shot yourself. There's a story behind each song and each artist and the whole package is highly recommended.

This was the first slack key guitar CD I purchased, and I have to say it is my favorite. Everytime I play it for dinner parties or for my guests, everyone always asks who it is. I find that I frequently give this CD as a gift.

I have loved Hawaiian music and culture since my first visit to the islands years ago. I got this album and have played it hundreds of times now. It is soothing and inspiring and haunting. I am studying the slack key style in the hopes of someday better understanding and more deeply loving what I heard on this album.