Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1997 — Storytelling: Alive, well in Beamer release [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Storytelling: Alive, well in Beamer release

Ii ever you've had a momenl when you sat enraptured as someone told — not read, but > told — you a story, and you listened and begged that it never be over, you'll understand why Aunty Nona Beamer's new cassette/ compact disc \ release is a work of art. \ , The eight pieces in The Golden Lehua Tree: Stories and Music from the Heart ofHawai'i's Beamer Family are bound to become a rich thread in the tapestry of Hawai'i culture. I The release is a pleasing blend of stories backed by dramatic music and song. The first cut, "The Beauty of Mauna Kea," is a chest-punching nostalgic story, told by Aunty Nona backed with music by Keola Beamer. The story is a plaee anchor, pulling the listener first to the hills of Mauna Kea and then beyond to anyplace that holds fast to memory. The whole package is a "take me back" kind of thing. "Naupaka" reminds us of times

when the words of our elders were sacred. An unapproved match was no match at all, and Naupaka and her lover left their flowers to history rather than scorn the traditions of their people. Only in the "back then" kind of time, could "Boki," the hymnsinging dog sneak into church to belt out his favorite. Boki's storyis complete with music and a

howling background, provided by Aunty Nona's hanai son, Kaliko Trapp. Aunty Nona's stories blow fire onto the spark of the art of Hawaiian storytelling, that rich oral tradition that she learned as a child from her kupuna. Her voice is magical, her language clear and sharp despite the modulations of tone she uses to elicit emohonal response. Use of reverberation leaves a haunting trail after important phrases. And, at the age of 73, Aunty Nona makes a credible debut as a vocalist on this recording. Her performance on the nose flute, too, is alone worth the price. The release is the premiere product of Starscape Music, Keola Beamer' s Lāhaina business. It' s being distributed through Mountain Apple. The CD or cassette ean be ordered directly from Starscape at 1-800-424-3858.

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