Search - Israel Iz Kamakawiwo'ole :: In Dis Life

The legend The myth The man The haunting voice...Braddah IZ

mypetconcubine | Waianae, Hawaii U.S.A. | 06/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a hawaiian and hawaii born and bred islander, I am blessed by the fact that my parents brought me up with hawaiian music but most of all the late great Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole. The day that shocked hawaii I was out and about with my family when my father stoppped at a gas station as he came out of the gas station a newpaper in his hand and a heartbroken look on his face..." what's the matter daddy" he handed me the paper and i started to cry there it was "Braddah Iz passed away at the age of 38 in his sleep last night" I couldn't beileve it such a beautiful voice silenced he will never make another record.But just to have had Braddah Iz on this earth for just this short time to hear the music with and without the makaha sons of Niihau is truly magical..so his music lives on. I've read all these amazing reviews of Braddah IZ...I am happy and touched that so many people have been touched by his music. Unforunately i didn't know braddah iz but in a way all us hawaii born islanders always seem to truly know braddah Iz, his music touched us all. to understand how huge Braddah Iz was he is still mourned and celebrated in hawaii and his music is still played constantly on the radio.The day of his birth and passing is celebrated like a national holiday. When you listen to any of the LATE and GREAT Israel Kamakwiwo'Ole's cds..you will hear one the most beauitful voices god ever put on this earth. But when you look at this man ,this giant man with this amazing angel like voice you will be blown away. god gave this late singer the voice of angel. a voice that must have been blessed and touched by god himself and it was...the songs , music and lyrics will leave you speechless and breathless ..his voice and the way he delivers the songs with that teardrop in his vocal chord...will send chills up and down your spine..any of this mans cds is excellent and it is a must of anyone who wants to get a cd that reflects the spirit of islands this man , this legend was the spirit of hawaii, BRADDAH IS WAS AND STILL IS HAWAII. even thou IZ passed away some time ago his voice his music his legend still lives is the islands thru his voice and music.his voice alone will leave you with a tear in your eyes... buy any one of his cds..trust me it's worth it...also braddah iz was with a hawaiian group called Makaha sons of Niihau pick up those cs as well, and let the memory of Braddah IZ and his music live on for the future generations to hear and love"

A Giant Voice

Christopher Forbes | Brooklyn,, NY | 07/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this recording. IZ was a master of Hawaiian music and dedicated to his people and his culture. When he died, it was like the passing of Hawaiian royalty. This album is perhaps less bittersweet than Facing Future (my favorite IZ album) but it is more consistent. Again, the best tracks are the traditional tracks in Hawaiian. Hi'ilawe is mesmerizing and 'Opae E is a beautiful track, with a tasteful and unabstrusive arrangement. The modern material is also quite beautiful, perhaps not instrinsically, but IZ could take the most mundane material and make it shine. Lover of Mine is a great example. In other hands it would be an undistinguished song, but IZ transforms it with the beauty of his voice. Highly recommended."

True Hawaiian. 'nuf said, ah?

Christopher Forbes | 09/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There can be no mistaking Israel's pure heartened voice. The timbre of his passion for Hawaiiana shows up in every note. True feeling, something lacking in virtually every style of music these days, is laid within the body of his music. The cover of Collin Raye's hit, "In this Life," is enough to show that Israel was more than a beautiful voice of the Islands, but a beautiful person as well. Hopefully his untimely death will not deter the long-deserved resurgence of Hawaiian music in the world. This is a culture full of beauty that the rest of the world may finally get more than just a glimpse of, and mahalo nui loa to Israel for sharing his gift with us in the time he was here."