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Topic: Billy Hew Len doing vocals |
Norman Markowitz
From:
Santa Cruz, California
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Posted 27 Mar 2011 7:40 am |
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I just got a vinyl LP, a compilation album called "Stars Of Hawaii-Hawaiian Songs Old And New" Decca DL 8596. On one of the tracks "Hula O Makee", it lists the performers as, George Keoki and His Moana Serenaders, Vocal By Billy Hew Len and Beach Boys.
I never realized Billy Hew Len sang. It was a wonderful falsetto. Any comments? |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 27 Mar 2011 7:59 am
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| When we were jamming, Billy would often burst in vocalizing. He could sing and harmonize also. (BTW: The George Keoki you mentioned was NOT me....just to set things straight) |
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Norman Markowitz
From:
Santa Cruz, California
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Posted 27 Mar 2011 8:05 am
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[quote=BTW: The George Keoki you mentioned was NOT me....just to set things straight)[/quote]
Kinda wondered about that also. Didn't think you were that old. 
Wonder if there are anymore examples of him singing. |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 27 Mar 2011 2:10 pm
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| Quote: |
| Kinda wondered about that also. Didn't think you were that old. |
He is that old, he has been here since the beginning of time. 
| Quote: |
| I never realized Billy Hew Len sang. It was a wonderful falsetto. Any comments? |
From my experience that is often the case with the Hawaiians. They are usually multi-talented in playing various instruments and singing, but you only discover it in the informal sessions.
For example, I never knew Harold Hakuole and Walter Mo'okini played great steel guitar until there were some informal jam sessions at Winchester. 
I am so glad for those informal settings where there have been many wonderful discoveries and experiences.
Aloha, 
Don |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 27 Mar 2011 5:26 pm
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Billy and Pua Almeida did an album together. It's called, "Pua Almeida Sings with Billy Hew Len & the Moana Surfriders". It's fantastic! Billy does a lot of vocals on it.
The songs are Yacka Hicki Hula Tune, Lovely Kauai, Na Kupuna Nights, Liliu E, A Beautiful Day In Hawaii Nei, He Aloha No Honolulu, Pua Maeole, Keawaiki, Waipio, E Kuu Lei. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 27 Mar 2011 10:27 pm
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Don...I am REGUSTED with you ! I'm not THAT old. They tell me I am 83 but they are all wrong. I looked in the mirror this morning, saw my reversed reflection which tells me I am only 38 !
You made mention of the bash with Harold and Walter. That came about the last evening of the Winchester convention after all was pau. We were gathered in Billy Reid (Sr) room shooting the breeze, myself, Ian Ufton, Harold and Walter. It came as a surprise to all of us to see both Harold and Walter pick up the steel. Common sense should have told us they played steel. We had a great jam session, (the 6 of us, including Billy Reid Sr., and Jr.) Everyone regretted that none of us were aware of Harold or Walter's beautiful steel talent...sadly, they were never featured on stage playing steel that year. If I am correct, they flew in from Hawaii as backup crew with ALAN AKAKA who was the featured artist. |
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Norman Markowitz
From:
Santa Cruz, California
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Posted 28 Mar 2011 5:13 am
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| Mahalo Jeff, that's the kind of information I was looking for. I have a copy of that album I will have to give it a more careful listen. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2011 9:10 am
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Damn, Jeff, how lucky to have that album, full of autographs from many of the very best Hawaiian performers!
Could you scan it so we can better see the writing and photos?
Another one that is said to have played steel but rarely seen is Mr. Hawaiian Music himself, Benny Kalama.
I asked him once if he did and he said yes, but in a blow-off way, so he was probably pretty good. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 28 Mar 2011 11:05 am
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| Ron...I asked a similar question of BENNY KALAMA and received much the same non-challant reply. Benny was more than just an ukulele/bass player...he was an all-round well versed musician/arranger. He was also a walking,all encompompassing encyclopedia of things Hawaiian, with stories of many great,(some long forgotten), Hawaiian musicians of yesteryear. Like you, I also feel he probably played a very creditable steel guitar. None of us were ever privilaged to hear him on the instrument. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2011 12:09 pm
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Yep, there was nobody like Benny, so understated and yet those who knew him knew he was The Man, with Pua right behind.
Typical of the old school Hawaiian players, never saying much unless it was thru their actions. Harold and Walter were the same, as you know Keoki, tossing off compliments of their multiple and considerable abilities, both because of true humbleness and from having known many of superior talent. What a crying shame they never put their incredible experiences and thots on paper or tape, those unique people and their times are now gone forever. We were so fortunate to know them! |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2011 7:28 pm
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Aloha Ron -
Yes, I feel lucky to have this LP...Anyone who has this album is lucky!
But my LP's jacket doesn't have the signatures on it...that's a picture I found years ago, that I kept in my "wish list" folder until I finally found it. My digital camera is broken, so was glad I still had this pic to atleast show what the album looks like.
The autographs are made out to Pat and George...not sure who they were, but they were lucky to have met Billy, Pua, and the gang.
Makes me wish I had a time machine!  |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2011 7:49 pm
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| But thanx for even capturing the auto'd LP's image, what a cool piece. Sure wish we could call George and Pat right now! |
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