The Steel Guitar Forum

I don't know much about Hawaiian music, but I sure like what I hear on the forum. When I look on Amazon for CD's there are so many. Any recomendations? Is there one or two Jerry Byrd or Sol Hoopi albums that are considered "must have"? A few good compilation CD's would be great also. Thanks for your time everybody.

You should check out the Jerry Byrd fan club. There is a bunch of info as well as music to listen to.

The best choice for compilations of vintage stuff (pre 1960) is the series of CDs on the Cord International label. Each has 16 tracks I think. There are about 10 volumes.

Also fantastic is all the stuff from the Cumquat label of Australia, but you have to order those direct from the label and it can take a while to arrive. Most of it is pre-1950. All kinds of CDs by Ho'opi'i, Andy Iona, Dick McIntire, etc, well-transferred from 78s.

The best Byrd Hawaiian CD is entirely a matter of preference. My choice would be the early 1950s material he recorded for Mercury and then one or two of his later (1980s) releases. I'd avoid the Monument recordings from the 1960s--they are highly orchestrated, but some people prefer that.

If you like Byrd, then check out any of the 3 CDs by our Kalihi boy, Bobby Ingano. IMO the current Master of Touch and Tone. http://www.steelnlove.com/

http://www.mele.com/music/artist/bobby+ingano/

Frank, I tend to look at Hawaiian music and music in general as an evolution or a panorama. So I try to start at or as close to the beginning that I can get.
But then I think there are three important consideration with recorded music: listenability, availability, and historical value. Kalama's Quartet Arhoolie/Folklyric 7028 is the best of the early stuff that I have heard. Its about as authentic as you will ever hear. Sol Hoopii and His Novelty Quartet- Original Jazz Library OJL 3000. This is my favourite Sol CD so far. Its just before he went electric so its better recorded than some of his stuff. The next two are both from Cord International online, but unfortunately the are now only available in mp3 download. History of Hawaiian Steel Guitar is a great intro. Lei Of Stars is a collection from about 1930 to 1950. I just about wore the ones and zeros of this CD.

A few favorites in the Hawaiian genre ....

Not sure of their current availability, but the Cumquat reissues are must haves ... especially Dick McIntire & Andy Iona.

http://www.cumquatrecords.com.au/


Features David Feet Rogers' lovely and subtle playing not to mention the transcendent Gabby Pahinui.

My favorite JB album. Recorded in the early 1950s & repackaged a number of times. It was reissued on CD in Japan in 2006 but out of print. Lps abound but a forumite could probably burn you a copy if you can't find the CD online.

Beautiful acoustic C6th playing on Hawaiian standards.


Early Players ....

I will second Andy's nomination of The Sons Of Hawaii and Andy Cummings CDs.

I neglected to mention these 2 items:

Steel Guitar Magic, Hawaiian Style on Mountain Apple. It's available at Amazon.

It's my favorite post-1960 Hawaiian instrumental album. Steel throughout all tracks by Barney Isaacs or the wonderful Billy Hew Len. Recorded in the mid 70s I think.





And you are pretty much obligated to get "Duke Kahanamoku presents A Beachboy Party with Waltah Clarke" on Cord International. Great live performances by the legit vintage Beach Boys with steel. Kalakaua Aylett's vocal on Ahulili is to die for.

Also ...

Bob likes his CD with Led Kapaana but I think this CD is even better.


Go to www.mele.com for a number of good Hawaiian steel releases: Greg Sardinha has produced several compilation CDs of the best of the current crop of players now on the Hawaiian music scene.







I would avoid the Rounder Hawaiian CD reissues because they were mastered from Bob Brozman's 78 collection more than ten years ago and the technology for cleaning up and remastering old tracks has improved significantly since these were done.

Technology has definitely improved, however I still 'enjoy' the scratches and clicks of those old 78's....doesn't bother me a bit.

George Keoki Lake wrote:Technology has definitely improved, however I still 'enjoy' the scratches and clicks of those old 78's....doesn't bother me a bit.

I agree with this. The tapes that Hal Smith made for me of his Dick McIntire collection sound much better than the Cumquat version.

If you want to start with some great Hawaiian music, download the Tapa Room Tapes in the other thread on this forum. The sound quality is not very good, but the playing is excellent.

I agree with Mike about the Tapa Room tapes, a nice slice of the golden years of Hawaiian music.

In the 90's Dave Stewart of Fairfield, CA issued two massive volumes of Hawaiian music mp3's from 78's, all with steel guitar content, dating from 1928 to 1935: Waikiki Is Good Enough For Me (188 cuts) and Rhythm of the Waves (234 cuts). These may be unavailable. I don't know the status of Dave's operations now, but he sent me a couple of compilations last year so is still in business.

He sells some other stuff on his site, and if you pester him maybe you can get the whole works.

He is: www.beerrecords.com

I second Andy's choice of the Brozman/Pahinui CD. It is a unique and beautiful record. In the picture you can see Bob uses those wierd frontways picks. I don't think I will ever be able to make the adjustment necessary to use them.

Bob Brozman & Ledward Kaapana's "In the Saddle" for more recent stuff... one of my all time favorites. Also the complete early recordings of Sam Ku West (1928) and just about anything from GRASS SKIRT RECORDS in the UK. I agree with the other posts as well;-) Enjoy!