Jack Johnson wins over audience
By Chad Pata
Special to The Advertiser
The usually proper, white-collar business crowd was supplanted by the rubber-slipper gang last night at the Hawaii Theatre for the unveiling of Jack Johnson's new movie, "The Brokedown Melody," and an acoustical performance.
Though a sprinkling of aloha shirts could be found in the packed house, the myriad of board shorts and T-shirts stood in stark contrast to the regal red curtains and classical murals that adorn the stage.
But that is who Johnson is and true to his North Shore roots, he took the stage himself right on time at 8 p.m. to introduce the film, attired in a simple T-shirt, jeans and slippers.
Talking with the crowd, you could not picture him as a performer, but rather as a movie director, soft spoken, monotone and a little uncomfortable in his skin.
The film, actually a 20-minute segment of the still unfinished film, features Kelly Slater, Rob Machado and Gerry Lopez. The fans clapped and screamed at tow-in shots at an undisclosed location in Tahiti, but the big ride was still to come.
Once the clip finished, the screen rose to reveal Donavan Frankenreiter, longtime friend and opening act for Johnson.
His music matches Johnson's perfectly with the quiet strummings and musings on life and family, but without the talent. While an able guitarist and singer, his lyrical content fell way short, "I'll call you baby, and don't forget your mama is my baby, too."
Fortunately for him, the crowd was ripe for the picking and they applauded every effort, but it truly is something that would be better around a campfire with a cold pack.
This helped stand in juxtaposition to Johnson, who with the same equipment, six-string guitar and a microphone, creates magic like few who have come before him.
Gone was the shy director guy, here was a man who knows how to control a crowd and a mood with but subtle flickings of his wrist.
In the intimacy of the Hawaii Theatre, his voice rang with a resonance that reminds us of those who came before: Cat Stevens with his rendition of "Fall Line" and James Taylor with the dark "Cookie Jar."
The first half of the set he played unaccompanied by his band, and it seemed better that way. Though they did provide a little more punch on songs like "Taylor" for the most part they were just a distraction from Johnson's talent.
One local treat thrown in was Kawika, who played slack key to a couple of songs such as "Cocoon," giving them not only a Hawai'i feel, but also more emotion and flare.
At times you could see a little of his director side slip back in, as he would occasionally forget lyrics, but would smile right through it.
"I get so nervous (playing) in Hawai'i, I've got so many friends and family here tonight," said Johnson, as he was answered back by childhood nicknames and inside jokes from those in the know in the audience.
This cautiousness did not prevent him form unveiling a yet unfinished song, "Banana Pancakes" to roars from the crowd as he adlibbed some of the lyrics.
In all, the hottest show of the summer turned out not to be the rock gods The Who, but rather a solitary plucker from the North Shore, who has won not just the fans of Hawai'i, but the world.
You can reach Chad Pata at chadpata@mac.com.
