Kiho’alu: Stories in Song, Vol 1

How delightful to have a new album from Dancing Cat Records. Founded by George Winston in the early 80s, this was Winston’s great love, something he poured much of his time into. Now that he’s passed away, it’s lovely to see the label carrying on with its first new kiho’alu (slack key) album in 17 years from Hawaiian kiho’alu great George Kuo. A legend of slack key and an important figure in the Hawaiian roots revival, Kuo plays in the nahenahe (sweet, soothing) style of slack key, much inspired by the old-time players of the 1940s. He often plays on a double-necked guitar, one neck six strings and one 12 strings, and swaps between the two. Kuo played bass for the great Ray Kane, learning much from him, and joined the seminal band Sons of Hawaii in the late 80s. “I like to play a nice, relaxed, easy style; not too much fancy stuff, keep it within the melody,” he says. “It’s more delivering a message than playing runs.” Over 13 tracks, he more than delivers, with some traditional and some original. The excellent liner notes explain the history of each song and Kuo’s technique, so you can explore the repertoire a bit. Opening song ‘Ku’u Pete’ was a Sons of Hawaii classic about a stubborn donkey, and it’s fun to compare Kuo’s stately slack key version with the raucous recordings of old-school Sons of Hawaii with Gabby Pahinui.