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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
 Posted - 04/11/2008 : 3:34:55 PM
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I didn't see this on TV, but someone told me that an American Idol contestant tried to cover Iz's version of Over the Rainbow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdnzKgq-B6Y
Jesse Tinsley
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2008 : 11:17:02 PM
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| was junk brah... |
Stay Tuned... |
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2008 : 08:06:34 AM
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I agree, Hiram, but then I don't watch the show and really don't enjoy the helium-voice pretty-boy genre anyway. And he picked up the uke only recently, so he's got a lotta nerve to try and play that song. Iz's reggae strum is part of the magic of the song and the kid couldn't do it.
Jesse Tinsley
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2008 : 09:14:35 AM
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Ah, but one thing. . . lots of American viewers heard about Iz for the first time. It ws even on the Today show. Maybe that way more people would pay attention to Hawaiian music. The young guy's performance was no where near close to Iz. Couldn't ever be.
I for one have NEVER watched American Idol. Usually more better stuff on Discovery Channel like Myth Busters or Dity Jobs. Even Forensic Files or Cops is more better. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2008 : 11:23:26 AM
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Iz's popularity is due to modern technology. To bad neva have internet when Alfred Apaka was. I'm sorry, but although Iz was and ever will be a wonderfully inspirational songbird, he does not embody the complete Hawaiian experience, artisticlly, aesthetically or musically. One of the emcees at the Hayward uke festival, (not Uncle Vern) told me once that if it isn't hawaiian music it ain't worth listening to. That attitude borders on fanaticism with a tinge of racism. How can I open his mind to gamelan, japanese, celtic, korean, chinese, arabian, catadanese, iraquain, samoan, and all the wonderful sounds on this planet. No can, the buga is hard headed.
The wind rustling through the trees with the birds chirpping and the rubbish truck banging around making the dogs bark, is music to me. The gift of hearing should not be taken so lightly. We need to see the bigger picture instead of focusing on one minute aspect of the total human experience. I can say all this because I grew up with Lydia and Skippy and know how they think. Lydia and I had a harmless flirtatious relation, as all intermediate and high school kids do. But Skippy and I talked and shared our manao. He should get the attributions Iz gets, and he deserves it more then Iz. But he left us too soon. So did Jimi Hendrix, who would have eventually picked up the uke at some point. Arlen Roth wrote a tender song that has been covered by many people. The dreadlocker is an outstanding singer and his version is wonderful in itself. But hawaiian music and Iz's memory need not be exploited on a capitalist tv show, movie, commercial or elevator. Iz and Skippy would be mad if they could see how we are in greater danger now in Hawaii'08. Their music is for the Hawaiians. And it is nice that the rest of the world enjoys Hawaiian music. They would probably not be happy with where the Makaha Sons are now.
Oops, I think I just burnt a couple bridges. auwe
ps... David Achelea is going to win... |
Stay Tuned... |
Edited by - hikabe on 04/12/2008 11:28:11 AM |
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parotatch
Aloha
37 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2008 : 9:05:21 PM
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quote:
was junk brah...
Here we go AGAIN. Oh well ... |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2008 : 11:21:41 PM
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| Don't worry patchtaro... When I return to work, I will again disappear. I have so much time on my hands now that I thought I might visit for a bit and pound some poi. Sometimes I feel like the Lenny Bruce of Hawaiian music. |
Stay Tuned... |
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jlsulle
Lokahi
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2008 : 06:52:41 AM
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Such a pity that we must critisize a young man's attempt to play and sing a beautiful song because he did not do it well enough or he did it in the wrong venue. I for one was delighted that he chose to try a song that has never been done in this venue and I felt that his heart was in it; I should be skilled enough to do so well as a beginner. Where is the aloha here? Jerry |
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Claudia
Lokahi
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2008 : 08:03:08 AM
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I was on the computer that night checking out the boards at Taropatch when my kids started screaming "MOM, MOM, a 'ukulele on American Idol!!" and I raced into the living room to watch. You're right, the boy wasn't very good, but he was charming enough and it took alot of guts to bring out a 'ukulele on American Idol. And I think the best thing about it is that millions of people got exposed to 'ukulele.
As for Iz, what sometimes happens is that people hear the more traditional Hawaiian songs on his albums and get hooked into Hawaiian music in general. They start buying albums from Gabby etc. Isn't that a good thing?
Hiram, years ago I watched you in action teaching at the Uke Fest West in Santa Cruz. I remember thinking what an incredible teacher you are. You wouldn't remember me, I was the one with the Kamaka tenor 'ukulele I barely knew how to play and was so hungry to learn. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2008 : 09:02:09 AM
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Claudia - you are absolutely right about attracting people to Hawaiian music by listening to Iz. That served as my instroduction to Hawaiian music, and has also been the "ice breaker" for quite a few of my friends. They may not be able to say his name, but they recognize that big Hawaiian guy you like when they hear him on TV, radio or movies.
I was reading Michener's book "Hawai`i" and it spoke of slack key guitar. I had not idea what it was, so I went on Amazon to query for samples to listen to. The first thing that popped up was this huge dude called "Bruddah Iz" something or other that I couldn't pronounce. I listened to some samples. It sounded swell, so I ordered one. When that came, it ws so good, I ordered more and more until I had all his stuff. Then we went on a cruise and one of the Hawaiian musicians on there introduced us to a few other names - Pahinui and Kamakahi and Kaapana. Had to get some of that, too. Finally I realized that what Amazon said was slack key was not, but it was pretty darn swell anyway. And then I discovered mele.com. Oh boy - like a kid in a candy store. And the rest, as they say, is history. I am sure I am not the only haole to come to Hawaiian music in this manner. It is just the kind of music I have always liked and been searching for -- poetic and soothing and beautiful. Then I discovered kaona. Makes you think. And it is amazing what beautiful music can be made with a few chords, without all weird kind of keys with flats and minors and augmented sevenths and such.
Plain and simple, yet complex. So nice. So kolohe. It has it all. Lucky I am I found it. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2008 : 12:23:20 PM
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Aloha Claudia...
I remember you. You were the one that was hungry all the tme and you were playing the Kamaka uke with a high G string. Have you changed to the low g yet. How is the big mountain apple back east. Thanks for attending my presentation in Santa Cruz. Of course it is a good thing being exposed to Gabby, Kui Lee, Melveen Leed, Moe Keale, Pla Pahanui, Earnest Kaai, Darlene Ahuna, Marlene Sai, Bu Laia, Mahi Beamer, Kaahuanu Lake Trio, Eddie Kamae and the Sons, Iva Kinimaka, Kimo Hussey, Troy Fernandez and countless others who aren't as popular as Iz, Makaha Sons, The Kamakahi's, The Ohta San's, the Kahamoku's and mister Waikiki himself, Don Ho.
Jerry asks where is the aloha followed by a frowning or angry face. Is that you or me? Aloha is in the heart. Read between my lines and you will see plenty of love. Where is your heart? Besides, if it is ok for Simon to rip into those kids on the idol show in front of millions of viewers, my quips shouldn't matter. I rather be honest then to veil my opinions with polite opala.
Wanda, hope you are doing well. I see you are prolific as ever. Stay tuned...
A hui hou... Akamai Okole |
Stay Tuned... |
Edited by - hikabe on 04/13/2008 12:45:33 PM |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1491 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 04:46:43 AM
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remember, American Idol is supposed to be about the singing
(although the voting may be for other reasons)
The ukulele was an Oscar Schmidt, koa with pearl inlay, soprano size.
Jason plays guitar and picked up the ukulele as accompaniment.
There are similarities and differences between ukulele and guitar
For me, I was surprised to see an ukulele on prime time, looking cool (vice a Tiny Tim rerun), at least to the general public. I have friends that know I try to play ukulele and all they wanted to know is what I thought of the performance -- most of the time they think I am kind of a kook (OK, so maybe I am :-)). Their interest was a nice change. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 05:46:57 AM
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Well, the kid's got cajones for trying. How can you compete with the original IZ arrangement? Like Jason Castro or not, Idol impacts Hawaiian music. See this from Mountain Apple: quote:
On Tuesday, Jason Castro, one of this seasons American Idol contestants decided to play ukulele and cover IZ on Over The Rainbow, even taking the same artistic liberties with the lyrics! IZ's music immediately started to sell and chart in the top 10 at Amazon and iTunes. For two days, he was in the top ten songs (all genres) downloaded on iTunes and in the top ten overall sales at Amazon. Customers from around the world were emailing and calling --- it has been an exciting week. Hawaii's idol helps American Idol's Jason Castro go to the next week of competition.
And popularity of IZ's Somewhere Over the Rainbow does not just happen in a vacuum. There are broader implications... quote:
On April 18, Mountain Apple Company is proud to say that six of it's songs are featured in the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall which has been previewing to great reviews all over the U.S. Four of those songs are by IZ (none of them Over The Rainbow, so we know that everyone is discovering his entire catalog of music). The other two are by The Brothers Cazimero and Martin Pahinui respectively.
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noeau
Ha`aha`a
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 07:21:20 AM
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Ah but audiences are a fickle bunch next week they going do jawaiian an everybody goin vote for whoever did that. Hawaiian music has always enjoyed the attention of special groups of people and having millions of people with a taste for American Idol may not be the best thing to have happen to it. The music stand on its own and the Grammys are relatively unimportant in the scheme of things. Awards just collect dust on a shelf. Who remembers them any way? After a couple of years the awardees are sort of forgotten.
Iz's music has been exploited after his death and people who don't deserve it are getting rich off his back.
I don't think commercial success or excess is the ultimate goal of Hawaiian music. Although it might be appreciated that recordings allow people to share in and enjoy this beautiful genre the popularity of them are irrelevant to the art form itself. Those of you who post here are aware of that and further discussion of this kid who usurped a beautiful version of this song is probably unnecessary.
I don't think we should say that the performance was a good thing because it boosts sales of recordings because then we are surrendering th e the crass commercialism that has cheapened most of the beautiful things that we enjoy in our lives.
I respectfully submit this in regards to all your wonderful input previous to my rambling. |
No'eau, eia au he mea pa'ani wale nō. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 07:27:06 AM
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Al - I believe I read that Iz set it up with DeMello to protect his musical rights and establish a way for income for Marlene & Wehi when he was not here on this earthly plane. Since he certainly did not make so much kala when he was alive, I have no problem with his `ohana making money from him. However, if the family, Marlene at least, is not getting $$ from it, and only Mountain Apple, then I do not think that would be pono at all.
But also - how cool to read that Martin's music & Bros. Caz going to be in a movie. Woo-hoo.
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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jlsulle
Lokahi
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 09:56:37 AM
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Hiram,
I would like to apologize for the use of the angry face in my previous post. I meant to express sadness  and not anger; mine or yours, (wrong choice of face) and I am over it now  . I do, however,stand by my opinion on the matter and would respect the right of others to express their opinion as well. Aloha, Jerry |
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