Description
Product Description
Contents A treasure chest of sound from Hawaii?a wonderful duet of beautiful piano and emotionally rich vocals! This definitive edition includes a collaboration with Sandy, added to the 2012 release! A landmark of Hawaiian music by a leading figure in lounge music! Rene Paulo, a representative Hawaiian pianist, has been active on the front lines for a long time, from the 1960s to the present day. The album "Duet," released in 2012, was recorded with wonderful vocalists who gathered to pay tribute to Rene's achievements in Hawaiian music. And now, a complete edition is being released that includes a duet with Sandy, a leading vocalist and hula dancer in the Japanese Hawaiian music scene, who has been friends with Rene since the 1970s. He is a big star. Rene's piano playing had a unique rolling groove. Just like the shimmering waves of Waikiki. A magic touch. Listening to his piano playing, I can see Waikiki in its golden age. That day, I was singing while feeling that. It was a happy time. ?Sandy (after recording with Rene Paulo) The album features vocalists such as Bomaikai Lyman, granddaughter of the late Andy Genoa Keawa, one of Hawaii's leading female vocalists; Aalon Mahi, conductor and vocalist of the Royal Hawaiian Band; Marine Sai, niece of Andy Cummings, the composer of the famous song "Waikiki"; Mona Joy, who sang Hawaiian music in top hotels across the United States, including New York, in the mid-20th century; the late Cyril Pahinui, the second son of Hawaiian music legend Gabby Pahinui (sadly passed away in 2018); John Yamasato, the renowned vocalist of the popular group Pure Heart, in which Jake Shimabukuro played ukulele, and many other vocalists indispensable to the world of Hawaiian music. This album is being released to celebrate the contributions of Rene Paulo to Hawaiian music, as he will turn 90 next year (2020), and to share his beautiful piano melodies with even more listeners. Profile: Born in 1930 in Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii, he became the first musician from Hawaii to attend the Juilliard School in New York at the age of 18. In the 1950s, he spent about a year and a half in Japan as a pianist for the U.S. military. He performed in Roppongi, Akasaka, and Ginza as the "King of Jazz Pianists" in front of Japanese high society. He also often shared the stage with his wife, singer Akemi (a woman of Japanese descent). In Japan, he also befriended Hachidai Nakamura and was active as the pianist for "Six Joes," led by Susumu Watanabe. In the 1960s, he returned to Hawaii and began his full-fledged performing career in Waikiki. At the time, Waikiki was known as a "paradise of lounge music," and pianists were in high demand in clubs, bars, and cabarets (collectively referred to as lounges). Rene, who played romantic Hawaiian numbers for the tourists flocking to Hawaii, the "paradise of dreams," from America, was in high demand. Afterwards, he continued to work energetically as a leading lounge music pianist in Hawaii, releasing numerous acclaimed albums. Track listing/Vocalist: 1. Beyond the Reef Vocal: Ku'uipo Kumukahi: A regular at the Na Hoku Awards, Hawaii's equivalent of the Grammy Awards. 2. Manu ?'o Vocal: Kavika Kahiapo: A veteran who has won the Na Hoku Award. 3. Kaimana Hila Vocal: Makana: A popular young slack-key guitarist. She has also released albums in Japan. 4. Ke Kali Nei Au Vocal: Aalon Mahi & Mona Joy: Aalon Mahi is the conductor of the Royal Hawaiian Band and a veteran vocalist who has performed on stages such as the Marionette Hotel. Mona Joy is a veteran singer who lived through the golden age of Hawaiian music. Along with Mahi Beema and Lei Kinney, she has sung Hawaiian music in top hotels on the American mainland, including in New York. 5. I'll Remember You Vocal: John Yamasato: A former member of the group Pure Heart, which also included Jake Shimabukuro. 6. Akaka Falls Vocal: Pomaikai Lyman: The grandson of the late Genoa Keawe, a leading Hawaiian singer. A singer to watch. 7 Honolulu I Am Coming Back Again Vocal: Momi Kahavaiolaa: A legendary singer who is now 92 years old and worked alongside Genoa Keawe. 8 Across the Sea Vocal: Gary Aiko: Genoa Keawe's eldest son and a veteran singer who also sings with the Royal Hawaiian Band. He has also performed in Japan. 9 Waikiki Vocal: Marine Sai: The niece of Andy Cummings, the composer of "Waikiki". 10 Hawaiian War Chant Vocal: Aalon Mahi: See M4 11 Sweet Leilani Vocal: Mona Joy: See M4 12 Hiilawe Vocal: Cyril Pahinui: The second son of the late Gabby Pahinui and one of the leading slack-key guitarists. 13 Blue Hawaii Vocal: Ilodia Kane: The wife of the late veteran slack-key guitarist Ray Kane. 14 I'll Weave a Lei of Stars for You Vocal: Jeff Au Hoi: A renowned vocalist and steel guitar player. 15 Waikiki Hula Vocal: Keale: A cousin of Hawaiian superstar Izu (Israel "Izu" Kamakawiwo?ole). 16 E Kuu Morning Dew Vocal: Akemi: The wife of Rene Paulo and a veteran who has been active in Waikiki lounges. 17 Waikiki Vocal: Sandy: A leading vocalist and hula dancer in the Japanese Hawaiian scene. [Includes a 44-page booklet with album and song explanations, lyrics and translations] Media reviews and more "Duet," a work released in 2012 by Rene Paulo, a leading pianist from Hawaii. This album, featuring collaborations with 15 wonderful vocalists, is considered a classic in Hawaiian music. Now, a complete edition is being released, including a duet with Sandy, who has a long-standing friendship with Rene. (C)RS