Slack Key West

About the Artist
Jim "Kimo" West, best known as long-time guitarist for acclaimed musical parodist, "Weird Al" Yankovic, has also had a long relationship with Hawai'i and the art of 'slack key" guitar. "Slack Key West" is the long-awaited follow to hif first release, "Coconut Hat" and his subsequent commission for the National Tropical Botanical Garden, "Nurturing The Garden"

Product Description
"Slack Key West" is a collection of unique and relaxing ki ho 'alu or "slack key" guitar instrumentals,almost all originals ,which is unusual for this style as most artists rely on existing reptoire. Gentle ryhthms and exotic new tunings make Kimo's music very special. And it's a virtual tour of some of Hawaii's most beautiful places without the expense of an airline ticket!

Slack Key West,Jim "Kimo" West,Westernmost Records,Gentle and relaxing Hawaiian "Slack Key" guitar instrumentals from Weird Al's long-time guitarist. Kimo's unique style virtousic technique put him in a category of his own.,International,New Age

Average customer rating: music for everyone Heavenly! Terrific album! A Masterpiece Da real kine stuff!

Slack Key West Jim "Kimo" West Manufacturer: Westernmost Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Coconut Hat Slack Key Guitar Ki Ho'alu Christmas: Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Slack Key Guitar Volume 2 Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters ASIN: B0009ZD6T8 Release Date: 2005-06-20

Tracks:

1. Kohala No
2. Popoki Lolo
3. Lei Aloha
4. My Hawaiian Heart
5. The White Rain
6. Espaniolo
7. Slack For Tappy
8. Na Kuahiwi O Koali
9. Just Say Nohu!
10. The Sands of Polihale
11. Hana Hou Down
12. Beyond The Reef
13. Maria Elena
14. Farewell,Aotearoa

Product Description

"Slack Key West" is a collection of unique and relaxing ki ho 'alu or "slack key" guitar instrumentals,almost all originals ,which is unusual for this style as most artists rely on existing reptoire. Gentle ryhthms and exotic new tunings make Kimo's music very special. And it's a virtual tour of some of Hawaii's most beautiful places without the expense of an airline ticket!

Customer Reviews:

music for everyone.......2007-07-14

Ordered jim kimo west's two cd's cocoanut hat and slack key west, have been listening to this since receiving the cd's, music is so strong and vibrant, soothing to the soul. My favourites are my hawaiin heart, espaniola. Music you can never grown tired off.

Heavenly!.......2007-05-14

This cd is a real treasure. I have played it for my friends, my mother and even my teenagers and they all love it. "My Hawaiian Heart" may well be the most beautiful song I've ever heard.

Terrific album!.......2007-05-13

I first became aware of Jim Kimo West from his work as guitarist for "Weird Al" Yankovic. I bought this album back in December, and it was very good. I didn't really have much interest in Hawaiian-style music beforehand, but I enjoyed this album very much. Terrific album.

A Masterpiece.......2007-05-13

This is Jim's best work so far!
I love this CD. His music is so peaceful and relaxing. It's great for working on homework, or unwinding after a long day.
My favorite song on this CD is the second one, "Popoki Lolo". The composition is amazing- it really portrays the cat he met, and what their interaction was like.

Da real kine stuff!.......2007-01-11

Very easy listening...the authentic Hawaiian slack-key style fused with Kimo's modern virtuosity on the fretboard takes the listener to the beach with the gentle breezes and crashing waves in the background.

Average customer rating: sitting under the coconut tree relaxing Lovely, soothing music Beautiful and Relaxing beautiful Outstanding music for tranquil relaxation

Coconut Hat Jim West Manufacturer: Westernmost Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Pacific Islands | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Slack Key West Slack Key Guitar ASIN: B00000IIVF Release Date: 1999-02-23

Tracks:

1. Coconut Hat
2. Lanikele
3. Keiki Time
4. Koali
5. 'Ulupalakua Sunset
6. Kai Moku
7. Isa Lei
8. Holoholo Helen Style
9. Cereus
10. Paliku
11. A Lei For James
12. Na Manu Iki
13. Aloha, Uncle Lawrence

Album Description

"Coconut Hat", by Jim West, is a collection of new, original "slack-key" guitar instrumentals, that takes the listener on a musical voyage to Maui's Hana Coast, a part of Hawaii that is rich in cultural heritage and seemingly endless physical beauty. It is a must-have for any guitar music afficionado and especially for fans of slack-key guitar.

In Hawaiian, this music would be described as "nahenahe", meaning sweet and relaxing in sound or character. "Coconut Hat" is unusual in the fact that its appeal is not limited to an island audience only, as is much of this genre's offerings. This music will speak to any listener, with the same gentle voice.

"Slack-key" guitar is a traditional Hawaiian style of guitar fingerpicking in which the player "slacks" or loosens the strings to form different, and often personal, tunings. These tunings allow the player to carry melodies on the upper strings while keeping a steady bass pattern on the lower strings.

Customer Reviews:

sitting under the coconut tree relaxing.......2007-07-16

Received this cd last week and found the music so soothing and relaxing. Would recommend this cd as christmas, birthday present etc.

Favourite is isa lei will definitely be purchasing any album from this performer.

Lovely, soothing music.......2007-05-14

This cd has quickly become one of my favorites. Without fail, everyone who hears it (or Slack Key West) in my car asks where they can pick up a copy. Jim's music will touch your soul.

Beautiful and Relaxing.......2007-05-13

I absolutely love this CD. Actually, I love all of Jim's CDs.
His music takes you right to the beaches of Hawaii. I listen to this CD after a rough day, or while I'm doing homework for college.

beautiful.......2005-09-22

I came by this music by accident when working late one night, I bought it simply because the name appealed to me. I played the cd whilst working on some new designs and found it to be very beautiful and thought provoking. Absolutely wonderful..I've played it many many times since, I shall be looking out for any more albums by Jim West.

Outstanding music for tranquil relaxation.......2003-09-20

I have been fan of Al and the band since the beginning in the early 80s, and have known for many years that the band was extremely talented. I am sorry it took me several years to stumble upon Jim West's amazing collection of Hawaiian acoustic guitar instrumentals. This CD instantly transports the listener to a tropical island paradise, with barely a hint of hula girls or tourist stuff. I already knew that Jim could make a guitar sound like any musical group or genre, but this is something else again. Just heavenly. I think the music could inspire some Hawaiian travel on my part -- if the islands are as serene as Jim's music, I need to go there soon. Even if Weird Al is not your cup of tea, don't miss this treat!

Average customer rating: I hope Grass Skirt Records follows with something just as good. Classic Hawaiian steel guitar from the 1920s

Hawaiian Hula Blues: Acoustic Steel Guitar Masterpieces 1927-1928 Sam Ku West Manufacturer: Grass Skirt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Hawaiian String Virtuoso: Steel Guitar Recordings of the 1920's It's Hotter in Hawaii Master of the Hawaiian Guitar, Vol. 1 Hula Blues: Vintage Steel Guitar Instrumentals from the '30 and '40s The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of ASIN: B000ERU3VU Release Date: 2006-04-25

Tracks:

1. Hawaiian Hula Blues
2. Strange Isles Medley
3. Like-No-Like
4. Farewell Blues
5. St. Louis Blues
6. Sweet Georgia Brown
7. Old Black Joe
8. The Memphis Blues
9. Honolulu Blues
10. Someday Sweetheart
11. Sweet Hawaiian Dreams
12. Aloha Oe
13. Farewell Blues
14. Happy Heinie March
15. Waialae
16. Hue Hue, Hue Hue
17. Moani Ke Ala
18. Minnehaha
19. Lepe Ulaula
20. Stack O' Lee Blues
21. Drowsy Waters (Wailana)
22. Sunkist Hawaii
23. Wang Wang Blues
24. The Rosary
25. Palolo Hula
26. Old Black Joe

Album Description

With a repertoire of jazz and blues instrumentals and Hawaiian hulas, Sam Ku was one of the early masters of the acoustic steel guitar. He is placed by Bob Brozman among the elite of National Tricone players and was remembered by Tau Moe as one of the two best players of the 1920s (Sol Hoopii being the other).

Customer Reviews:

I hope Grass Skirt Records follows with something just as good........2006-07-26

Grass Skirt Records' inaugural cd is a rousing success! Collecting all but one of Sam's sides that I know of (the other is on Hawaiian Steel Guitar Classics on the Arhoolie label), this disc is a dream come true for fans of acoustic Hawaiian steel guitar from the 1920s and '30s. Aside from the several tracks that have shown up on previous compilation cds, I'd never heard any of this stuff.

This disc has hardly left my player since I received it a week-and-a-half ago. I've heard it 2 times per day, minimum, since it arrived. Sam's reputation (for youngins of my generation) as one of the best National Tricone players is cemented with the release of this disc. Sweet Georgia Brown is one of those tracks that make people think guys like Sam or Bob Brozman must use some sort of pick-ups/effects, given the sounds they coax out of these great instruments, and the way they seem to be able to control the speed at which slow rolls of sound leave the guitar. Nope, no pick-ups folks, just magic fingers.

I guess, like me before I owned this, you may be wondering how does Sam compare/contrast to the Sol Hoopii Volumes 1 and 2 you own. So far I must say I think Sol was the better of the 2 overall. I think Sol had a more dynamic sense of touch. The way he entered, shaped and exited notes seems without peer. Someday Sweetheart here shows that. Also I think you'll notice Sam has the occasional moment of rhythmic clunkiness, particularly on the lowest notes/phrases he'd play, as on part of Memphis Blues. Sol didn't seem to ever have that, at least not on cd-released sides I've heard. To jump cds, you really should hear my favorite version of Memphis Blues. It's by the Mobile Strugglers on the great Violin, Sing the Blues For me disc.

What I think Sam may have had over Sol is his ability to make the National seem to be a magical box of beautiful sounds. Sam can certainly make this instrument sing and shimmer! He's capable of great, slow, meditative beauty. I give this four stars only because I gave Sol Hoopii Volume 1 five stars, and I still think most anyone would consider Sol to be the all-around better guitarist.

Then again, if you're in the mood for less (as in zero) kitsch than you'll get on Sol Hoopii Volume 2, or from King Bennie Nawahi, Sam right here is your man. Lots of beautiful stuff here. If you prefer Kalama's Quartet's regal quality over Sol Hoopii volume 2, King Bennie or the Cheapsuit Serenaders, this Sam Ku West disc is the one for you.

A sizeable chunk of liner-notes which certainly told me more than I ever knew of Sam's life, as well as some fine pictures and a discography that only omits some repeated issues, makes this a 5-star, class-act tribute to a great musician. Thank You to the collectors and Grass Skirt for making this fantastic collection possible!

Classic Hawaiian steel guitar from the 1920s.......2006-05-08

An awesome collection of rare recordings from Hawaiian steel guitarist Sam Ku West, with informative liner notes and great sound quality on the digital transfers. If you enjoy Sol Hoopii, Tau Moe, Gabby Pahinui and other wizards of the style, then this disc is for you... Get it while you can!

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