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Author
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Topic: Harmony Isle
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George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 23 June 2005 10:51 PM
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Just thought I'd bring up the subject of Dick McIntire to see what reaction comes along ... I have always been an ardent fan of Dick McIntire ... his tone was so beautiful as was his technic. Back in 1934 thereabouts, Dick had a 15 minute radio show called "Harmony Isle". It featured Dick's steel along with r/guitar, ukulele, string bass and vibes. Narration by a velvety voiced Ted Bliss. Ted's narration, though probably considered to be quite 'corny' by today's standards, nevertheless made you dream of a far off tropical island paradise. Strangely, the name "Hawai'i" was seldom spoken on any of the shows. I think Dick was fairly young at the time and was probably just starting out, however even back then, his tone was something to behold. I'm fairly certain he was using the E7th tuning on those old radio shows. I would imagine many of you old timers might recall those programs. They were an inspiration to me and I still listen to them many times never tiring of of his music even though today those radio shows are at least 71 years old !  [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 23 June 2005 at 10:54 PM.] |
Larry W. Jones
Member From: Kingwood, Texas, 77339 The Liveable Forest
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posted 24 June 2005 05:18 AM
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George, thanks for opening this discussion. Dick McIntire was a little too early for me, but history was my favorite subject in school. Here's an image of Dick along with other icons of Hawaiian music.
[img]http://www.elderly.com/images/accessories/POST/618-1.jpg[img] |
Larry W. Jones
Member From: Kingwood, Texas, 77339 The Liveable Forest
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posted 24 June 2005 05:22 AM
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And, try that again!
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Larry W. Jones
Member From: Kingwood, Texas, 77339 The Liveable Forest
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posted 24 June 2005 05:52 AM
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This is from the HSGA website. "Bill Creller repairing Hal Smith's frypan. This frypan was originally owned by steel great Dick McIntire." So, who owns and has the privelege of playing Dick's frypan today?
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Gerald Ross
Member From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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posted 24 June 2005 06:06 AM
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Larry,You wrote:
quote:
This is from the HSGA website. "Bill Creller repairing Hal Smith's frypan.... So, who owns and has the privelege of playing Dick's frypan today?
Look at your first sentence... Hal Smith. Who's buried in Grant's Tomb?
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association
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George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 24 June 2005 07:18 AM
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I'm not sure just who is buried in Grant's Tomb ! However, I do know that, like most of us, Dick went through many guitars. Hal's is one of them. Dirk Vogel in Minneapolis found another many years ago and I think he still owns it. Many of you have seen the pic showing Dick playing a Dickerson guitar, (small diamonds in front). The Dickerson was NOT named after Dick. Also, many feel this particular photo was for publicity purposes as McIntire preferred the Rickenbacher Frypans...any thoughts on this ? |
Jeff Au Hoy
Member From: Honolulu, Hawai'i
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posted 24 June 2005 11:21 AM
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I've got to hear Jack Montgomery play twice now on one of those MOTS wood bodied guitars. He is so dead-on McIntire sounding that if you told me the guitars were named after Dick, I'd believe you. He absolutely refutes the notion that a long-scale Rick frypan is necessary for the McIntire sound. |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 24 June 2005 11:52 AM
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Jeff...I certainly agree with you. Hal Smith has a very close proximity to the sound of Dick McIntire. Another chap you have probably heard at conventions is Jack Montgomery of Toronto. He possesses an amazing closeness in tone and touch to Dick McIntire ... if you can ever get him to finish a song ! Jack's a fun guy ! |
c c johnson
Member From: killeen,tx usa
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posted 24 June 2005 12:20 PM
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As good as Dicks show was; it could not compare to your old radio show, Keoki. I still have and play the tapes you sent yrs ago. In 1950 I believe, Dick played a show for us guys stationed at Ft McArthur and he was playing a blue Dickerson. Sounded great. CC |
Larry W. Jones
Member From: Kingwood, Texas, 77339 The Liveable Forest
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posted 24 June 2005 01:59 PM
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As an astute student of HISTORY, here's some more tidbits:
Dick Kaihue McIntire, steel guitarist, motion picture sound track & recording artist, bandleader, brother of Lani McIntire
Band: Dick McIntire & His Harmony Hawaiians
MOTION PICTURE SOUND TRACK AND RECORDING ARTIST FROM THE 1930's TO 1950. "THE MASTER OF PURITY, TASTE, AND EXPRESSION."
BORN: APRIL 6, 1902 HONOLULU, HAWAII, DIED: MAY 20, 1951, Steel Guitar Hall of Fame Inductee INDUCTED: 1982
Just before the war, the major L.A. Hawaiian stars, Sol Hoopi, Bernie Kaai, and Dick McIntire, had fallen in with the Dickerson brothers and were endorsing laps and amps that would, after the war, evolve into the Magnatone brand.
But I'm still on the trail of WHO is buried in Grant's tomb!?? I'll let you know.  |
Bill Creller
Member From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA
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posted 24 June 2005 03:41 PM
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You are certainly right George about Jack Montgomery being a fun guy. He is one of the reasons I go to the conventions. Sadly though, his current health problems prohibit him from leaving Canada because of insurance issues. We may get lucky this July if he feels up to coming to Winchester , which would be only for a few days. He didn't go to Hawaii this May for the reasons I mentioned.
BILL |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
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posted 24 June 2005 03:59 PM
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It certainly was one of the big highlights of my HSGA 2004 convention experience ... knockin' back a few cold ones with Jack Montgomery in his room.Him and Bobby were trading Spooky Stories of "Pele" and "Night Marchers" ... listenin' to old steel recordings on tape ... How cool was that !!! ...  Workin' on Hal Smith's A25, meeting Dirk Vogel and Mike Scott ... Speaking of super players ... not alot of folks got to hear Harry Dietrich last year ... but I saw him set his strings on fire ... usin' his own tunin' ... This year I hope to hear alot more from him ... if I can stop laughin' long enough to listen. As SpongeBob would say ... quote:
I'm Ready, I'm Ready
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Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
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George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 24 June 2005 09:26 PM
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Mahalo for your very kind words CC...appreciated. Yes, hard to believe, 56 years ago when live talent was a regular feature on radio stations, I did have a Hawaiian radio program. It was the inspiration from constant listening to Dick McIntire's "Harmony Isle" show of which I have many transcriptions. The year was 1949 when I put together a group featuring my steel, along with vibes, r/guitar, ukulele, bass and vocal. We auditioned at the radio station and were granted a 13 week run which was the standard during that era. The station manager slotted the show to run Saturday evenings at 6:45 pm (at sunset) and it was decided to name the program "Hawaiian Sunset". The show featured Hawaiian music exclusively along with nostalgic narration and was rather relaxing to hear during the dinner hour. Recorded surf was included to lend authenticity to the show. Just one problem: Two of us were also featured on a c/w show at another radio station every Saturday evening which aired 7:00 pm. Of course it was impossible for us to get from one station to the other in a matter of minutes. Therefore it was decided to put my shows on to transcriptions earlier during the week for the Saturday evening broadcast. Those of you who might be unfamiliar with the term "transcription" ... a transcription is a huge 16" disc usually made of metal with a shellac coating. This was how recordings were made back in those days...there were no tape recorders. Once the cutting stylus hit the shellac, there was no going back, no erasing, no dubbing...if a mistake occured, you just lived with it and carried on. (A transcription could handle 15 minutes on each side of the disc). For whatever reason, once the 13 weeks had expired, management decided to allow the show to run indefinitely. I suspect the mail coming ino the station may have been partially the reason as many thought the program was actually being aired from Hawai'i. The bubble eventually burst in 1952, (4 years on the air), when Elvis came upon the scene and musical tastes were to change forever. Other than "Hawai'i Calls", I am sure my program was probably the last 'live' Hawaiian show to be broadcast in Canada. It was the end of a golden era of live talent on radio. I might mention here, I was able to purchase all the discs and have since transferred them to tape. During the 4 year run, we were also featured on the CBC Dominion Network for 2 months, (Vancouver to Toronto), also we were heard in Australia for 5 weeks on a cultural exchange, and I am quite positive we were the only Hawaiian radio show to be aired in the far northern reaches of the Yukon. The pay was lousy, however the experience was absolutely priceless ! I'm so sorry to learn of Jack Montgomery's illness. As I mentioned, he is a fun guy especially when the jokes were flying around at Winchester. His fondness for Dick McIntire was very obvious in his playing.
[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 24 June 2005 at 09:33 PM.] |
Gary Boyett
Member From: Colorado
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posted 25 June 2005 05:30 AM
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George,
Have you ever thought of putting those shows on CD? I know I would love to have them. Since I was born in 1954 snd in the USA I could not hear them from here  I think you could get quite a few orders. I love that old stuff whe I can find it. My wife bought an old record player from a garage sale a few years ago to listen to her dad's 78's Some of those are just incredible! I am sure I am not alone here!
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JCFSGC,RMSGC,HSGA member since 2005
Fenders- Georgeboard- Melobar
Boyett's Glass Bars
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Larry W. Jones
Member From: Kingwood, Texas, 77339 The Liveable Forest
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posted 25 June 2005 06:19 AM
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Gary, you beat me to it. I was thinking the same. I hear that "digital remastering" can do some wonderful things to older recording technologies. Also, Gearge, that was a "good read" on your bio. We want to hear more of your history. Did you ever meet or work with Dick McIntire? Also, I can't find any info on "Narration by a velvety voiced Ted Bliss." What's his story?------------------
      It ain't got that FEELIN' if it ain't got that STEELIN' |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 25 June 2005 07:41 AM
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"...Did you ever meet or work with Dick McIntire? Also, I can't find any info on "Narration by a velvety voiced Ted Bliss." What's his story?...."
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Fellas, I really wish I knew the story of narrator TED BLISS. I'm sure some old tymer of radio who was around the Los Angeles area during the mid-thirties might might recall his name, or his name might be found in the archives of early radio ? He had a very relaxing speaking style, what I termed for lack of a better word as a "velvety" voice. As for me ever meeting Dick McIntire, sadly neither myself or our great JB ever had that privilage. My shows are very old, (over 50 years ago). I was very young, (in my early twenties). I highly doubt they would be of any significant interest today. I have considered putting them to cd for the family as a keepsake of their dad and may follow through with that thought as tapes can also be fragile. |
Patrick Thirsk
Member From: Clwydd, United Kingdom
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posted 25 June 2005 08:33 AM
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What a great story George. I just love to read stuff like that. I'm getting on a bit too, (65 last Feb.) and used to play r/guitar for a guy in Yorkshire where I lived at the time,late 1950's. He was Django and Sol rolled into one!!. I've just started again on lap steel after many years. My only regret is not keeping it going all this time. Best wishes from Wales..U.K. |
Jeff Strouse
Member From: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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posted 25 June 2005 01:03 PM
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I'd also love to have those shows to listen to. Great music like that is so difficult to find today. I was born in '71, so I also missed out on all of that. It's "new" music to me. Please consider preserving those! If anything happens to the recordings, those great shows may never be heard again. |
Larry W. Jones
Member From: Kingwood, Texas, 77339 The Liveable Forest
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posted 25 June 2005 05:37 PM
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George, I uncovered another piece of your history. Here it is for all the world to see. (hope you don't mind).
http://www.hawaiimusicmuseum.org/forum/perf/tp100.html Posted on 3/8/01 at 8:07pm A hundred years ago, (back in the forties actually), I had my ears glued to my old radio every Saturday to hear David Keli'i on Hawai'i Calls. Hawai'i was but a mythical dream place to me and in those non-jet days, I often wondered if such a place with such beautiful music actually existed! Later, in the mid-fifties, I was working in a musical instrument store when 4 gentlemen walked in. I had never seen men quite like these fellows before, they were dusky brown and most interesting. I asked where they were from and they replied "Hawai'i"! Wow, actual Hawaiians, the first I had ever seen! In conversation, I asked them what ever became of that great steel guitarist of Hawai'i Calls, David Keli'i ? One of them replied, "He's standing right behind you!" That was the same as saying God was standing behind me !! I couldn't believe it! Anyway, they gave me a couple of complimentary tickets to a private show and it wasn't until my wife and I were seated that, in the show was Hilo Hattie. Also, one of those gentlemen who came into the store was Sol K. Bright whom I got to know very closely towards the end of his life. That night I think I died and went to Heaven ! |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 25 June 2005 10:23 PM
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Nah Larry, I don't mind. The story is TRUE. It was a great experience to have met David Keli'i. |
Derrick Mau
Member From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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posted 26 June 2005 07:03 PM
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Keoki,Do you happen to know the title of the steel instrumental theme song for this show? It's the one that's playing in the background while Ted is talking. Ted and Webley Edwards are the coolest! They always had these 1000 + adjectives in their vocabulary to describe things about Hawaii. |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 26 June 2005 08:00 PM
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Hi Derrick...The theme song you are referring to is the very old standard "DRIFTING AND DREAMING". Dick took it at a very slow tempo as you know. Not many Hawaiians have heard, or even are aware of the Harmony Isle
program. Where did you hear it ? Over the years Dick McIntire's style changed quite a bit, but even back in the Harmony Isle days he had that "magic" tone which I loved in his playing. And yes, I agree when it comes to Ted and Webley's narrations. However Webley narrated about Hawai'i whereas Ted's narration was usually about the 'fictitious' place called Harmony Isle which we presumed had to be Hawai'i. If you heard many of the shows, you'll recall he seldom if ever mentioned "Hawai'i" [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 26 June 2005 at 08:04 PM.] |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 27 June 2005 05:07 AM
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Dick McIntire had a unique touch and feel for the instrument. I love his playing. He was the Paul Desmond of the lap steel in that he could build around a melody with less notes per measure than many players but say much more musically. He may not have been the most exciting steel player ever (Speedy West and Joaquin get my vote for that catagory) but Dick's music has to be among the most pleasurable and relaxing lap steel ever recorded.[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 27 June 2005 at 05:09 AM.] |
Derrick Mau
Member From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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posted 27 June 2005 05:14 AM
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Hi Keoki,Yes, Ted did use the song "Drifting &
Dreaming", but this is a different song I've never heard before and he does mention Hawaii on occasion. Maybe Ted changed his format somewhere along the line? How long did this show run? Not sure where I have gotten the material from. Doesn't Ted's voice sound close to Alfred Hitchcock? |
Larry W. Jones
Member From: Kingwood, Texas, 77339 The Liveable Forest
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posted 27 June 2005 05:49 AM
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I ran across these lyrics, which I think is the mele mentioned.
 code:
DRIFTING AND DREAMING (Sweet Paradise) A Hawaiian Love Song 1925Lyrics: Haven Gillespie
Music: Egbert Van Alstyne, Ervin R. Schmidt, and Loyal Curtis
Sheet Music: Fox Trot with Ukulele arrangement.
Published by L.B. Curtis, Music Publisher, 1595 Broadway, New York
Hawaii Calls, Hawaii's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Down by the southern sea
There at Waikiki
Someone waits for me
Beneath the dreamy summer moon
Hearts are all in time
Lovers softly croon
Their plaintive melodies of love
Far, far away in dreams
Where the moonlight gleams
There I stay it seems
And while my fancies come and go
One that I love so
Whispers sweet and low
Come back to dreamy paradise CHORUS:
Drifting and dreaming
While shadows fall
Softly at twilight I hear you call
Love's old sweet story, told with your eyes
Drifting and dreaming, sweet paradise
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George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 27 June 2005 07:05 AM
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Derrick, I wonder if we are talking about the same radio show ? Ted Bliss was merely the narrator on Harmony Isle. I think Dick McIntire called the shots in so far as the music was concerned. The theme was definitely "Drifting and Dreaming" as Larry has illustrated in that music manuscript clip he posted. As for the how long that show was aired, it seems to me it ran for about 13 weeks which was the norm back in the thirties. (Of course, I stand to be corrected). |
c c johnson
Member From: killeen,tx usa
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posted 27 June 2005 07:33 AM
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This chow ran for21 wks although I don't know if there was a gap in between shows after the orig 13 wks. What are you talking about Keoki? I was on a radio show in those days and it only lasted 4 wks. I have the entire 21 wks on cassttes and I really enjoy them. The theme used on all these shows was the Drifting and Dreaming with the lyrics that we allare familiar with. The song was sung about on the 19th prog by a female that sounds like Lena. CC |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 27 June 2005 08:03 AM
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CC: "chow" ? Are we talking Chinese or Hawaiian ? yuk! yuk! Yah, I know you meant to type in an "s", not a "c" ! |
c c johnson
Member From: killeen,tx usa
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posted 27 June 2005 09:10 AM
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I was talkin mercan.Remember I told you long ago that I sometimes have trouble understanding your thick canadian brogue and for you to talk mercan as much as possible. I do make grammatical mistakes once in a while so feel free to correct my mercan at any time. take care CC |
Larry W. Jones
Member From: Kingwood, Texas, 77339 The Liveable Forest
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posted 27 June 2005 09:35 AM
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Here's a cover image.
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Larry W. Jones
Member From: Kingwood, Texas, 77339 The Liveable Forest
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posted 27 June 2005 09:36 AM
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Here appears to be tablature of Drifting and Dreaming. I'm not sure.
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George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 27 June 2005 10:36 AM
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Larry, that's gotta be about the the most difficult tab arrangement to read and understand that I have ever come across. I am very familiar with the song, it's an oldie but a goodie. CC: Y'all knows fo shore I unnerstan merican, y'all hear ? Us'n canucks unnerstan yo polecat lingo spoken down thar in da swamp. |
c c johnson
Member From: killeen,tx usa
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posted 27 June 2005 01:24 PM
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Keoki, I surrender to higher intellect. CC |
Derrick Mau
Member From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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posted 29 June 2005 11:29 AM
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Hi Keoki and C.C.Sorry for the delayed response. I was trying to figure out how to convert a sample to MP3. I don't have a MP3 hosting site to post this on the Forum so I'll e-mail it to you both. Keoki, the voice sounds like the same guy, that's why I wondering if Ted possibly did other radio shows. Here he mentions Hawaii near the end of the steel solo. |
Derrick Mau
Member From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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posted 29 June 2005 11:36 AM
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Hey Keoki,Just noticed you don't have a link to your e-mail. Do you have one? E-mail me. |
Jeff Strouse
Member From: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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posted 29 June 2005 06:51 PM
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Derrick - I will be happy to host it for you if you want to email the sound file to me also. Aloha, |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 29 June 2005 10:29 PM
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Derrick...I tried to e-mail you just now,(using the e-mail address on your thread), but it bounced back. You can contact me at: keokilake@hotmail.com Be great to hear from you. [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 29 June 2005 at 10:30 PM.] A FEW DAYS LATER: Hi Derrick...check your e-mail....seems to be o.k. now. [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 30 June 2005 at 01:19 PM.] |
Jeff Strouse
Member From: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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posted 01 July 2005 01:13 PM
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Feast your ears on a piece of history! Memories of Hawaii[This message was edited by Jeff Strouse on 02 July 2005 at 04:38 PM.] |
Don Kona Woods
Member From: Vancouver, Washington, USA
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posted 01 July 2005 05:02 PM
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Jeff,That was sweet music to my ears. I cried right along with that crying steel guitar. Aloha,
Don |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 01 July 2005 11:11 PM
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Jeff...What you posted there was NOT "Harmony Isle", (and it was NOT Dick McIntire on steel). It was a show called "Memories of Hawai'i" (c) 1936 and the steel player is none other than the great Sol Ho'opi'i. The theme song was composed by Sol's first wife Georgia Stiffler and is titled "END OF THE TRAIL". It is beautiful, isn't it ? One seldom hears steel played like that anymore ! [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 02 July 2005 at 07:44 AM.] |
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