|
Author
|
Topic: Anyone want to talk about Hawaiian music?
|
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 14 November 2005 07:55 PM
profile send email edit
I'm always eager to learn more about the great artists of the past, and it's taken a while for me to absorb some of it, but I'd really like to hear some thoughts on players like Hal Aloma, Bobby Nichols, Sam Makia, Bernie Kaai, Benjamin Rogers, Eddie Bush, etc. I've recently begun building a modest collection of vinyl and shellac, and I'd appreciate some good recommendations. I purchased a decent collection of 49th State 45s and I like them a lot. |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
|
posted 15 November 2005 04:47 AM
profile send email edit
Hmmm ... those guys are sure electrifying ...  I can't offer up any info ... that you don't already know ... But I hope folks that can ... will jump in ...  ------------------
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
|
Gerald Ross
Member From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
posted 15 November 2005 07:12 AM
profile send email edit
Here ya go Mike. A recording by Bob Nichols on Tricone with the Moana Serenaders. Sol Hoopii produced these sessions and you can hear his influence on the tone and feel of the recording. Nichols is very bluesy on this recording as well as the other cuts from the Moana Serenaders/Hoopii session. Does anyone know of any Bob Nichols electric recordings?
Honolulu Tomboy - Bob Nichols & The Moana Serenaders
BTW - Pick up the 2 CD Cumquat set"A Treasury of Hawaiian Guitar Music". There are 4 Nichols/Moana Serenaders cuts, Bernie Kaaii, Hal Aloma, David Kelii etc. Very good disks, highly recommended.
------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association [This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 15 November 2005 at 07:17 AM.]
|
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 15 November 2005 07:17 AM
profile send email edit
Bobby Nichols played with The Polynesians. Derrick Mau sent me some mp3s of Bobby and we were trying to decipher his tuning. It's just fantastic stuff.I think I've heard and just about all the acoustic stuff there is, now I want to hear all the 'lectric stuff. Jules Ah See, Danny Stewart, Joe Custino, Billy Hew Len....would love to hear stories about these folks if anyone has any. Derrick, chime in please.... |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
|
posted 15 November 2005 07:24 AM
profile send email edit
quote:
Does anyone know of any Bob Nichols electric recordings
Bruce Clarke's Lani McIntire series. Vol 1 & 2 are all Nichols on steel ... Vol 3 has some Nichols and some Sam Koki. Next to Andy Iona ... Bobby Nichols is my favorite "vibrato-ist" ... ------------------
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
|
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
|
posted 15 November 2005 07:48 AM
profile send email edit
Here's one off Lani McIntire Vol 2 ...Kaneohe Courtesy of Cumquat Records ------------------
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
|
Bill Creller
Member From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA
|
posted 15 November 2005 02:40 PM
profile send email edit
I dont know about you Rick, but that sounds like an early Rick frypan to me. |
Les Cook
Member From: Derbyshire, UK
|
posted 15 November 2005 04:04 PM
profile send email edit
You mentioned Eddie Bush ,Mike ,and he's well worth checking out...both on electric steel and acoustic (I'm more familiar with the latter). He recorded prolifically on National Tricone with the Biltmore Trio from 1928 to 1930 and while the main focus of a lot of their records was the intricate vocals ,his steel breaks are wonderful.Look out for the 2 78s on Okeh ...Coquette has one of THE great steel guitar solos .Not too much of his early material is Hawaiian though .One of Bruce Clarke's recent releases devotes half a CD to his later recordings with the post-Dick McIntire Harmony Hawaiians ...thats well worth picking up too...it also has some splendid Bernie Kaai |
Colin Brooks
Member From: Lewes, East Sussex. UK.
|
posted 15 November 2005 04:29 PM
profile send email edit
My favourite Bobby Nichols track, from Augie Goupil - Toomba! Re-Loaded, "One Finger, Two Finger, Three Finger- Poi" Cumquat Records of course! |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
|
posted 15 November 2005 06:38 PM
profile send email edit
Here's one I've been listenin' to alot lately ... quite interesting ...I have it as a Sol Hoopii tune on one of my compilations ... somewhere ... And this is off Andy Iona Vol 10 ... Rarities. Hawaii Calls Sol knew who to call ... ------------------
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
|
Derrick Mau
Member From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
|
posted 16 November 2005 01:09 PM
profile send email edit
Hi Mike,Sonny Kamahele, who has been on the Hawaiian music circuit for decades told me that his most memorable part of his music career was playing with Alfred Apaka and Jules Ah See at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Dome.
Sonny says that Jules was the best Hawaiian steel player he has heard and performed with. After their shows, they would all go over to the Lau Yee Chai restaurant in Waikiki for a late dinner. Sonny also plays steel guitar and uses a D9th tuning. Last year, I was fortunate to meet, and speak with Bill Tapia who has played with the Johnny Noble Band in the 20's. He played the banjo for the band that performed for the grand-opening ceremonies for the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in 1927. Bill told me that he remembers Sol Hoopii on one ocassion, playing on the streets of Waikiki and was amazed when a rich tourists from the Matson steamers dropped a $100.00 tips.
Big money for those times . . . Bobby Ingano who learnt his steel from David "Feet" Rogers, told me that he remembers how Feet would always walk down the street shaking his head from left to right as if he were listening to music. A tune was always on his mind. Herbert Hanawahine recalls avoiding Feet during his young school days as Feet would always try to take his lunch money. He said Feet was big for his age, and many of the students in the school were afraid of him. 
Feet Rogers You would too, if you seen this guy coming toward you. Last years convention in Joliet, I spoke with HSGA member, Bob "Pulevai" Waters at dinner. He's the man to talk to regarding Hawaiian steel players as he knew them all.
Bob has no computer I'm assuming as there is no e-mail listing under his name in the HSGA's e-mail directory.
Bob told me the best Hawaiian steel player he has heard is Danny Stewart (sorry Jeff!) |
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 16 November 2005 03:25 PM
profile send email edit
Thanks, Derrick. I just find these little bits of information about these all-too-seldom mentioned greats fascinating. I'd love to talk all day about this music and these musicians but, unfortunately, I'm in the minority in my neck of the woods.I wish there was more we could do to inspire folks who have an interest in the steel guitar to look into the great Hawaiian music. It doesn't have to be the cheesy crap everyone always told them it was--there's a tremendous wealth of great music that will blow their minds.[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 16 November 2005 at 03:26 PM.] [This message was edited by Mike Neer on 16 November 2005 at 04:01 PM.] |
Bill Leff
Member From: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
|
posted 16 November 2005 03:52 PM
profile send email edit
Eddie Kamae related a story of Gabby Pahinui falling into a pool with his steel (he liked to drink...). |
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 16 November 2005 04:04 PM
profile send email edit
Hey, as long as it wasn't plugged in, what's the harm? Personally, I find drinking and steel playing quite a difficult (but unbelievably fun) combination of things to do. I've played three sheets to the wind on many occasions. These days, I try to stay 2 sheets to the wind.[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 16 November 2005 at 04:05 PM.] |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
|
posted 16 November 2005 04:18 PM
profile send email edit
No place like an HSGA convention to catch up on ... The Dish ...Phewww ... listenin' to stories about Dick McIntire there ... made me feel kinda "normal" ...  Seriously ... HSGA and Aloha International are the "Last Bastions" ... where Hawaiian Steel players can get together, learn and have a blast ... at the same time. There seems to be a growing "core" of faithful enthusists ... that are following around the "seasoned" members ... absorbing info, techniques and that "spirit". But there is always room for more ... Mike ------------------
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
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 16 November 2005 at 04:22 PM.]
|
Gerald Ross
Member From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
posted 16 November 2005 04:27 PM
profile send email edit
Are we talking about the same Dick McIntire? Dick "I work out at the gym for three months straight and show up sober whenever I film a movie" McIntire?
 ------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association [This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 16 November 2005 at 04:28 PM.]
|
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
|
posted 16 November 2005 04:30 PM
profile send email edit
Bob Waters is definitely THE guy to talk to about tDick McIntire and other 40's Hawaiian musicians. I did an interview with him for my book but didin't use it. If I can ever come up with the tape I'll transcribe it and post it. |
Gerald Ross
Member From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
posted 16 November 2005 04:35 PM
profile send email edit
Rick Aiello writes:
quote:
There seems to be a growing "core" of faithful enthusists ... that are following around the "seasoned" members ... absorbing info, techniques and that "spirit".
I enjoy playing music with the "seasoned" members of the Hawaiian music community because most of them learned to play music before Rock and Roll and the folk scare of the 60's. Their musical background doesn't include Bob Dylan and Led Zepplin. (no flames please). ------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association |
Bill Creller
Member From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA
|
posted 16 November 2005 09:57 PM
profile send email edit
Maybe we need a section on the forum just for Hawaiian steel(I'll probably get in trouble for this) I'm not smart enough to play blues or jazz anyway. Just old standards, OLD country, and Hawaiian.
The phrase "folk scare " is really funny
GB HAHAHAHA!![This message was edited by Bill Creller on 16 November 2005 at 09:59 PM.] |
John Bushouse
Member From:
|
posted 17 November 2005 03:44 AM
profile send email edit
Listening to Andy Iona or Lani McIntyre, what strikes me is not only the liquid (nice and thick) steel playing, but also the powerful rhythm guitar & uke behind the steel. Throw on those harmonies on top and you've got a sound that just isn't heard these days.Take a good listen to the rhythm work "Kaneohe" and "Hawaii Calls" - it's really rock solid, and really propels the songs. |
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 18 November 2005 07:04 AM
profile send email edit
Basil posted some amazing recordings a few months ago of some live playing by (Hal Aloma?). Any chance of hearing that again?Anyone with any great out-of-print vinyl transferred to mp3s, please feel free to send the mp3s my way. |
Warren Slavin
Member From: Southampton, PA, 18966. USA
|
posted 18 November 2005 08:23 AM
profile send email edit
Bill Leff's Comment-- "Gabby Fell into a Pool"Bobby Ingano was relating that story to me -- Mahi Beamer was performing at one of the Hotels and Gabby arrived (late) but before he fell into the pool he relieved himself. He was to perform also. Mahi Beamer complained saying to the Banquet Manager, "Gabby is ruining my show". The manager said "Gabby is the Show". It is reported that Gabby never appeared as a regular on "Hawaii Calls" because Al Perry never new if he was ever going to show up for the performance. Andy Cummings had great faith in Gabby's talent and ability and Gabby worked with Andy for a long time, they even golfed together. On October 13th, 1980 Andy went to pick Gabby up to play golf but he wasn't home. A few minutes later he arrived after one of his all-nighters. They went to play golf and they finished the first nine and then on the 11th Tee Gabby collapsed and died on the Tee. Rescue attempts were futile.
There is a book published by "Hawaii Press Pacifica" - 1978 - Kasher/Burlingame, that narrates interviews with about 10/12 Hawaiian entertainers -- "DA kINE SOUND". Also, Honolulu Magazine (out of print) in 1992 published an article on Gabby which gives the colorful life of Gabby and his wife Emily (Ma) and their sons, Bla, Cyril and Martin. TO MIKE NEER: I see by your profile that you live in Middlesex, NJ. We have lived in The Somerville/Hillborough are for fifty years and moved (3 yrs ago) to Penna, outside of Phila. It is a shame that I didn't know of you in the earlier years as we could have shared some stories and music.
I talked with Henry Bogdan (former steel player with the moonlighters) many times on the phone and he even came over to our home one time and we had a nice visit. What is he doing now. All Pau -- Warren ------------------
|
Derrick Mau
Member From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
|
posted 18 November 2005 10:45 AM
profile send email edit
A good book to get is Eddie Kamae's "Hawaiian Son". It's an autobiography about him but, he tells great stories of Gabby, Feet Rogers, and other members of the legendary group, the Sons Of Hawaii.The book is published by: 'Ai Pohaku Press
The author is: James D. Houston / Eddie Kamae  [This message was edited by Derrick Mau on 18 November 2005 at 10:47 AM.] |
John Bechtel
Member From: Nashville, Tennessee,U.S.A.
|
posted 18 November 2005 11:31 AM
profile send email edit
The very first night, when I moved to Honolulu in Dec. ’79, I sat~in (stood) on the late Billy Hew Len’s JB Frypan at the Outrigger Luau! That was the first time I met Billy and we visited and exchanged info. often while I was living there. (until June ’80) I only have 2-Albums that Billy played on. One was from the Luau and the other was with Barney Isaacs Jr. Billy was a very friendly kind of guy! ------------------
“Big John” Bechtel
Soon to be: New Burgundy D–10 Derby (w/6 & 8)
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence
web site
|
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 19 November 2005 10:29 AM
profile send email edit
Warren - Yes, it's too bad we never got a chance to meet, being neighbors and all. I've been here for about 10 years now, but I only started playing steel 3 years ago. Meeting you probably would have saved me a lot of trouble.Looks like a great book, Derrick. I just ordered a copy. I'm in the process of purchasing a new turntable, and it's going to be one specifically geared towards 78s. Also, I have a few 16" transcription records that this unit will handle. I will share them once I've finished them. |
Jeff Au Hoy
Member From: Honolulu, Hawai'i
|
posted 19 November 2005 10:41 AM
profile send email edit
I not too sure about the credibility of the Mahi Beamer story related above... it casts Mahi as being some kind of naggy elitist and Gabby as some kind of swashbuckling folk hero. Mahi is one of the humblest musicians I've ever met from the "great era". His musicianship is unrivaled and continues to be a huge inspiration for me. (For starters, he knows every chord he's playing and always plays the proper diminished!) If I were Mahi, I'd have been ticked off too. We've still got characters around the Hawaiian music scene that are phenomenal talents but who can't seem to get their life in order. A few weeks ago, our substitute ukulele/lead singer was eighty-sixed for yelling profanities then rolling a joint on the table in front of the stage... after a great musical performance. [This message was edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 19 November 2005 at 10:42 AM.] |
Warren Slavin
Member From: Southampton, PA, 18966. USA
|
posted 19 November 2005 04:11 PM
profile send email edit
Jeff -- I agree with your assessment of Mahi, he is a complete entertainer. I have two or three albums of his and he has a very excellent falsetto -- close to the great George Kainapau. I think his falsetto is gone by now, I don't know. He is an excellent piano player as played on the albums "Hali'a Aloha" (Loving Memory. Mahi, I am told remains faithful to the Hawaiian culture -- this talent is probably in the genes of the "Beamer" family. ------------------
|
Warren Slavin
Member From: Southampton, PA, 18966. USA
|
posted 19 November 2005 04:16 PM
profile send email edit
Jeff -- Maybe you check out the story about Mahi and Gabby with Bobby, I assumed that Bobby was at the show. I do not want to repeat false tales.Warren ------------------
|
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 02 February 2006 10:05 AM
profile send email edit
Reading Eddie Kamae's "Hawaiian Son" now. Brought it along to the recording studio, but there wasn't down time. |
David Kitchen
Member From: Fostoria, Ohio, USA
|
posted 02 February 2006 12:09 PM
profile send email edit
MIKE BILL SCHMIEDLIN would like very much to talk to you about Hawaiian Music etc. He lives in Pa. very knowlegeable,great player. DAVID. |
Mac McKenzie
Member From: Auckland, New Zealand
|
posted 02 February 2006 09:57 PM
profile send email edit
Mike - would you be interested in a '87 KGU radio interview with Nina in which she speaks of her mother being the first Hawaii Calls vocalist and her own paticipation in the show,incidences, the people she worked with, touching on the transition of hymnals to Hawaiian etc. The music is mainly from her family album, Na Mele Ohana with brother-in-law Joe Custino and one with Jack De Mello
Both sides of the cassette = 1 hr. |
Ray Montee
Member From: Portland, OR, USA
|
posted 02 February 2006 10:07 PM
profile send email edit
Jeff Au Hoy and other fine Island Musicians..Were you aware that the HOKU Awards competition is banning from that competition, any/all native Hawaiians NOT LIVING on the islands? Doesn't seem fair, does it? Isn't that a rather biased position? Perhaps even discriminatory? What's behind it? Anyone know? |
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 06 July 2006 02:11 PM
profile send email edit
Still love talking about this stuff. Any more on Bobby Nichols? I've been listening to the Cumquat Lani McIntire releases, Hula Blues and Native Guitars, and he played so well on these tracks. He's waaay up there on my list.------------------
www.mikeneer.com Mike Neer on MySpace |
Scott Thomas
Member From: Oregon, USA
|
posted 06 July 2006 03:00 PM
profile edit
I just finished working out "Dreams of Aloha" by the Noi Lane Hawaiian Orchestra. According to the liner notes from the CD, this is the first known recording session to use the steel guitar. It's simple enough not to challenge my modest skills too terribly.It's from 1933, and lays out perfecly in C#m. This may be sacreligeous, but as a player, I just haven't warmed up to "6th" tunings. Even after many years now. I mean, I love listening to the great post war playeres in C6 and A6, but the pre-war stuff in the earlier tunings really grabs me for Hawaiian. Yes, like Bob Nichols. His "Maika'i wale no Kaui'i" with Lani McIntire's band is a swing tour de force. It may be next on my list. It also seems to be C#m from my intitial forays into it. (Whew! Glad I have the "Amazing Slow downer" program.) |
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 06 July 2006 03:27 PM
profile send email edit
Yes, that's some nice playing on that track, but to my ears I'm hearing what I think is his E13 tuning, which I think amounts to E-C#-G#-E-D-E, top to bottom. This is one of the tunings I picked up from the Andy Iona records, and I keep a guitar tuned this way, as well (or I just use a lighter 5th string so I can tune it from B to D).------------------
www.mikeneer.com Mike Neer on MySpace |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
|
posted 06 July 2006 03:32 PM
profile send email edit
That was also Ralph Kolsiana's E13 tuning, Mike. He called it E9th and said he'd discovered it on his own by ear years before he had ever known what to call it. |
basilh
Member From: United Kingdom
|
posted 06 July 2006 05:57 PM
profile send email edit
Mike, this is a nice example of the E13th Played by Sammy Mitchell, virtually flawless performance from the days before multi track recording..
Moon over Miami I can't see how Ralph Kolsiana could justify calling it E9th, where's the F# note ? Basil ------------------
quote:
Steel players do it without fretting
 
[This message was edited by basilh on 06 July 2006 at 06:01 PM.]
|
basilh
Member From: United Kingdom
|
posted 06 July 2006 07:16 PM
profile send email edit
Mike, this is one of the pioneers of Hawaiian Style playing here in the UK From the year 1947 Sammy was 21 years of age then.
The Tab of Sammy's intro, backing and solo on this tune  and Page 2  Sammy Mitchell  For printing there are larger files here Click to view folder
AND you may find this 2 page review interesting :-
Felix Albums
[This message was edited by basilh on 06 July 2006 at 07:30 PM.] |
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
|
posted 06 July 2006 09:02 PM
profile send email edit
Excellent stuff. I actually have a few Mendelssohn CDs and Sammy was quite a player who doesn't get enough recognition. I will pay more attention to him.Great tuning. The only difference that I hear from Nichols is the low E string instead of the B. I've heard these strange strums a number of times on Iona recordings as well, always without that B string.[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 06 July 2006 at 09:03 PM.] |
Jesse Pearson
Member From: San Diego , CA
|
posted 06 July 2006 09:24 PM
profile send email edit
Baz, that's way cool. Thanks for the music lesson. How popular was this tuning?  *It looks like he is using a Stevenson type bar? *It seems the C#m7 tuning is the upper 4 strings on all these tunings and the two lowest on a 6 string are the options? 5,6, strings
C#m7 = B,E
F#9 = A#,F#
E13 = D,E
E13 = D,B
[This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 06 July 2006 at 09:55 PM.] |
The Steel Guitar Forum
