Keali'i ReichelCustomer Review: I absolutely love the latest Keali'i Reichel CD, KE'ALAOKAMAILE. I am listening to it as I write, amazed at how the emotional depth of this CD moves me and others. My hula teacher, Helene, who hides her soft, buttery heart with a tough exterior (that fools no one), called me as soon as she had given the CD a listen. Not only was she moved to tears, she was outright sobbing. Therein, lies Keali'i's talent. He doesn't just sing with a beautiful voice. Entrancingly, he sings with a reach that goes deep and touches the soul in its tenderest spots. Well, besides singing, Keali'i does many things extraordinarily well -- this guy chants, dances the hula, and teaches both -- but singing to YOU, and seemingly to ONLY YOU, is what Keali'i does best. The Aloha and Mahalo for his beloved grandmother, Kamaile Puhi Kane (1916-2000), now departed and to whom this CD is dedicated, are profound and most evident in its meaningful opening monologue and heart-stirring chant. Then through his lyrical music and with his incredibly clear and pure voice as an instrument, Keali'i spills his guts and honors her with songs that caress, soothe, and yes, heal at the deepest levels. Each song is a facet that reflects a time in his life that was spent with his grandmother at her beachside home in Paia, Maui. And now almost four years after their sad parting, he generously and without self-consciousness shares with us their incredible grandmother-grandson relationship, one that now transcends time and space. There can be no finer musical tribute for a grandmother by a grandson than this...she is immortalized with such deep Mahalo. Gramma must smile every time she hears someone playing her CD. Yes, in my mind's eye, I see her sitting in her chair, smiling her soft and gentle smile, nodding as she did. This CD makes me smile a lot too. Keali'i's voice is a tension melter, a stress reliever. Pupu A'o Ewa was such a happy song that we sang as kids. And ahhh, the first time I heard Keali'i's joyous version in full HAWAIIAN -- not just the echo parts -- I couldn't believe how happy that childhood song could make me. For those moments, I AM that carefree, happy, coconut brown girl in rubbah slippahs, growing up in paradise in Pahoa, Puna, Moku Keawe. Now years later, in a foreign land, I am a soon-to-be god gramma, and I can't wait to teach this song to the little one one day, just as K sings it, as it was meant to be sung. Such is the power of K's music. It peels away the layers, the years, and goes deep to put one in touch with what is real and true in life. The entire CD is easy on the ears. And the song selection and its variety make it the special and precious release that it is. Naturally, the Hawaiian songs enthrall me and gets me up out of this comfortable chair to dance my made-up hula. I like Ka Nohona Pili Mai best; the word pictures transport me right back to my blissful, sun-drenched childhood days at my family's Kapoho beach home. And Lahainaluna -- ahh, there I go, up and dancing my hula! The English selections are deeply touching. I was riveted by Fields of Gold when I first heard Sting sing it and my tears welled up then, never thinking then that Keali'i would sing it one day. Shhh! Don't breathe a word to Sting, but Keali'i does it better. My tears spilled over... I'm so proud of(and happy for)Keali'i and Puna. As poignantly shared in the CD's liner notes, life threw them more than their share of curved balls, and they went through so much during that interim between CDs, yet somehow -- I like to think with Gramma's help -- they managed to produce yet another all-time classic. Such is the power of Aloha and hearts filled with Mahalo. Out of loss, grief, trials and tribulations, a masterpiece! And Gramma lives on... E ola! | Tracks: | Ka Mo'oku'auhau O Kamaile Puhi KaneHe Lei No Kamaile (Chant)Ka Nohona Pili KaiFields Of goldPupu A'o 'EwaMele 'OhanaFor The First TimeNa 'Ono O Ka 'AinaE Pili MaiKaionaLahainalunaYou Were ThereLei Hana I Ka Makani Ualau'awaKa Nohona Pili Kai (Re-Mix)Goodbye My Friend | | Release Date: | 2003-12-09 | | Label: | Punahele Productions |
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