Facing Future

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 1, 1993)
• Original Release Date: September 1, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mountain Apple Company
• ASIN: B00000JFG3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (437 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #140 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Music > World Music > Pacific Islands > Hawaii > Contemporary Hawaiian
  #1 in	Music > Indie Music > World Music > Pacific Islands

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
To gauge the magnitude of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's popularity in his native Hawaii, consider this: following his death in 1997 (at age 38, attributed to his profound obesity), Kamakawiwo'ole's body lay in state in the state capitol, only the second person to receive such an honor. Kamakawiwo'ole's appeal lies in his love for prestatehood, precondominium Hawaii and the expressiveness of his gently passionate voice, which can float through higher registers with an ease that brings Johnny Mathis to mind. Several selections ("Ka Pua U'i," "White Sandy Beach of Hawai'i," the sun-kissed "La 'Elima") feature Kamakawiwo'ole in a traditional mood, using only his ukulele to adorn the charm of his native lyricism. Others, such as the Jimmy Buffett-like "Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man" add playful contemporary touches that suit Kamakawiwo'ole's style. Most touching are the string-backed laments that open and close the album, "Hawai'i '78 Introduction" and "Hawai'i '78," initially a reflection on his father's death, later on the passing of Hawaii's native culture. Best known is his medley "Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," which played over the closing credits of the film Meet Joe Black. --Terry Wood

Product Description
There's a smart balance of traditional Hawaiiana and contemporary tunes on this CD. There's heart-tugging warmth along with unexpected chuckles. The end result is a candid, honest reinforcement of his vocal breadth.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

972 of 993 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something's gotta a hold on me......, February 22, 2001

By	Jesse Kornbluth (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Last year, I saw an etoys commercial that began with a boy chasing fireflies and ended with his wise and loving father ordering a firefly 'kit' from etoys. It was a good ad, but what made it great was the music --- someone playing a 4-string ukulele and humming.

It was the oddest thing. Every morning this commercial ran on the 'Today' show, I'd get....misty. Without a word, the music generated pictures of home and love and security --- images of a world in which everything works.

I mentioned this commercial to others. They also had noticed the music and had been moved by it. But no one knew who the singer was.

Then a colleague quietly played a CD in her office: the soundtrack of the Sean Connery film, 'Finding Forrester. And along came this song. Its title: 'Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World.' The singer: a Hawaiian named Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, who, as a quick Web search revealed, had died in 1997 at the age of 38.

I read up on IZ, and learned IZ called his producer and said there was a song he had to record. He showed up at the studio at midnight with his ukulele -- and, in 5 minutes, created "Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World."

In 1996, National Public Radio did a piece on IZ and played 'Over the Rainbow.' Listeners called in; sales shot up. And music insiders like Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon and Bette Midler were no longer alone in their admiration for IZ.

The following year, when IZ died, it was clear that he was the Bob Marley of Hawaii. His casket lay in state at the Capitol, and 10,000 fans came to say goodbye. The next day, friends paddled a double-hulled voyaging canoe into Makua Bay, where IZ and his friends had camped out and played music over the years. It was in this bay, in l982, that IZ had scattered the ashes of his brother Skippy, who had died of a heart attack; now the brothers would be united.

There was thunderous cheering as IZ's ashes were poured into the water. It continued for an hour. To be with IZ one last time, family members and friends ran into the ocean. And the music continued into the night.

It still does.

300 of 304 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an amazing discovery! wish I could have found him earlier!, March 24, 2001

By	Shannon S. Plemons "SideshowShan" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I work in a large chain record store near a movie theatre. Everynight we would have 2-3 people coming in looking for the "Finding Forrester" soundtrack. I finally asked someone what was so special about it. I was told they wanted it for the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" that plays during the closing credits. I didn't know anything about IZ before then. The next day I saw an article about him and heard the song for the first time... I was blown away. I bought "Facing Future" and "IZ in concert" the next day! Since then I have bought every CD that's available. I can't stop listening to him. I'm listening to "N Dis Life" as I type. I'm constantly telling people about "Brotha IZ". His music is so pure and simple, yet so complex and amazing. I still can't believe that such gentle music can come from such a large man. In a time where corporate music is shoved down our throats by radio and TV, IZ is not just a breathe of fresh air, he's the only thing worth breathing. IZ the man may be gone, but his music has made him immortal. May he live on and bring some culture and peace to mainstream music.

97 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hawai'i '78, July 9, 2002

By	Jumpmaster (Texas) - See all my reviews

"Cry for the Gods, cry for the people, cry for the land that was taken away...and then yet you'll find, Hawai'i."

A few years ago when I was a serviceman stationed in Hawaii, I first heard this beautiful, haunting song, and was first exposed to the incredible voice of Israel "IZ" Kamawiwo'ole. Already sobered by the song's theme...the regret of native Hawaiians over losing their sovereignty...I was further saddened to learn that "IZ" had died in 1997. Like his father, and his brother, Skippy (also a recording artist), IZ had died of medical problems associated with obesity (he weighed as much as 760 pounds at one time). But thankfully, IZ left a legacy of recorded music, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Hawiiana band "Makaha Sons of Niihau". And thanks to the airplay received by "Over The Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" on the TV show ER, the movie soundtracks "Finding Forrester" and "Meet Joe Black", and commercials for E-Toys, thousands of mainstream listeners on the mainland have now discovered IZ for the first time.

In many years of listening and collecting, I've never found an album like "Facing Future" that has such a universal appeal. Kids love it, teens love it, grandparents love it. A certified hard rocker myself (check my reviews of bands like Tool and Type O Negative), I consider "Facing Future" one of the top five CDs in my extensive collection, and rarely do I go more than a couple of weeks without giving it a spin.

Every track on the CD is wonderful, and if you skip over any, it will be just to get to the album's best two tracks, which are near the end: "Rainbow/Wonderful World" and "Hawai'i '78". In between, you'll find beautiful island music, sung both in the native Hawaiian language (check websites for translations) and English. A fun highlight is a cover of John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads" with O'ahu geography (West Makaha, Mount Ka'ala) replacing West Virginia and mountain mama. "Maui Hawaiian Suppa Man" is a favorite of my 9-year-old son (as is Hawai'i '78, which he has dubbed "Cry For The Gods"). And having lived in Hawaii for 3 glorious years, hearing IZ sing "White Sandy Beach" almost always brings mist to my eyes and a lump to my throat.

You will never buy a more beloved CD than this one, your family and friends will rave about it. Get it, you'll be glad you did!