Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko

Keola Beamer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 26, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B00005UK0Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,997 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Pacific Islands
  • #8 in Music > World Music > Pacific Islands > Hawaii
  • #11 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Of the slack-key guitarists that pianist George Winston has brought to light from Hawaii, the most eloquent and forward-looking is Keola Beamer, which is ironic given that Beamer's first album in 1973 was called Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar in the Real Old Style. There's nothing old about the music on Soliloquy. Unlike most of his brethren, Beamer rarely sings, and that seems to free him from the sometimes clichéd phrasing and melodies identified with Hawaiian music. Even without those signposts, however, Beamer's music is distinctly Hawaiian, beginning with the slack-key guitar. It's a standard acoustic guitar, but the strings are tuned lower--literally, slacker--than normal. It gives the guitar a lazy, wistful sound just shy of yearning. Soliloquy mixes Beamer's original compositions with traditional songs in unique arrangements, including some for two acoustic guitars. A bit more low key than his previous albums, and featuring more nylon than steel string, Soliloquy is a quiet meditation born from the idyllic environment of Hawaii. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle Island sounds, December 2, 2002

By 

"ricko101" (WALNUT CREEK, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko (Audio CD)

Keola's latest release for George Winstons Dancing Cat Records is a wonderful, soothing, melodic trip through the Islands. There is no low point on the album, and as the songs all are of a quiet tempo with similiar feel, they flow together as a sort of Hawaiian slack guitar suite. Highly recommended! Also- if you get the chance- see Keola live. He puts on a super show.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Gentle, Waterborne, July 12, 2004

By 

SmallOffice - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko (Audio CD)

Infused with the islands - recreates them in sound. The perfect accompaniment to a day or evening on the water. This music gently, deeply sinks in. I'm buying another as a gift for a friend so I can get mine back!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wholesome Slack Key Goodness Chock-Full Of Mahalo!!!, April 19, 2008

By 

J. Fisher (Somewhere, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko (Audio CD)

If you like guitar, you OWE it to yourself to procure this album...in its entirety. That means ALL of it people. Believe me you will thank me later...and yes, you are VERY welcome. Hey, don't mention it. There is not ONE bad song here whatsoever. Mr. Keola Beamer is a virtuoso and knows how to bare his soul on the six-string. Add some diversity to your musical collection and buy this today. With all the overproduction nowadays that often times significantly diminishes otherwise good musicianship, it is like a breath of FRESH air to just hear something instrumental for a change...acoustic and stripped down...nothing but a man letting his instrument do the talking. I wish there was more of this kind of music available...but for now we will just have to be thankful for hidden gems such as these. He also has a really good instructional book too on the craft entitled "Keola Beamer Teaches Slack Key Guitar" via Hal Leonard Publishing.