Royal Hawaiian Music

John King (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: John King
• Audio CD (January 26, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nalu Music
• ASIN: B0001FZCNY
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #237,804 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Kalakaua March

2. Sweet Lei Lehua Variations

3. Lei Ohaoha

4. He Inoa Na Ka‘iulani

5. Medley: ‘Alekoki\Koni Au I Ka Wai\Akahi Ho‘i

6. He Lei Na Ka‘iulani

7. Medley: Pupu A‘o ‘Ewa\Ku‘u Home ‘Ainahau\Ka Inu Wai

8. Ka Mo'i Kalakaua

9. Nani Wale Lihu‘e

10. He Inoa No Poli‘ala

11. Nu‘a O Ka Palai

12. Queen Lili‘uokalani March

13. Ka Ipo Lei Manu

14. Ka ‘Oiwi Nani

15. Aloha No Au I Ko Maka

16. Ahe Lau Makani

Editorial Reviews

David Kidney, Green Man Review

"King has a wonderful touch, it sounds like a music box, a harp, a mandolin, he is such a virtuoso."

Product Description

In his latest recording, John King pays tribute to the music of Na Lani Eha, the Heavenly Four, Hawaiian royalty who were well known music lovers and gifted composers. Through their social and political influence, David Kalakaua (1836-91), Lydia Kamakaeha Paki (Liliuokalani, 1838-1917), Miriam Likelike (1851-87), and William Pitt Leleiohoku (1854-77) helped to create and popularize a new musical idiom that synthesized traditional Hawaiian poetics with New England-style hymnody.

The sixteen tracks of Royal Hawaiian Music include pieces written by, or dedicated to, the Heavenly Four in the late 19th century, arranged and performed on solo ukulele.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music fit for a King, August 15, 2005

By	Ogilvy - See all my reviews

Performed by a King. John King. Since his initial release of a disc of Bach solos performed on unaccompanied ukulele, King has published two collections of ukulele music, with attendant CDs, and this, a regal recording of Hawaiian crown jewels, Royal Hawaiian Music. Chosen from compositions written by or dedicated to Hawaiian royalty of the 1800s, this CD is simply sumptuous. Music making of the highest order. The listener is never aware of "the man behind the curtain," much less told to pay no attention to him or his ukulele. What flows forth from the sound system speakers is music unencumbered by thoughts of instrumental inadequacies overcome by technical triumphs (of which there are plenty). It's just beautiful music, beautifully performed.

Delve deeply into the expertly written liner notes (by King) and one learns of the tragic and triumphant origins of some of the most poignant-and under-rated-music of the late-nineteenth century. The haunting `Ka Ipo Lei Manu' written by Queen Kapiolani upon learning of the death of her husband, King Kalakaua. And the celebratory `Kalakaua March' written in honor of the king's visit to San Francisco in the 1870s. I doubt if you can find a recording of the original piano version of this march or the several others Mr. King plays that were written by Henry Berger and published as piano solos in his collection `Mele Hawaii' in the 1880s.

There are several fine ukulele virtuosi before the public today, but I doubt any could handle this repertoire. Their styles are too idiosyncratic. King seems to be quietly building a foundation of repertoirial and technical benchmarks future generations of players can aspire to. Above all, he has the temperament of a classicist: his tone is perfection, interpretation faultless; the music speaks to us. I find it astonishing to admit, considering the instrument and the origins of the music, but this is transcendent music wonderfully, lovingly made. Buy it. Aloha.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Performances of Virtually Unknown Music, July 17, 2009

By	Sussex Pond Pudding (Somewhere in the desert, CA) - See all my reviews

What a tremendous pleasure it was to finally get my hands on this CD. I was mostly interested in the music itself for historical reasons. Not only did I find myself enjoying the music a great deal, without really knowing what to expect, but I was very impressed by King's ukelele virtuosity. I am somewhat familiar with the instrument, its history and a fair sampling of the important players, but I can't think of any performer who has struck me as so talented. This recording is an absolute treasure and I certainly hope that it makes its way back into the catalog again as it seems to have gone out of print. I suggest that should you see it here or anywhere else jump on it as it may very well disappear altogether!

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Beautiful Ukulele Music, May 15, 2009

By	D. Silvia "yetanotherporscheguy" (South Dartmouth, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a ukulele player, I actively seek out ukulele music. I have an extensive library of vintage and modern ukulele music and I must say this is the most beautiful sounding and arranged album that I own. Yes, there are many excellent uke players out there, but this album is special; it's different then the others. Pop this CD into your deck, shut off all the lights in the room, so there are no distractions, and listen - really listen and you will see what I mean.