Radio personalities evoke smiles with CDs

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Want laughs?

They come easily on listening to a pair of comedy CDs by two local radio personalities.

• Genre: Local-style comedy.

• Distinguishing notes: Augie T is his generation's Andy Bumatai, quick on the one-liners, swift on the repartee. His third solo venture is pot luck daffiness, with material culled from various sources, including a Las Vegas gig with the Perry & Price Show at the California Hotel. The fare's been tested with audiences in local clubs and some "pidgin is easy" quickie lessons in da kine talk. Augie takes everyday situations and adapts them to his personable style, from a crank-call phone conversation about Betamax movies, stupid people on TV and in the newspaper, or the choice of paper or plastic at the supermarket.

• The outlook: His Kalihi upbringing and Filipino roots fuel much of his comedy, like his shtick about Christmas and pageant roles, and growing up watching films like Lassie. His pidgin is not so confounding for neophytes; the situations he embraces have universal common ground ("Frankenstein was a local guy; buggah was big, couldn't talk, always running away from haole people, always stealing stuff ... that was Bruddahstein"). His "tumtax" (in heavy Filipino accent) is a gem. There's one vocal, "Poking Squid," with Koa'uka and Max Effects providing tuneful atmospherics, and his is a serviceable voice, though comedy remains his forte (OK, deejaying, too, with his daily morning-drive partner Lanai).

• Our take: Augie is everybody's fave, with an accessible manner and temperament — and he's virtually clean, never uttering expletives. No wonder kids from 6 to 60 find him batty but adorable.

"Pigeon is easy" by Augie Tulba. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

• Genre: Local-style comedy.

• Distinguishing notes: Jeff Kino is a sometimes radio deejay (not right now) who has a somewhat fractured (like in nuts) view of his 'aina. He tackles a range of topics, from surfing to radio, from knotted underwear to political candidates. He also sings (well, tries to), composing "Aloha Kau Kau" (about local eating spots, from Zippy's to the Eastside Grill) and also puts his stamp on the old "Hello, Muddah, Hello Faddah" (popularized by the late Allan Sherman). On a third vocal, "Part of Me," Kino defies critics and indulges in an earnest, meaningful sing-out — all part of his dreams, right down to that hilarious wind-up.

• The outlook: With a broadcast voice, Kino's best on his radio darts (KHUH, the Portuguese station). The material is uneven, often hilarious, but occasionally lacks spontaneity.

• Our take: Determination is on Kino's side; he has the spunk and the desire to shove this one over the top.

"Public Service Annoucement" by Jeff Kino. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

Reach Wayne Harada by sending e-mail to wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phoning 525-8067 or faxing 525-8055.