Piece Description

Bla Pahinui recalls what it was like growing up in his musical family.  The singer and guitarist was inspired by his father, Gabby Pahinui, who is regarded as a Hawaiian folk hero and the “Father of Modern Slack Key Guitar."  In the 70s, Bla joined his father and brothers in the Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band, one of the most influential groups of the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance.  Gabby inspired countless musicians not only in Hawaii, but also worldwide, including artists like Ry Cooder, who recorded with the Gabby Band. 

Since Gabby died in 1980, Bla and his brothers have been carrying on his musical legacy.  Bla continues to perform and has recorded several solo CDs.  He says the music he creates today is a tribute to his father. 

“Bla's distinctive voice and blending of styles grab listeners,” says Dennis Kamakahi, who's performed with both father and son.  "Gabby's the innovator between the old style and today's generation.  He brought the old style of playing, the sweet slack key sounds to us so that we can really play it.  Bla took it one step forward, into the modern generation, which is the mixture of rock, folk, and he has his own style, his own place in the Pahinui tradition."

This piece includes the following musical selections:

Hi`ilawe recorded in 1947: This is Gabby Pahinui's signature tune.  He made the world’s first slack key recordings in the 40s. 

Hi`ilawe recorded in 1972:  Gabby dreamed of someday performing and recording music with his sons, which he did, when he formed the Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band featuring his sons and other musicians.

Moonlight Lady:  This was one of the Gabby Band's biggest hits, featuring Bla singing in English with his brother, Cyril, Randy Lorenzo and Ry Cooder.

Come Go With Me: This features Bla Pahinui singing the Del Viking's hit along with his brothers, Cyril and Martin.  Ry Cooder produced The Pahinui Bros. CD and also plays guitar on the recording.

Waimanolo Blues (Nanakuli Blues):  This is one of Bla Pahinui's signature tunes recorded at a live concert near San Francisco.  It's an expression of Aloha `Aina (Love of the Land) and a lament about an old way of life being lost to development.  Liko Martin and Thor Wold wrote the song in the early 70s, a time of protest in Hawaii, when many controversial changes were taking place in the Islands.

Kauai Beauty:  Bla Pahinui sings this song in Hawaiian.  It was one of his father's favorite songs and pays tribute to the Garden Isle.  It's featured on Bla's CD called "Mana," which means spirit or soul.

Bla Pahinui: Singer and Guitar Player is an evergreen piece, great anytime of the year, including Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, or when the annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival takes place in August in Honolulu as a tribute to Gabby Pahinui and other slack key legends. 

There are two versions: 8:32 and 9:20 minutes.  The longer version has more music at the end of the piece.

http://www.pahinui.com/