| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| HoloMama |
Posted - 10/29/2010 : 05:44:57 AM
Aloha, friends,
I am writing a short entry on Ozzie Kotani for the next edition of the Grove Dictionary of American Music. His official bio information includes a list of "distinctive" characteristics. I am struggling to transform the marketing words into something that a wide range of musicians will comprehend. I am turning to his fans, friends, and students (or maybe even Ozzie himself) in hopes that you can clarify for me. I am a perpetual newbie at slack key but play other styles of acoustic guitar.
Here are the two problematic phrases:
--"distinctive vocalizing approach to ballads" - how is it different from others? can it be qualified in his use of slides, portamentos, dynamics, phrasing, attacks, vibrato, etc.?
--"rolls played with thumb and three fingers" - would this be as opposed to strumming the strings with one finger? I think I hear an example of this in the opening of "Maika'i Ka Makani O Kohala."
One other phrase, "atypical chord progressions" I take to mean "atypical" within the context of Hawaiian mele and slack key. Can anyone suggest a typical "atypical" progression?
Mahalo,
Paula Bishop
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| slackkey |
Posted - 11/18/2010 : 12:57:24 AM
 Andy! I can't believe I totally left you out! lol You of all the rest were with us too. I believe the first time I met you was at the "Bailey House Museum", and we all jammed under that little-white gazebo . I will always cherish those moments we all had with Uncle Sol. How's lynette (splng.) especially the young ones? I need to find all those pictures you sent me with all of us at "Bailey House". BTW! Is any of the past picture-post with all of us at Waihe'e valley (Bailey House included...) Here on T/P some place? All the ones I did have I lost when my commputer crashed. At the time I never thought of placing them on discs in case of a crash-scenario. Ne ways my Braddah...I sorry I forgot about you. We all had some really great times huh! Take care Andy!
Bill |
| Admin |
Posted - 11/17/2010 : 5:29:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by slackkey
 N e ways, Today I crossed-paths with Kevin while at work. They've been busy with "GIGS" here and abroad. They've been doing alot of traveling. The great news tho, is that he's planning to start-up the kanikapila-sessions again soon....It's been a really long time since we got together. He also has a new location. It's up in Waikapu, Valley at a privately-owned taro-patch....(imagine that...). He'll let me know, and you'll know when I know... Take care Pops!
Slackkey Bill! Great to be reading your posts again. I hope that I can jam with you and the Maui crew again too. |
| Pops |
Posted - 11/17/2010 : 4:59:24 PM
Thanks, Billy,
Please tell Kevin and Sheldon that Mark and Terry from Cleveland say "aloha!".
--Mark |
| slackkey |
Posted - 11/17/2010 : 12:29:28 AM
Aloha Pops! Yes I think we did! But for the life of me, I can't remember when. I think too, I had my long-hair (with a tail...) Now I no-mo hair Totally "bolo-head" N e ways, Today I crossed-paths with Kevin while at work. They've been busy with "GIGS" here and abroad. They've been doing alot of traveling. The great news tho, is that he's planning to start-up the kanikapila-sessions again soon....It's been a really long time since we got together. He also has a new location. It's up in Waikapu, Valley at a privately-owned taro-patch....(imagine that...). He'll let me know, and you'll know when I know... Take care Pops! |
| Pops |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 2:53:07 PM
Billy,
I've played with Kevin and Sheldon Brown and their friends before. Maybe we crossed paths there?! |
| slackkey |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 10:06:33 AM
LOL... Pops, jar my memory if you will please it has been a while. Have you joined our "Ki Ho Alu" jam-sessions when you were here at one time or another? I used to have alot of photos stored in my old computer from ones that were taking them. Sadly tho, when that computer crashed, I lost it all.
I was really down-hearted especially when some of them were with the Late Great Uncle Sol Kawaihoa. I need to search here on T/P to look for them if it's here that is. I know there have been photos, but I need to find them.
I'm really looking forward to one day "kanikajammapila" (new word..lol) with Kevin, Sarah, Reid and the rest of the gang here in Maui..YOU TOO! But lately it's been all work no play, and now too, I have a Grand Daughter that keeps me busy lol. Take care Pops! Love You man! |
| Pops |
Posted - 11/15/2010 : 1:31:34 PM
Billy,
No problem! Next time I'm on Maui I'll drop you a line and maybe we can pick some together!
--Mark, the other Pops |
| slackkey |
Posted - 11/14/2010 : 11:53:48 PM
Sorry Pops...I think I'm mixing you up with someone else from Hana. The one i was thinking about is duke. My bad! Das wut happens when I don't visit here more often... N e ways, Ozzie is indeed an awesome "slack key guitarist", and a gentleman.... |
| slackkey |
Posted - 11/12/2010 : 11:43:04 PM
Eh wasssssup Pops? How's everything in the "FarEast of Maui"? lol I had a chance to meet Ozzie during my last "Slack Key Fest"...He is a very humble person, and yes....a real gentleman. I gotta make it into Hana one day, look you up and bring my "kika" too! Haven't been playing too much. But I do try to get in some play-time when I'm taking a break away from my computer.
 I have this 12-string guitar I keep right next to it. It was given to me as a modified nylon 12 string, a smaller version of the "big-mariachi"(splng.)guitar with the big-body and short-neck,and single-cutaway. I had it re-strung with steel-strings tho. Didn't like the way it played with the nylon-strings. Now it sounds really sweet....cracked-neck and all! Take care! |
| Pops |
Posted - 11/09/2010 : 1:26:31 PM
Ozzie is a monster player, a generous teacher and a real gentleman. 'Nuff said.
--Mark |
| slackkey |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 01:44:11 AM
Aloha my T/P Ohana..I have had the rare privilage to play with many of you here on Maui in the past. Waihe'e Valley, before that "Bailey House Museum" with the late Great Uncle Sol...OPEN-MIKE NIGHT at "The Blue Marlin" in Maalaea. "Ozzie your nahenahe style of kiho'alu...One can only wish to have your soothing and relaxing touch. I am right now listening to your "Kani Kiho'alu CD"...1:37 in the morning of November 8, 2010. This time of the morning everything sounds that much sweeter..MAHALO Ozzie" MAHALO My T/P Ohana..Reid, Sarah, Andrew jus to name a few. Love You Guys! :D |
| Ozzie |
Posted - 11/06/2010 : 4:12:32 PM
Hi Mark,
Wishing you the best always - my home is humble but I love to have players over so I can see and hear and share music. I'm a soloist but playing with others is always refreshing - even when I can't keep up! Please contact me if you're in Honolulu - Would love to have Mark H over too but my chairs might be too small! Thank you again for your kind compliments on my playing and keep up the great work you do.
With Aloha Always,
Oz |
| Mark |
Posted - 11/05/2010 : 11:06:52 AM
quote:
The "atypical chord progressions" refer kindly to my inability to read music - I don't care. I play what sounds good to me -
As I said: "one of the finest musicians I have ever heard." It takes a lot of listening to internalize those kinds of harmonies.
It is no secret to members of this forum that Hawaiian slack key guitarists are among the finest guitar players in the world, of any style.
Nice to know Ozzie's gonna get his props.
Hey Oz--it's Nelson, and I'd love to come hang. Maybe we can get Mark Hanson to join in! |
| rendesvous1840 |
Posted - 11/03/2010 : 8:02:16 PM
Aloha no, Ozzie! We love you, too. Stay well.
Unko Paul |
| Ozzie |
Posted - 11/03/2010 : 7:28:35 PM
Hi Paula,
I think I might as well pipe in here since you're asking. The bio from Dancing Cat Records reflects George Winston's musical views on my playing. My "distinctive vocalizing approach to ballads" reflect my attempts to capture phrasing when I play compositions such as Kamalani O Keaukaha, Kimo Henderson's Hula, Pua Lilia, etc. The main reason is I don't sing - at least not in public very often - and I stick to what was told to me many years ago - what is the vehicle for information in the Hawaiian Culture? Language. Oral tradition - not written. By trying to "phrase" in my arrangements, I use four fingers to pluck in one motion - arpeggio - which also fills my sound as a soloist. Keola has always been a huge influence on me and I think of him as a genius in many ways - a dear friend as well. The difference is that I am not classically trained at all, do not hold the guitar in a classical manner, and can't read a lick of music. All by ear. I'll get back to that.
The clearest example of my "rolls" would be in my composition "Ku`u Kika Kahiko" - the intro and ending. Didn't really know what I was doing until I had to tab it! I use four fingers which defines each pluck as opposed to strumming with one finger - subtle and I often tell people they can get by with a strum - can't roll though.
The "atypical chord progressions" refer kindly to my inability to read music - I don't care. I play what sounds good to me - the hell if I care if I'm missing one note or other. Listen to my recording, "To Honor A Queen", the music of Lili`uokalani and you will hear what I mean in many of the intros and endings. I let the chords take me where they lead me.
My Kumu was Sonny Chillingworth and he taught me what I call a syncopated bass pattern - what is being called a Latin bass in this thread. I've internalized it and feel very comfortable falling into it - interesting how one can actually jump in and out and feel how the groove changes. I also use a double bass as in Ewalu from my book, which is not syncopated - and I've also tried an ipu rhythm in Nani Koolau. When I play ballads, the bass does not always alternate but holds the bottom and supports the mele.
I think everyone sounds different - and it's when you sit down with someone and play - up close, not at a distance - that you see what an individual is doing.
Aloha All! Wanda and Paul, love you both! Mike! Mark! Is that Nelson or Hanson out there? Come over my house to play and jam - throw solos back and forth! Mahalo for the kindness and I don't know how the hell I belong in the Grove Dictionary of American Music! Hope my mentors such as Keola are already in it!
Paula, hope this helps a little. |
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