For the first time since the Hawaiian music category was introduced in 2005, slack key guitar wasn't on the winning ballot for the Grammy award. That's OK, the genre has received plenty of attention through the years and there are so many other facets to Hawaiian music that deserve a listen as well.
What was most fun - for me, anyway - were the events leading up to the awards show: Friday night there was an intimate gathering of the nominees from the islands over at the Grammy museum in the brand spankin' new downtown L.A. Live area in one of the theatres. Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere started things off then came Paul Togioka on solo slack key and Bobby Moderow (of Maunalua) singing for his beautiful hula dancing wife Pua, then LT Smooth and Don Kaulia jammin' with Milton and Chris Lau on bass and percussion, respectively. I think the evening was Milton's idea, it seems he coordinated the whole thing. Milton has been producing the Slack Key Festivals in the Hawaiian Islands for the past 26 years, an incredible run.
I can't remember if Ledward Kaapana with Mike Kaawa tearing it up came next or if it was Rev Dennis Kamakahi performing 3 of his classic songs "Koke'e", "Wahine Ilikea" and "Pua Hone". These songs have stood the test of time for sure, so much so that one might think they were public domain songs by now! It was sure an honor having Dennis at the first ever Southern California Slack Key Festival and I'm hoping Led & Mike will be available to come onboard for the 3rd Festival in 2010.
Amy Hanaiali'i wrapped up the evening with her incredible vocals which was so refreshing to hear. Very polished performance since she does record and perform with a regular band, all awesome musicians I kind of consider the "Hawaiian Wrecking Crew": Steve Jones on bass, Chino Montero on guitar and the ubiquitous Jeff Peterson also on guitar. Steve is highly proficient at both upright and electric bass, Hawaiian and jazz. Chino was a member of one of my favorite groups, Palolo - I can listen to their first CD, especially, over and over. Can't say enough about Jeff's classical, jazz and Hawaiian slack key guitar chops, music-arranging savvy and overall musical know-how. Amy is very lucky to have him on her side.
However, I have to admit that by far, the best part was attending the rehearsals for the Grammy show! Got to hear Coldplay run through Viva La Vida - which won Song of the Year - 3 times! Also Paul McCartney and an incredible band, which included Dave Grohl on drums, played through "I Saw Her Standing There" 3 times as well.....Jeff Peterson and I were THIS close!!! When we first arrived, the blues quarter was running through their stuff and this was just an awesome thing to witness - B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Mayer and Keith Urban - WOW!!!
Like the beer commercial said, it doesn't get any better than this.
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