Customer Reviews

Iz: The Man and His Music - Island Music, Island Hearts

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm ordering the DVD now, but I had borrowed a friends VHS copy a while back. His enormous physical size put me back a bit (800 pounds) at first, but once he starts performing, that was soon forgotten. He had nice upbeat songs that sounds great, but it's his heart rending and the genuine passion that you can sense behind the music that will move you. This is a throughly enjoyable 'film' and performace. When Iz sing the 'bonus' song "Hawaii '78" at the end where he is remorsing the changes in his beautiful islands, and starts to cry as he's performing, if ANYONE can see that and not be moved to tears from a broken heart, I'll give you 20 bucks. What this man meant to Hawaii was realized when he passed away. The mortitians were forced to put the casket in the capital and over 10,000 people came to pay they respects. The following day when his ashes were scattered, crowds of thousands cheered and continued to cheer loudly for over an hour. The birthday of this man who was monumental in many different ways is still treated like a state holliday in Hawaii, and it wouldn't surprise me if it were eventually made official. He was a rare and gifted man, and will be sorely missed. The TRUE size of a man is when his absence is palpably felt and continues to be felt.

I visited Hawaii for the first time last year. While there in Maui I got introduced to this wonderful music in a way that stuck with me. There are many great musical artists in Hawaii and Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole is one of the best. Unfortunately Isreal's physical presence is no longer with us. I would have loved to have gone to one of his concerts. Fortunately there are some DVD's available so we can not just listen to this wonderful artist on CD but experience his humor and humanity with our eyes as well as our ears. This DVD is a beautiful and intimate look at Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole, his band, his people, and of Hawaii too.

Anyone who has recently discovered the music of this incredible talent will enjoy getting to know "IZ, the Man" and will be touched by his gift. The sadness of his passing haunts me.

Took my first trip to Hawaii and the first thing I was given by my daughter who had just moved there...was Iz's ALONE IN IZ WORLD CD. As a lover of the environment and grateful to be in such a beautiful natural place....I put on his CD in the truck and soon found myself enter a different world and be utterly captivated. The soul and the voice brought me to tears with it's awesome beauty, and yet too. with sadness knowing he is gone now. What a loss. I am also a musician and have been tuned out to the current wasteland that is todays popular music. What a joy to find music of such purity & quality and that speaks my exact sentiments about the land...and the people who love it so. Mahalo Bra

This DVD provides some background about IZ, the big heart behind the deeply moving musical talent. His love affected all those who heard him perform. Now some years after his death, his message is being communicated via DVD to those of us who were unaware of him during his lifetime. What a joy to be able to experince IZ!!!

Traditional yet contemporary. Carrying on with his lovely voice (now silenced except thru recordings)the tradition of aloha from the lovely islands of Hawaii. You will not be disappointed with any of his recordings.

This is a wonderful video that let's the viewer get an idea of IZs personality. The music is great, the camera quality is clear, and IZs smiles lift your heart. IZ was awesome and his early death is truly our loss. I'm glad he got to know how famous and charished he was before he died.

I'm a huge IZ fan, and was hoping that this video would be more of a documentary on his short life, it isn't. Although interesting, and wonderful IZ music, it is more of his local concerts, or local gatherings with friends. Quality is so-so, kinda homestyle, but it's endearing because Iz is such a sweet, soft spoken mezmorizing singer.

I recently become acquainted with the music of Iz during a vacation on Maui, where we bought one of his CDs. I decided to look into what other stuff was available and was delighted to see that he had made some DVDs, too. I have only had it since 3 days and I've already watched it 3 times! I can't get enough, it's pure magic to watch and listen to.

Amazing music from a man who believed in his music. It's hard not to feel the islands and his spirit.