Best Hawaiian Music
Most touching are the string-backed laments that open and close the album, "Hawai'i '78 Introduction" and "Hawai'i '78," initially a reflection on his father's death, later on the passing of Hawaii's native culture. Best known is his medley "Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," which played over the closing credits of the film Meet Joe Black .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I stumbled across Israel while I was looking for a copy of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and when I sampled it I said to myself "yes, this voice is from somewhere over the rainbow" The combination of his voice with his ukulele is simple in content yet profoundly deep and resonant in it's spirit."
"Terrific music."
"No problems or complaints."
"Excellent product as advertised."
"Purchased as gift."
"Love this CD it's beautiful music."
"Izzi combines traditional with modern songs on this album."
"I only like one song on it."
Over a decade after his death, his unforgettable music and legacy are captured here in these beautiful renditions of `What A Wonderful World' and `Wind Beneath My Wings' alongside traditional Hawaiian melodies on this truly breathtaking new album.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Several songs I really liked on xm and I bought this so I have them now!"
"IZ was great!"
"IZ's rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow is simply beautiful!"
"This is an excellent CD - great for a long drive, especially if you want to relieve stress."
"I love Izi, and his music."
"All the songs are piece full."
"I love this mans music, he was an amazing entertainer, and man."
"So sad we lost this Hawaiian artist, Israel Izi, so soon!"
The artist behind Facing Future , the top-selling Hawaiian album of all time, the late Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole was possessed of a voice so sweet, so tender, and so lovely that it continues to deeply stir those who hear it long after he died.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this as a present for my dad who's a musician and he has recently discovered Iz's over the rainbow and fell in love with it."
"Excellent product as advertised."
"Gift for wife."
"IZ was the man."
"Love IZs music."
"So sad that he died."
"A beautiful person who is no longer us,who had a wonderful soothing voice."
Best Acid Jazz
Charlie Recaido: guitar; formerly with the group Summer Kevin Teves: guitar BAND_MEMBERS: Charles Michael Brotman Kevin Teves Charlie Recaido.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Love the Band Kohala, beautiful, music if you love slack key hawaiian infused/blues and jazz."
"I continue to introduce my family and friends to this talented group by giving them Kohala cds as gifts."
"Was thrilled to death with the CD."
"If you like slack-key guitar, this is slack-key guitar done right."
"I listen to this beautiful music constantly!"
"I got this CD for my grand daughter who is getting into playing guitar... she loves it."
Best General
Most touching are the string-backed laments that open and close the album, "Hawai'i '78 Introduction" and "Hawai'i '78," initially a reflection on his father's death, later on the passing of Hawaii's native culture. Best known is his medley "Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," which played over the closing credits of the film Meet Joe Black .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I stumbled across Israel while I was looking for a copy of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and when I sampled it I said to myself "yes, this voice is from somewhere over the rainbow" The combination of his voice with his ukulele is simple in content yet profoundly deep and resonant in it's spirit."
"Terrific music."
"No problems or complaints."
"Excellent product as advertised."
"Purchased as gift."
"Love this CD it's beautiful music."
"Izzi combines traditional with modern songs on this album."
"I only like one song on it."
Best Tahitian Music
As teenagers, Ledward and his twin brother Nedward Ka'apana and cousin Dennis Pavao formed the Hui 'Ohana, one of the hottest groups of the 70s and 80s and now legendary among Hawaiian musicians.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Good deal for my #1 Hawaiian music group."
"I've heard this CD on the radio, but "in person"....wow."
"And if you are ever on the Big Island, while Kalapana has been pretty much wiped out by Madame Pele, the end of the road now features more great Hawaiian music from more local musicians playing often at Uncle's Kava Bar - see you there!"
"They recently reissued the group's first five albums on CD, and I'm not sure if it's because the masters don't exist, but I'd rather listen to the vinyl, which is superior sounding."
"This is some down home, funky falsetto, get with the poke and poi action traditional Hawaiian fare from DEEEEEEP in Hawaii (back when sweet 'ole Kalapana and Kaimu were still above the lava - auwe!)."
"It was a treat for us to enjoy watching this group do these same songs live on the Big Island when they first got started."
Best Polynesian Music
Indulge in total relaxation as the warm, inviting voices of a Fijian choir harmonize with the soothing sound of ocean surf.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"pretty & the ocean sounds are very clear."
"Pleasantly relaxing, even though I usually dont look to any music that has vocals through out in terms of music to relax to."
"The combination of ocean waves and beautiful female vocals (in another language) is awesome."
"Great!"
"This CD is very relaxing & the music is beautiful along with the nature sounds."
"soothing and relaxing - excellent to go to sleep to - peaceful and serene all the way through."
"It was very hard to hear the music because of the sound of the ocean -- I played it in my Yoga class. and did not like so much of the ocean sound with the music muffled in the background."
Best American Samoan Music
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"No review - this is my 5th copy of this DVD from Amazon....."
"Mom went to Samoa in 1959 and brought this album record with all these beautiful songs. My mother would play her record every morning before I left for school, and she would always say to me in Samoan "ia sau loa si o'u tama e siva muamua ona e alu lea ile aoga" meaning that she would always want me to samoan dance for her before I went to school. One thing I'll keep doing for mom is when I get this cd I am going to dance for her every morning and that way she can keep smiling down on me and my family."
"GROWING UP AS A SAMOAN CHILD IN WYOMING, THERE WEREN'T MANY SAMOAN THINGS TO DO EXCEPT LIVE HAPPY AND BLAST YOUR ROOTS MUSIC LOUD SO THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS YOU'RE "SAMOAN", AND DAMN PROUD!"
"All the songs in this album help you to remember the life back home.Is like listenig again to the 2AP(AM Station in W.Samoa) A must have collection for any Samoans, even the whole family can enjoy it."