Breath Of Life - Cooper's Still 2011

Kailua is a cool place now, but Kailua in the early seventies was epic. You could drive when you were fifteen, drink at eighteen, and you didn't have to go to town to hear and see some of the best bands in Hawaii. There was live music everywhere. My favorite place to take a date was Pinky's Broiler at the Pali Palms Hotel. The house band there was a group called Cooper's Still, and they played the greatest version of Sail On Sailor since the Beach Boys.

Recently a gentleman named Jud Haskins started a Facebook page dedicated to a.) remembering those bands and musicians that played in Kailua back then; and b.) finding out what happened to them. The page exploded and turned into a gathering place of not only the members of those bands but the folks who were there enjoying their music. I had thought I was the only one who remembered those days so fondly. Boy, was I wrong.

Not content just to oversee a nostalgic trip down memory lane Jud, a music producer by trade, gathered some of those musicians and created an album of new music called KAILUABANDS named after the Facebook page. It is crazy good and hasn't left my truck's CD player since I picked one up at Hungry Ear Records a few weeks ago.  Breath Of Life was the first song released off the album and captures perfectly the sound and feeling of the Kailua I remember from my youth, and maybe more importantly feels like Kailua today. Please enjoy and pick up the album by contacting Jud via the Facebook page.

Aloha

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Papa Ooh Maui Maui

Just got back from a quick three day workation in the islands. Spent most of the time addressing a possible new project in Wailea on the island of Maui. It was a tough assignment but somebody had to do it. Even went to Oahu for a few hours for a couple of meetings. That hurt. Didn't want to leave. Felt good to be home, but had to get back to Maui. My little taxi driver from town to the airport hugged me when she dropped us off. Only in Hawaii. Said hello to slack-key guitarist extraordinaire Jeff Peterson. Told him he was a wonderful showmen, he said I was a great listener. We're new best friends.

Weather was great. Ahahahaha, it's always great. Went by Maui Raceway Park. The good news is that it's still open, bad news is that it was Wednesday and nothing was happening. Stopped at two Longs Drugs magazine stands to show any locals milling around the new issue of Hot Rod Deluxe (Page 12). Seemed like a good idea at the time. Also checked a couple harbors looking for available slips for when I steal my Dad's boat and hide it outer island. Mooring rates are a third of San Diego... crazy. I tried to relieve Maui of it's Jim Beam supply. I was unsuccessful. They have a lot. I'll do better next time.

Aloha

South end of project looking makai

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Five Summer Stories - 1972

I saw the surf film Five Summer Stories at the Aikahi Park Theater when it first came out. I was never really the same after that. I love the original soundtrack and still listen to it often, but someone overlayed some Jack Johnson over this bitchin' scene with Gerry Lopez at Pipeline and it feels a lot different, but right too.

I also linked the original song, Pipeline Sequence" by Honk. For an old timey feel, turn off the volume on the first screen and play them both at the same time. Aloha.

Waimanalo Blues - Country Comfort 1974

Hawaii time again. With songs like Pretty Girl, We Are The Children and this one, the beautiful and poignant Waimanalo Blues, Country Comfort established a huge presence in the Hawaiian culture of the '70s. Billy Kaui and the boys deserved a long successful career but alas the excesses of the times were too much. A re-upping of the older Nanakuli Blues, this song spoke of the locals dissatisfaction with the development of the islands. Boy, if they could only see it now. Aloha



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Aloha Andy Irons

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Andy Irons 1978 - 2010

This is a nice profile of the late Andy Irons. Late... Shouldn't have to describe a 32 year old man that way. Andy passed yesterday on his way home to the islands due to a virus stemming from a mosquito bite in Puerto Rico. Damn.

As a competitor, Andy was nearly unstoppable the first half of this decade winning three world surfing championships. A native son of Hawaii, he leaves behind his wife, Lyndie, who is hapai with their first child. Prayers go out to to all his friends and family on Kauai.  Aloha

Moonlight Lady - The Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band 1975

It's Hawaii break time again. Chicken skin music from Gabby, his son Bla and Ry Cooder. Moonlight Lady was a monster hit in the islands back in my school days.

Found this terrific picture of Mr. & Mrs. Pahinui at their home in Waimanalo. They used to host legendary kanikapilas in their backyard that would go on for days. The family is again gathering musicians once a year for a tribute to 'Pops' down the street at the beach park pavilion named after Gabby.

The video is sort of lame but the music is no ka oi.

Aloha

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White Sandy Beach - Israel Kamakawiwo`ole

The great 'Bruddah Iz'.

Aloha