ELEPHANTINE, BUT ANGELLIC:

REVIEW: of Alone In IZ World (Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo`ole) (Jamie O'Brien, Rambles)

First of all, it is no exaggeration to say that Alone In IZ World is the most popular Hawaiian album ever issued. It is the first to jump into the No. 1 spot on Billboard's world music charts--in fact, it's the first independent release ever to do that. To understand why the album has created such a stir, it's important to begin to understand the phenomenon of IZ: who Israel Kamakawiwo'ole was.

IZ was a big man, in more ways than one. He was 6'2" and at one time reputed to weigh 750 pounds. For 18 years, he was a member of the legendary Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau; a giant of a man, dwarfing the ukulele he used to accompany his singing so well, with a pure tenor voice. He died of respiratory failure in 1997 and was only the fifth person to lie in state in the Capitol Building. A crowd of 10,000 filed past his casket. IZ meant a lot to many people. [...]

This album, sensitively produced by Jon de Mello, friend and colleague of IZ, is a perfect introduction to the man and his music. Many of the tracks are simply IZ, his voice and his ukulele, while others feature tasteful overdubs by musicians who understand his approach to music and life. [...]

The album is sprinkled with gems, many in Hawaiian. There are some songs from the islands, familiar through the work of other artists such as Gabby Pahinui and Dennis Kamakahi, as well as from elsewhere -- a delightful incorporation of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," or a magical interpretation of "Over The Rainbow."

Songs like the moving "Starting All Over," with its heartfelt spoken introduction, are almost guaranteed to stop you in your tracks. IZ, singing with simplicity and humility, has touched something deep and universal. He was only 38 when he died, but his short life had had its complications and problems. His experiences are apparent in the depth of feeling one hears in his voice.

For whatever reason, they had this disc at our library today. The cover features the six or seven hundred pound Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo`ole floating in a pool. It seemed worth giving a listen, particularly since our high temperature was negative 5 today.

It's hard to describe how ethereal he sounds, but if you're familiar with Ted Hawkins--whose The Next Hundred Years came out and brought him improbable popular notice just before he died--there's a similar quality here, which surely we must read into the music to some degree, of someone singing his farewells. Don't know about the tunes that are sung in Hawaiian, but In This Life and Starting All Over Again are like someone singing his own eulogy, but rather joyfully.

You can check out some samples here. It's quite beautiful.

MORE:
-ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Alone in IZ World (Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo`ole) (2002 NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARDS)
-ESSAY: "IZ" will always be: The revered isle singer, beset with respiratory and other medical problems, dies at 38 (Catherine Kekoa Enomoto and Gregg K. Kakesako, Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
-ESSAY: `n Dis Life' Israel touched many: His legacy continues through the message of his music (Catherine Kekoa Enomoto and Tim Ryan, Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
-TRIBUTE SITE: Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo`ole (Hawaiian Island Music)
-Israel Kamakawiwo`ole Memorial Page (Born May 20, 1959--Died June 26, 1997)
-Bradda Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: This page is dedicated to the Hawaiian Supah-man, Bradda IZ!
-Mountain Apple Company

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 13, 2003 9:43 PM