Beamer

Beamer

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Luke Gordon, a.k.a. Spacer, is no ordinary knob twiddler. To the typical programming of synths and string machines, Gordon adds live drums, bass, brass, and violin, giving The Beamer a depth that many "dance" albums lack. The lush instrumentation suits the album's darkly cinematic style while providing a decidedly organic feel. Spacer's big vision embraces Dirty Harry-styled arrangements in the brass fantasy "Houston" (recalling Chase's classic "Vehicle"), Sly & the Family Stone funk in the comically off-kilter "Doomsday," and rumbling, electric piano-fueled jazz rock in the spiraling sci-fi of "2000." Much of The Beamer explores a jazzy, ominous strain, like the soundtracks of Deodato and Lalo Shifirin beamed in from deep space. Still, its gorgeous undertow of shuffling breakbeats and freak ambient tones places it firmly in the present. --Ken Micallef

Beamer,Spacer,Palm Pictures (Audio,Dance,Dance Music,Pop

Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko
Average customer rating:

Great!

Beautiful Hawaiian Mood Music

Beautiful, Gentle, Waterborne

Gentle Island sounds

Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko
Keola Beamer
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters

Black Sand

Mauna Kea: White Mountain Journal

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Collection, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00005UK0Q
Release Date: 2002-01-08

Tracks:

Pailolo
Kapaula Bay
Kaulana Na Pua
Kolowaka
Li'i's Song
Mino'aka
Moana's Laundry Basket
Nala Hala O Nuae
Wai Ulu
Pauahi O Kalani
Kawohikukapulani
The Myna Bird's Dobro
Papa's okolehau
Ka Makani 'Ula'ula
Pau Lili Lehua

Amazon.com

Of the slack-key guitarists that pianist George Winston has brought to light from Hawaii, the most eloquent and forward-looking is Keola Beamer, which is ironic given that Beamer's first album in 1973 was called Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar in the Real Old Style. There's nothing old about the music on Soliloquy. Unlike most of his brethren, Beamer rarely sings, and that seems to free him from the sometimes clichéd phrasing and melodies identified with Hawaiian music. Even without those signposts, however, Beamer's music is distinctly Hawaiian, beginning with the slack-key guitar. It's a standard acoustic guitar, but the strings are tuned lower--literally, slacker--than normal. It gives the guitar a lazy, wistful sound just shy of yearning. Soliloquy mixes Beamer's original compositions with traditional songs in unique arrangements, including some for two acoustic guitars. A bit more low key than his previous albums, and featuring more nylon than steel string, Soliloquy is a quiet meditation born from the idyllic environment of Hawaii. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Great!.......2007-04-06

I just set the player on repeat and listen to it for hours. Soothing music. Good to pay attention to or just let it be background music. This is a good CD to have.

Beautiful Hawaiian Mood Music.......2006-08-25

The playing is lovely, and will set a peaceful, relaxing Hawaiian tone wherever you listen to it.

Beautiful, Gentle, Waterborne.......2004-07-13

Infused with the islands - recreates them in sound. The perfect accompaniment to a day or evening on the water. This music gently, deeply sinks in. I'm buying another as a gift for a friend so I can get mine back!

Gentle Island sounds.......2002-12-03

Keola's latest release for George Winstons Dancing Cat Records is a wonderful, soothing, melodic trip through the Islands. There is no low point on the album, and as the songs all are of a quiet tempo with similiar feel, they flow together as a sort of Hawaiian slack guitar suite. Highly recommended! Also- if you get the chance- see Keola live. He puts on a super show.

Moe`uhane Kika: Tales From The Dream Guitar

Average customer rating:

Dream Guitar
Peaceful Massage Music
Totally beautiful tropical guitar music...
real island sound
It's great, but wait

Moe`uhane Kika: Tales From The Dream Guitar
Keola Beamer
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko
Black Sand
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Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters
6 & 12 String Slack Key

ASIN: B0000030LV
Release Date: 1995-08-29

Tracks:

E Ku'u Morning Dew
Lei 'Awapuhi
Winter Tide
He Punahele No 'Oe
Slack Key Music Box
Ku'uipo Ku'u Lei
Sweet Singing Bamboo
Medley: Ke Ali'i Hulu Mamo And Kimo Hula
Roselani Blossoms
Holo Wa'apa
Au Kai
Alekoki
Medley: Bali Ha'i And Stranger In Paradise
Medley: Ku'u Lei Awapuhi Melemele And Pua Be Still
Sanoe

Customer Reviews:

Dream Guitar.......2005-09-13

Magical, mystical ``` brain waves change to a serene pattern in moments. I can smell the plumeria, see the swaying palms and feel the ocean spray - even without a Mai Tai!

Diana

Peaceful Massage Music.......2004-04-20

As a massage therapist, I am always looking for music that soothes my clients and stimulates me. This CD really fits the bill. It has a lovely pace throughout. Clients enjoy it as much as I do.

Totally beautiful tropical guitar music..........2002-10-30

When I moved to the Big Island in 1978, for what would become a stay of just over three years, the Beamers were the hottest thing on the Hawaiian music scene, due to their vocal version of "Honolulu City Lights." While their singing doesn't stink, the real magic is in the guitar picking, and this all-instrumental CD is just plain wonderful. This is worth serious attention with headphones on, and it's great in the background of parties or while surfing the net or doing the bills, or driving around your hometown on the Mainland, wishing you were on one of the islands instead. I can't imagine any music lover not relishing this collection: it's all pleasure, all the time. To tell the truth, actually living in Hawaii is NOT "all pleasure, all the time"---the bugs never die, it either rains too much or too little, depending on which side of the island one lives on, the economy is often weak, the costs of living are frightening, neighbors are often too noisy...many of the same troubles one has wherever one resides. But the music! The music depicts the paradise that in reality, only exists in part. Buy this CD, and your fantasies about Hawaii will be confirmed, which is not altogether a bad thing.

real island sound.......2002-10-26

i hsve to buy this cd pretty often because everyone that hears it falls in love with it, and it's a great present. i also use it when i teach sewing classes...it sets such a tone of happiness and tranquillity that stress levels fall and everyone can take in instruction so much more easily. this is the music i've heard coming from porches and backyards and parties all over Oahu. it makes me very happy.

It's great, but wait.......2000-08-04

This was my introduction to (authentic) slack key guitar and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's truly beautiful stuff. I originally bought it as background music for a luau party, but I couldn't stop playing it -- in the foreground. However the CD that is in release now has two bad/damaged tracks. Unless you want some really horrible noises coming from the speakers, wait to purchase this one. I had three copies of it before I just gave up (despite the wondeful customer service from Amazon.com). I ended up re-burning the CD without the damaged tracks. Wait for a re-release -- it will be worth it.

Average customer rating:

Keola is awesome!
Listen with your senses......
Tepid easy listening, not great Hawaiian music
hynotic and evocative
A wonderful, mellow CD

Kolonahe: From the Gentle Wind
Keola Beamer
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko
Wooden Boat
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Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Collection, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00000IFUU
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Ku'u Lei Awapuhi (Vocal)
Shaka Slack Key (Instrumental)
How Fine The Wind Of Kohala (Vocal)
The Beauty Of Mauna Kea (Vocal)
Pele Trilogy (Vocal)
Maui Waltz (Instrumental)
Kauhale O Kamapua'a (Instrumental)
He Wahine Hololio (Vocal)
Blue Water Dolphin (Instrumental)
He Aloha Mele Vocal)
Ipo Lei Manu/He'eia Vocal)
Honolulu City Lights (Vocal)
Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha (Vocal)

Amazon.com

Pianist George Winston has been unearthing a Hawaiian music that goes deeper than the resort-hotel image of ukulele songs, hula dancers, and Don Ho. In particular, he's enchanted with the sound of the slack-key guitar, a finger-style approach with strings tuned lower, and--literally--slacker, than normal. One of the modern players Winston has released on his Dancing Cat label, Keola Beamer has that laconic, slack-key-guitar sound down cold, but he weds it to more atmospheric songs and arrangements. Kolonahe: From the Gentle Wind is more vocal than Beamer's other recordings, full of vowel-filled melodies, such as "Ku'u Lei Awapuhi," sung with gentle grace. He's surrounded by sparse but evocative arrangements with percussion, nose flute, mandolins, and, on "Kauhale O Kamapua'a," reverberant electric guitars. He's also joined on four tunes by Winston playing piano and guitar. Kolonahe is a magical celebration of the Hawaii behind the travel ads. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Keola is awesome!.......2007-01-03

I love this recording! Every song is wonderful. I saw Keola in concert December 2006, and January 2004 and many of the songs on this album he did live. He is the ultimate master of Ki Ho Alu and you will not go wrong with this album! Kenike

Listen with your senses.............2003-03-31

This is a beautiful album. It is slow, it is soothing and it is refreshing. I have had the chance to live in Hawaii among its people and its nature. This cd reflects the Hawaii I know, before it got crowded and strained.....this is what I remember, this is what I want to remember. The cd suggests kindness and aloha. It is quietly stirring. I love it.

Tepid easy listening, not great Hawaiian music.......2002-12-01

Bleahh. One of Hawaiian guitar virtuoso Keola Beamer's drippier, more New Age-y efforts, closer in feeling to other Windham Hill artists such as guitarist William Ackerman and label founder George Winston. Too goopy for me, and too simplistic musically, compared to Beamer's best slack key work.

hynotic and evocative.......2001-04-28

This is my favorite CD of Keola's. I saw him in concert in Lihue in March, 2001 and was blown away by his gracious and loving performance. But it was cut #8 from this collection, He Wahine Hololio, that completely captivated me with its evocative tuning and lyrics. The last song also lures you with his romantic and resonant vocals....though George Winston's piano accompaniment is a bit too ponderous for my taste....but I guess you can't turn down the producer when he wants to play !! And who can't fall in love with Honolulu City Lights tune.....listening to this CD is the next best thing to being there! You won't regret this purchase.

A wonderful, mellow CD.......1999-09-18

Keola Beamer and Dennis Kamakahi are the best of Hawaiian slack-key guitarists and vocalists. This CD earns the five stars I gave it. If you have never been involved with Hawaiian slack-key guitar, here is a great place to start.

Average customer rating:

Better than Phillip Glass!

Big Wednesday

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Big Wednesday (Ws Sub)
The 30-Minute-A-Day Body Challenge
Hardknox
Kaisha
You Stand There: Making Music Video

ASIN: B0006SSPTO
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

South Swell (Passing of the Years I)/Main Title (March of the Hawaiian
Matt Surfs/Kaliponi Slack Key/Bear's Shack
Bear's Story
Golondrina
Passing of the Years II
You Oughta Know What I Mean, Bear
Bear's Wedding
Crumple Car - Denny Aaberg
Preparation March
Jack Surfs Alone
Aloha, Jack
Passing of the Years III
Summerset
Liquid Dreams
Jack's Back
Jack's Back, Pt. 2
Cemetery
Passing of the Years IV
Bear's Wharf
Matt Morning and Ominosity
Challenge/Big Wednesday Montage
Matt's Rite of Passage
Passing of the Mantle/Song of Three Friends (Only Good Times)
Big Wednesday Montage [Alternate Take][*]
Three Friends Theme [*][Instrumental]
Mexican Montage [*]
Green Onions [*]
Crumple Car [Extended Version][*] - Denny Aaberg
Drums Montage [*]
Cosmic Indifference [*]
Cemetery [Film Version][*]
Challenge [Alternate Take][*]
Trailer (Big Waves) [*]

Customer Reviews:

Better than Phillip Glass!.......2005-05-07

For some time I have thought that Basil Poledouris's score for *Big Wednesday* was among the best in the genre. Unfortunately, fans of this work have had to make do with the so-so sound quality of the home video versions.

This CD was lovingly remastered from the original studio sessions. The sound quality is simply breathtaking. Even the DVD movie sound is only a pale shadow in comparison with this CD.

I was especially delighted by the alternate and extended arrangements, which include the original versions of pieces that had to be shortened and simplified to work in the movie.

The linear notes are extremely well-written and informative. I learned more about *Big Wednesday* from this CD than from any other source.

Kudos to Film Score Monthly for releasing such an important soundtrack in such a fine edition!

Average customer rating:

Two worlds meet...
Awesome
Powerful, atmospheric, full of mana
Two native masters join hands across the big water
gives you "chicken skin"

Our Beloved Land
R. Carlos Nakai , and Keola Beamer
Manufacturer: Canyon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Music as Medicine
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People of Peace
In Beauty, We Return

ASIN: B0009VI5K2
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Tracks:

Waipi'o Paka'alana
Aia I Moloka'i Ku'u 'Iwa
Ka Honua - 'The Earth'
Ke Ha'a Ala Puna
E Manono
Ka Mano - 'The Shark'
Ia 'Oe E Ka La - 'For You, O Glittering Sun'
Nani Ha'upu
Ke Ao Nani - 'The Beautiful World'
Lapule - 'Sunday'
The Good Road

Product Description

1. Waipi?o P?ka?alana(5:00)
2. Aia I Moloka?i Ku?u ?Iwa(3:25)
3. Ka Honua – “The Earth”(4:57)
4. Ke Ha?a Ala Puna(4:41)
5. E Manono(4:30)
6. Ka Man? – “The Shark”(5:34)
7. I? ?Oe E Ka L? –“For You, O Glittering Sun”(5:22)
8. Nani H??upu(4:45)
9. Ke Ao Nani – “The Beautiful World”(3:53)
10. L?pule – “Sunday”(6:41)
11. The Good Road(2:36)

Format: CD

Amazon.com

Hawaiian slack-key guitar and Native American flute aren't the most likely combination one could think of. Slack-key guitar is a sound both laconic and light, made from loosely tuning the guitar strings. The Native flute is renowned for its frail, lonesome call. But two masters of these instruments, Keola Beamer and R. Carlos Nakai, find common ground and lay some new turf on their first full collaboration, Our Beloved Land.

Beamer is a guitarist who makes it look easy as he peels fingerpicked melodies from his instrument the way Tiger Woods peels off a long drive. All but three of the tunes on this album are either traditional Hawaiian songs he arranged, or his own originals. Hawaiian and Native American chants share a certain sound, and you can hear that when Nakai joins in singing on "E Manono." On "Lapule (Sunday)," Beamer picks up the Hawaiian nose flute and duets with Nakai over the sounds of a rain forest. Together, they create a sound far from the tourist music you may have heard before. Instead, they orchestrate a tribal mood full of ambience and rumination. Shakers, rattles, double gourd drums, and coyote echoes encase their often fragile melodies. R. Carlos Nakai has a knack for bringing out the more soulful side in musicians, but Keola Beamer probably didn't require any prompting. He remains the most original and exploratory of modern slack-key guitarists. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Two worlds meet..........2006-06-23

I first listened to Keola Beamer's slack key guitar music on Putumayo's "Gardens of Eden." I also listened to his music when I worked at an Alzheimer's home,where it was played for the residents' comfort&relaxation.This is a haunting collaboration with Carlos Nakai,who is more famous for bringing Native American music into the mainstream.

Highlights-
1)Ka Honua-It's all about the earth.Natural sounds are used to accent the piece.
2)Ke Ha'a Ala Puna-A song about hula dancers,but it's not the tacky tiki song you'd expect.
3)E Manono-A song in praise of a woman who sacrificed herself for her beloved husband.
4)Ka Mano (The Shark)-A beautiful instrumental.
5)"for you,O glittering sun"-Both Carlos Nakai&Keola Beamer provide vocals in this interesting piece that honored a Hawaiian monarch for circling the globe&being initiated as a Hindu Brahman in the Himalayas.
6)The Beautiful World-Carlos Nakai provides powerful narration.
7)Sunday-Beautiful instrumental using natural sounds.
8)The Good Road-Carlos Nakai powerfully chants the words of the Blessing Way of the Navajo.

It's a fascinating fusion of Navajo&Hawaiian music.Perfect for relaxation&meditation!

Awesome.......2005-12-31

The atmospheres musically created by these two masters results in one of the most awesome CDs ever recorded. In this day of cloned & sampled digital music, it is so refreshing to hear two virtuoso musicains laying down fresh material never before attempted, and with astounding success. Nakai is at his usual spendid self, but Keola goes where no one has gone before. Singing deep spiritual Hawaiian chants while his Slack Key minor chord useage creates soulful atmospheres and melodies that Nakai fills with his haunting Native American flute. This CD is a true masterpiece and Keola's finest recording.

Powerful, atmospheric, full of mana.......2005-10-25

We have a lot of Nakai CDs and quite a few of IZ's and other Hawaiian artists' work. This album is as good as IZ's Facing Future and has instantly become one of my favorite top ten albums of all time. Nakai is amazing as always. But here Keola Beamer is not the warm, talented slack key Hawaiian master we know and love. In this release he is even better -- powerful, haunting vocals in Hawaiian, accented by understated minor key guitar arrangements. The songs stir your soul and feel like the raw power of primal, pre-Captain Cook Hawaii. If you've never strayed from the resorts that might sound weird, but if you've been deep in the rainforest or visited the top of Mauna Kea, you'll know the feeling. What IZ did for love with Facing Future, Beamer does for spirituality on this album, and both will give you goosebumps.

Two native masters join hands across the big water.......2005-09-15

These two masters of native music create a blend never heard before. As a collector of native american recordings I find this refreshing, haunting, mellow and full of spirit. I listen when my soul needs to be nourished, which is often in this material world.

gives you "chicken skin".......2005-09-12

I read about this cd in a Hawaiian newspaper. It is amazing. One of those masterpieces that transports you into the spiritual spaces of the performers. Mahalo nui loa to Mr. and Mrs. Beamer and Mr. Nakai.

Ka Hikina O Ka Hau (The Coming of the Snow)

Average customer rating:

Very pleasantly surprised. Worth listening to, worth owning.

Ka Hikina O Ka Hau (The Coming of the Snow)

Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Our Beloved Land

ASIN: B000K7UG0W
Release Date: 2006-12-12

Tracks:

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Poli'ahu (The Mauna Kea Snow Goddess)
The Little Drummer Boy/Winter Aloha
Gymnopedie No.1
Gnossienne NO.3
Gymnopedie No.2
Gnossienne No.4
Gymnopedie No.3
Pavane For A Sleeping Beauty
Lullaby Of The Cat
Chiquilin De Bachin
Milonga
Tutu Maramba
Cantar Montanes
Spinning Song
Song Of India
Venetian Boat Song
The Nightingale
If My Complaints Could Passions Move
Come Heavy Sleep

Customer Reviews:

Very pleasantly surprised. Worth listening to, worth owning........2007-07-10

I mainly bought this all instrumental CD for one song only, The Little Drummer Boy (with George Winston), but was quite surprised at what it had to offer overall. I had no idea the CD contained variations on classical works, as I thought this was just a collection of winter themed Hawaiian slack key music. Each piece is well worth listening too, and keeping on hand for any occasion or mood. Many times a CD features a few really good songs, with a bunch of fillers that are merely passable. This CD is jam packed with quality music (though most of the songs are short at under two and one half minutes and do sound similar). I have other CDs by Keola Beamer, so I knew going into this that this would be a decent CD regardless, as he is quite talented.

The works within are rather mellow and are not upbeat like some of his other songs/works, but I find that this CD makes a great companion piece to his other works - and just plain excellent on its own. My favorite song on the CD, The Snow Goddess (also with George Winston), is phenomenal. Brilliant, even. In fact, not only is this the best song on the CD it's also one of my all time favorites by any artist. It's just that good. However, the quality of this song isn't quite on par with it's release on the Windham Hill Winter Solstice V holiday CD, but a nice addition to this CD nonetheless.

And speaking of quality, that is really the only aspect of this CD that's worth complaining about. I'm not sure what happened or who oversaw this release, but it's not as polished as Keola Beamer's other works, or others by Windham Hill and Dancing Cat records. It sounds as if my speakers are busted on certain songs (this is obviously not the case). And going back to The Snow Goddess, it sounds as if someone turned the volume up on a lesser quaility CD player without the music playing - as you hear a terribly audible white noise throughout. Quite a shame.

Yet even with this quality issue being a nuisance, I can't lower it's score. I liked it too much to do so. It's not for everyone, but by no means would it make for a bad purchase. A must for George Winston fans looking to add another Christmas work of his to their collection (The Little Drummer Boy is very nice and just over four minutes in length), those who are fans of Keola Beamer (Wooden Boat is still my favorite CD of his), and recommended to classical music listeners and all those who enjoy good music.

Average customer rating:

A great CD
great ambiance music
No, nothing's missing!
Yes, something's missing
not all the best

The Best of Keola & Kapono Beamer
Keola & Kapono Beamer
Manufacturer: Music of Polynesia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Kolonahe: From the Gentle Wind
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar in the Real Old Style
Mohala Hou - Music Of The Hawaiian Renaissance
Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko
Mauna Kea: White Mountain Journal

ASIN: B000008NU8
Release Date: 1995-03-14

Tracks:

This Is Our Island Home
Living On Easy
Hilo Au Hilo
La 'Oe E Ka La
Kahana Kamali'i
'Ulili E
Sweetest Looking Hula Dancer
Old Man Pueo
'Ekolu 'Lole Makapo
Sassy Hula
Haleka'uila

Customer Reviews:

A great CD.......2007-02-18

I had never heard of these performers until 3 weeks ago. I heard three cuts from the CD as background music for a Hawaiian hotel. It took me until now to track down the music. I immediately ordered this album because the style is very reminiscent of the easy-going folk music of the 50's with a Hawaiian influence. Great music to drift away with.

great ambiance music.......2007-02-05

I bought this as a gift for my mom and she loves this. She plays it at several outdoor pool parties in the summer. Great for hanging outside on a hot day!

No, nothing's missing!.......2005-12-28

"Honolulu City Lights" which came out in 1978 on the Paradise label was not Keola and Kapono's first album. They had been recording on the Tantalus and Music Of Polynesia label for quite some time before this.
The Greatest Hits album uses material from the Music of Polynesia catalog and was originally released on vinyl in 1978.
To pass up this album just because it doesn't contain Honolulu City Lights will certainly deprive you of some of the best contemporary Hawaiian music from this era. Excellent Hawaiian and Hapa-haole songs all done in the Beamers inimitable style.
Also recommended if you can find it (Google Hawaiian music): Keola and Kapono Beamer (Tantalus/1975) contains the irreverent Mr. Sun Cho Lee and Sweet Okole and Keola Beamer's debut Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar In The Real Old Style (Music Of Polynesia/1972) with the defining slack key instrumental, Hawaiian Cowboy.

Yes, something's missing.......2004-02-24

I agree with Vickie from Clarksville. No Honolulu City Lights, so how can you call it Best of the Beamers. (Okay, some editor/compiler doesn't count HCL as one of the best, I guess.)

I didn't buy this CD, because of that and some other missing songs. Maybe someday when I have all the other songs I want, then I will buy the one called "The Best."

not all the best.......2001-12-06

I found this music very nice but was disappointed that "honolulu City Lights" was not on in.....
in my opinion that was a classic......now this classic is rare to find especially on a cd.help me find "Honolulu City Lights"................

Average customer rating:

A Pleasant Recording
A disappointing album by a great musician
Island-flavored vocals and guitar, finest kind...
Great bedtime music
Keola Beamer's Best!

Wooden Boat
Keola Beamer
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Kolonahe: From the Gentle Wind
Moe`uhane Kika: Tales From The Dream Guitar
Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko
Black Sand
Mohala Hou - Music Of The Hawaiian Renaissance

ASIN: B0000030M9
Release Date: 1994-07-19

Tracks:

Hemo Da Kope Bean
Po Mahina
Shells
Kalena Kai
Wooden Boat
Hula Lady
Dancers In The Land Of Po
No Ke Ano Ahiahi
Don't You Want To Be My Baby?
Kealia
'Elepaio Slack Key
E Manono
He Aloha No 'O Honolulu
Where I Hold You

Customer Reviews:

A Pleasant Recording.......2006-01-03

I am not familiar with Keola Beamer's catalog, so I approached this recording from a different perspective than his regular fans would. I bought this recording several years ago when I was expanding my guitar collection, listened to it a few times, then put it away. I retrieved it from my collection a couple of weeks ago, pulled it into iTunes so I could listen on my iPod, and then simply enjoyed it.

This is pleasant music, made for stress reduction or for any other time you want good music that does impose itself on you and what you're doing.

The instrumentation is first-class, Beamer's vocals are excellent, the material is good, and the recording quality is very good as well. If you haven't explored slack-key guitar, this may not be the best introduction, but it's certainly not a bad introduction. I recommend it.

A disappointing album by a great musician.......2002-11-21

An embarassingly bad crossover album by slack key guitar master Keola Beamer. A few of the songs on here have the typical elegance of his best acoustic work, but others, full of '80s-ish drums and Jimmy Buffett-style island music crooning, are pretty dismal. I regret the time I spent listening to these songs.

Island-flavored vocals and guitar, finest kind..........2002-10-31

If you like your Hawaiian contemporary music vocal instead of instrumental, "Wooden Boat" is a good choice. Mr.Beamer, as a singer, may not be Sinatra, but he is perfectly competent to deliver his kind of material pleasantly. This album is mostly vocals, mostly in English, mostly mellow songs, but it still contains plenty of superb slack key guitar playing. My personal preference is for his all-instrumental "Tales From the Dream Guitar" release, but only by about half-a-star. The true fan of late 20th-century island music would want to own both of these discs. There is just no real fault to be found with either one.

Great bedtime music.......2002-08-30

My sister gave this CD to us as a baby shower gift, because it's one of my nephew's favorites. My son has gone to sleep listening to it every night for almost 11 months, and believe it or not, I'm not sick of it yet! I highly recommend this CD to parents of little ones, and to all who want some relaxing island music.

Keola Beamer's Best!.......2000-06-13

We purchased this a few years ago on a trip to Kauai and it has become one of our favorite HI dics. However, it's range far exceeds the "Hawaiian music theme." If you love music, you will love this disc. It's one of those rare ensembles where every title is enjoyable; it simply makes you feel good to listen to it.

Mohala Hou - Music Of The Hawaiian Renaissance

Average customer rating:

Sweet homecoming

Mohala Hou - Music Of The Hawaiian Renaissance
Keola Beamer
Manufacturer: Ohe Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko
Wooden Boat
Kolonahe: From the Gentle Wind
The Best of Keola & Kapono Beamer
Slack Key Guitar: The Artistry of Sonny Lim

ASIN: B0000BXAH8
Release Date: 2003-07-15

Tracks:

Ku'u Home o Kahulu'u
Look Into Your Eyes
Pua 'Ahihi
Feeling the Way I Do Over You
Home
Sunflower
Real Old Style
Pretty Girl
He'eia
Kawika
Moon and Stars
Guava Tree
Pupu Hinuhinu
Kahuli Aku
Ka Huelo 'Opae

Album Description

Keola Beamer's masterful slack key guitar interpretation of 13 classic hits on this tribute album breathes new life into the beloved songs of the 1970's, a time now known as the "Hawaiian Renaissance." Beamer honors his contemporaries, such as Olomana, Kalapana, C&K, Sunday Manoa and Country Comfort, all who helped shape the local Hawaiian music scene. Superb vocal work, exquisite arrangements, masterful slack key guitar make Mohala Hou a collector's treasure. Beamer bridges a nostalgic sense of time and place with the relevance special people and memories always hold in our hearts.

Customer Reviews:

Sweet homecoming.......2003-09-15

Prepare to open your heart and your memory box as you listen to the sweet sounds of some of Hawai'i's most beloved contemporary songs. Keola's aloha for his friends' music and golden era for revival of Hawaiian pride comes through every song. The melodies grabbed me and stayed with me for days, even as this CD stayed in my player for weeks! Suddenly, I recognized other versions of Ku'u Home o Kahalu, Sunflower, Pretty Girl playing everywhere --- bookstores, the airport, the radio. After listening, Keola's renditions are inevitably my favorites! You'll agree -- he's the master.

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar in the Real Old Style

Average customer rating:

A good introductory album
Early Beamer Sounds Great

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar in the Real Old Style
Keola Beamer
Manufacturer: Mountain Apple
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Hawaii | Pacific Islands | International | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Pacific Islands | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Soliloquy: Ka Leo O Loko
The Best of Keola & Kapono Beamer
Moe`uhane Kika: Tales From The Dream Guitar
Black Sand
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Collection, Vol. 2

ASIN: B000008QRA
Release Date: 1996-03-12

Tracks:

Real Old Style
Pua Lili Lehua
Hawaiian Cowboy
Kawohikukapulani
Guava Tree
Wi Ha
Kaulana Na Pua
The Beauty of Mauna Kea
Lovely Hula Hands
Adios Ke Aloha
Pupu Hinuhinu

Album Description

Keola's gift for musical invention and the creative flair of Keola in a solo setting, where his total talent is exposed without the sometimes protective screen of other musicians and instruments.

Slack key guitar playing is unique to Hawai'i. It found its beginning during the 1880's. Over the years the form was handed down from player to player, with each new player adding new embellishments. Overly simplified, slack key means the loosening of some of the strings, with the thumb playing the bass notes while the other fingers play the melody on the upper strings.

Customer Reviews:

A good introductory album.......2001-06-22

This is a re-release of Keola Beamer's introductory album. It was a precursor of what was to come, but at only 31 minutes long, it leaves you wanting more. He was only 21 when this album was recorded, and the vocals are not as self-assured as they were later to become. But never the less, this is a lovely album...slack key guitar played by one of the masters. The booklet contains notes about Keola, and also about the art of Slack Key, plus a note about each song, 4 of which were written by Keola.

Early Beamer Sounds Great.......2000-07-16

An enjoyable album of Keola's early solo talent. The vocals aren't as polished as on recent recordings, but you can hear what a great musician he was even in 1972. A few of the tunes are so lovely they were also recorded on later albums: "The Beauty of Mauna Kea" , "Pupu Hinuhinu".

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