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Provided by
Posted on: Friday, November 9, 2007
ISLAND SOUNDS
By
Wayne Harada
""Kane'ohe"
by Nathan Aweau; Bass Plus Music Arts
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Genre: Contemporary Hawaiian.
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Distinguishing notes: Nathan Aweau is that distinguished rarity: soloist,
half of the duo Hapa (with Barry Flanagan), musician, composer. A jack of
all trades, a master of an expansive domain.
This
compilation of 12 tunes, to be released Nov. 20, is a journey into his mind
and spirit, a reflection of his impressions of aspects of his life. He wrote
all tunes, played all instruments, produced, mixed and mastered the disc.
The
title song recalls his early fears of moving ... to Kane'ohe, only to find
he was under its spell; his song is shared with a rock-strumming tempo,
Hawaiian lyrics, solo and choral vocalizing, and melodic hooks that could
eventually become a signature.
The
CD's range is remarkably wide, as Aweau's pendulum swings from history ("E
Pi'i Mai Ke Kai," about early settlers likely seeing the imposing Ko'olau
range) to his faith ("Iesu," which borrows from Psalms 95); from the glowing
pride of parenthood ("Ku'u Momi Makamae," honoring the birth of his
daughters) to the feelings of joy and beauty upon returning home via
airplane ("Ko'olau," paying tribute to the mountains seen from above).
And
then there's the sweetly personal: "Ku'u Mahalo Mau Loa," a long song
dedicated to his wife.
Aweau's
voice has never sounded better, with richness in the upper registers, power
in the lower, and sincerity and grace throughout.
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Our take: Aweau's hotter than ever.
Maui Times Weekly
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Mind Candy
Made in Hawai`i
by Starr Begley |
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November 22, 2007
Nathan Aweau's
Kane'ohe
[CD] This
album is the long awaited follow up to Nathan Aweau's E Apo Mai
which won him the Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year and the
Traditional Album award in 2003. Aweau's vocal range is breathtaking and
his tone both haunting and soothing. Kane'ohe gives me the same feeling
as Keali'i Reichel's Kawaipunahele, but with a very cool "rock"
element. Most of this album is sung in Hawaiian, but there are a few
songs sung in English that are phenomenal. Aweau's voice changes
dramatically when switching between the two languages, but never fails
to be captivating. I think this album will be considered a classic in
the years to come.
Internet Music
Critic
Dennis Bader
posted: January 20, 2008
When Nathan sent
me his latest release "KANE'OHE" I got
to say I was really excited to find the quiet time/space to take it all
in. I knew it was going to be good. From the beginning I had a smile
on my face because it far exceeded expectations. It's like going to a
movie and knowing from the beginning it's going to be a good stimulating
and emotional experience; it's like riding a perfect large wave of
music, slicing up and down the crescendos of his voice, that never
ends... no wave like it.
Each
song is a successful idea and production that reaches out to the
listener in an original way. The amazing thing is that the variety of
music all share a common thread, a beautiful musical palette. Nathan's
talents allow him to paint these affecting works through his music and
sound. The colors Nathan portrays in his music are hues everyone can
feel and they are the best. That type of "connecting" is God-given and
only he can showcase and deliver this special exhibition through his
heart and voice.
Nathan's
voice has incredible richness and control. These abilities take you on
a dramatic flight from the intro, through the body and finally
the climax of each song. It's passionate, pure and smart music. No
babble or waste but just quality projections of his upper, middle and
lower registers. He uses his voice as the most important
instrument, molding his compositions forward, but more importantly
providing the emotion and breath of life in each note and syllable.
I
enjoy listening to Nathan's rich upper falsetto in "Me Ku'u One Hanau
E". His song "Ku'u Momi Makamae" really tugged and reached something in
my heart. I felt I knew what it was about even before reading any
translated cover/inner notes. That's how an emotional voice can convey
any subject in any language. What a beautiful song to his wife "Ku'u
Mahalo Mau Loa", the music and GREAT chorus. "Ko'olau" brings to mind
and imagination the sweetest of a new hula, most probably coming in the
future. It also exemplifies Nathan's innate ability to create a
moving/dramatic beginning and climactic end. "Kane'ohe"s rock-strumming
tempo is so enjoyable within such a great composition. The
vocal performance and delivery is a classic. The choral vocalizing and
special melody fluctuations all around were right on and did it's part
powerfully when called upon in all compositions.
This
solo accomplishment was truly SOLO. Nathan wrote everything, played all
instruments, sang everything, produced, mixed and mastered all. They
say artists enjoy the "process" just as much as the final
product. That's part of Nathan's makeup and shows the love
and possibilities of driven musicianship.
Nathan's
songs in this new release "KANE'OHE" are
filled with history, the land, family past and present, faith, memories
and love. It is Nathan's heart and gifted voice that delivers it all
impressively. All things are possible for him because his spirit is in
the right place. Awards have come his way such as Na Hoku "Male
Vocalist Of The Year", "Song Of The Year", and "Jazz Album Of The Year"
but the accolades don't hinder his abilities to reach out and teach
youth all that he's been blessed with.
Congratulations
Nathan! and continued blessings in your special career and life. There
is much more ahead of you. Much Aloha.
This is an
absolute MUST buy cd if you haven't already.
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