Frank Hewett And Theresa Bright - News
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The Crooner's Weekly “TOP 3″ (1.26.11) « The Accidental ...
Aloha kākou!
I always have my iPod with me. It’s my personal jukebox.
Living in New York City, I spend a lot of time traveling underground via subway–and those rides can be long and boring! But having a collection of great music with me at all times keeps me from losing my mind. I can escape to a tropical isle with the push of a button. Portable paradise!
Here are the TOP 3 SONGS from my iPod this week:(Lena Machado’s recording on the album Hawaiian Song Bird )
For those of you who read the blog regularly, you know I’m a relatively-new Hawaiian language student. But I’ve been a Hawaiian music FAN for a long time!
This song, written by Aunty Lena Machado, is one that is quite familiar–a lot of artists have covered it. I was definitely familiar with its melody. However, I’d never really listened to the lyrics until recently. And I was a little confused. I understood what she was saying, but I didn’t have the context.
I turned to a wonderful book, Songbird of Hawaii: My Memories of Aunty Lena , and found the story behind the song. ( I encourage all of you to read it!) The song was written for a market on Kekaulike Street (Oʻahu) called Hōlau Market. It’s been called a “singing commercial” even though it sounds like a love song.
I love this song EVEN MORE now! And Aunty Lena’s version is outstanding, of course. Nānā i ke kumu. Look to the source, indeed!
(Frank Kawai Hewett’s recording on the album Makalapua ʻOe )
What a beautiful song! Kumu Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett is an amazing composer. The meaning reaches deep. This song is one that you’ll understand, even if you don’t understand a single word of Hawaiian.
He sings the simple verse which is then echoed by a choir while he speaks–elaborating on the text. Wow.
I get choked up every time I listen. (So I don’t usually listen to this when I’m riding the subway–unless I have my sunglasses with me!
