He is arguably the best in the world.” Royal Hawaiian Music is a world apart from the Langley group’s recordings.ĭuring the latter half of the nineteenth century Hawaiian music was dominated by four siblings known as Na Lani Eha, the Royal Four. James Hill just told me in an email that “John’s Royal Hawaiian Music is a phenomenal and important recording, in my opinion. Well, there’s no joke about the music that John King makes with his ukulele. And they certainly open vistas of possibilities for a little four-stringed instrument that people thought was a joke for many years. Sure, the choral singing is a bit stiff and too precise for these rock songs, but you have to appreciate the effort. Okay, it’s essentially a school project, but the work these young musicians put into these albums is impressive. Boogie on! Then they visit Memphis for “Blue Suede Shoes,” Motown for “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and Liverpool with a rendition of “She Loves You.” You’ve never heard this tune til you hear it played by a dozen or two ukulele players! And they all strum in time! And what a segue … right into the Doobie Brothers’ “Listen to the Music!” The chorus adds vocals, and the tune nearly rocks! Paul Luongo throws in a hot solo. From classical composers to the Beatles, from R&B to Broadway, what a spectrum of music they play! Fucik’s “Entry of the Gladiators” introduces the album. S trings Attached offers a broader look at the repertoire of the school. Some nice playing, some gentle rhythms and some choral singing that is definitely above average highlight this offering. Julia Hill plays the solo on “Pokare Kare Ana,” Paul Luongo joins James Hill on “Kawika” and Kendra Croft’s soprano voice is featured on “Hawaiian Wedding Song.” You’ll recognize “Sukiyaki” as the album winds down. Hill’s participation (on three tunes) there are only three other soloists mentioned. This is a disc (as are all Langley discs) about ensemble playing. The traditional “Henehene Kou Aka” is next, a bit jumpier, but always mellow and then Peter Moon’s “Hawaiian Lullaby” with its relaxing trills and soft harmonies. “Waikiki Aloha” (composed by ensemble leader Peter Luongo) starts things off with strummed ukes, and then the melody is carried by the vocal chorus. The Pacific Ukulele Connection is a collection of music drawn from or influenced by traditional Hawaiian melody. Hill makes a guest appearance on one of these discs. They have already produced their first virtuoso in James Hill (whose two albums of finger-numbing uke solos have been reviewed here) and Mr. These two newest CDs are proof that the programme works. The Langley Ukulele Ensemble has been playing, performing and recording ukulele music since the early ’80s. The Langley School in Canada’s British Columbia has offered a unique music programme for many years. These three CDs span a vast spectrum of music, and display the ukulele in the hands of a talented group of beginners and also in the hands of possibly the greatest living practitioner. And Hawaiian music is one way to simulate the feel, and tone of the islands it is relaxed, mellow, and soothing - and very melodic. If you have been … you’re dying to go back. If you’ve never been to Hawaii … you owe it to yourself to go. Steel guitar, slack key guitar, and the dancing flea, or ukulele all ring out with the very special sounds that speak of warm breezes, swaying palms and crashing surf. At Green Man Review we’ve looked at quite a bit of Hawaiian music in the past. In fact, I don’t feel that guilty about it at all.
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