Search - Reverand Dennis Kamakahi :: Pua 'ena - Glow Brightly

Beautiful music, the soul of Hawaii

R. Chinn | Hawaii and Rhode Island | 05/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been listening to Hawaiian music for 40 years and some of the most poignant and beautiful songs ever written in the genre have been by the Reverend Dennis Kamakahi. First coming to prominence in the Hawaiian music scene with Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawaii, here he reprises some of the songs he wrote and first performed with them as well as other original compositions and traditional Hawaiian standards with the simple, pure beauty of one man, his voice and guitar. Playing the 6 and 12 string guitar in his masterful slack-key style (ki hoalu or Hawaiian finger-picking) in assorted tunings, he transports you by virtue of his beautiful vocals and flawless instrumentals to the soul of Hawaii, from the hot, dry plains and verdant upcountry of leeward Kaua'i (Koke'e - one of my all-time favorite songs, but I spent my childhood summers on Kauai, so I'm biased) to the misty waterfalls and mountain peaks of Moloka'i (Wahine Ilikea). If you're a long-time fan of Hawaiian music you probably already have this CD; if you don't or are new to the genre, this will quickly become one of your favorites. Sixteen tracks and 68 minutes of Hawaiian slack-key and vocal virtuosity by one of the true masters! Superb liner notes by Jay Junker and George Winston complete the package."

Mahalo Uncle Dennis

W. Certo | Cleveland, OH USA | 11/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dennis Kamakahi not only is one of the best slack key (ki ho`alu) guitar players, but a song-writer beyond compare. The sensual imagery in his songs coupled with his melodic voice help you to keep that Aloha feeling even when you are far away from the `aina. There is no more poetic a song than Wahine Ilikea. I love the line, "Wahine Ilikea i ka poli o Moloka`i". Ooooh -- chicken skin. You know it is a classic when you see how many others have reorded that beautiful song. Koke`e is a mele pana (place song) that leaves you yearning to stand on that lookout, gazing at Kalalau. Ka Opae is a bouncy tune and even more jolly when you read the story behind the song. Dennis got his start with Eddie Kamae as one of the Sons of Hawai`i after Gabby Pahinui left the group. He was a young one at only 19 or 20 years old, but Eddie obviously was able to spot talent. Dennis also respects the `olelo (the language) and does it justice with his understanding of the kaona. Thank you, Uncle Dennis, for this amazing piece of musical artistry."