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The Aliis Live: A Finale to Make Me Smile
The Aliis Live, a double LP made desirable among music collectors after DJ Muro included the super-charged “Finale” as the final track to his Hawaiian Breaks mixtape.
But there’s something missing from the album, something I feel is very important—liner notes worth reading.
The Original Liner Notes
The album’s original liner notes, probably written by the band’s manager, Irv Pinensky, don’t convey the exciting music you hear on this record (which I found at the Friends of the Library of Hawaii Music Sale).
No, in my opinion the liner notes give you almost nothing worthwhile to consider while listening to The Aliis Live. Check it out:
“The Aliis—a group for all ages—music from the 50s to our present day sounds are performed with equal feeling and musicianship. The album, recorded “live” at the main showroom of the Outrigger Hotel in Waikiki, showcases the versatility of The Aliis. Their combination of superior musicianship and great vocal ability have made The Aliis the most entertaining show group in the country today.”
What you do learn about The Aliis is: their music appeals to everyone, they can play tunes from almost any era with expertise, and their skills match the amount feeling they put into performing.
The Aliis “Make Me Smile”
While the liner notes say enough for the disinterested, I think The Aliis Live deserves more.
After all, just look at the musicians and the instruments they play!
The Aliis
Joe Mundo: piano, organ, brass
Al Akana: drums
Carlos Barboza: organ, brass
Rudy Aquino: vibes, marimba, brass
Benny Chong: guitar, bass
Bobby King: bass
Listen closely to “Finale” and you’ll find out that Benny Chong is a multi-instrumentalist. But read the liner notes and you’ll realize that almost every member of The Aliis plays more than one instrument.
So that’s where all that brass comes from!
The Aliis “Finale”
New and improved liner notes
I propose that The Aliis Live needs new liner notes.
Here’s my take, let me know what you think (feel free to add your own liner notes, too):
Explosive, unexpected, fresh—that’s The Aliis, a group whose musical talents know no limits. From early 50s pop to today’s jazz-funk grooves, these guys can dig it.
If you missed their performances at the Outrigger Hotel in Waikiki, don’t worry because this live album captures their unique enthusiasm to entertain audiences with powerful versions of classic songs.
The Aliis rule the entertainment world with presence and skill unmatched. With just one listen, you’ll find inspiration in the powerful music of The Aliis.
The Aliis—meaning “royalty” or “kings” in Hawaiian—reign over Honolulu’s nightlife. After years as Don Ho’s backing band, The Aliis prove their sound can survive outside the shadow of a showroom superstar.
Besides, musicians who easily switch between heavy horns to blazing guitar and organ solos—and continue to amaze listeners night after night, year after year—were born to be kings.
Here’s to new ideas
Have you ever wanted to rewrite lackluster liner notes of an outstanding album?
Inside the Hawaii Record Sale: More Photos
Monday’s blog post painted a vivid perspective of the the weekend music sale in Hawaii—thousands of dusty LPs on sale, collectors anxiously waiting to flip through wax, the Hawaiian sky beaming gorgeous blue.
I’ve been updating the Aloha Got Soul Instagram account frequently, featuring snapshots of records dug up over the weekend—Hal Bradbury, The Aliis, Summer, Ron Tish, Nohelani Cypriano, Cecilio & Kapono.
(Yes, you should start following me on Instagram.)
You should follow Aloha Got Soul on Instagram.
More Photos from the Record Sale
Saturday morning, the garage doors rolled all the way up. For a few moments the collectors outside didn’t know what to do. Can we go in? Is there an admission fee?
Everyone understood real quick: game on.
The people poured in, short of a stampede but still filled with loads of excitement, carrying empty crates and boxes soon to be filled with dusty vinyl.
At that point, I knew I’d better start digging, too.
Here’s what I captured when I looked up from flipping through records.
The "Collectibles Corner" filled up quickly. Dennie from Hungry Ear wore his Record Store Day tee.
In deep concentration. Looking through the Pop section for R&B, rock, disco, and more.
Home Grown mail order inserts. Can someone please find me one of these old shirts?
Surprisingly, the sale wasn’t crowded elbow-to-elbow.
Some collectors were worried the event would be blown out after I announced the sale and posted the flyer last week. But not that many people showed up in the morning.
At 9:00 am, the handful of Hawaii music collectors who woke up early on a Saturday were here having a good time.
For the first hour everyone was pulling good finds and a few gems (more on those later!).
The people I talked to spoke positively of their scores. It sounded like everyone found something good this year.
Digging through records. I now know three of the five collectors pictured here thanks to Aloha Got Soul.
Barry made an appearance.
Ready to make a new discovery. Shout out to Oliver for always finding good music.
More finds coming soon
Although I scored tons more vinyl at the Harry’s Music Store sale, where I came home with about a hundred records (and made a mixtape from my finds), I left the Friends of the Library of Hawaii music with enough vinyl to last me—20 solid Hawaiian LPs, plus a box of other finds from Monday’s mega sale.
Stay tuned for more updates on what I found:
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Honolulu Record Sale: Before the Storm
If you missed the Friends of the Library of Hawaii Books & Music Sale this weekend, you missed aplenty.
As advertised, there were nearly 30,000 vinyl records waiting to be combed through by local collectors.
Thanks to the event’s organizer, a sweet (and busy) lady named Bird, I had a chance to look around the warehouse before the collectors, who started lining up outside around 7:30 am, rushed the stacks of wax inside.
Inside the Friends of the Library of Hawaii Annual Sale, about 30 minutes before the garage doors opened and collectors rushed in.
Near the front garage doors was the “Collectibles” section, where the most desirable* albums, singles, and 78s could be found. (*Completely subjective, curated by a guy who overlooked tons of gems in the rest of the warehouse’s selection.)
This is where most people went first, once the doors opened, of course.
The "Collectibles Corner" at the 2012 FLH Music Sale.
FLH Volunteers meandered the aisles, tidying books, CDs, magazines, and LPs as they went along.
Everyone was happy to lend a hand—all proceeds from the sale go to the Hawaii State Public Library System.
One volunteer told me I was too young to be listening to records. On the contrary.
Out back, the green, rolling hills of Kakaako Waterfront Park rose past the chain link fence bordering the warehouse perimeters, the sky a deep, gorgeous blue.
Nearby, flights left Honolulu International Airport for a destination unknown to us, slowly moving through the clouds, heading out over the Pacific Ocean.
In back of the warehouse. No records to be found out here!
And out front, collectors mingled, talking story about rare jazz 78s, Ghost World, legendary Hawaiian musicians, last night’s Dublab show, and how the 2011 FLH record fair was a crapshoot—hardly anyone found anything, apparently (I wasn’t there last year).
Some people couldn’t stand the wait. They peered in through dingy, tiny windows to catch hints of the setup. Not sure if that helped any.
When volunteers finally started opening the garage doors, collectors had a clear idea of the layout. Collectibles Corner, Hawaiian, Jazz, Pop, Country, Classical, Folk.
There was something for every taste, and everyone wanted in already!
Awaiting entry into the warehouse, 8:45 am. Official start time was 9 am—that's 15 minutes of bittersweet anticipation.
Hawaiian LPs all lined up.
Hawaii’s crate digging scene is much less competitive than other parts of America, there are fewer collectors on the island than, say, New Jersey or Seattle.
The people are friendly. They won’t cut in line if you need to move your car. When we had to relocate to another garage door 50 feet south, everyone took their same spots in line.
Talking story outside.
I had a great time chatting with other collectors. Many of them are my friends. Some of them are looking for the same stuff I am: Hawaiian funk, soul, and jazz. But if there’s something I don’t have, like a rare LP from a local jazz guitarist (more on this later), no one hesitates to offer me a listen.
After all, we do this for the love of music.
A portable turntable is essential for a record fair like this.
It’s late—2 am on a Sunday—so I’ll wrap this up.
If you want to see more photos from the record sale, follow me on Instagram and Twitter.
In the meantime, stay tuned for more blog posts about my finds at the Friends of the Library record sale!
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Tender Leaf “You’re My Fantasy”
“You’re My Fantasy” by Tender Leaf Continue reading
Hal Bradbury “Babe I Want You”
“Babe I Want You” by Hal Bradbury Continue reading
The Hawaii Music Sale by Friends of the Library
Every year, the Friends of the Library of Hawaii open up their Honolulu warehouse to host their annual music sale, “Friends, Books, Music… The Sale!” It’s the biggest record fair in Hawaii, hands down.
The 2012 Hawaii music sale this weekend at the FLH Harbor Warehouse in Honolulu. (See map on flyer below for directions).
Friends, Books, Music… The Sale!
Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
March 24th, 25th, 26th 2012
9 am – 4 pm
Last year, I tried many times to find out when the music sale was happening. Any record collector in Hawaii knows this is the ultimate record fair in the Aloha State.
I missed out in 2011, because I Googled “hawaii public radio music sale” but found nothing. (HPR used to host an annual sale, too). Even if you search for “music sale friends of the library hawaii” right now, the results aren’t very clear.
So let me tell you: the biggest Hawaii music sale is March 24 – 26, 2012!
I’m just dying to get my fingers dusty and dig through 30,000 vinyl records.
Are you going to The Sale?
Hal Bradubury “You Send Me”
“You Send Me” by Hal Bradbury Continue reading
The Home Grown Series, Volume I (1976)
“Inspiration is where you find it,” wrote Wayne Harada in the Home Grown I liner notes, a Hawaiian music compilation released on KKUA Records in 1976.
Me? I find my inspiration in music (of course), and I know I’m not alone (hence: this).
In 1976, prolific radio DJ Ron Jacobs released Hawaii’s first volume in the Home Grown series. Ron had moved back home to Hawaii from San Diego and immediately fell in love with the music of the islands.
While living and working in San Diego, Ron Jacobs produced the California city’s own Home Grown LPs.
But he dreamed of a releasing Hawaii’s own Home Grown compilations. Upon returning to the islands, Ron made it his goal to bring greater recognition to Hawaii’s tremendous, upcoming talent.
Enter, Home Grown I:
“The idea is to provide a showcase, in a setting of pride and professionalism, to possibly launch a career or two or three.”
The careers of several Hawaiian artists were already shining bright when Home Grown I hit the record stores in Honolulu—the likes of Cecilio & Kapono, Olomana, Country Comfort, and The Brothers Cazimero propelled forward with success (some of these acts still perform to this day!).
The initial idea of Home Grown was thus: as an outlet for homegrown artists creating homegrown music. As Wayne Harada wrote in his liner notes for the LP:
“Hawaii is known the world over for its cosmopolitan blend, its mixing of races and cultures. In Home Grown, you get this chop suey feeling—indicative that music remains the universal language.”
Home Grown is the heart Hawaii, sharing its thoughts, feelings, struggles, and emotions with the world.
Let’s listen in:
Country Living presents a perfect example of the laid-back lifestyle of Hawaii with their contribution to the LP. I’ve talked about this before, and it’s true. Country living is free and easy. It’s mellow. It’s open. It’s love of a land that gives and gives so long as you appreciate and respect it.
Another aspect I enjoy about folky, jazzy Hawaiian music is the bossa nova influence. The Brazilian-Hawaiian connection becomes apparent with the incorporation of Latin beats and acoustic guitars. “Country Living Hawaii” represents that feeling that you get while living in a tropical paradise.
Let’s stick around the countryside a little longer and visit the tune “Oh Why Leave?” by Breezin’, following in the footsteps of Kalapana and the new contemporary Hawaiian sound of the 1970s.
Loose guitars introduce the music, written by Steven Min and Robert Agno, with the beat picking up the pace at the 45 second mark. (We weren’t as talented as Breezin’, but this song reminds me of an EP I recorded with my friend back in 2007.)
Cooper’s Still. “Big Island.” Read those four words, what images stir in your mind?
This song, I hope, will fulfill those imaginations. It did for me. “Big Island” symbolizes wide open country, skies greater than God himself, and gentle blowing winds that bring the fragrance of Hawaiian flowers to your nose.
It’s blissful, it’s peaceful, and in just under four minutes, it works wonders on the human imagination.
Despite the low quality recording, “Makapuu” surprises. Burt Bascone played every single instrument for and sang every vocal track for the song—16 parts total!
A playful, upbeat tribute to the cliffs of Makapuu, Burt’s pop tune proves that one talented man can equal more than what ten men combined could achieve.
Kapono Beamer and Byl Leonard recorded “Living in Hawaii” just four hours before the deadline to enter the Home Grown contest.
Close your eyes and listen to the lyrics, the music will immediately transport you to the islands.
Hana, Maui, is one of Hawaii’s most remote towns and is often called “The Last Hawaiian Place”.
Glenn Pinho wrote this semi-autobiographical song about the highways of life (by the way , the Road to Hana is one of the world’s most scenic highways). Ups, downs, streaks of good luck and regrettable experiences fill our lives. These things shape who we are.
Singing with conviction, Glenn bares his soul, revealing his feelings for his home back in the country.
“Hana Boy” is the quintessential Home Grown composition. It’s country, it’s contemporary (check that cool conga break!), it’s music that only Hawaii can create.
“Inspiration is where you find it. Judging from the songs selected, there’s a sweeping new interest in the simple life of the country.
Unsurprisingly, the mountains, the ocean, the backyards, the frontyards, the gerenal beauty of Hawaii have tinkled the creative juices. Whatever, wherever: The Home Growners sing about life in paradise.”
For some, homegrown is a dream. Fortunately, Ron Jacobs captured those dreams and turned them into reality with the Home Grown series.
Read more from the Home Grown Series here.
The Home Grown Series, Volume II (1977)
“A tradition is something that can’t be forced on a community—
it is built on solid acceptance and mass support.”
In a single sentence, entertainment writer Wayne Harada touched upon the success of the Home Grown series, produced by disc jockey Ron Jacobs for KKUA Records in Hawaii during the late 1970s.
“Home Grown has become an instant tradition in the Islands …
and a springboard to fame for a dozen singers, musicians, and composers.”
The first compilation of Hawaii’s Home Grown series (posts on each volume coming soon) featured artists like Cooper’s Still of Kailua, David Kawika Crowley of Peralta, Country Living, and Bart Bascone.
But I’m writing about the second volume in the series before anything else. Why?
Because Nohelani Cypriano’s “Lihue” is on this LP, and that’s about all you need to know (there’s more to learn about, though).
And the winner is, Lihue!
When Nohe and Dennis Graue submitted their song to the Home Grown contest, they won.
“Lihue” was an instant success and one of the biggest singles of the year. Nohe’s debut album (sometimes called Around Again) included hits like “Living Without You”, “Moon Of Manakoora”, and “Lihue”.
For decades, “Lihue” has captivated listeners’ imaginations, proving itself as one of Hawaii’s greatest tunes to hit the dance floors, airwaves, wax grooves, and the drum machines of sample-loving Finnish hip-hop groups. (Note: In 1995, Nohe re-recorded the song with Dennis Graue, giving it a more ‘modern’ feel, if you will. I dig it, do you?)
But like I said, there’s more to learn about the Home Grown II album.
The Home Grown series presents a unique view of Hawaii in 1977:
The country was turning not-so-country anymore, and family stores were being torn down to make way for shopping complexes, suburbs, and parking lots. Chip Hatlelid & Shave Ice sang how the “Fujimura Store” broke down because the island was changing so fast.
Brandon Bray‘s Polynesian disco music got a glimpse of sought-after recognition—the band had difficulty getting airplay before Home Grown II. “Polynesian Girl” by Brandon Bray and Brown Spice, a song about the beauty of Hawaii, featured the largest group on the album with an ensemble of twelve musicians. Hawaiian disco music had it’s own place in the local music scene during the 70s, and Brandon’s blooming career found success with Home Grown’s help.
Ron Tish, an Iowa musician who relocated to Hawaii, shares his contemporary island music in the form of “Bum-Bye”. Many mainlanders who come to Hawaii embrace the islands’ “hang loose” attitude. Ron took a “no-worry, no-hurry” approach and wrote this take on the laid-back Hawaiian lifestyle.
Ray Gooliak, whose album was reissued on Cool Sound’s Cool Hawaii label by Toshi Nakada, gives us perhaps his most well-known song, “Maui On My Mind”. The song showcases Ray playing bass, guitar, percussion and, of course, singing.
Rock Custer sings his love of Hawaii after being away from home for too long. “Wave Dreams” paints the classic imagery of the islands: playful trade winds and ocean waves rolling by, worrying about nothing as a circus of colors stretch across the sky at sunset.
Na Hoapili retells the story of Hawaii with “Oh Akua!”, of a time before the Europeans arrived and disrupted the lives of native Hawaiians, a time when King Kamehameha the Great united all of the islands. As the song progresses, you can hear how Hawaii has changed to a modern-day society where Hawaiian culture must be taught to keiki, the children of Hawaii.
Why Home Grown Matters
“Content-wise, there are love songs and think songs—mirroring the complexion of Hawaii, the beautiful and the bad. One artist who was so bowled over by the beauty of Hawaii (he lived here, went away, and came back) had to get his sentiments into song. Another, alarmed about the continuing demolition of the little things in life, tapped out a dandy ecological ditty. Still another expresses his view about the Hawaiiana movement.
The point is, every song has a story.” – Wayne Harada
With Home Grown II, as with all Home Grown compilations released in Hawaii, the mix of songs gives listeners a variety of views into our islands, from Maui to Kauai to the Big Island and Oahu.
Each person experiences the land in a unique way. It just takes an effort like the Home Grown series to manifest individual perspectives into something marvelous and tangible.
Stay tuned for more posts in the Home Grown series, showcasing the Hawaiian compilations by DJ Ron Jacobs and KKUA.
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