Island Sounds
Man who runs Shiro's Saimin serves up Japanese songs infused with honesty
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
"SHIRO SINGS JAPANESE" by Shiro Matsuo, Mistah Saimin Records, MS-05CD
Shiro Matsuo is known for his noodles (and the poetic sayings he pastes up in his shops). So why is Mistah Saimin singing?
"I've always wanted to do some Japanese songs," he says on the CD liner, even confessing he might be reaching for (and missing) some notes. But what he lacks in artistic excellence, he makes up in desire, trying his best, "giving it from the bottom of my heart."
What works here is the honesty, the simplicity. And it's all for good causes (he is donating proceeds of the CD to charitable groups).
Matsuo, who runs Shiro's Saimin Haven, frankly sings better than he writes poetry. (That's another story, also laced with honesty and simplicity).
Here, he sounds like a happy, carefree sort, crooning up a storm in a karaoke lounge. The tunes, all in Japanese, will touch a nerve in the Asian community; they're not jukebox candidates but are laced with emotion to spare and, in Matsuo's hands, project a brief journey back into time.
Matsuo's 'ukulele accompaniment has been sweetened with strings and things (replicating tones of koto, shakuhachi and other instruments) by co-producer Pierre Grill, a master in bringing out the best of 'em all.
"Sakura" (an 'ukulele instrumental), "To-Ryan Se," "Yuyake Koyake" and "Gaman Zaka" may be familiar to Western listeners, because they've had some cross-cultural success over the years. There's also a bilingual "I Really Don't Want To Know," retitled "Shiri Taku Nai," and delivered in a country-western stance.
Further, Matsuo alternately taps happiness and sadness on such tracks as "Namida No Watari," "Hono Ho No Otoko" and "Orewa Matteru Ze."
And his "Naniwa Bushi" — an example of a particular style of Japanese singing — is filled with gusto and life (and, presumably, satisfaction), demonstrating Matsuo's command of elocution and phrasing.
Clearly, this is a personal and special cultural journey.
• Audio sample of "'Gaman Zaka" by Shiro Matsuo in mp3 or RealAudio format. RealAudio requires a plug-in.
"PARTY HULAS" by Genoa Keawe, Hula Records Legendary Classics CDHS-507.
Since the vinyl release of this dance album in 1965, a lot has transpired: Aunty Genoa has become an Island legend, her vocal eloquence untarnished; and hula has emerged as a passionate art form for both performer and spectator. Sadly, only Keawe survives among the performing roster (her colleagues here included Vickie I'i Rodrigues, Pauline Kekahuna, Violet Pahu Liliko'i and Benny Rogers).
The selections are genuine classics, from "Noho Paipai" to "Hula O Makee," from "Green Rose" to "Mauna Loa," from "Kane'ohe" to "Na Ka Pueo."
And, for good measure, Keawe's signature "'Alika" — with that chicken-skin note-holding refrain — is here in all its glory.
Good time to replace that 33 1/3 rpm 12-incher with this CD.
• Audio sample of "'Noho Paipai" from the album Party Hulas in mp3 or RealAudio format. RealAudio requires a plug-in.
"KUAHIWI NANI" by Darlene Ahuna, Hula Records CDHS-9615
Darlene Ahuna, Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning Hawaiian vocalist, has recorded "Kuahiwi Nani," also called "The Haleakala Hula," a 1941 composition by Aunty Alice Namakelua.
The CD single, boasting two versions of the tune that was written to honor the Maui float in the Kamehameha Day parade, is a sure to be hula staple — for listening, for dancing.
• Audio sample of "'Kuahiwi Nani" by Darlene Ahuna in mp3 or RealAudio format. RealAudio requires a plug-in.
