The Maui News

 

Maui Beat

 

By Jon Woodhouse

Wednesday, December 19, 2001

 

 

"Awihilima: Reflections"  Willie K,  Maui Tribe Productions.

 

There’s probably no other musician in Hawaii who can command so many different styles of music as Willie K. A couple of weeks back, over the course of three evenings, he packed the Castle Theater for an amazing Christmas show, joined Willie Nelson at Charley’s the following night, and on Monday at Hapa’s impressed visiting star Prince enough to jump on stage and jam.

 

This enormously talented entertainer has returned to his roots for his latest recording, taking a break from rock and contemporary island music to pay homage to the greats of old.

 

Evoking memories of the backyard style of Gabby Pahinui, Sonny Chillingworth and the Sons of Hawaii, Willie lovingly renders traditional Hawaiian songs that are seldom performed.

 

“I am on a crusade now, hoping to make everybody realize that we need to hear more and play more traditional Hawaiian music,” he declares in the liner notes.

 

Backed by steel guitarists Henry Allen and Harold Kama Sr., bassist Marcus Johnson and pianist Margaret Rainsford, Willie dusts off vintage gems by artists such as Danny Ka‘opio, Lydia Nawahine Kekuewa and Isaac Keola.

 

Whether singing of fragrant roses, the distinctive winds and rains of Maui, or a beloved sweetheart, Willie pours heart and soul into this delightful voyage back to old Hawaii.

 

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