Facing Future
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.54 You Save: $6.45 (38%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.95 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Facing Future
Free Music Review: A Future with memories
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this albumn on a chance, having been disappointed in recent years in the availability of really good traditional Hawai'ian music by new artists. Facing Future blew me away. I lived in Hawai'i during the mid-70's rennaisance of the Hawai'ian culture and immersed myself in it's richness. In 1995 I went back for a week and found the rennaisance long over, and feared that after the Brothers Cazimero, stopped performing and recording there would be no one left to carry on the great tradition. Unfortunately, while on that trip, I didn't discover Brudda IZ. Not only does his music have all the richness and alohaaina I learned to love in the 70's but it captures the style of some legendary singers like Gabby Pahinui, The Ho'opii brothers and Robert Cazimero. There is also has a nice mix of "Jawaiian," hapa-haole and non-Hawai'ian music with his personal touch, thrown in. Learning of his death in 1997, as I searched the internet to learn more about the creator of my serendipitous discovery, has haunted me because I realized that there will be no more albumns recorded by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Hawai'i and the Hawai'ian musical tradition truly lost a treasure, but fortunately he will continue to live through this marvelous albumn and all the others he gave us.Free Music Review: Facing Greatness: Iz Waz, Iz, and Will Be
Hit: 5 Stars
It was at Hilo Hattie's cavernous store in Honolulu in 1996 that I first made the acquaintance of Iz's music. Knowing less than nothing about Hawaiian music and waiting for my girlfriend to finish her shopping, I put an earphone on my head and listened to several tracks from the featured artists. The first cut -- "Hawai'i '78 Introduction" -- from FACING FUTURE was a revelation to me. When the goosebumps subsided, I bought all the Iz CDs I could find. Having neither the ear nor the words to describe music properly, let me stumble through this: Iz's sweet voice has a range and a depth like nothing else I have ever heard. He was like an angel come down to earth. Whether he sang in Hawai'ian or English didn't make any difference. What I was hearing was sweeter than any opera aria I had ever heard, and that is the only thing I could compare it with. The 14th track -- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow (What a Wonderful World)" -- with its single ukulele accompaniment was simple and yet elegant, deep, and emotionally satisfying.
Forget comparisons. Iz was an original with incredible crossover potential when his life was cut short in 1997. If you have not heard him, you have an incredible treat ahead of you!
Free Music Review: a cool breeze of a voice
Hit: 5 Stars
The purity and clarity of IZ's voice soars high and aims for the heart, with a simple accompaniment in some songs of just his ukulele, and in others he is joined by bass and guitar. The only tracks with keyboard and percussion are the cover/adaptation of John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Road", which is probably the weakest track on the CD, and the marvelous "Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man", with its calypso style rhythm and catchy tune.The highlights for me are the exquisite "La 'Elima", and "Kaulana Kawaihae", where the loveliness of IZ'z voice singing in its highest register shine, and the sublime, delicate rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"/"What a Wonderful World", sung with so much sensitivity, it moves one to the core.
IZ had a voice like a cool breeze on a warm day and it continues to delight and inspire through his many CDs; his music will touch people who are not familiar, or do not particularly care for Hawaiian music, because it is universal in its beauty and magic.
The foldout insert has no lyrics (which is a pity) or recording info. The sound is excellent and total time 56'43.
God bless IZ, and may he be rejoicing in an island paradise !
Free Music Review: Dizzy for IZ
Hit: 5 Stars
I'd never heard of Izrael Kamakawiwo'ole and discovered his music when I heard his "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" rendition on the "Finding Forrester" soundtrack. IZ's medley of these two well known tunes was the most unique and original I've ever heard. With his variable and smooth voice supported with the simple strums on his ukulele, IZ delivers an enchanting and heartfelt sound. His music truly resonates in your soul.His "Facing Future" CD also includes several other lovely and inspiring musical pieces. Three that I particularly enjoyed were: "Take Me Home Country Road" where he adds his unique native Hawaiian flare; "White Sandy Beach of Hawaii" which provides you with images and feelings even if you have never set foot on a Hawaiian beach; and "Kaulana Kawaihae" which demonstrates IZ's immense vocal depth and range.
Several songs on his "Facing Future" CD are in his native Hawaiian tongue. They will communicate and resonate with you even if you don't speak the language. His music, like a gifted painter, creates vivid images of a place with unique beauty, balmy climate and a gentle and proud people...a serene Hawaii.
Free Music Review: Pure, 100% Hawaii!
Hit: 5 Stars
If you love Hawaii, as I do, if you live there as I did for years, then you know that "IZ Lives."
He may have "left" his beloved Islands in 1997, but his pure sweet, voice, like no other singer, will live on forever. IZ and his music ARE Hawaii. Listening to his songs gives a more effective vision of Hawaii than a promotional DVD. He is so real, so genuine, so Hawaiian. To know IZ's music is to know Hawaii. There are many wonderful singers of Hawaiian music, duets, small groups, etc., and many are wonderful. But nobody, nobody "tells the stories of the Islands, expresses a genuine love for the Islands, as does IZ. Judy Garlands rendition of "Over the Rainbow" was beautiful, but pales in comparison to the sounds of IZ. Some of the songs are simplistic and light in their lyrics, and some, deep and symbolic, but all are pure Hawaii. Listen and watch him on "You Tube." Just type in "IZ." See and hear pure and real, Hawaii. And to my friends there who may read this . . "Ah braddahs, I see you at Ala Moana Park Beach, next to Magic Island! We have "good fun, Eh Braddah, then get a plate lunch at Zippys at Ala Moana Mall. Until I return, spread some Aloha for Kimo. Mahalo! Aloha Braddahs!"