I recently realized that I have exposed DUAN to a bunch of great Hawaiian musicians but only of the male variety, well tonight it’s ladies night! Instead of doing a bunch of wahines, I will just focus on one of my favorites and do more in another DUAN. Tonight it is Robi Kahakalau, but most of her fans just call her Sistah Robi. She was the lead singer for the iconic Hawaiian Style Band that put out two amazing albums but tonight is about Sistah Robi’s solo stuff. While some of her music is traditional Hawaiian, she also incorporates elements of jazz, rock, and reggae in her original songs. Her linguistic skills make her one of the most versatile singers in Hawaii. She is fluent in English, French, Hawaiian & Tahitian. She was born into a very musical family, her grandfather played ukulele and steel guitar, and taught traditional Hawaiian music in Boston; her father, meanwhile, performed as a jazz bassist in the ’40s under the name Bob Carter. Robi is a talented guitarist with a heavenly voice and has won several of Hawaii’s most prestigious musical awards. She has performed with most of the previous Hawaiian artists I have brought to DUAN and even performed at Canegie Hall with the Makaha Sons. I hope you enjoy her music and hopefully it can bring you some of the stress relief it brings me. Close your eyes and imagine you are on a beach, all your stress is gone…you can do it!
Keiki O Ka Aina translates to “children of the land”
He Po Lani Makamae translates to “a night of precious heavens”
Pi’i Mai Ka Nalu translates to “the waves come up” this song features some background words from Bulaia, a famous comedian that is basically the Borat of the islands
Tera Mai Te Tiare is in Tahitian which translates loosely to “like a flower”
Ku’u Wainohia translates to “my wine”
Do you have some inspirational ladies we should hear? Mahalo for your support of DUAN & Deadsplinter. Keep the Aloha spirit alive!
“Close your eyes and imagine you are on a beach, all your stress is gone…you can do it!”
I’m at the office but it’s almost working…
You’re on Eastern Time. Go home. The work will still be there tomorrow.
I love me some Etta James. Got to see her perform with BB King and Jimmie Vaughan back in ’95. Great show.
That would be a dream show!
It was. I spent the last $75 I had to get tickets. Didn’t even have a job yet because I had just moved to Nashville. It was with every penny.
…some islands don’t have such clement weather…& I believe the sister was visiting one of those when this clip was recorded?
…but she was always a pretty polite lady, really…& all in all I figure maybe now isn’t the time for polite, necessarily?
That’s the inspiration I’m talkin about!!!!
I’m in favor of girl power
Where do I start? I’ve mentioned on here how much I love Natalie Merchant, Kate Bush, and Johnette Napolitano. But I don’t think I’ve ever posted k.d.lang. She’s an amazing vocal stylist.
Great choices.
Joan Armatrading. Her eponymous album from 1976 is near perfect, at least I think so. Here are two songs that show her range – if you are not familiar with her, please give the first one, Tall In The Saddle a listen:
Patti Smith Group –Distant Fingers
I didn’t get Patti Smith in the day, I think Exene was my version back then
some more Etta,
Etta James – I’d Rather Go Blind
amanda palmer?
and joey cook
aaaaaaaaand…….nina hagen
all 3 of them are probably seen as crazy people but i just see them as very much themselves…its a wonderful thing