Great concept for an album...
Into | everywhereandnowhere | 03/25/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"...I wish I liked it more. Yes, these pieces are lovingly portrayed by Ozzie Kotani--perhaps even a little too lovingly, as there is very little variation in tempo from one piece to another. Don't get me wrong, I love the dreamy quality of slack key guitar, but this set was a little too sleepy for me. Ozzie Kotani's tempo scheme is even more puzzling considering that he starts with a sprightly rendition on the track one, then after that, the pacing starts to make the rest of the album sound a little "samey," some pieces sounding more like classical guitar than slack key (and I like classical guitar, it's just not what I expect to be reminded of when I buy a slack key album).Giving just a few more of the pieces a little more up-tempo interpretation would have made the disc something I'd want to return to a little more frequently. The collection is capped by a reading of the famous "Aloha Oe" that was so slow I didn't even recognize the main melody the first time around. One can understand the performer wanting to give this ubiquitous tune a little more unconventional interpretation, but he caresses it so much, it comes across a little too languorous, imo. If you have other volumes in Dancing Cat/Windham Hill's slack key series, including the first slack key masters sampler, this doesn't really add much to your collection, esp. considering that some of the more well-known pieces have been recorded by other performers elsewhere in the series. A nice set, for a lullaby CD, but I hope somebody else records these pieces again at some point, and uses a little more varied approach."
Dream music from a dream composer in a dream Island.
FRANCOIS P BOLLE | South Australia | 10/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My first encounter with Hawaiian slack guitar, it took me only one tune to have me hooked. The tunes are simple yet flow like a limpid stream from this Hawaiian virtuoso. This is pure, gentle and colourful music. You will enjoy it!"
The ambience of the islands in your own space...
C. Griffin | 03/06/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ozzie Kotani is a musical master. This is one of the most calming, soothing, inspirational compilations I have ever heard! It truly does honor the beautiful music of Hawaii's beloved queen, but with a newer sound. I do believe she would have loved it!"