"NA MELE O KAUA'I, VOLUME 1" BY NORMAN KA'AWA SOLOMON; SONGS OF THE ISLANDS MUSIC

By Wayne Harada, Honolulu Advertiser

  • Genre: Contemporary Hawaiian.

  • Distinguishing notes: "Na Mele" collates songs about the Garden Island and comes off as a Kaua'i-no-ka-'oi entity, interpreted by a resident singer who contributes a couple of originals ("Au Hea Oe," "I Love Kaua'i") and collaborations ("A Thousand Miles," with Art Umezu; "My Favorite Things," with Allan Thomas and Ilona Ku'ulani Moritsugu). Solomon revives some notable Kaua'i melodies, including Bob Nelson's "Hanalei Moon," Dennis Kamakahi's "Koke'e," Rudolph Farden Jr.'s "Beautiful Kaua'i," and James Pahinui's "Kaua'i Beauty." Notable musicians heard on the session: Cindy Combs, Bryan Kessler, Ken Emerson, Trey Thompson.

  • The outlook: With the Volume 1 tag, sounds like there will be follow-up CDs.

  • Our take: This is a natural take-home Kaua'i souvenir for visitors; for residents, an entity in which to share bragging rights of the 'aina.

    •  

    When you combine the beautiful voice of

    Norman "Ka`awa” Solomon

    with two musicians who contributed on the GRAMMY Award winning CD "Slack Key Guitars Volume 2, lap steel legend Ken Emerson and guitarist Bryan Kessler (Hawaiian Style Band) you get simple and pure musical richness.

    “Na Mele O Kaua`i, Volume One” was produced by Kaua`i resident and artist, Allan Thomas. To enhance it even further, mixing the CD is the legendary Stephen Barncard (Crosby Stills Nash, Van Morrison, and more) and the mastering was by Dave Collins. (Bruce Springsteen, Sting, and many others) Their expertise complements the simple, but beautiful songs on “Na Mele O Kaua`i, Volume One”, Ka`awa’s third CD: a tight, clean, laid-back Kaua`i-style sound.

    All the songs on this CD celebrate the beauty and musical heritage of Kaua`i. Ka`awa’s original compositions are weaved in with signature songs. Intimate interpretations backed by Award winning rich slack key, lap steel, Cindy Combs backup vocals, and stand up bass create a new twist on the instantly recognizable classics.

    Life on Kaua`i moves at a decidedly slower pace. People gather on the roadsides and beaches to watch their beloved sun perform it’s daily ritual of rising and setting. The sound of this CD embraces this feeling.

    Whether you are a local or a visitor, when you listen to this CD you will be enveloped in the sounds and feelings of The Garden Island; this CD truly captures the beauty and essence of Kaua`i.     Sit back with your eyes closed while listening to “Na Mele O Kaua`i, Volume One”, you can easily imagine yourself relaxing in Kaua`i, capping-off an aloha-filled day with an incredible sunset!

    Norman Solomon lives in Anahola with his family and he is a warrior by day; a fire/rescue worker for the County of Kaua`i and a talented musician who plays many gigs through out Hawaii.

    He has collected and recorded these songs because they convey what he really loves about Kaua`i and he gives them to you in the hopes they will confirm what you love about this beloved island.

    Ka`awa’s vocals, Bryan Kessler’s  guitar,  Ken Emerson’s 1939 lap steel, Trey Thompson’s stand up bass and Cindy Combs all add up to magic!

    Just being in Kaua`i is a state of mind that you hope to bring home with you and share with others: “Na Mele O Kaua`i, Volume One” creates that state of mind.