Alone in IZ World

by Kamakawiwo'ole

Overview

The late Israel Kamakawio'ole, known to his many fans simply as Iz, was a consummate Hawaiian with a wonderful voice and accomplished ukulele technique. This posthumous release of some unplugged performances, enhanced arrangements, and previously unreleased songs is definitely for his legion of admirers. While best known for his native Hawaiian songs, Iz covered a lot of ground, and three of the most affecting tracks here are standards: his take on "Mona Lisa," starting alone, then with a full arrangement behind him; the nursery rhyme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"; and a most unusual version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" which shouldn't work in his style, but quite stubbornly does. His angelic pipes seem capable of working around any material and doing it justice (although it should be noted "Starting All Over Again" and "In This Life," with full-on synths behind him, definitely go for saccharine overkill). But he's perhaps at his best when he's at his simplest -- just him and his ukulele -- whether on the strummed "Panini Puakea" or the delicate and mysterious "La Elima," which relies on his gentle picking. On the classic Hawaiian song "Opae E," the guitar backing fleshes out his work without overpowering it, a gentle filigree around his voice. To those who love Iz's albums, whether his solo work or as part of the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau, this stands -- certainly for the most part -- as a wonderful, thoughtful addition to his catalog, highlighting most the stunning purity of his voice. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	10/16/2001
Label:	Big Boy (Rap)
UPC:	0761268590725

Tracks

1. Mona Lisa
2. Kaleohano
3. 'Ulili E
4. Hanohano Wale No Na Cowboy and Ka Huila Wai
5. Hi'ilawe
6. Henehene Kou 'Aka
7. Ahi Wela/Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
8. 'Opae E
9. Starting All Over Again
10. Over the Rainbow
11. Panini Pua Kea
12. La 'Elima
13. In This Life

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole   Primary Artist,Vocals,Ukulele
Barry Flanagan   Guitar
Mel Amina   Guitar
Melvin Amina   Guitar

Technical Credits

Sam Li'a Kalaniaina   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Harold Arlen   Composer
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole   Executive Producer
Lawrence Yurong   Mixing
John Golden   Mastering
Phillip Mitchell   Composer
Louis R. "Moon" Kauakahi   Composer
Ray Evans   Composer
Irmgard Aluli   Composer
Milan Bertosa   Mixing
Bina Mossman   Composer
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg   Composer
Jay Livingston   Composer
Jon de Mello   Design,Producer,Cover Art Concept
Leroy Phillip Mitchell   Composer
Phil Kaffel   Mixing
Mike Reid   Composer
Johnny Almeida   Composer
Irmgard Fardon Aluli   Composer
Harry Na'ope   Composer
Jane Taylor   Composer
Hobo House On the Hill   Arranger
Elizabeth Kapeka Kuahuia   Composer
George Keahi   Composer
Alfred Alohikea   Composer
Allen Shamblin   Composer