Customer Reviews

Vintage Hawaiian Music -- Steel Guitar Masters

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

 

 

Rounder Records has done a great job with this wonderful collection of Hawaiian acoustic steel guitar tunes from the Golden Age of the instrument. The tracks included here range from the lilting and sweet ("Waikiki Waltz") to ragtime style marches ("Hula Love Medley March" & "Ellis March"). And, lest you think the steel guitar was played in the Hawaiian style by Hawaiians only, the compilers of this collection have dug up German and Mexican recordings as well!

Considering that all of these tracks were transferred from ancient 78 RPM recordings, the sound of the disc is excellent. In fact, any surface noise from the original recordings (scarce as it is) really only adds to the nostalgic charm of these tunes.

There is quite simply no sound like that of the Hawaiian steel guitar and this disc captures and preserves many of its finest players in peak performances. The thoughtful folks at Rounder have also included fairly in depth liner notes - giving us a brief history of the instrument and information about each selection and the performers.

If you are a fan of early Jazz, a guitar aficionado, or just a lover of Hawaiian music, this disc will be a welcome addition to your music collection.

THIS MUSIC IS SO SWEET AND INFECTIOUS, ANY CD THAT HAS SAM KU, SOL HOOPII, AND KING BENNY NAWAHI IS THE REAL, ORIGINAL POPULAR HAWAIIAN MUSIC FROM THE 1920'S AND 1930'S THAT PEOPLE LOVE TO HEAR. A NICE COMPILATION, EVEN THO' THE RECORDINGS COME FROM THE OLD 78'S AND THEY SOUND PRETTY SCRATCHY AT TIMES, BUT WHO CARES? WE'RE LUCKY THERE ARE ARE ANY COPIES OF THIS MUSIC LEFT AT ALL!

My mother use to play the "Hawaiian Guitar" in a group that played for a music teacher/store in St. Louis, MO. I got this for her for Christmas and she loved hearing some of the old songs played on that instrument.

Having been born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale I frequented the Mai-Kai often throughout the years. This reminds me of the music they play in the background. Wonderful memories.