Aloha State of Mind
Soundcheck | May 3, 2010
We’re in a little hula heaven, celebrating Hawaii Statehood Day, even though the 50th state to join the union is as far removed from New York City as a person can get. Today’s show includes dreamy music from Hawaiian slack-key guitar masters and silly Hawaiian love songs from the six comedian harmonists known as Hudson Shad. Plus, a conversation with WNYC’s David Garland about the long, strange journey of the anachronistic “Hawaiian War Chant.”
From Cole Porter tunes to German cowboy songs, there’s little music that vocal sextet Hudson Shad won’t attempt to turn into a memorable comedic melody.
From Cole Porter tunes to German cowboy songs, there’s little music that vocal sextet Hudson Shad won’t attempt to turn into a memorable comedic melody.
The Hawaiian paradise of our collective imagination features swaying palm trees, cool mountain breezes, and terrifying North Shore waves, with a soundtrack of lazy Hawaiian slack-key guitar music.
More about Hawaiian slack key guitar
Contrary to what the song’s title suggests, “Hawaiian War Chant” (a tune that comes in at least 75 different versions) has nothing to do with war or with chanting.
