Download Read Liner Notes Here

LINER NOTES
Keola Beamer
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar in the Real Old Style
- [Note: this recording is not on Dancing Cat Records but this information is included here for
general interest]
Slack key tunings and additional notes from Keola Beamer’s classic and very influential
1972 recording HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR IN THE REAL OLD STYLE
(Originally issued on LP on Music of Polynesia Records MOP 22000 – CD reissued on
Mountain Apple Records MACD 2033. For more notes on the history of the songs see the liner
notes with the CD).
These eleven songs are beautifully arranged for 2 guitars:
In the G Major “Taro Patch” Tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D – from the lowest pitched string to the
highest)
1. Guava Tree – (vocal)
An original song by Keola. He also recorded this song on his album MOHALA HOU–MUSIC
OF THE HAWAIIAN RENAISSANCE (‘Ohe Records).
2. Hawaiian Cowboy – (instrumental) - On this song the two nylon and steel string guitars are
capoed up to the third fret to sound in the key of Bb.
A great arrangement of this classic, composed in 1933 by steel guitarist, vocalist, and yodeler Sol
K. Bright (1909-1992). Keola adds a beautiful third part after each chorus, and also note the
spirited ending.
3. Pupu Hinuhinu - (instrumental)
A beautiful standard Hawaiian lullaby composed by Keola’s mother, Winona Beamer (1923- ).
Keola added the beautiful bridge section, as he sometimes does so well when a song has just one
part. He has also done this on the songs He Punahele No ‘Oe and Holo Wa’apa, both on his
recording MOE’UHANE KIKA -TALES FROM THE DREAM GUITAR (Dancing Cat
Records). Keola also recorded this song, with the title Pupu Hinuhinu (Shiny Shell Lullaby) on
his album MAUNA KEA–WHITE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL (Dancing Cat Records), played
there in the F Wahine Tuning (C-F-C-G-C-E). He also recorded it on his album MOHALA
HOU–MUSIC OF THE HAWAIIAN RENAISSANCE (‘Ohe Records), as a medley with two
other classic Nona Beamer compositions, Kahuli Aku and Ka Huelo ‘Opae
4. Wi Ha (Celebration) - (instrumental)
An original piece by Keola.
In the C Wahine Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E – from the lowest pitched string to the highest this tuning is often called “Keola’s C”)
5. Adios Kealoha - (instrumental)
Composed in the 1870s by Prince Leleiohoku (1854-1877), brother of the Hawaiian monarchs
and composers King Kalakaua (1836-1891) and Queen Liliu’okalani (1838-1917). Note the
beautiful Spanish-influenced introduction that Keola added to this song, beginning with E minor
and F# minor chords, and going to A minor and B minor chords, before the song settles into the
deep key of C.
6. The Beauty of Mauna Kea – (vocal)
An original song by Keola, and one of his classics. Keola also recorded this song on his album
KOLONAHE–FROM THE GENTLE WIND (Dancing Cat Records), and on Winona Beamer’s
recording THE GOLDEN LEHUA TREE–STORIES AND MUSIC FROM THE HEART OF
HAWAI’I’S BEAMER FAMILY (Starscape Music).
7. In The Real Old Style – (vocal)
An original song by Keola. He also recorded it on his album MOHALA HOU–MUSIC OF THE
HAWAIIAN RENAISSANCE (‘Ohe Records), under the title Real Old Style.
8. Kaulana Na Pua - (instrumental) - With the nylon string guitar part played in this tuning (C–
G–D–G–B–E), and the steel string guitar part in another C Wahine Tuning (C–G–D–G–B–D).
A unique arrangement by Keola, with his added introduction, of the ultimate Hawaiian blues
song, composed by Ellen K. Prendergast (1865-1902) in 1893, when the Americans overthrew
Queen Liliu’okalani. Keola also recorded this song on his album SOLILOQUY–KA LEO O
LOKO (Dancing Cat Records).
9. Kawahikukapulani – (instrumental)
A beautiful and poignant arrangement of this Hawaiian standard, written in 1941 by Keola’s
great grandmother, the great composer Helen Desha Beamer (1882-1952). Keola also recorded
this song on his album SOLILOQUY-KA LEO O LOKO (Dancing Cat Records).
10. Lovely Hula Hands – (instrumental)
A great and unique arrangement of this standard, composed in 1939 by R. Alex Anderson (1894
-1995). Note Keola’s great added turnaround at the end of the first verse, with the chords: G7
(with an F bass note), C Major (with an E bass note), D7, and G.
11. Pua Lili Lehua – (instrumental)
A beautiful arrangement of the classic ballad by Kahauanu Lake (1932 - ) and Mary Kawena
Puku’i (1895-1986). Note the beautiful long turnarounds added by Keola after each verse. Keola
also recorded this song on his album SOLILOQUY–KA LEO O LOKO (Dancing Cat Records).