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Aloha Joe's Steel Guitar Hour | Where to Find the Recordings "The Ho`opi`i Brothers"Sol and Richard Ho`opi`i The Mountain Apple Company has produced a real listening treat, "The Ho'opi'i Brothers". Thanks go to the Brothers' close friends J. W. Junker & Diane Sunada Koshi who encouraged them and produced this recording: the unique and special gift of their pure, Hawaiian form of falsetto singing, Leo Ki'eki'e. Sol and Richard Ho'opi'i, 61 and 55 respectively, were born and raised "in the remote village of Kahakuloa" on the island of Maui. Say the Brothers, who thank God and "the kupuna" for their talent, "We are not here to show off. We are just the same as anyone else. We're country people...family people" trying to pass on the culture they knew in the village they grew up in. While they've performed live in Hawai'i as well as Europe in many concerts, festivals, and especially in church, it's been a long dry spell since their last record. Last summer, the Brothers received the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship, America's highest honor for traditional artists. You'll know why, when you hear this recording. Sol and Richard have been joining their voices since childhood "to become one of the most accomplished and respected duos in traditional Hawaiian music." The rest of their story is interestingly told in some of the most complete liner notes we've ever read --best of all, both the Hawaiian lyrics and their English translations (as well as their "story) are written out. You all will know the songs, performed here without frills or "studio tricks": Aunty Emma Bush's "Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua"; Irmgard Aluli's "Puamana"; Lena Machado's "Ei Nei". There are songs by Edith Kanaka'ole, Rev. Dennis Kamakahi, Alfred Alohikea, and several beautiful prayful songs expressing their joy and strong faith. For some of you, the treat will be the traditional "Meleana E", "Maui Girl", "'Alika" ( joined by Aunty Genoa Keawe) and the yodeling song for which the Ho'opi'i Brothers have become famous - "Kupa Landing". You'll hear our own Herbert Hanawahine on several selections. Everyone who contributed to this fresh and satisfying collection of Hawaiian favorites is duly acknowledged in the liner notes. We personally wish to thank Mt. Apple's Leah Bernstein and producer, Jon de Mello for their manao in choosing to present this recording. You can buy it at your local music store, or order directly from The Mountain Apple Co., (800) 882-7088, or get their catalog at: P.O. Box 22373, Honolulu, HI 96823. 
HSGA * HAWAIIAN
STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION Homepage URL: www.hsga.org (hsga@lava.net) Last updated: 07/23/02 by Gerald Ross (gbross@umich.edu) |