Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 8, 1 August 1998 — Heart and soul [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Heart and soul

CD releases by Auntie lrmgard Farden Aluli, Amy Hānaiali'i and Willie K reflect love for people and places, past and present.

By Manu Boyd MAKING HER CD debut at 86, Irmgard Keali'iwahinealohanohokahaopuamana Farden Aluli is no stranger to the recording studio. A former member of the Board of Governors of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts, Aluli has performed and recorded for decades, first with the legendary Annie Kerr Trio, and more recently, with her family group, "Puamana." Music comes naturally to the Maui-born matriarch, who is credited with hundreds of musical

compositions. She has collaborated with some of Hawai'i's most gifted

haku mele: Mary Kawena i Pūku'i, Pilahi Pākī, Nāpua Stevens-Poire and Larry Kimura, to name a few. Born in Pu'unoa, Māla,

Lahaina, Inngard is the ninth of 13 ehildren of Charles Kekua and Annie

Kahalepouli Farden. V The Farden elan flour- I ished, amid the swaying palms and whispering sea that inspired the Aluli classic, "Pua-

mana." Together with daughters A'ima McManus and Mihana Souza; and nieee Luana McKenney, "Auntie Irmgard" continues to perform with "Puamana," charming audience with a lifetime of experiences, bundles of talent, and unconditional aloha. Perhaps the longest continuously performing musicians in Hawai'i, she was the first livinp artist

inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. The CD features selections by Auntie Irmgard, family and friends, including "E Maliu Mai," "Kūla'iapāhia," "One i Litlle Dream of You," J and "For a Peaceful I

World." Eaeh is reminiscent of days filled with music and 'ohana, not unlike the life Auntie Irmgard enjoys today, a reflection of her Puamana upbringing. Lyrics and trans-

lations are included in an

attractive CD booklet, complete with liner notes by nephew Hailama Farden. Aluli writes, " 'From Irmgard with Love ' is my offering of sincere aloha to all of you dear family members, friends and acquaintances from here and afar. Music has been so mueh a part of my life, and you all are woven into that wonderful fabric of my life that sustains me and keeps me ever grateful for that special gift of music."

Amy Hānaiali'i Gilliom, this year's female vocalist of the year and album of the year winner for her 1997 solo release "Hawaiian Tradition,"is riding high on a wave of musical success. Her collaborataive effort, together with Willie Awihilima Kahaiali'i, known better as Willie K, is even more powerful in "Contemporary Hawaiian," where the two are billed equally. The chemistry of their eollective talent sizzles throughout "Contemporary Hawaiian," with Willie prominent on guitar, and Amy up

front on vocals. Willie joins her in a poignant duet, "'O Ko'olau Kū l i ka Lani," a tribute

to the now-destroyed Kukuiokāne heiau in Kāne'ohe, the 1 eool waters of I Hi'ilaniwai and i the lightning ■ akua, Kānehekili.

The tempo is slow, almost sedate. but the i magic and I mana of the I words, music n and performanee go

right to the core of

Hawaiian SDiritual connectedness to the

environment. On the emotional "flip side," "Ala Moana Annie" is a kolohe, hapa-haole eomposition by Amy's grandmother, Jennie Napua Woodd, now retired from her own performing career. The still-hot Amy hit, "Hale'iwa Hula," another of Woodd's memorable tunes, put Hale'iwa on the map

tor generations ot hsteners. Guests on the

project include Robert Cazimero

(piano), John Koko

(stand-up / bass) and I Bobby Ingano (steel guitar).

I Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa assisted with Hawai-

ian language translations, Jon de Mello

H artfully handled ■ graphics and de I Mello's father I and mentor, Jack, ' writing liner notes.

Enjoy "Contemporary Hawaiian" and the emotions it evokes. Clean and clear, it'll undoubtedly dovetail with its recording predecessor. And don't miss an opportunity to see and hear Amy and Willie K performing live. Their humor, candor and rapport are exquisite, their music, awesome. ■