'50s Waikiki Boys LP - steeler?

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 3 Jun 2012 8:08 pm

Finally got this record at a good price and know at least one song has some quality steel on it, but have never been able to accertain who the player is or if the LP is full of steel: http://www.ebay.com/itm/WAIKIKI-BOYS-Ha ... 2c65c7460f

Anybody got either of the $64 answers?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Jun 2012 3:25 am

Waikiki Boys had Pua Almeida, Barney Isaacs and Bob Nichols, but it'll be up to you to figure out who plays on what. I got a CD from Jeff Au Hoy once, called Hula, that had Bob Nichols on steel.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Jun 2012 4:12 am

My mistake, Bob Nichols played on the Waikiki Hula Boys "Hula" LP. So it's down to Pua and Barney.

Norman Markowitz · Post by **Norman Markowitz** » 4 Jun 2012 4:15 am

Hi Mike, I have an LP by "The Waikiki Hula Boys" called "Hula". Are we talking about the same album. First track is King Kamehemehe and the last track is Hawaiian Moon. I like to try and identify the steel players also, so if we are talking about the same album, I just checked the album jacket and it says Danny Stewart on steel and lists all the other musicians as well. Harry Baty 'ukulele, Pua Almeida and Sam Kaapuni guitars, Sam Koki bass, Bud Smith flute, and Andy Iona Lono on 'ukulele. Rare to find an album of this era that actually lists the players.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Jun 2012 4:24 am

Now that you mention Danny Stewart, I realize that I was mistaken about Bob Nichols.
I remember Jeff gave me the CD because he didn't like the steel playing.
Bob Nichols played with The Polynesians.
Sorry for the brain freeze.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 4 Jun 2012 8:32 am

Look's like we still got $64 a'dangling for one with info on the LP in the link...

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Jun 2012 9:06 am

According to Joe Goldmark's Steel Discography book, it was Pua and Barney on steel in the band, but it doesn't specify the LP. Was there only one?

Here is South Sea Island Magic--judge for yourself:

http://www.mikeneer.com/SouthSeaIslandMagic.mp3

Sounds like he is doing his best to channel Andy Iona in the solo. Very sweet playing and really lovely sound.

Derrick Mau · Post by **Derrick Mau** » 4 Jun 2012 10:43 am

Sounds like Pua on the steel to me on that song Mike.
Is this song from the album that Ron talks about on E-Bay?

Ron, what are the songs on this album? Did you recieve it yet?

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 4 Jun 2012 12:31 pm

That South Seas Island Magic link was the impetus for me to heartliy seek out this LP, which I just purchased yesterday and don't have the song list handy, but can be found/googled. AFAIK it is the only LP titled just 'Waikiki Boys' as the quasi group, and I've been googling/ebaying/etc. for a long time with no others popping up, but tons of similar variations that are not this LP.

Bottom line, it's probably a good LP to grab.
It'll probably take me longer to transfer it from LP form than it took to discover... Hope I live long enuf to hear it!

I'm also interested in the Hula LP Norman mentioned, been another on my git'it list for a while.

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 4 Jun 2012 4:33 pm

Plenty of "Waikiki Beach Boys" stuff out there in Google-land, but I have the feeling they were European?...

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 4 Jun 2012 8:30 pm

I think Goldmark's book got it right. I counted 4 Barney's and 6 Pua's on this LP. If someone thinks one or two of the Pua's is Danny Stewart, that's fine with me. I find some similarity between the two and don't like either. Barney sounds really great and Alvin Sr. is there too.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 4 Jun 2012 9:48 pm

I take it you have the record, Dave? Is the other music similar to the SSIM cut?
I've never encountered anyone who didn't like Pua's playing, until now, if that's what you're saying.

Norman Markowitz · Post by **Norman Markowitz** » 5 Jun 2012 4:21 am

Funny thing. I was given a copy of "Hawaiian Holiday" by the Waikiki Boys, Tops L1636, just last week. I haven't converted it yet. But now I'm certainly anxious to do so.

Here is a link to a photo of the album.

http://classicwaxxx.blogspot.com/2010/1 ... liday.html
Derrick the track listings with the vocal artists listed are:

A Side
Hawaiian Paradise
Analani E / Waikiki Quartet
Sweet Leilani / George Delanux
Luau Song / Waikiki Quartet
Mapuana / Pua Almeida

B Side
To You Sweetheart Aloha
Tahauala / Alvin Kaleolani
South Sea Island Magic / Charlie Miller (Kaipo I suppose)
I'll See you In Hawai'i / Sterling Mossman
Good Night Kuu Ipo / George Delanux

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 5 Jun 2012 5:38 am

Hi Ron. I do have that album. Yeah, something in Pua's steel work just doesn't do it for me. Although his early stuff with Randy Owness(sp?) was great. Same with Danny Stewart....yearly years great, later years,.....Who knows, I may come around one of these days. My wife has been known to call me "Mr. 180". The first time I heard Billy Hew Len I thought "this has got to be a joke!". Can't get enough of Billy now.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 5 Jun 2012 1:02 pm

Hi DAVE...His name was RANDY ONESS who was probably the last survivor of the famed HARRY OWENS and his ROYAL HAWAIIAN ORCHESTRA. About 20 years ago, (give or take), I had the pleasure of meeting and jamming with Randy on many occasions, one of which stands out in my mind. Merle Kekuku asked if I'd like to play a gig with Randy's quintette. Merle was supposed to play steel but said I could do it and he'd play guitar. Randy was an excellent clarinettist, also played a mean ukulele. So Merle and I arrived, Randy handed me charts he had written for clarinet and steel and away we went ! Luckily I have little problem reading music. It was a fun gig! Randy was a composer of many Hawaiian songs, his most well-known composition IMHO was "Lovely Hula Girl"

Chris Wynn · Post by **Chris Wynn** » 5 Jun 2012 1:24 pm

Mike Anderson wrote:Plenty of "Waikiki Beach Boys" stuff out there in Google-land, but I have the feeling they were European?...

The Waikiki Beach Boys had an album here in the UK in the late 60's called South Sea Island Magic on the budget Music For Pleasure (MFP) label, sold in Woolworths. Used to be one if my Mum's favourite LPs. Sadly it warped and was thrown away a few years ago.
Chris.

Harley Benton/ABM

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 5 Jun 2012 2:54 pm

Whenever I see a cover of "Tiger Shark" I assume it's a European group. Not sure if there's any validity in that tho.

Chris, check your PMs.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 5 Jun 2012 4:04 pm

Chris Wynn wrote:Sadly it warped and was thrown away a few years ago.

Save those warped LPs by placing the record between 2 panes of of glass out in the sunlight (safer than the oven) and soon you'll be enjoying them again.

Chris Wynn · Post by **Chris Wynn** » 6 Jun 2012 12:45 am

Ron Whitfield wrote:
Chris Wynn wrote:Sadly it warped and was thrown away a few years ago.
Save those warped LPs by placing the record between 2 panes of of glass out in the sunlight (safer than the oven) and soon you'll be enjoying them again.

Ah, you're assuming we HAVE sunlight here in the UK Ron!

Cheers,

Chris.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 6 Jun 2012 12:49 am

just have them ready for that once in a lifetime opportunity!

Derrick Mau · Post by **Derrick Mau** » 6 Jun 2012 3:34 am

Just listened to this album Ron.
Here's my take on who's on steel. When do I get my $64.00?? I need some cash to pay for my registration at Joliet and some mini burgers at White Castle! Haha!

1. Hawaiian Paradise - Pua Almeida
2. Analani E - Barney Isaacs
3. Sweet Leilani - Pua Almeida
4. Luau Song - Barney Isaacs
5. Mapuana - Pua Almeida - vocals and steel
6. To You Sweet Heart, Aloha - Pua Almeida
7. Tahauala - Barney Isaacs
8. South Sea Island Magic - Pua Almeida
9. I'll See You In Hawaii - Pua Almeida
10. Good Night Ku'uipo - Barney Isaacs

What really blew my mind about these tracks with Pua is that his single note vibrato and approach to the fills is uncanningly close to Jeff Au Hoy's steel playing.

You can compare by listening to Jeff's steel work on the Jeff Teves Trio CD "Lovely Sapphire Of The Tropics".

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 6 Jun 2012 7:06 am

Well Derrick, I guess Jeff is channeling Pua to some degree eh? Playing that frypan of Pua's and all...

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 6 Jun 2012 9:33 am

Good call, Derrick! It's been nearly years since we've crossed paths, I guess I better tuck that prize money in a corner of my wallet for that moment when we do meet. Too bad we don't have such fine dining as a White Castle to rendevous on the rare occassion I get away from Kaaawa. Burger up, stranger!

Wally Pfeifer · Post by **Wally Pfeifer** » 6 Jun 2012 10:17 am

Don't you guys know that they
sell frozen White Castles in some of the grocery stores in Hawaii? And Derrick,- Peg & I will fill you up with them when you get to Joliet. You too, Ron,- if you show up.
Wally

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 6 Jun 2012 10:44 am

Leave Kaaawa for White Castle..., even to the nearest store? Sure, if Jerry Byrd is playing on aisle 5!