Hawaii's Greatest Hits

Released in 1968, this album may strike some as old-fashioned, retro, or even stereotypical, especially given the resurgence in music representing actual Hawaiian culture (start with Iz if you don't know what I'm talking about). There is no chanting, no lyrics, but the CD is clearly a studio album with a full set of North American instruments to complement the ukelele and slide guitar. For better or worse, this music is exactly what a mainlander would expect to hear when watching a 60's era travelogue about the islands.
On the other hand, this CD is the BEST example of that musical genre. It's gorgeous, lush, and soothing. The musicianship is so wonderful you forget about stereotypes and simply float along despite yourself.
Before I bought this CD, I went to my local party supply store and, regrettably, bought one of those "famous" $10 party CD's which claimed to be a mix of hawaiian theme music. It was gawd-awful: no musical composition, no stability in genre, no craft, all cr*p. If you're throwing a hawaiian party for your neighbors, THIS is the music you've been looking for.

I purchased the Volume 2, a long time ago and recently found Volume 1 here on Amazon. Great purchase, no vocals. If you're looking for great classic hawaiian music look no further, if you're looking for some of the more modern hawaiian music try Keali'i Reichel, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Daniel Ho, etc.

This is one of the best instrumental dvd's I have heard. Listen if you want to hear excellent Hawaian music.

Kidd Squidd from Oracle, Arizona It's funny how some "collectors" or "music conosieurs" <(sp?) get their shorts in a bind when they smell somethin"phony".They're dyin' to tell the world about the "real thing" & how much they know about it. I know, because I've been guilty of the "snob disease" from time to time. I probably know more about the music of 20th century pop culture than most people on earth. But I've come to realize(I'm 56) that there's a lot of ways to judge music, and just because you know a lot about the history of a certain style of music (Hawaiian, f'rinstance), and have a huge collection of rare records, doesn't mean that a lighthearted & fun approach to said music (New Hawaiian Band) can't be a lot of fun. It's so important to have a sense of wonder and humor about it all. Music is a gift to us all from a higher source (God? Aliens? the ghost of Slim Gaillard's Great Great Grandpappy?...), and we should enjoy it and cherish it on ALL levels, including the lightheated, frivolous level. Then you'll find The New Hawaiian Band to be quite a fun ride. Aloha, you Sonic Dreamerz! Love ya, Baby! Kidd Squidd, DJ, Musicologist, Lover Of Life.

Just looking at the titles of the songs on this CD tells you that this is not REAL Hawaiian music. Oh, the music is nice and great for background. But if you're serious about Hawaiian music, Hawaii indigenous culture, both 'historical' and modern, then look elsewhere. There ARE artists who perform REAL Hawaiian music, and sing in Hawaiian. YOu can get 'historical' music, there is an excellent 2-CD set from the U-Hawaii. The Maui Historical Society just across from the Banyon tree in Lahaina carries modern REAL Hawaiian music, the [local store] in Kahulaui also offers great choices. The Bishop Museum in Honolulu has some good CDs too. For modern music, look up Amy Gilliom or the slack key guitar masters, or Keola Beamer... Amazon has them listed.