Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai joins with famed Hawaiian slack key guitarist Keola Beamer in a new album, Our Beloved Land. Nakai, the world's leading performer of the traditional flute with over 3.5 million album... more »s sold, journeyed to Hawaii where he spent time fitting the haunting melodies of his traditional flute into the songs and arrangements of Beamer, one of the leading slack key guitar players. The result is a new music, blending elements of two indigenous American cultures that expresses the cultures of both artists. Features Moananlani Beamer.« less
Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai joins with famed Hawaiian slack key guitarist Keola Beamer in a new album, Our Beloved Land. Nakai, the world's leading performer of the traditional flute with over 3.5 million albums sold, journeyed to Hawaii where he spent time fitting the haunting melodies of his traditional flute into the songs and arrangements of Beamer, one of the leading slack key guitar players. The result is a new music, blending elements of two indigenous American cultures that expresses the cultures of both artists. Features Moananlani Beamer.
"We have a lot of Nakai CDs and quite a few of IZ's and other Hawaiian artists' work. This album is as good as IZ's Facing Future and has instantly become one of my favorite top ten albums of all time. Nakai is amazing as always. But here Keola Beamer is not the warm, talented slack key Hawaiian master we know and love. In this release he is even better -- powerful, haunting vocals in Hawaiian, accented by understated minor key guitar arrangements. The songs stir your soul and feel like the raw power of primal, pre-Captain Cook Hawaii. If you've never strayed from the resorts that might sound weird, but if you've been deep in the rainforest or visited the top of Mauna Kea, you'll know the feeling. What IZ did for love with Facing Future, Beamer does for spirituality on this album, and both will give you goosebumps."
Two native masters join hands across the big water
Pamela S. Barcita | Chesapeake, VA | 09/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These two masters of native music create a blend never heard before. As a collector of native american recordings I find this refreshing, haunting, mellow and full of spirit. I listen when my soul needs to be nourished, which is often in this material world."
Gives you "chicken skin"
V. A Ortiz | Tybee Island, GA USA | 09/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I read about this cd in a Hawaiian newspaper. It is amazing. One of those masterpieces that transports you into the spiritual spaces of the performers. Mahalo nui loa to Mr. and Mrs. Beamer and Mr. Nakai."
Awesome
Margot Noir | New Mexico | 12/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The atmospheres musically created by these two masters results in one of the most awesome CDs ever recorded. In this day of cloned & sampled digital music, it is so refreshing to hear two virtuoso musicains laying down fresh material never before attempted, and with astounding success. Nakai is at his usual spendid self, but Keola goes where no one has gone before. Singing deep spiritual Hawaiian chants while his Slack Key minor chord useage creates soulful atmospheres and melodies that Nakai fills with his haunting Native American flute. This CD is a true masterpiece and Keola's finest recording."
Two worlds meet...
Amaranth | Northern California | 06/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first listened to Keola Beamer's slack key guitar music on Putumayo's "Gardens of Eden." I also listened to his music when I worked at an Alzheimer's home,where it was played for the residents' comfort&relaxation.This is a haunting collaboration with Carlos Nakai,who is more famous for bringing Native American music into the mainstream.
Highlights-
1)Ka Honua-It's all about the earth.Natural sounds are used to accent the piece.
2)Ke Ha'a Ala Puna-A song about hula dancers,but it's not the tacky tiki song you'd expect.
3)E Manono-A song in praise of a woman who sacrificed herself for her beloved husband.
4)Ka Mano (The Shark)-A beautiful instrumental.
5)"for you,O glittering sun"-Both Carlos Nakai&Keola Beamer provide vocals in this interesting piece that honored a Hawaiian monarch for circling the globe&being initiated as a Hindu Brahman in the Himalayas.