Our Review
I first got hooked on Hapa after a recent interview with the duo on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition. Their melodious rock sound was unlike anything I'd heard. It contains all of the delicate romance of Hawaii and the indescribable harmony of two musicians playing totally in synch.
Hapa Holidays is pure Hapa. Producing more sound between two people than the law allows, Keli'i Kaneali'i and Barry Flanagan practice their gentle folk rock art on an almost entirely unique set of holiday songs. Most of the songs are Flanagan's, quietly romantic pop melodies and Kaneal'i's understated slack key arrangements interspersed with several Christmas favorites. Flanagan's songs, such as the the inspiring Love is the Reason to Believe, can be enjoyed in any season. Likewise, their rendition of John Lennon's Love might as easily have been included on a non-seasonal release.
But their performance of Mel Torme's The Christmas Song was unusually nice, and their guitar work on Joy to the World makes it quite clear this is a Christmas record, and a must-have Christmas record at that.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2001)
No More
Hapa
Hapa Holidays
Artist link
Label: Mountain Apple
Length: 51 minutes
Genre: Hawaiian
Release: 2000
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| It's Christmas Day |
| Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel |
| The Christmas Song |
| Kanaka Wai Wai |
| Ke Ku'ulani |
| Lei Pikake |
| House of Gold |
| Joy To The World |
| (It's Alright) Christmastime is Here |
| La Rue Des Reyes (The Street of Dreams) |
| Lady In Red |
| Mele Kalikimaka |
| Love is the Reason To Believe |
| Love |