Customer Reviews

Punahele: Hawaiian

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I talked to the slack-key guitarist Rev. Dennis Kamakahi after a concert once, and asked his advice on developing technique. His advice was to listen and learn from this album. And it's a great album to listen and learn from. Some (not me) may criticize it as old-fashioned or too folkish, and it certainly isn't like IZ-style pop. However, the guitar playing is unbelievably beautiful, gentle, and virtuosic, the deep-voiced singing compliments the music well without sounding too sweet, and the song selection is great. This was the first Hawaiian CD I ever bought, and I think it can be appreciated by somebody who isn't a fan or just doesn't know much about Hawaiian music.

When you're tired and weary after a long day, Raymond Kane will sooth your spirit with Hawaii's remedy for dry and busied hearts. In one way the songs are repetetive and often similar yet they bring a sense of timeless beauty directly to your spirit that longs for such things. That's because slack key operates at a far deeper and more satisfying level than a good deal of music. It has been inspired by hearts that were rooted in and moved by the timeless beauty and rhythms of the Hawaiian land and spirit. It is strange that such sublime things can be captured on a plastic disc. But there you go. This CD really will be the kind of music you can listen to all your life and never grow tired of it. As a student of one of Ray's students, I find it the most authentic, simple and profound style of slack key playing.

Ray Kane's quitar music is what you hear when you enter heaven. This is some of the most peaceful and soulful music to come from the Islands. It is one of my favorite CDs ever. Enjoy.