Customer Reviews

Ke'alaokamaile

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I absolutely love the latest Keali'i Reichel CD, KE'ALAOKAMAILE. I am listening to it as I write, amazed at how the emotional depth of this CD moves me and others.

My hula teacher, Helene, who hides her soft, buttery heart with a tough exterior (that fools no one), called me as soon as she had given the CD a listen. Not only was she moved to tears, she was outright sobbing. Therein, lies Keali'i's talent. He doesn't just sing with a beautiful voice. Entrancingly, he sings with a reach that goes deep and touches the soul in its tenderest spots.

Well, besides singing, Keali'i does many things extraordinarily well -- this guy chants, dances the hula, and teaches both -- but singing to YOU, and seemingly to ONLY YOU, is what Keali'i does best.

The Aloha and Mahalo for his beloved grandmother, Kamaile Puhi Kane (1916-2000), now departed and to whom this CD is dedicated, are profound and most evident in its meaningful opening monologue and heart-stirring chant. Then through his lyrical music and with his incredibly clear and pure voice as an instrument, Keali'i spills his guts and honors her with songs that caress, soothe, and yes, heal at the deepest levels.

Each song is a facet that reflects a time in his life that was spent with his grandmother at her beachside home in Paia, Maui. And now almost four years after their sad parting, he generously and without self-consciousness shares with us their incredible grandmother-grandson relationship, one that now transcends time and space.

There can be no finer musical tribute for a grandmother by a grandson than this...she is immortalized with such deep Mahalo. Gramma must smile every time she hears someone playing her CD. Yes, in my mind's eye, I see her sitting in her chair, smiling her soft and gentle smile, nodding as she did.

This CD makes me smile a lot too. Keali'i's voice is a tension melter, a stress reliever. Pupu A'o Ewa was such a happy song that we sang as kids. And ahhh, the first time I heard Keali'i's joyous version in full HAWAIIAN -- not just the echo parts -- I couldn't believe how happy that childhood song could make me. For those moments, I AM that carefree, happy, coconut brown girl in rubbah slippahs, growing up in paradise in Pahoa, Puna, Moku Keawe. Now years later, in a foreign land, I am a soon-to-be god gramma, and I can't wait to teach this song to the little one one day, just as K sings it, as it was meant to be sung. Such is the power of K's music. It peels away the layers, the years, and goes deep to put one in touch with what is real and true in life.

The entire CD is easy on the ears. And the song selection and its variety make it the special and precious release that it is. Naturally, the Hawaiian songs enthrall me and gets me up out of this comfortable chair to dance my made-up hula.

I like Ka Nohona Pili Mai best; the word pictures transport me right back to my blissful, sun-drenched childhood days at my family's Kapoho beach home. And Lahainaluna -- ahh, there I go, up and dancing my hula!

The English selections are deeply touching. I was riveted by Fields of Gold when I first heard Sting sing it and my tears welled up then, never thinking then that Keali'i would sing it one day. Shhh! Don't breathe a word to Sting, but Keali'i does it better. My tears spilled over...

I'm so proud of(and happy for)Keali'i and Puna. As poignantly shared in the CD's liner notes, life threw them more than their share of curved balls, and they went through so much during that interim between CDs, yet somehow -- I like to think with Gramma's help -- they managed to produce yet another all-time classic. Such is the power of Aloha and hearts filled with Mahalo.

Out of loss, grief, trials and tribulations, a masterpiece! And Gramma lives on...

E ola!

Keali'i has created a soothing feast for the ears. It is a fitting tribute to the experience of unconditional love. As always, he has taken great care to properly pronouce the Hawaiian language without making it sound sterile. Keali'i has brought the essence of the spirit of Hawaii from the past and integrated it into the present with his flawless chanting. The simplicity of the music is brilliant. The listener does not have to speak fluent Hawaiian to enjoy his music because love in any language is understood. Mahalo Keali'i.

This is by far the BEST music album I have ever bought from this web site. His music is so very relaxing yet it has a kind of a bump to it. I love his song 'Lahainaluna" because it's a great song and it comes from his heart. Kealii Reichel has a nice strong voice. If you come to Hawaii you'll know what I mean. I give Kealii ******. Mahalo Nui Loa kealii :)

Mahalo e Keali`i for sharing your aloha with us. This album is a wonderful tribute to his tutu, and his family, as well as everyone's family. The music is pure, in true Keali`i fashion that his fans love. I had tears in my eyes the first time I listened to "Ka Nohona Pili Kai". The entire album is filled with great music, in English and Hawaiian.

Wow. Another fine album from this fine artist. His voice caresses the Hawaiian language, already one of the most beautiful languages on earth. His Hawaiian sounds like the Hawaiian that the kupuna speak. Combine that with the masterful poetry of the amazing Puakea Nogelmeier, and you've got music that is timeless. Whenever I listen to Keali`i singing, it makes me soooo homesick for Hawai`i. If that weren't enough, Keali`i is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet -- and so is Puakea. They both still live in Hawai`i and they don't have the big head because they are famous. Buy this album, buy all of his albums. You won't be disappointed.

Everyone else who reviewed this album has basically said it all. I have all five of Keali'i's CD's and can hardly wait for a sixth to come. You don't have to know the Hawaiian language to enjoy his music; even I only know a few phrases. His voice is beautiful and very soothing, especially if you're stressed, unhappy, or you can't get to sleep. My two favorite songs on this CD are "Ka Nohona Pili Kai" and "Mele 'Ohana," which is sung in both Hawaiian and English. I also love his rendition of Sting's "Fields of Gold." Keali'i is a great chanter as well. This is shown in "He Lei No Kamaile" and "Lei Hana I Ka Makani Ualau Awa." A recommended CD for all!

I own and enjoy all of Keali`i Reichel's albums but Ke`alaokamaile is the best. Everything about it is wonderful; from the booklet that comes with it to the final song. I always enjoy his chants and this CD has two excelent ones. My favorite song on this album is "Ka Nohana Pili Kai". All his songs are simply beautiful.

My family and I plan to fly from Arkansas to attend his September 11, 2005 concert at the Hollywood Bowl. I would only do that for an exceptional artist. I'm looking forward to his next album. This one will be hard to top.

We are planning a trip to Kauai for Christmas......listening to this music certainly puts us in an island frame of mind. We love Keali'i Reichel!

On this CD Keali`i Reichels beautiful songs is like still pictures from the family album... glimpses of a traditional Hawaiian lifestyle and how they - the Hawaiians - have a lot to offer the modern world in terms of how to lovingly nurture you and your own family... if you listen closely to the songs... you will get the recipe! Love it! I want to go there!

If you love Keali'i, you will truely enjoy this albumn. He has a voice that is warming like the Maui sun. Any of his albumns are worth the money!