Customer Reviews

Self Portrait

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Many polynesians are blessed with beautiful singing voices, as is my wife and mother in law, but few have enchanting voices like Teresa. Her voice can breathe new life into old songs and make them alive again. She has a unique ability to command one's attention, reminiscent of Kui Lee's great "The Days of My Youth".

I first heard Teresa's voice as back up to a song by the late Israel and thought to myself "I have to hear more". If you are busy and stressed and need a vacation, but can't afford the time, take a moment to ho'omanuwanui with this album. It will sooth you.

When we visited Hawaii from New Zealand in 1991 we saw the HanoHano awards at which Poliahu - a track on this CD - won the top award so we decided to buy the CD. We have never got sick of listening to it and it still encapsulates all the great things we remember about Hawaii - the sound is sophisticated but natural and very relaxing. Every time we listen to it we are keen to go back for another holiday

While on vacation in Hawaii, we stumbled upon this CD, and it became the soundtrack for our trip. Great music! A treat to listen to!

Though Teresa Bright sings this entire album in Hawaiian, her style is closer to Hawaiian jazz and pop than to traditional Hawaiian music. Syncopation on many songs, combined with percussion--often conga, wood block, and drums--keep the style upbeat and the tempo moving, as Bright has fun with several finger-snapping, vampy songs, notably "Sadie" ("that little South Sea lady"), "Hawaiian Vamp," and "Kanaka Nui Hotel," which is reminiscent of "Sweet Georgia Brown."

Accompanied by a Who's Who of Hawaiian music, Bright has Mike Muldoon (part of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's band) on percussion, five-time Hoku Award-winner Del Beazley on acoustic guitar (and singing a wonderful duet with her on "Poliahu"), Gaylord Holomalia (with Makaha Sons, and also Iz) on synthesizer, and famed guitarist Cyril Pahinui on slack key guitar and 12-string guitar. Solos featuring Eddie Palama, Randy Bahr, and Kata Maduli abound throughout the album, including virtually every kind of guitar used in the islands. A surprising feature of this album is Mike Baker's flugelhorn solo on "E Mau" and Mike Lewis's "growly" valve trombone solo on "Sadie."

Bright's voice is mellow but remarkably clear, and her simple but highly polished accompaniments show it off to its best advantage. Easy to listen to and spirited enough that no listener will be in danger of nodding off, this CD is Hawaiian music at its most rhythmic best, old songs given new, exciting treatments for new audiences. Mary Whipple

You will not find a more relaxing, female, contemporary, Hawaiian music singer around. If you like Hawaiian music then you should have this CD in your collection! I can put this CD on, close my eyes and be transported back to Maui in my "mind's eye". You won't be sorry you purchased this CD, if you do.