Pumehana Davis Wadsworth - Ku’u Home O Kahalu’u
World, Hawaiian, Slack Key
Hawaii, United States
Overall Impression: Pumehana Davis Wadsworth delves into Hawai'i's rich folk music tradition with graceful, innovative artistry - perfectly transposing a beloved piece of Slack-key guitar onto the lever harp with harmonically rich and emotionally resonant results! Originally popularized by the group Olomana, "Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u" is an ode to simpler times and the soul-nurturing properties of home as we navigate life's changes - and Pumehana Davis Wadsworth's cover of the tune not only captures these sentiments brilliantly, but also instills a sense of delicate balance and intimate beauty so present that the listener need not know the original to feel its message.
Strongest Point(s): Expertly performed and pristinely captured, Pumehana's rendition of "Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u" makes lovely use of innovative Slack-key tunings on the harp rather than the Spanish guitars that inspired the genre - blending the rich sympathetic resonance of open tunings with the simultaneously delicate and all-embracing warmth of lever harp for a sonic texture that seeks to fully immerse listeners in its sound. Pumehana Davis Wadsworth's playing is flawless in this recording, and her attention to Olomana's rendition shines through each and every moment! From the harmonic figures that begin the piece to the wonderfully colorful note bending at 4:17 and 4:25, the relationship between Pumehana's performance and the one that inspired it is a testament to the artist's skill and passion for the genre - inspiring eager attentions towards whatever the harpist decides to release next!
Target Audience Appeal: Those familiar with Olomana's work and their performance of "Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u" will find themselves delighted by the tune's transposition to lever harp - both for the uniqueness of it's sound in this configuration as well as for Pumehana Davis Wadsworth's meticulous artistry throughout the piece! Beyond that, however, Pumehana's performance stands to resonate deeply among discerning listeners from any background or genre preference - revealing a sentiment so universal as to include anyone who takes the time to really listen in. - Jon W.
Artist target suggestions: Olomana, Ivy Ravenwood, Maria Duhova Trevor, Pamela Bruner, Reuben Correa, Lorenzo Tempesti, Tami Briggs, Lara Somogyi, Charles Michaael Brotman, Keola Beamer, Ken Emerson, Sonny Chillingworth, Bryan Kessler, Kohala, Sonny Lim, John Keawe, Jim "Kimo" West, Keoki Kahumoku, Charlie Recaido, Makana, Paul Togioka
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About the Reviewer:
Jon Wright is a trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process - from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists across a wide range of genres.