Search - Combo Mahalo :: Flight of the Blue Manu

A Review From Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association Newsletter

Andrew D. Fraser | Austin, TX USA | 09/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone in the know remembers John Ely, former steel player for Asleep at the Wheel. Here is what he had to say about "Flight of the Blue Manu" in the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association Newsletter:





Combo Mahalo "Flight of the Blue Manu" (Glad Music Company 7034)



Review by John Ely



At first I didn..t know what to make of Austin..s latest retro sensation, a swingy Hawaiian band called Combo Mahalo. The band features the very up-front voice of Brian Rise who at times has an almost Alfred Apaka-like crooning delivery and the way up-front steel guitar of Anthony Locke who has clearly done his homework absorbing the style and sound of Dick McIntire, David Keli`i and others.



"Flight of the Blue Manu" is not your typical crafted, arranged, and produced CD. It has the feeling of a raucous jam session with lots of raw "one-take" energy coming across..no overdubs please!



Combo Mahalo may have just found a formula for making this kind of music work in today's pop music environment. Today's audience is not built to give their undivided attention to a slow subtle Hawaiian ballad, sad to say, but they will respond to excitement and spontaneity, and that is something Combo Mahalo can deliver in spades..exciting renditions of tunes like "Honolulu, I'm Coming Back to You," and "Hilo March," abound on the CD.



Afficionados of traditional Hawaiian music may observe that some of the playing and singing on this CD seem to go "over the top" or may lack nuance in places, but, what you hear on this CD could be heard at any given good-time Hawaiian jam be it in 1936 or 2006. And as anyone who knows the Austin music scene will attest, Combo Mahalo has that Austin flair- "ragged but right"



As I mentioned to lead singer Brian Rise when I heard the CD for the first time, I thought some of the rhythm instruments could have been higher in the mix... this is the most up-front steel guitar you will ever hear. But who are we to complain?! Anthony Locke's playing is excellent and he's not afraid to take chances. Combo Mahalo deserves to be heard and they are a legitimate contender for hottest Hawaiian band on the mainland."

Music for time travelers!

Forrest L. Mcbryde | Corpus Christi, TX | 04/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Combo Mahalo are a group of time traveling magicians who transport listeners to a time and place best portrayed in reprints of vintage Hawaiian travel posters. A time before cell phones and CEO surfers doing deals beyond the breaks, a time before terrorists and road side bombs, a time before corporate raiders and outsourcing of jobs, a time before global warming and frozen assets. They take you to time before worry. To a time when the only pressing decision is whether to order a Mai Tai or a beer. I have listened to many great bands over the years, but I have never listened to another band that could truly transport me to a time before worry. The individual members of Combo Mahalo are lost in some kind of strange time warp, but collectively they have the power to take you with them to the sacred shores of a plance that may never have really existed on our planet, but should have, and should still. For those of you who wish to take such a journey, you might try Austin, Texas. Find the Hole in the Wall and step through. If you cannot make it to Austin, just pipe this CD into the back yard, light up a couple of Tiki torches, crank up the blender, and soon you will be there."