main
images
links
about


h







Leroy Holmes - Hawaii with a Bongo Beat
enlarge (137k)

MGM Records E3874

Hawaiian War Chant
Blue Hawaii
The Moon of Manakoora
Mahilini Mele
Minoi-Minoi
My Little Grass Shack in
Kealakekua Hawaii

Lovely Hula Hands
Song of the Islands
Pagan Love Song
Sweet Leilani
Maori Brown Eyes
Song of Old Hawaii


In this unique recording LeRoy Holmes has successfully blended two, individually
distinctive types of music: the tropically melodious themes of the Hawaiian Islands,
and the popular new "Nashville" beat! LeRoy approached this difficult combination
of musical styles with the understanding that comes with knowledge gained from
a long-time intimacy with popular music. He had to mold the fiery rhythm of the
bongo drum into an arrangement that would pep-up the breezy music of the Islands.
The result is amazing! You hear the well loved Hawaiian melodies in real modern
rhythm.

You will happily recognize your favorite Island tunes, and you may even hear a few
that are unfamiliar, for LeRoy has balanced his selection of well-known numbers by
including a few which are heard less frequently.

LeRoy's heavy string section keeps the orchestra from sounding like a dance band,
while four trombones lend real brass excitement to the music. Voices without lyrics
sing along with the melodic line to give the music personality - the women sing with
the strings and the men with the trombones.

Willie Rodriguez leads the Latin rhythm section, Phil Kraus is on the vibes while
James (Osie) Johnson is the snare drummer. "Hawaii With A Bongo Beat" was
recorded at the Olmstead Sound Studios, New York, New York under the technical
direction of Bob Doherty. MGM used the Ampex "300" Series for recording, with
Telefunken mikes.