A little bit rock, a little bit slack key
Better
Rob Yamanoha, $12.97
If you’re jonesing for a Kalapana/Country Comfort kind of musical fix, complete with original light acoustic soulful songwriting and vocals, Rob Yamanoha’s debut solo CD Better is just what the doctor ordered. With uncomplicated yet stylish arrangements and insightful lyrics, Yamanoha delivers a musical sketch that is intelligent and interesting and yes, better than most.
After seven years as the singer-songwriter-lead guitarist with the ever popular funky eastside party band Moemoea, Yamanoha established himself as a mostly solo artist and sometimes lead man of the Rob Yamanoha Band performing regularly on the Big Island club scene.
Better includes a selection of 10 tunes, recorded at Red Moon Recording Studios in Hilo; all songs (except ‘Wailua Sky’) are written, arranged, engineered and produced by Yamanoha. Although he wears many musical caps, he did have a little help from a few talented friends. Guitarist Spencer Ahuna (son of Darlene and JJ Ahuna) is a steady member of his band and contributed his own rock infused flavor to the mix. Formerly with Plethora and Bruddah Kuz, Ahuna holds his own. Popular drummers Bo Wade and Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing (of ‘Ai Pohaku) drop in on percussion. Gonzo and Yamanoha share bass line kuleana.
‘Sugar Cane’ captures the gusty rain laden trade winds, swelling surf and changes in the light and sky that herald wintertime in Hawai’i. A wistful visual snap shot of the silver tasseled pua ko sugar cane flowers signal the closure of one year and the onset of another for a young man raised amidst the swaying fields of cane and plantation towns of yesterday.
‘Beautiful,’ released earlier as a single, remains an ode to a fathers’ initial feelings of tenderness and wonder at the birth of his baby girl. With a nod to Stevie Wonder’s ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ Yamanaoha’s writing is solid and fresh.
‘Don’t be Afraid,’ pushes words of encouragement to a brother who suffers from personal demons. ‘Sailing Around’ is upbeat and danceable while holding tight to the hope of finding love once more on the horizon.
Other standouts are ‘Stars,’ which poses the questions that all artists face in pursuing a dream of fame and fortune amidst a sea of distractions. Local audiences will appreciate the soft rock easy groove, catchy phrasing and positive message put forth in response.
‘Wailua Sky,’ was written by Bonnie Gearheart and Brian Robertshaw for the 1970s group The Fabulous Krush. For Yamanoha, who was born and bred on the North Shore, the tune was a comfortable fit. He does it justice with a few signature vocal nuances thrown into the arrangement.
Yamanoha’s voice is deep and expressive, but sometimes lyrics are lost in muffled delivery. Still, this debut is notable with the promise of paving the way for more creativity on the local music landscape.
For audiences hungry for something that not only sounds and feels good but also truly reflects the issues of life and love, come a little closer. Yamanoha has something that is indeed better.
The CD is available online at [myspace.com/robyamanoha].
He’eia
He’eia, RCA, $16.98
Congratulations are in order for one of Hawai’i’s favorite sons. Slack key virtuoso Pahinui (son of the legendary Gabby Pahinui) is making his way back after weathering some rough times. Earlier in the year his three heirloom guitars were stolen and later retrieved only after a reward was paid. Later, his beloved wife Charmagne was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After her passing he was encouraged to move forward with the support of family, friends and through music. After coming through the dark time he remarried Chelle Shand–an instructor at University of Hawai’i-Hilo and publisher of Humu Mo’olelo, Uncle George Na’ope’s comprehensive hula magazine, which is popular in Hawai’i, Japan and beyond.
Professionally, Pahinui just released his third solo CD. He’eia, released last month as George Winston’s Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Series on Dancing Cat Records, it is already receiving critical acclaim. Pahinui also contributed to Daniel Ho Creations’ latest project, Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, where he receives songwriting credits for instrumental selection ‘Cyril’s Slack Key’ and performer credits on ‘Nani Ka’ala.’
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