Who were these guys?

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Richard Smith's book on Rickenbacker shows a photo of "Japanese Steel Guitarist Noo Yuki Okami" holding a Bakelite steel circa 1937.

A forum friend sent me a tape from the 30's of "Augie Guptil & his Tahitians" ... cool stuff ... swinging steel with a lot of chanting, grunting and percussion.

Who the heck were these guys!? Anybody have any info?

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 16 June 2001 at 06:04 AM.]

Chris DeBarge · From: Boston, Mass

quote:
... swinging steel with a lot of chanting, grunting and percussion.

Sounds like me, especially the grunting!

Seriously though, can you post sound clips of this stuff? Sounds very interesting.

Gerald Ross · From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Yes, Augie Grupil did swing, very cool arrangements too.

There are about 5 CD reissues on the Harlequin label of vintage Hawaiian music, 1930's - 1950's. A number of Augie Grupil cuts on them. All 5 CDs are great. Go to Amazon.com and search for them. The CD titles are something like 'Tickling The Strings', 'Hawaiian Memories', 'On The Beach At Waikiki'.'On a Coconut Island' and another that slips my mind. Or do a search on the Harlequin label.

On one of the CD's there's a great cut of Louis Armstrong singing 'On A Coconut Island' backed up by the Andy Iona group. Louis takes a trumpet solo backed by a steel guitar. It works.

I was definitely born at the wrong time.

------------------
Gerald Ross
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Chris,
Sorry but I can't post a sound clip - all I've got is a worn audio cassette and no way to get it digitized. Try the Amazon route.

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