New Hawaiian Band - "New Hawaiian Band - Hawaii's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1"

Retro Hawaii, but Excellent Music

Released in 1968, this album may strike some as old-fashioned, retro, or even stereotypical, especially given the resurgence in music representing actual Hawaiian culture (start with Iz if you don't know what I'm talking about). There is no chanting, no lyrics, but the CD is clearly a studio album with a full set of North American instruments to complement the ukelele and slide guitar. For better or worse, this music is exactly what a mainlander would expect to hear when watching a 60's era travelogue about the islands.
On the other hand, this CD is the BEST example of that musical genre. It's gorgeous, lush, and soothing. The musicianship is so wonderful you forget about stereotypes and simply float along despite yourself.
Before I bought this CD, I went to my local party supply store and, regrettably, bought one of those "famous" $10 party CD's which claimed to be a mix of hawaiian theme music. It was gawd-awful: no musical composition, no stability in genre, no craft, all cr*p. If you're throwing a hawaiian party for your neighbors, THIS is the music you've been looking for. July 5, 2008

Great Classic Hawaiian Music

I purchased the Volume 2, a long time ago and recently found Volume 1 here on Amazon. Great purchase, no vocals. If you're looking for great classic hawaiian music look no further, if you're looking for some of the more modern hawaiian music try Keali'i Reichel, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Daniel Ho, etc. November 10, 2006

Hawaiian Music

This is one of the best instrumental dvd's I have heard. Listen if you want to hear excellent Hawaian music. November 3, 2004

"Lighten up, Snobz, & have a little phun!"

Kidd Squidd from Oracle, ArizonaIt's funny how some "collectors" or "music conosieurs" <(sp?) gettheir shorts in a bind when they smell somethin"phony".They'redyin' to tell the world about the "real thing" & how much theyknow about it. I know, because I've been guilty of the "snob disease" from time to time. I probably know more about the musicof 20th century pop culture than most people on earth. But I'vecome to realize(I'm 56) that there's a lot of ways to judge music,and just because you know a lot about the history of a certainstyle of music (Hawaiian, f'rinstance), and have a huge collectionof rare records, doesn't mean that a lighthearted & funapproach to said music (New Hawaiian Band) can't be a lot of fun.It's so important to have a sense of wonder and humor about it all. Music is a gift to us all from a higher source (God? Aliens?the ghost of Slim Gaillard's Great Great Grandpappy?...), and weshould enjoy it and cherish it on ALL levels, including thelightheated, frivolous level. Then you'll find The New HawaiianBand to be quite a fun ride. Aloha, you Sonic Dreamerz! Love ya, Baby! Kidd Squidd, DJ, Musicologist, Lover Of Life. August 19, 2004

Only for tourists

Just looking at the titles of the songs on this CD tells you that this is not REAL Hawaiian music. Oh, the music is nice and great for background. But if you're serious about Hawaiian music, Hawaii indigenous culture, both 'historical' and modern, then look elsewhere. There ARE artists who perform REAL Hawaiian music, and sing in Hawaiian. YOu can get 'historical' music, there is an excellent 2-CD set from the U-Hawaii. The Maui Historical Society just across from the Banyon tree in Lahaina carries modern REAL Hawaiian music, the [local store] in Kahulaui also offers great choices. The Bishop Museum in Honolulu has some good CDs too. For modern music, look up Amy Gilliom or the slack key guitar masters, or Keola Beamer... Amazon has them listed. February 26, 2003

More reviews at Amazon.com ...