This is more than just an album of great Slack Key guitar—it’s also the first album in my life that my dad and I equally enjoyed.
Slack Key music is one of the true sounds of Hawai‘i–part of our history and definitely part of our future. Sunny Rain consists of 13 instrumentals and runs for 56 minutes. The album is organized by themes–Morning, Noon and Night. The music is relaxing, but won’t put you to sleep.
My personal favorite is the Noontime track “Pakala”—it has this rift, like a rock ’n roll song played in a Slack Key style. What’s more, my dad can’t work his CD player very well and “Pakala” ended up playing over and over and over–for two days straight, in fact, before anyone did anything about it. He never complained.
I like to listen to Sunny Rain while I eat breakfast, when I get home from work and contemplate a career change on my lanai or over a bottle of whatever beer is leftover from the weekend. It’s so great I’d sing it for you—if it had lyrics.
On that note, I’ll be packing my things this evening and heading to the hills of Madagascar to spread Cindy Combs’ music to the people living in remote, mountain passes. Or if I lose my nerve, you can catch me Saturday afternoons under the banyan tree on Front Street–I’ll be the sun burnt guy, raking a busted guitar and preaching the gospel of Sunny Rain. I’ve got three converts so far (including my dad) and next month we’re doing house calls.
For more info on Cindy Combs: www.slackkeylady.com.
Just The Beginning
I saw Derick perform a few years ago at a friend’s wedding reception. He was in from the Mainland for the “Maui version” of his reception. It’s kinda funny, but the groom and I played high school football with Derick Sebastian’s brother, though I never heard of him until recently.
That’s a shame. Sebastian’s stage presence is amazing–in between songs he worked the crowd, telling jokes that sent everyone rolling. I was doing my job as a partygoer, having a good time grinding on a big luau plate and catching up with some old friends, but I remember thinking that he would be going places.
Sebastian’s musical talent is undeniable and Just The Beginning is the perfect sample to get you started. There’s an opening instrumental, four songs and a closing instrumental. It’s party music and beach music–perfect to keep you relaxed and entertained.
Of the four songs, “Imperfect World”—good lyrics and a catchy tune—was my favorite. But the opening and closing instrumentals, “Eddie Bush Tribute” and “Stick to My Uke,” were also awesome and a lot of fun.
You can check him out at www.dericksebastian.com MTW
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