Hawaiian Guitar Heroes

This past Sunday, while my server nightmare (which now has a happy ending!) was just getting started, my wife and I spent the evening out at Humphrey’s by the Bay to soak in some tremendous Hawaiian music.

Humphrey’s isn’t my favorite venue because, as is the case with any outdoor venue, the sound can be inconsistent. Also the seating is a bit tight and everyone is at the exact same level, which can be a problem if you’re stuck behind a guy with the largest head in the world, as was I.

But the sound was pretty good Sunday night, and thankfully so. Not often will you get to see a lineup featuring Ledward Ka’apana, Hapa, and Barefoot Natives.

This was my first time seeing Ka’apana, who is a legendary slack-key player. He isn’t as technically flashy as some of the younger guys, but his tone and phrasing are unbelievably rich. Every note counts — think George Harrison or B. B. King (not in terms of sound, but approach and impact). I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see Ka’apana play live. What an inspiration.

Hapa was the headliner, and I have seen them probably a dozen times or so. This was the first time I’d seen the current lineup, which consists of founding member Barry Flanagan and newcomer Nathan Aweau — a brilliant solo artist in his own right. Both Hapa and Aweau cleaned house at this year’s Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaiian version of the Grammys — check the videos in the sidebar).

Hapa’s sound has changed a bit with the addition of Aweau, who mainly plays an acoustic 12-string guitar to accompany Flanagan’s pyrotechnics but who also is an accomplished bass player. At one point during the show, Aweau took center stage and played a beautiful, melodic medley of familiar tunes (including The Beatles’ “Come Together”, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things”, and a classical piece that escapes me at the moment) on his 5-string electric bass. Brilliant musicans, both. Add in the traditional chanting of Charles Ka’upu, and these guys are still very much at the top of their game.

Closing out the night were the Barefoot Natives, which is Eric Gilliom and the supremely talented Willie K. I first saw Willie K. a few years ago at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach and it absolutely blew my mind. I have never seen a more dynamic performer in my life — and that includes the likes of Joe Satriani, Sting, Carlos Santana, Grateful Dead, and Bela Fleck, among others.

Willie K. could sing in the leo ki’eki’e (traditional Hawaiian falsetto) style, as well as in a rich baritone that allowed him to mimic Journey’s Steve Perry, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, and 4-Non Blondes’ Lynda Perry (!). But perhaps the most impressive display came when he broke out his opera chops. Unbelievable.

On guitar, he was equally comfortable playing traditional Hawaiian slack-key as burning through Hendrix licks (he even picked the strings with his teeth). As I said, just a phenomenal performer whom I recommend to everyone as a must-see in concert.

Sunday night, with a shorter set and a narrower focus (acoustic guitar duo), Willie K. may have been more restrained but he still played with tremendous energy. He and Eric Gilliom (brother of frequent Willie K. collaborator Amy Gilliom) have a nice rapport on stage. Willie K. has an outrageous sense of humor that can offend (he is very much Hawaiian and not afraid to poke fun at some of his culture’s “sacred cows” — unsurprisingly this does not sit well with everyone, including the couple in front of us who got up and left with very sour faces during their set) and is a gifted story teller who can make audiences howl with laughter as easily as he can get them up singing and dancing.

All in all, a brilliant night. And seriously, if you ever have the opportunity to see any of these performers live, by all means do so.

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