Ken Emerson Guitar - Hawaiian Tangos, Hulas & Blues CD

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 emerson CD is a hodge podge
this record did not have a clear theme> todd rundgren sang one harmony vocal on Ulupalakua and it could have been anyone doing it. Darlene Ahuna was awesome but her cut sounded like Darlene with Ken. Roselani with Dave Jenkins was overproduced and sounded more like a newgrass cut than Hawaiian. Ken's guitar was so buried in the mix that you could not even hear it. Perfection sounded not the least bit Hawaiian or tango or blues. The third man theme was dreadful and so out of place. Kahili Blues was a very basic blues song. Wahine Ilikea was a good cut and he might have come up with a decent recording had he done more like this. Sitting on top of the world sounded like it was done in someones garage and was sloppy and oh so out of tune too. KaMele nahenahe o Ke Kai was Cindy's tune and very good however Ken played over her so much that you could not get much of a sense of dynamics.Tropico Pacifico has these abrubt endings on each phrase that as a listener sounded rough and ragged to me.The best cut on the record is Limahuli Dream. I heard Limahuli dream on the musak on the Hawaiian airline flights to the mainland. I was stoked because I wrote the song by myself and named it too. Very disturbing to me as the writer that Mr. Emerson says he was also a writer of the tune. People say its haunting and beautiful and he plays some decent guitar behind my slack key playing and the melody I wrote. too bad he cant come up with his own material. I should know I played in a duo with him for over 10 years and yet was not even mentioned on the laboriously long and boring liner notes. He did not however fail to mention every single music contact he has ever had. As if the listener even wants to read about all of the folks he knows and much of it is not even true. Just for the record. I know for a fact that Ken Emerson has never toured or recorded with Taj Mahal and yet he says he has. Yes there was lots of name dropping however It was not enough to convince me the record was all that great.
Submitted by manayoga (Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii USA)
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 An Hawaiian Eclectic Dream
"Hula,Tangos and Blues" is an increadable CD.This is a fun, eclectic combination of songs, that makes you want to keep coming back for more. Ken's gifted and studied talent of Hawaiian "slack and steel" guitar (along with his guest artists), make this CD work. They are able to weave and tie in a diverse group of songs, and styles, and yet keep returning to an Hawaiian "slack and steel" sound. Ken brings in a refreshing new twist to "Sitting on top of the World". A. Karos's "Third Man " theme, comes out of no where,yet fits in perfectly."Wahine I'likea"is a haunting, and romantic rendition of this Hawaiian traditional This CD will lift yor spirits, and mind. You will want to hear each song, because each is unique, and ties the "H., T., and B.," theme together. Ken (and guests), "slack and steel" Hawaiian sounds are a joy to listen to.
Submitted by Lyle (Monte Sereno, Califonia)
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 Ken is a Master Guitarist
It sounds like "manayoga" has a definite problem, more like jealousy! I can't believe that someone would say such lies and innuendos and hope to be believed. Obviously she wants to spread her lies for her own benifit or pleasure. But, to use a public forum to do so is unprofessional. Ken Emerson is an exceptional musician and his work is reconized all over the world for its uniqueness. I play his album(s) all the time and enjoy them immensly. I encourge everyone to listen to them and make your own judgement. Don't believe one person's personal vindictiveness. Ken is a Master Guitarist and I will continue to listen and buy his albums.
Submitted by J.Marie (Kailua, Hawwaii)
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 makin luv hawaiian style
I LOVED the cd! Put it on , pour your self some guava juice , strip down to your skivvies and forget the storm in in a tiki cup and lean your head back and put a conche shell to your lungs and celbrate that a sincere group of wonderful musicians go together to make your day better. Its your ear that gets the treat and thank God that we are all hear alive and well and blessed with such easy delights as these in these Modern Times. Amen Brudduh
Submitted by Pats Secret Married Lover (far away)
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 Soothing Island Hybrids
I enjoyed this album despite my previous critics remarks. I found the album to have much to offer the listener. Ken Emerson is an accomplished artisan and this record offers a number of examples to that effect. I personally liked the sound on Sittin on Top of the World, as it adds to the flavor of the emotion. I think most people would agree we have enough overproduced tripe in the mainstream these days, and this level of honesty in a recording is indeed a rare find anymore. I fully enjoyed most of the cuts, and would agree that Limahuli Dream was one of them. It seems there are personal reasons why the previous reviewer found fault in this album, and therefore should be taken with a grain of salt. If you enjoy slack key and acoustic music, then there is something here for you. There are also some more traditional cuts on the album such as Kalamaula and Ohi Aloha that completely take the listener to the islands of Hawaii. Kalihi Blues is a fun and bouncy tune, and as the name says, its clearly a blues tune so I am unsure as to Mangos suprise on that one???? All in all, I think Mr. Emerson has offered a fine album, and in all honesty gotten a raw deal on his first review, for whatever reason. This album may not knock Thriller off the charts anytime soon, but it certainly deserves a good listen, preferably while driving down the road to Hanalei! Four Stars
Submitted by Hilo Harry (SF, CA)
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