Kaimana Hila

David Matzenik · From: Cairns, on the Coral Sea

I have not asked a stupid question for a while now, so here is my latest:

This simple tune, by Charles E. King, seems to be played with a wrinkle in the timing. Instumental parts start on the first beat of a 4 chord. Then, by the accommodation of the turnaround, the vocal starts on the third beat of a bar divided into the 1 chord and the 4 chord. This sets the whole round half a bar early by count but not by melody.

This arrangement rotates through the song as many times as required.

Is this normal, and if so what is the point?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLrhqikXU_w
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Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.

Nic Neufeld · From: Kansas City, Missouri

I don't have an answer to your question, but I will chip in and incidentally say, I love that song...Kaimana Hila being the original term for Diamond Head, I gather.

One of my favorite versions is Jules and the lads swinging it in the Tapa Room:
https://archive.org/details/TapaRoomTapes/49+Kaimana+Hila.mp3
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Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me

David M Brown · From: California, USA

Yes, there does seem to be a 2/4 measure in there.

It's just part of the song I think.

David Matzenik · From: Cairns, on the Coral Sea

Thanks David. I was counting 4 all the way through. Its a great day when you learn something.
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Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.

David Matzenik · From: Cairns, on the Coral Sea

Hi Nic, Jules always sounded great. That "block chord" approach must have sounded very modern at the time. As far as the chord chart goes its the same as that uncredited Youtube version I posted, and others I have listened to. I don't see how you can play it without adding half a bar. I don't suppose there is any rule that says a piece of music has to be even.
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I remember a story told about Hank Williams.
He was in the studio recording some songs and one of them was out of meter.
Fred Rose wouldn't record it that way.
However, Fred left the room and when he got back Hank had it recorded. Whoa!

Martin Curnan · From: Lihue, Kauai

Nice sound on the steel but whoever is signing the song are signing the wrong words

David Matzenik · From: Cairns, on the Coral Sea

Not being a speaker, I have to check my Pukui and Elbert to translate, but I did notice Lani in place of Nani, a common mistake with singers.
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Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.

David Matzenik · From: Cairns, on the Coral Sea

Here is a wonderful version by Jerry Byrd, I believe from his 10 inch LP Nani Hawaii about 1950. People talk about tone, but for me it doesn't get any better than Jerry on a bakelite Rickenbacher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTItK2BLKmc

The timing is the same as the other examples. I have come to the conclusion that a shift for one bar from 2/2 to 2/4 is a convention to make it look even on paper, but it has absolutely no effect on how it is played. You have to add half a bar. Please correct me if I an wrong.
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Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.

David M Brown · From: California, USA

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