ISLAND SOUNDS
Patriotism underscores new tunes

From left: "Lest We Forget ... The Patriots," by The Patriots, Island Viking, IVCD 101 "Stand as One (E KUpono Me Ke Aloha)," by Mike Gabbard, Kuupono Aloha Productions, KAP 2002

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

These two new patriotic releases may not have commercial clout, but there may be a note of inspiration here:

"Lest We Forget ... The Patriots," by The Patriots: The Patriots are Gordon Manuel Freitas, Cordell Keith Haugen and Don "Geezer" Humphrey, each with a solo musical identity. Here they unite with music and poetry intended to remind us of war's hardships and duties.

Though it arrives after 9/11, many of the tunes were composed and recorded previously. The trio have collected the material, signaling their intent by using an image of a folded American flag on the cover.

A patriotic medley, fusing "God Bless America" with "This Land Is Your Land" and "Stars and Stripes Forever," is perfect for a flag-waving holiday like July 4. But there's more here, including the voices of Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and others from history.

Humphrey reads three touching poems, while Haugen and Freitas collaborate on "Whisper 'Semper Fi' (The Ballad of the Leatherneck)." Haugen contributes "Walking Through the Memories, a Requiem to the Fallen." You also find Sgt. Barry Sadler's "The Ballad of the Green Berets" and "Taps," as heard at the USS Arizona Memorial.

Freitas is a folkie at heart; Haugen is a sometimes country, sometimes Hawaiiana performer; and Humphrey is a country dude. They all have separate Waikiki gigs. As The Patriots, they impart a valid new hue.

"The Ballad of the Green Berets" by The Patriots. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

"Stand as One (E Kupono Me Ke Aloha)," by Mike Gabbard: Mike Gabbard, more widely known as a political candidate and an opponent of gay marriage, ventured into the world of island music after 9/11 with a patriotic concert that may have inspired this disc. Its theme is togetherness, a call for unity and the need for bonding.

To compile the CD, he scoured locally (from friends' repertoire, largely) and nationally (from activists' songbooks), including both his own work, covers and tracks from other artists.

The simpler melodies work best for Gabbard, as singer and guitarist — items like "Hawaiian Lullaby," a Peter Moon Band classic about a lasting memory about a beautiful place, which has emerged as a Brothers Cazimero signature.

Na Leo's "For the Sake of the Children," Kelly Boy DeLima's "Sons and Daughters," Leon Siu's and Malia Elliott's "Ho'ala Hou Hawai'i" and Koa Siu's "Inside Out" are among the cuts on the CD; these selected tunes suit the theme of family, love and bonding.

"Hawaiian Lullaby" by Mike Gabbard. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.