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Topic: Hal Aloma Swings! |
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 2 May 2009 5:47 pm |
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https://home.comcast.net/~aevolk/music/HalAlomaWarChant.mp3
Came across this low-fi recording from a 1959 Hal Aloma album on the web. Never heard Hal before. He swings, Man! Sounds like some minor chord tuning to be determined by the Forum tuning police (A6th?). Interesting combo of drumming & grunting, twang, and swing steel. Also unusual is the second steel ... live or over dubbed? |
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Matthew Dawson
From:
Portland Oregon, USA
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Posted 2 May 2009 6:01 pm
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| Check out Cumquat's CD of Lani McIntire with the Lexington Hotel Orchestra. I think it is Volume 4 in their Lani McIntire Series. Hal Aloma is all over it. Pristine sound as well. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 2 May 2009 8:56 pm
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That's the first recording of that tune I've ever actually liked.
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 2 May 2009 9:12 pm
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| I've heard another arrangement similar to that one by Hal Aloma...yah! he sure swings ! As for the second steel, my bet is it is another steel as dubbing wasn't being done very much in those days. Y'know, this particular recording almost sounds as though it were taken from a live performance...(?) |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 2 May 2009 9:23 pm
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From what I have learned of the HAWAIIAN WAR CHANT, it first appeared many years ago as a waltz, it was a love song.
Over the years, groups started to swing the tune.
I have no idea why it became known as a "war chant"...perhaps someone can shed some light on that ?  |
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 3 May 2009 2:05 am
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| I always liked Aloma. He was sush a good vocalist that most bands he played in featured him as a vocalist and very little steel such as turnarounds etc. cc |
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Joel Bloom
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Posted 3 May 2009 4:52 am
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Great, thanks for that. I have a record called 'Hal Aloma ("King of the steel guitar") and his Hawaiians' that has a version of this on it along with great versions of Maui Chimes and Aloha Oe etc. He has a great feel throughout the whole record-love to hear him on accoustic somehow too!!
Cheers |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 3 May 2009 5:23 am
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| I do not think there is anything out there with him playing acoustic steel...seems he generally played electric steel with his large show group in the NY area. If anyone does have a Hal Aloma acoustic recording, I too, would enjoy a hearing a posting! |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 3 May 2009 7:33 am
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| I'm with you, Edward, I don't love that tune but I really dig Aloma's phrasing and feel and the whole vibe of the cut. The other tunes on the record are all good too. |
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Anthony Locke
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 3 May 2009 1:29 pm
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| That's really cool. Thanks for posting it. I like how it has two steels, with one acting as the horn section. You really have a knack for digging up these hidden treasures! |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 May 2009 1:34 pm
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Andy, that's awesome! What a fun song.
_________________
BIG STEEL |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 May 2009 6:11 pm
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That was cool alright. Too bad no one does that kind of stuff these days. After the tuning is figured out, maybe some one can tell us what kind of guitar it is  |
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Jim Dickinson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 5 May 2009 1:53 am
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No one does it anymore, well not quite right, certainly not the same. But, I saw Bobby Koefer's hilarious version of the song at the Bob Wills Festival weekend before last in Turkey, Texas. I will admit this one is mighty cool and has much more musical content.
By the way, even though he's 82, Bobby still sounds great. Jim |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 5 May 2009 5:09 pm
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C#min7 (i.e., E6) or some variant.
Both the intro and outro sure have a pentatonic oriental flavor. |
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