Customer Reviews

Waltz of the Wind

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoy this CD very, very, very much. This is one of those rare occassions when I feel constrained by the number of stars available. I am impressed with Led Kaapana, not only because he is once again providing a virtuoso performance, but further, that his versatility is emphasized as he successfully brings Slack Key to Nashville. It is no surprise actually given the close relationship between Country and Bluegrass, even so, it takes someone of Led Kaapana's superior talent to demonstrate how well Slack Key and Country work together. EVERY song on this CD is one which I enjoy listening to time and time again. Kaapana's 'ukelele skill is unsurpassed. The title cut is tender as is SPANISH EYES; he mimics a banjo on the Hank Williams staple MOVE IT ON OVER, and STEEL GUITAR RAG, and his Slack Key Guitar works surprisingly well with the Cajun two-step LES FLAMMES D'ENFER. If you are interested the world's best Slack Key Guitarist or music which melds Hawaii with Nashville, this CD will be interesting to you.

I have long been a fan of Hawaiian slack key guitar, even before I knew what it was called. Not a new thing to country audiences, but this is superb and includes guests Sonny Landreth, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Ricky Skaggs to name a few. I especially like #8 with Sonny Landreth which produces a wonderful new sound.

This is a truly delightful album with many passionate licks, and an all-star band of Led Kaapana's friends. It is a wonderful blend of vocals and instrumentals, some more traditional Hawaiian such as Hanohano Hanalei, and 'Opihi Moemoe, and others bold and spicy mix, Les Flammes d'Enfer (Cajun), Move It On Over (honky-tonk), Honeysuckle Rose (swing jam with a piano). Having just returned from Kauai, I used various tracks for my DVD. Especially appropriate was Koke'e to accompany the Waimea Canyon slideshow, and the appearance of a violin (Stuart Duncan) is a pleasant treat. And the vocal of Alison Krauss in Waltz of the Wind, so gentle and lyrical, magical as the breeze moving between the pines overlooking the Kalalau Trail. And if you want to hear Led on vocals, there is My Sweetheart, a musical postcard to his wife while performing in Tahiti. Indeed, every song is a gift from the heart, and will touch your soul in many wonderful ways.

Leward Kaapana is truly one of the best guitar players around. This CD is for anyone who loves great quality music. I've given this CD to many friends as gifts and they all come back to ask "does he have other CD's you'd recommend?" My answer is 'Yes, everyone is worth buying!"

i love this song; my husband has been looking for it for so many years; but this is the first time iv'e found it. can you tell me the ariginal artist. and how can we puchase this song waltz of the wind. thank you mary tandle

I bought this just for Led Kaapana but it's worth buying just for the title track - be prepared for 'chicken skin' when you hear it and become a fan of Alison Krauss.