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Topic: Aloha. Oe |
Brian Henry
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Tony Lombardo
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2012 12:25 pm |
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Thanks for posting, but I can't say I'm a big fan of this one. The steel sounds nice, but the backing is very much not to my liking. It is too big, bombastic, and intrusive for my taste. It sounds like the way Elvis' band backed him up in the 1970s.
Last edited by Tony Lombardo on 19 Jul 2012 8:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2012 1:02 pm
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| mmmm'hmmmm... mechanical percussion, simply captivating! |
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Billy Tonnesen
From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 15 Jul 2012 3:20 pm
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Just sort of wanders around ! Did I detect a Country Shuffle beat in the percussion ?
_________________
Sacramento Western Swing Society Hall of Fame, 1992 |
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Tony Lombardo
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2012 3:36 pm
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Billy, I don't want to hijack this thread or anything, but I have to tell you that Frank Sinatra's "Sunflower" is a truly great record, and your contribution to that recording was more than impressive.
Tony L. |
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David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
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Posted 16 Jul 2012 3:07 am
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Hello tb, It is understandable that you would like this recording of the song. Its a great tune. However, there are a couple of considerations to be made when we choose our favourites. One is the intention of the piece. Aloha Oe is a lament. It is fair to interpret it otherwise, but it better be good; this is one of Her Majesty's compositions. About the best steel guitar interpretation I ever heard, and one I recommend to you, is Jeff Au Hoy's version that he posted on the HSGA some years ago. Unfortunately, that forum doesn't seem to have it up anymore. But then I don't think Jeff posted it in good faith either.
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.
Last edited by David Matzenik on 16 Jul 2012 1:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2012 8:44 am
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| I agree Tony, the backup is too big.it is over powering the lead. Also I agree with you David, this song is a lament and need to be played with that in mind. The steel should be a little softer and the back up toned down considerably. The expression of the playing should reflect the meaning of the words, even if it is only played as an instermental, as it is in most cases, you should understand what is being expressed. |
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Eric Ebner
From:
Texas Republic
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Posted 16 Jul 2012 7:59 pm
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The backing is not relaxing. Say that fast a few times!! It makes me feel tense. I agree with some of the earlier posts on this one about the background being less than tolerable.
_________________
Tribo-Tone™ Bars |
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Brian Henry
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 2:52 pm Kou Aloha Mau A Mau
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http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plcp&v=QGx7lRcRiGs
Y
This is a love song written by Rev D. Kamakahi and here it is played and sung like a funeral lament. It is supposed to be a happy love song, not a mournful dirge. Jeff is on the frypan and it doesn't even sound like a steel guitar. It sounds very electronic as if it is an electric viola. Maybe he is playing it through an ebow. There are other
far more superior versions on YouTube, however they have no steel guitar.
Mahalo
_________________
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 4:03 pm
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| No ebow in use, just Jeff's talent on display, exquisite tone and deft use of the volume knob for swells. |
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Norman Markowitz
From:
Santa Cruz, California
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 5:25 pm
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Kou Aloha Mau A Mau is indeed a love song, and here Patrick Landeza sings it in the style of the man who wrote it, The Reverend Dennis Kamakahi. Patrick is a student of Uncle Dennis. Asked him his permission to record this song. And he did it in the style in which it was taught to him by the man who wrote it. And here are the lyrics. The key here is the lyric A pane mai au ia `oe me ku`u leo nahenahe.
Which means ..."And I answer you with my soft voice"
I repeat....With my soft voice.
Not all love songs are happy bouncy get em up lively ditties. Some are soft and sensitive,yearning and wistful. Which is exactly what this song is and how Jeff Au Hoy tried to convey the emotion on his steel guitar making it sound like a violin. I love this version and I especially love the way Jeff plays his beautiful Hawaiian Steel Guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGx7lRcRiGs
If you need any further convincing as to the way Hawaiians view this love song, please listen to this version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zMhwHKcmMY
I have 12 different versions of this same song in my collection of Hawaiian Music (well over 2500 vinyl albums, cassettes and CDs)and they are all done in this nahenahe (soft) style.
Auhea `oe e ku`u pua
onaona, Listen my fragrant flower
Kaua i ka p_ mahinahina
You and I in the pale moonlight
`Olelo mai `oe me kou aloha pu`uwai
You speak with your heart’s affection
A pane mai au ia `oe
And I answer you
Me ku`u leo nahenahe
With my soft voice
Hold me, darling never let me go
Love me, like you’ve never loved before
Touch me, put your gentle hands in mine
Kiss me, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find
`O `oe ka Hoku kau ahiahi
You are the evening star
He lei aloha no ku`u nui kino
A beloved lei that I wear
`Olelo mai `oe me kou aloha pu`uwai
You speak with your hearts affection
A pane mai au ia `oe
And I answer you
Me ku`u leo nahenahe
With my soft voice |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 5:52 pm Re: Kou Aloha Mau A Mau
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| tbhenry wrote: |
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plcp&v=QGx7lRcRiGs
Y
This is a love song written by Rev D. Kamakahi and here it is played and sung like a funeral lament. It is supposed to be a happy love song, not a mournful dirge. Jeff is on the frypan and it doesn't even sound like a steel guitar. It sounds very electronic as if it is an electric viola. Maybe he is playing it through an ebow. There are other
far more superior versions on YouTube, however they have no steel guitar.
Mahalo |
tb, surely you've heard someone "violining" with the volume knob before!
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Norman Markowitz
From:
Santa Cruz, California
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 5:56 pm
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| tb's not into violins, he's into fiddles. |
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Brian Henry
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 6:59 pm
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Actually Norman, before playing the steel guitar I use to play classic violin. But I never tried to make it sound like a steel guitar. Why would Jeff fiddle with a volume control to make a steel guitar sound like a viola or violin. It is just not appropriate for this Hawaiian song.
This is a very traditional Hawaiian Song and calls for the true Hawaiian guitar sounds. Like I said there are much better renderings of this song, vocally and from a backup standpoint.
Mahalo
_________________
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 7:29 pm
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| tbhenry wrote: |
Actually Norman, before playing the steel guitar I use to play classic violin. But I never tried to make it sound like a steel guitar. Why would Jeff fiddle with a volume control to make a steel guitar sound like a viola or violin. It is just not appropriate for this Hawaiian song.
This is a very traditional Hawaiian Song and calls for the true Hawaiian guitar sounds. Like I said there are much better renderings of this song, vocally and from a backup standpoint.
Mahalo |
Actually, it is quite appropriate for the tune. It's something that's been done on many recordings by many of the finest Hawaiian players, especially Dick McIntire. I find it strange that you think it's not appropriate for the tune, and yet you love the Rock and Roll version of Aloha Oe you posted. I'm not saying it's bad playing, but to each his own, I guess. 
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Norman Markowitz
From:
Santa Cruz, California
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 8:10 pm
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| That is true Mike. To each his own. Mr Henry has his ear set to what he believes is the true sound of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar. To each his own. |
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Norman Markowitz
From:
Santa Cruz, California
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 8:17 pm
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But one last thing , Mr Henry. Over at www.taropact.net, another discussion board, but this one devoted entirely to all aspects of Hawaiian music, there was an interesting discussion concerning the violin effect in Hawaiian Steel Guitar. Something that you don't think is pertinent to the genre, others who devote most of their time being involved with Hawaiian music think otherwise.
http://www.taropatch.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8833&SearchTerms=violin,effect |
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Bill Brunt
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 9:19 pm
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Interesting discussion.
For a forum where the culture is supportive, informative, and generally helpful, we get some abrasive replies at times.
The first reply was not too sharp, but some of the edge could have been taken off(bombastic, really?), and then a post to what might be considered a better version might have been supplied.
That way, the original poster could just have heard the difference, appreciated it, and learned in a constructive way.
Personally, I enjoyed the Hawaiian guitar playing, though the backing track did sound a bit like it was just the closest thing the keyboard had in its bank.
On the other hand, I hardly ever pull a you-tube steel guitar song up to listen to the backing track.
I came close to posting my attempt at the "Song of the Month" in June, but was not prepared to have it heard by a tough house:)
...so I will wait to post 'till I can play like Roy, Doug, or Mike.
In other words, only my guitar-playing buddy, his wife, and my wife will hear my playing.
And then only after at least one empty wine bottle.
Cheers! |
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David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
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Posted 18 Jul 2012 11:05 pm
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| Bill Brunt wrote: |
I came close to posting my attempt at the "Song of the Month" in June, but was not prepared to have it heard by a tough house:)
Cheers! |
Bill, I have been avoiding that house for years, and for similar reasons. 
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother. |
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Peter den Hartogh
From:
Cape Town, South Africa
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Posted 19 Jul 2012 12:30 am
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Brian,
are you listening to music through a mobile phone? |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 19 Jul 2012 2:26 am
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| Bill Brunt wrote: |
| I came close to posting my attempt at the "Song of the Month" in June, but was not prepared to have it heard by a tough house:) |
Nothing to it, but to do it, Bill. No pain, no gain, and all that rot. At our worst we're a tough but fair house, and most will tell you complimentive lies like there's no tomorrow, no matter how bad you play. So, jump in, the water's fine. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 19 Jul 2012 3:45 am
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| Bill Brunt wrote: |
Interesting discussion.
For a forum where the culture is supportive, informative, and generally helpful, we get some abrasive replies at times.
The first reply was not too sharp, but some of the edge could have been taken off(bombastic, really?), and then a post to what might be considered a better version might have been supplied.
That way, the original poster could just have heard the difference, appreciated it, and learned in a constructive way.
Personally, I enjoyed the Hawaiian guitar playing, though the backing track did sound a bit like it was just the closest thing the keyboard had in its bank.
On the other hand, I hardly ever pull a you-tube steel guitar song up to listen to the backing track.
I came close to posting my attempt at the "Song of the Month" in June, but was not prepared to have it heard by a tough house:)
...so I will wait to post 'till I can play like Roy, Doug, or Mike.
In other words, only my guitar-playing buddy, his wife, and my wife will hear my playing.
And then only after at least one empty wine bottle.
Cheers! |
Bill, my wife, kids and friends are my harshest critics! I remember my wife calling me from the top of the stairs and when I looked up, she was holding her nose, saying, "Hon...." as if I was Pepe Le Pew.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bill Brunt
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 19 Jul 2012 5:42 am
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Too funny!
I have to admit I feel sorry for my wife, but I can't help it. I'm addicted. |
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Tony Lombardo
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 19 Jul 2012 8:52 am
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I hope my comments weren't offensive to anyone. I certainly didn't mean them as an insult to the person who posted the clip or the musicians who created it. It was also not meant as some kind of "I could do better" statement. As a steel guitarist, I'm a beginner at best. My comments were coming from my point of view as a listener, not as a musician. That piece of music isn't my kind of thing, but it goes without saying that it is the kind of thing that many, many people would love.
Lastly, Bill, you commented on my choice of adjectives ("bombastic"), but I'm not sure you took into account the all important prepositional phrase that ended that sentence: for my taste.
Sincerely
Tony L. |
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Helmut Gragger
From:
Austria
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Posted 19 Jul 2012 12:22 pm
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Norman,
you mention that violin effect. In that other forum´s thread you refer to they talk about Jerry´s Pedal.
During experimenting I once wired a stock pedal backwards, just the way Jerry would have had it. A stock log pot would come out reverse log, meaning that it would come on dramatically fast.
If that is what is desireable for a violin effect, that´s how he got it. Agreed, a backward pedal is not for everybody... But so is the pinky method...
_________________
feel at home at: http://me.aquataur.guru |
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