Customer Reviews

To Honor A Queen (E Ho'ohiwahiwa I Ka Mo'i Wahine): The Music Of Lili'uokalani

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

 

 

...I wish I liked it more. Yes, these pieces are lovingly portrayed by Ozzie Kotani--perhaps even a little too lovingly, as there is very little variation in tempo from one piece to another. Don't get me wrong, I love the dreamy quality of slack key guitar, but this set was a little too sleepy for me. Ozzie Kotani's tempo scheme is even more puzzling considering that he starts with a sprightly rendition on the track one, then after that, the pacing starts to make the rest of the album sound a little "samey," some pieces sounding more like classical guitar than slack key (and I like classical guitar, it's just not what I expect to be reminded of when I buy a slack key album).

Giving just a few more of the pieces a little more up-tempo interpretation would have made the disc something I'd want to return to a little more frequently. The collection is capped by a reading of the famous "Aloha Oe" that was so slow I didn't even recognize the main melody the first time around. One can understand the performer wanting to give this ubiquitous tune a little more unconventional interpretation, but he caresses it so much, it comes across a little too languorous, imo. If you have other volumes in Dancing Cat/Windham Hill's slack key series, including the first slack key masters sampler, this doesn't really add much to your collection, esp. considering that some of the more well-known pieces have been recorded by other performers elsewhere in the series. A nice set, for a lullaby CD, but I hope somebody else records these pieces again at some point, and uses a little more varied approach.

My first encounter with Hawaiian slack guitar, it took me only one tune to have me hooked. The tunes are simple yet flow like a limpid stream from this Hawaiian virtuoso. This is pure, gentle and colourful music. You will enjoy it!

This is my new favorite album of KihoAlu, Hawaaian Slack Key Guitar. It is simply amazing to listen to. The songs are wonderful, and the arrangements are superbly put together. Ozzie Kotani is a true master. Each time I listen to this album it transports me to a completely different space.

I heard Track 3, from this CD, for the first time 45 minutes agao while I was upstairs checking on my sleeping daughter. My first time hearing a slack-key guitar. It's amazing, beautiful. I've added this to my Christmas list.

Ozzie Kotani is a musical master. This is one of the most calming, soothing, inspirational compilations I have ever heard! It truly does honor the beautiful music of Hawaii's beloved queen, but with a newer sound. I do believe she would have loved it!