now playing: Waikiki Swingsters w/Ralph Kolsiana

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 12 Sep 2006 9:48 am

This is a number called "Who" (Bluebird 7111A) featuring the steel guitar of Ralph Kolsiana. Ralph was a swinging player and his life has been documented in a video by Andy Volk, which, incidentally, is very enjoyable and like a visit with an old uncle.

Click here to listen

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 12 Sep 2006 10:24 am

You can tell Ralph loved his "work"! Had me tappin'and grinnin'...

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 12 Sep 2006 10:25 am

This is my idea of PARTY MUSIC!

Swingy, cartoony, loose, with more emphasis on feel than getting all the notes 150% mathematically correct.

------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 12 September 2006 at 11:26 AM.]</p></FONT>

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 12 Sep 2006 10:52 am

Ralph was a kind and generous person and an unsung steel pioneer. Who did these guys have to listen to in 1936? Mostly just Sol Ho'o'pi'i, Django and Stephene and it shows - especially in Johnny Kolsiana's lead work. If their intonation and feel momentarily flags, hey - these were young guys in their 20, with a lot of energy having a ball playing hot music. Johnny got a chance to sit in with Django during WWII and it was the thrill of his life. Ralph's style got smoother and more sophisticated later on after he'd spent time on 52nd Street listening to Bird and Diz.

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 12 Sep 2006 6:34 pm

Hot!!!

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 12 Sep 2006 8:42 pm

Thanks Mike,

Great stuff by Ralphy!!!

Aloha

Don

Bernard Beck · Post by **Bernard Beck** » 13 Sep 2006 6:36 am

Great music, thanks for sharing it.
Bernard

George Rout · Post by **George Rout** » 14 Sep 2006 12:30 pm

Is anybody else having trouble opening the "download" link? Or have any suggestions???? Geo

Dan Eason · Post by **Dan Eason** » 14 Sep 2006 12:35 pm

I can't download it either - great tune, though!!! Thanks for sharing, Mike!

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 24 Sep 2006 1:01 pm

Ralph used a C13 on his first neck with the 3rd on top. Wasn't his second tuning an 8 string variation of C#minor? I know it was in the book. But I always seem to have it loaned out these days. Maybe I should buy another.

Todd Clinesmith · Post by **Todd Clinesmith** » 24 Sep 2006 1:05 pm

I think it was an E13... I could very well be wrong.
Todd

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 24 Sep 2006 4:14 pm

Back in the Swingsters days, Ralph used E7th.