Amazon.com
Even a decennium after his modification at geezerhood 38 in 1997, Zion “Iz” Kamakawiwo’ole relic Hawaii’s best-known and most loved singer. His occupation began when he and his senior brother, Skippy, bacilliform a assemble in their hometown nearby Honolulu. The digit performed unitedly until the latter died in 1982. The adornment continuing on for whatever eld but it was Iz’s unforgettable voice, with its searing still pellucid falsetto, that captured the favourite imagination. Indeed, his ‘ukulele-laced edition of “Over the Rainbow” is widely intellection to be the exclusive rendering that could mayhap defence up to Judy Garland’s original. Now that the expressed retrospective, Alone in IZ World (2001), has been released, it is perhaps fateful that newborn arrangements should be slipped in low Iz’s inimitable, ineradicable communicatory tracks. The beatific programme is, however, that these portion riotous orchestrations, patch totally superfluous, are nonetheless deferential and in beatific taste, never resistless the melodic (as if anything could!). There are no revelations, but, fortunately, no acerbic shocks, either. Perhaps, had he lived, Iz strength hit definite to go this line anyway. As with gladiator Armstrong’s (the denomination of this medium refers to Iz’s possess counterbalance of “What A Wonderful World”) and Buddy Holly’s string-backed experiments, it’s only still added artefact to fete the heritage of a departed genius. –Christina Roden
Originally posted 2009-10-18 11:01:25.
This is a nice version of Israel’s music heard in a whole different light. My wife and I fell in love with the music of Iz when we married in Hawaii a couple of years ago and I just purchased this for her birthday. I was concerned with the adverse reviews before we’d even heard it, but they did a great job of not overly orchestrating it… it’s a different but refreshing remake of some Iz classics and some I’ve never heard.
Rating: 5 / 5
I LOVE IZ’S MUSIC! HE SING FROM HIS HEART TO YOUR SOUL. I HAVE MOST OF THE SONGS THAT ARE ON THIS CD HERE ALREADY BUT THIS CD HERE HAS HIM SINGING WITH AN ORCHESTRA. AHH THE MAGIC MIXERS OF OUR TIME. THE ORCHESTRA / IZ WHAT MORE CAN YOU WANT! BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL… A GIFT FROM GOD
Rating: 5 / 5
What did I do to deserve this in my recommendations? Was it that foolish purchase in a drunken stupor of those Don Ho albums so long ago? The Zamfir tapes? The Peruvian flute music?
Rating: 1 / 5
The music on this CD is absolutely wonderful. In my opinion, Iz is one of the all time greats, especially for Hawaiian music. I have all of his CD’s, and play them over and over. I recommend his albums to everyone. I think once you listen, you will be hooked. Happy Listening.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’m a BIG Israel fan and was amazed at the quality of this new release. The orchestra is beautiful and I feel like Israel really carry’s the musicians and shines as the lead vocal — as he should be. I was very impressed. This is a must have in my opinion.
Rating: 5 / 5