Keola Beamer - Ka Hikina O Ka Hau (2006)

Ka Hikina O Ka Hau is definitely a different route for Keola Beamer, a change from his usual mellifluous slack-key work. This takes him into classical music, both relatively modern (Satie) and early (Dowland), but not playing it completely straight: instead, he layers several guitars, in different tunings, to create each piece. And even when he offers an original piece (which, incidentally, is the most satisfying material here), George Winston adds subtle and unusual piano accompaniment (he also plays guitar on another track). There's plenty of impressionist music, and it's here that the layering exercise, though necessary, seems most strained. There's no real flow to the Satie Gymnopédies, but neither do they float the way they should (this is often also true of the other classical pieces). The traditional Brazilian "Tutu Maramba" doesn't bristle with rhythm, while Mendelssohn's Venetian Boat Song has its melody broken up.

Tracklist:

01 - Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
02 - Poli`ahu (The Mauna Kea Snow Goddess)
03 - The Little Drummer Boy/Winter Aloha
04 - Gymnopedie no. 1
05 - Gnossienne no. 3
06 - Gymnopedie no. 2
07 - Gnossienne no. 4
08 - Gymnopedie no. 3
09 - Pavane For A Sleeping Beauty
10 - Lullaby Of The Cat
11 - Chiquilin de Bachin
12 - Milonga
13 - Tutu Maramba
14 - Cantar Montanes
15 - Spinning Song
16 - Song of India
17 - Venetian Boat Song
18 - The Nightingale
19 - If My Complaints Could Passions Move
20 - Come Heavy Sleep