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Topic: Great New Hawaiian Album featuring Casey Olsen on Steel |
Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 5:37 am |
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I haven't been able to justify spending money on most Hawaiian new releases over the past 5 years or so. Just bought one tonite though... I'm pretty excited about it: Raiatea Helm - Hawaiian Blossom
Vocals are phenomenal. Arrangements are pristine. I think this is one of those instant classics.
Casey Olsen especially shines on this one. Can't get enough of his playing! |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 6:33 am
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Jeff,
I listened to the sample cuts on Mele.com. Nice stuff. Casey did some fine work and Raiatea Helm's voice - very beautiful.
But there is something I've noticed on the cuts that is very common in contemporary Hawaiian music - both in recorded tracks and live performance. That is the use of too many double stringed instruments. It's too cluttered of a sound. Some of the cuts sound like they have both a 12 string guitar and an 8 string uke in the mix - add a string section on top of that..... 
I think Raiatea Helm has a beautiful voice that would just shine in a more lean instrumental setting.
Just my opinion.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
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Danny James
From:
Summerfield Florida USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 7:13 am
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Gerald,
I tried to listen to a sample cut of Hawaiian Blossom on Mele.com.
I could get info on the album to come up but nothing to listen to.
What should I have done? |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 7:40 am tone
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His tone is just delicious. There's this velvety, almost chocolate richness and fluidity to the tone, not to mention his playing, which is very smooth. Pairs with her voice perfectly.
Do you know what type of steel and amp he's using?
_________________
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 8:05 am
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I enjoyed the samples - especially Halawa, Pua Tuberose and a new one for me, My Dede. My Dede which does not have a Hawaiian sounding title, but it certainly fits into a nice Hawaiian sound when sung and played.
Danny, just click on the bold titles, it should give you the sound.
Todd, Casey normally plays a D-8 Excel. I do not
know what his amp is however.
Aloha, 
Don |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 9:14 am
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| I thought Casey was playing a Canopus these days. He may have used something different for this album. Sounds too good for an Excel D8. |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 5:26 pm
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Bill,
Where did that notion come from that Excel's don't
sound too good?
Actually Alan Akaka and Casey Olsen played Excel's for many years. They sounded very good to me, with an excellent tone. I guess it may be who is playing the Excel. When someone is good it always sounds good no matter what guitar they are playing.
Casey played the Excel at the Halekulani right up until the time that he departed the Halekulani. Now if he has switched to a Canopus that would be news.
Alan switched to a Canopus a few years ago because he had an agreement to do so, because he was representing Canopus guitars. There may have been other Hawaiian steel guitar artists who had agreements with Canopus as well.
Aloha,
Don |
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Danny James
From:
Summerfield Florida USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 6:46 pm
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Thanks Don,
I just wasn't reading all the smaller print. 
Hope to see you at Winchester this year.
Jeff, thanks for putting this up I think there is a lot of beautiful music here. Just MHO.
I do see what Gerald is saying, but I still liked it a lot. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 8:44 pm
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Hi Don I'm not impressed with the Excel I have. It was bobby's and Greg Sardhina's before me. I think Greg got it from Jerry Byrd. I'm bringing it to Winchester to sell.
Regards BILL |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 9:31 pm
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If I'm not mistaken, Raiatea Helm, as well as being a fine vocalist is also quite amazing on the ukulele. I have not heard her ukulele album, however sources tell me she's a real talent. I also understand she is working on the steel guitar...wow!
I'm betting that guitar Casey is playing is a Canopus. Sure a sweet tone. Casey is one of my favorite players in Hawai'i. Great technic. |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 10:30 pm
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| George, although Raiatea's a great rhythm 'ukulele player, I believe you may be mistaking her for another young Hawaiian talent, Brittni Paiva. |
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