C & K Spells Magic in Hawaiian Music

Many musical groups are lucky to last 3-6 years but Hawaiian music legends Cecilio and Kapono are celebrating their 36th anniversary with a show called "A Lifetime Party".  It is an apt title for a collaboration that began with an impromptu North Shore jam session and took them to some of the largest stages in the world. C & K still hold the record for largest attendance at the Waikiki shell — 10,000 inside and another 4,000 fans outside.  Over the next three decades, they performed with Santana, Loggins & Messina, Boz Scaggs, Frank Zappa, Peter Frampton, Cheech & Chong and others.

Their distinctive style is familiar to three generations of islanders but this was my first experience.  C & K are described on the program as "Hawaiian Acoustic Rock" which probably comes close.  I would say their vocal harmony feels island grown — relaxed rather than rigid in its execution.  One "what if" tour through different styles demonstrated their complete mastery of any musical genre.  (The country style was a little jarring but the blues riff actually received audience approval.)  When they returned to the classic C & K style, it was finding the groove in the very best sense:  right genre, right sound, right attitude –  and great venue.  The intimate setting of the Royal Hawaiian Monarch Room was a perfect setting for their vocal harmonies.  It also allowed them to joke with one another and the audience between songs. 

In this engagement, C & K have been performing two shows each Thursday night in November and December.  It is a special treat to experience these local musicians back home and at the top of their game.  If you are not able to get to a live performance, pick up a recorded version for an experience of island music without steel drums and ukuleles — acoustic rock and vocal harmony with aloha.

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Customs, Practices and Pastimes,Fun Stuff,Hawaiiana,Oahu

December 8th, 2009