Search - Ledward Kaapana :: Led Live Solo

Led Ka'apana: Hawaiian to da Max!

hawaiian4ever | Boring, OR USA | 06/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being born and raised in Hawai'i, I have a huge selection of Hawaiian CD's; this one is one of my absolute favorites. I've seen Led perform live, and have every single one of his CD's. His musical talent is incredible, and he is undoubtedly one of the most personable performers I've ever met. He radiates aloha, and this comes through loud and clear on this CD. It's apparent that he feels right at home with his audience, and they in turn, obviously enjoy every minute of his performance. In short, he's having as much fun as they are.Actually, this CD doesn't really sound so much like a "performance" as it does a room filled with people who enjoy Hawaiian music, with the audience participating in the fun. Every time I listen to it, I feel as though I'm right there with them. This is real Hawaiian "kanikapila", people getting together to sing and play in the old style. His interaction with the other musicians is fun to listen to. They're having a great time, too. Even if you can't understand Hawaiian, you will come away with a real appreciation of this wonderful music. It's so melodic, and Led's love for the 'âina, the land, draws people in and helps them to participate in the songs.Led's musical abilities are prodigious, and even if you're not there to watch his fingers fly over the strings you come away with a real appreciation for his talent. He truly is an artist.Some of the songs he sings are in the Hawaiian falsetto style, which is wonderful to listen to. On every vocal, Led's mellow voice lends much to the enjoyment of the songs. On the instrumentals, the listener comes to appreciate his musical abilities, on the guitar, ukulele, and autoharp.I highly recommend this CD. It doesn't get better than this!"

Captures his live performance well.

robfox | 01/17/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ledward is a master slack-key guitarist and a consummate performer. He learned early on that there is more to a good show than good playing - the musician must perform for his audience as well. Ledward radiates great joy in his music and this is captured on the disk. I saw Ledward perform a few months back with the original Icona, and it was a lot of fun, largely due to Ledward's almost incessant guitar grandstanding. He learned the old fashioned way - by emulating his elders who were all relatives of his. Apparently they had a good time playing guitar. To enhance the performance he provides numerous musical jokes, and telegraphs them enough that the whole audience catches them even if they do not know music very well. A careful listen to audience response provides a few cues. His bright personality helps. His flashy tricks are present here also, but many of them the listener would miss if they had not seen him in concert. Most of the music is instrumental, but there are a few pieces with vocal, which I admit are more enjoyable live than on record. Ledward sings in the classic Hawaiian falsetto style, which may be an aquired taste for some. The packaging is beautiful and full of information. Ledward's guitar education is discussed, each song is described in detail - explaining the unique tunings, and the history of Hawaiian slack-key guitar is presented also. The label, Dancing Cat, is vigorouosly promting this style of music. For fans of Hawaiian culture in general, and students of guitar, this is a worthwhile genre and Ledward Kaapana is a good representative. The only techinical problem with this disk is that the sound is a little bassey. The low notes tend to hand on and reverberate long past their appointed time. Still, Led Live - Solo is well worth the listen."

Beautiful relaxing music-not one bad one in album

robfox | 04/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had no idea what I was in for, when I took a chance and bought this. First one of Hawaiian music. Well, its one of my very favorites of all my various albums. Just one persons OPINION, but I say the guitar playing is superb and the singing is enjoyable. I enjoy trying music from other cultures, and I found this a good example of Hawaii's, and I have just ordered another from a different artist to try, because this was so pretty and easy to listen to--very relaxing."