A quartette is a group of four instrumentalists, four singers, or a group of four doing both playing and singing.
The classic traditional Hawaiian quartette normally features four individuals playing the ukulele, the guitar, the upright bass, and the Hawaiian steel guitar.
Many quartettes add four-part harmony to their performances as well.
We’ll trace the evolution of quartets on Hawaiian recordings, all the way from the vaudeville stages of Manhattan to the hotel stages of Waikiki.
This week's playlist:
1- Sweet Little Sweetheart – Eddie Bush Quartette
2- Na Lei O Hawaii – Roy Smeck Quartette
3- Maile Lau Li’i Li’i – Kalama’s Quartette
4- Lei Pakalana – Richard Kauhi Quartet
5- Au E – Hoot Gibson’s Hawaiian Foursome
6- Yaka Hula Hickey Dula – Avon Comedy Four
7- Pa’ahana – Andy Aiona’s Novelty Four
8- Wai’ale’ale – Sol Ho’opi’i Novelty Quartette
9- That Girl From Hawaii – Hawaiian Recording Quartet
10- The Honolulu Hickey Boola Boo – The American Quartette
11- Ho’onaunau Paka – Ray Kinney’s Hawaiian Quartet
Length: 54:19 Released on: 09-20-2019 Artist/Compiled by: Various Artists
Terrific Territorial Trios
A trio consists of three musicians and/or singers that perform together.
The unit can be known as a threesome, triad, or triplet.
The classic traditional Hawaiian trio can consist of an ukulele, guitar, and standup bass.
But a traditional Hawaiian trio also can consist of a steel guitar, a guitar, and a standup bass.
Many Hawaiian trios add three part harmony to their performance as well.
We’ll trace the evolution of trios on Hawaiian recordings, all the way from the Alexander Young Hotel in Honolulu to Hollywood, California.
This week's playlist:
1- Waikiki Is Good Enough For Me – Keeaumoku Trio
2- Palolo – Charlie Wilson Trio
3- Malolo – Sol Hoopii’s Novelty Trio
4- Sweet Someone – Bill Werner’s Trio
5- Paradise Isle – Paradise Island Trio
6- In A Canoe – Annie Kerr’s Trio
7- Out On The Beach At Waikiki – Les Paul Trio
8- Maile Lau Lii Lii – David Burrows Trio
9- Across The Sea – Earl Burtnett Biltmore Trio
10- Wai O Ke Ani Ani – Phillip Pahinui Trio
11- My Little Buckaroo – J Aku w/ Hungry Three
Length: 55:37 Released on: 09-13-2019 Artist/Compiled by: Various Artists
Henrietta Smith Mann - Collection
Henrietta Smith Mann was born on April 9, 1892.
Mrs. Mann was a prominent kama’aina who lived in Hawaii her entire life.
Her father, Henry Smith, was the chief clerk and cashier of the First Circuit Court at the time of his retirement.
Prior to her marriage to James Buzzell Mann, a civil engineer, she was a teacher at Kaiulani School and the Royal School.
Her parents had a home on Fort Street, a fairly large estate of almost 2 acres, with a large home.
The house was a large, high ceilinged affair, surrounded on all four sides by a railed 10-foot lanai.
What a life!
After henrietta passed, her grandson, Allan Dowsett, donated her record collection to the Hawaiian Music Archives Foundation.
We’ll share those recordings from Henrietta Smith Mann, with you.
This week's playlist:
1- Liliu E – Lei Momi Sweethearts w/ John K Almeida
2- Opihi Moe Moe – Leonard Kwan
3- Wai O Ke Ani Ani – Gabby Pahinui
4- Honolulu, I’m Coming Back Again – Andy Cummings
5- Kuahiwi Nani Oe Haleakala – Flora Waipa w/ Joe Keawe
6- Moani Keala – Noelani & the Twilighters
7- Broken Finger Uke – Mungo Plays Ukulele
8- Sloop John B – Arthur Lyman Group
9- O Sole Mio – Mario Lanza w/ Ray Sinatra Orchestra
10- Lo, How A Rose Ere Blooming – Saint Catherine’s Choir Kauai
11- Honolulu Nites – Arthur Lyman Group
Length: 52:23 Released on: 09-06-2019 Artist/Compiled by: Various Artists
Crescendo Records - 1950
The Crescendo Record Company was founded in Hollywood in 1954 by Gene Norman.
He actually changed his name from Eugene Abraham Nabatoff to Gene Norman.
The label later became known as GNP Crescendo, which stands for Gene Norman Presents.
The inspiration for the label came from Gene’s successful nightclub on the Sunset Strip named, the Crescendo. Beginning with live recordings at the club and evolving into studio recordings, the independent label’s releases eventually numbered in the hundreds.
Happily, they made studio recordings of some of the talented Hawaiian artists working in Hollywood in the 1950s. The recordings are state of the art for the period, and are exceptional.
Crescendo Records recorded Hawaiian artists in 1959
We’ll share those recordings from 1959 with you.
This week's playlist:
1- E Naughty Mai Nei – Mel Peterson
2- Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai – Andy Cummings
3- Hapa Haole Hula Girl – Andy Cummings
4- Hawaiian Hospitality – Ray Kinney
5- Maui Girl – Ernest Tavares w/ Trio
6- To Make You Love Me Ku’uipo – Bernie Ka’ai w/ Trio
7- Hanohano Hanalei – Ernest Tavares & Trio
8- He Ono La – Bernie Ka’ai & Trio
9- Pau Pilikia – Bernie Ka’ai & Trio
10- Pupu O Ni’ihau – Val Akina & Trio
11- Hui Mawaho O Ka Wa’a – Ernest & Freddie Tavares w/ Bernie Ka’ai
Length: 52:49 Released on: 08-30-2019 Artist/Compiled by: Various Artists
Hui Ohana with Tina Kaapana - 1974
The group Hui Ohana exploded upon Hawaiian music scene in 1972.
Fraternal twin brothers, Ledward and Nedward Ka’apana, and their cousin Dennis Pavao, brought back the nearly lost arts of slack key guitar and falsetto harmony vocals.
Two years later, after achieving considerable success, they recorded their 3rd album, this time featuring their Led & Ned’s mother, Regina Ka’apana, known as Mama Tina Ka’apana.
They recorded together on March 5th and 7th of 1974.
We’ll share those recordings from 1974 with you.
This week's playlist:
1- Wai O Ke Ani Ani – Hui Ohana
2- Radio Hula – Ledward Ka’apana w/ Hui Ohana
3- Hui Ohana – Hui Ohana
4- Kanaka Wai Wai – Tina Ka’apana w/ Hui Ohana
5- God Bless My Daddy/Mom – Dennis Pavao w/ HO
6- Wailana – Tina Ka’apana w/ Hui Ohana
7- Waiakanaio – Hui Ohana
8- Kaulana O Hilo Hanakahi – Tina Ka’apana w/ HO
9- Pauoa Liko Lehua – Tina Ka’apana w/ Hui Ohana
10- Kumukahi – Tina Ka’apana w/ Hui Ohana
11- O Kalena Kai – Dennis Pavao w/ Hui Ohana
Length: 54:40 Released on: 08-23-2019 Artist/Compiled by: Hui Ohana
