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Topic: Tau Moe named Living Treasure in Hawaii |
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 6:12 am |
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The great Hawaiian Steel Guitarist, 95 year old Tau Moe was honored recently as a "Living Treasure" by the state of Hawaii.
This article (excerpt) appeared in the 01/21/04 Honolulu Advertiser newspaper.
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Steel string guitar master, recording artist, and film and television actor, Moe, 95, has spent most of his life traveling the world and sharing Hawaiian music. He is believed to be the world's oldest living steel guitar player; he began his playing career in 1924.
During World War II he helped smuggle Jewish musicians out of Nazi-occupied Germany before the beginning of the Holocaust. Last year he was recognized for his lifetime contribution to Hawaiian music by the Legislature, the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, Gov. Linda Lingle and Mayor Jeremy Harris.
"He was a real ambassador of good will," Lindo said. "He is a loving, giving human being."
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 22 January 2004 at 06:13 AM.] |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 8:19 am
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Thanks for this info Gerald. Made my day.
Bill |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 12:39 pm
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| My friendship with the Tau Moe Family dates back many years. The joys I experienced jamming with Tau, Lani and Rose will always be treasured in my memories. Rose had a remarkable voice unlike anyone past or present. Truly unique and beautiful. Eventually, it became my pleasure to introduce the fabulous Bob Brozman to Tau and the Family, at which time we had a great jam session in his home in Laie, complete with more than ample delicious kau kau preparred by Lani! It was from this particular jam session with Bob's "hero" that inspired Bob to produce the treasured (collector's) lp featuring Bob with the Aloha Four. Tau could tell you almost unbelievable stories ... adventures during the Nazi Germany era, the North African (almost starving) days, India, Japan, the list goes on. He left Hawai'i around 1928 for a 'short' gig, only to return in the 1970's after travelling 7 times around the globe playing Hawaiian music. In Europe, he had a Big Band, wrote all the arrangements, appeared in many TV productions, made countless recordings. One only has to listen to his steel guitar skills on those old recordings to appreciate that, here is an artist of the Sol Ho'opi'i calibre! He was also proficient in tap and ballroom dancing. Truly an amazing person and truly one of the greatest of Hawai'i's Living Legends. May he live beyond 100. [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 22 January 2004 at 12:40 PM.] |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 12:47 pm
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| As per my 'Steel Players' post yesterday(Wed. the 21st), the award ceremony is yet to happen, and will on Feb. 13. Check it out for the important details. [This message was edited by Ron Whitfield on 22 January 2004 at 12:48 PM.] |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 3:33 pm
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| His recording of "Little Brown Gal" is my favorite rendition of that tune. I love his playing and vocals. |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 6:00 am
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Bill,
Are you refering to the Tau Moe recording where the vocalist sings, "It's not the parmee air that's calling to me" instead of the original lyric "It's not the balmy air that's calling to me"?
If so, then I'm pretty sure the vocalist is Tau's son Lani.
Don't mean to be picky but it's -1 degrees outside with a wind chill of -20. I'll take any kind of warm air today, be it balmy or parmee.
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 9:28 am
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Probably, but I don't remember exactly what word he used. What I do remember is it starts with a vamp played with lots of vibrato, and the tuning used is most likely C#m or a variant.
Really cool solo on that version too! |
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