KEOLA BEAMER - "WOODEN BOAT"

Songs

1. Hemo Da Kope' Bean  4:30 

2. Po Mahina – (instrumental) 2:20 

3. Shells 5:59 

4. Kalena Kai – (instrumental) 4:21 

5. Wooden Boat 3:50 

6. Hula Lady 3:12 

7. Dancers in the Land of Po – (instrumental) 5:21 

8. No Ke Ano Ahiahi – (instrumental) 3:40 

9. Don't You Want To Be My Baby? 3:58 

10. Kealia 4:17 

11. Elepaio Slack Key – (instrumental) 2:56 

12. E Manono4:16 

13. He Aloha No O Honolulu – (instrumental) 3:53 

14. Where I Hold You 4:07 

1. HEMO DA KOPE' BEAN – (Keola Beamer) - vocal 

Guitars & Vocals:  Keola Beamer 
Bass: Benny Rietveld 
Drums:  Paul Van Wageningen 
Percussion: Peter Michael 
Backing Vocals:  Linda Tillery, Melanie Rath, Annie Stocking 

Keola here plays the nylon string guitar  in his C Wahine Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E, from the lowest pitched string to the highest). "Wahine" refers to a tuning with a Major 7th note in it, here the B note on the second string which is hammered on on the first fret to produce the tonic note C, one of the characteristic sounds of Wahine Tunings. 

This is a happy, upbeat original contemporary Hawaiian (calypso flavored) song reflecting Keola's childhood in Kona, Hawaii, the Hawaiian capitol of world famous Kona coffee. It is capricious and whimsical, picturing coffee pickers in the clear, crisp Kona morning air. From the uplands, they look down to the tranquil Pacific ocean, eager hands reaching deep into the coffee plants, seeking the bright red berry-like beans. They hemo (separate) the beans from the branches for kope la, sun dried coffee beans or kope wai, fresh undried coffee beans in the hull. 

Wake up in the morning 
When the sun shine big and bright 
The coffee bean fall to the ground 
And roll down the mountain side

Breathin' in the morning air 
Above the shining sea 
From beneath on old straw hat 
Chewing on the kope' bean  

Hemo, hemo 
Hemo, da kope' bean 
Hemo, hemo 
Hemo da kope' bean 
(repeat) 
Na, na, na 
Hemo da kope' bean 
(repeat) 

And when the wind blow down the hill 
He whisper through the trees 
A little sunlight in a life 
Make a man live happily 

Singing hemo, hemo 
Hemo da kope' bean 
Hemo, hemo 
Hemo da kope' bean 
Barefoot on the dusty ground and reaching up into the leaves 
When the sun be goin' down, singing neath the kope' trees 

Hemo, hemo 
Hemo da kope' bean 
Hemo, hemo 
Hemo da kope' bean 

Na, na, na 
Hemo da kope' bean 
Na, na, na 
Hemo da kope' bean  

Hemo, hemo 
Hemo da kope' bean 
Hemo, hemo 
Hemo da kope' bean 
(repeat)  

2. PO MAHINA (Night Moon) – (Charles E. King) – instrumental 

Guitars:  Keola Beamer & George "Keoki" Winston 
Percussion:  John Santos 
Acoustic Bass:  Todd Phillip 

Keola plays the nylon string guitar here in his C Wahine Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E), and George Winston plays the  eight-string steel string guitar tuned G-C-D-G-D-G-B-D, from lowest to highest string, which combines the G Major Taro Patch with the C Wahine “Leonard’s C” Tuning. This version was inspired in part by Slack Key guitarist Cyril Pahinui's recording of "Po Mahina" in C Major Tuning (C-G-E-G-C-E) on his album CYRIL (Pahinui Records P-6068). Cyril has also recorded two solo versions, a vocal and an instrumental, on his album PO MAHINA (Dancing Cat Records). All of these versions show the Spanish influence of the vaqueros (early Spanish cowboys) who introduced the guitar to the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) on the Big Island of Hawaii.  

3. SHELLS – (Lani Kai) - vocal 
Guitars & Vocals:  Keola Beamer 
Bass:  Benny Rietveld 
Drums:  Paul Van Wageningen 
Percussion:  Peter Michael 
Backing Vocals:  Linda Tillery, Melanie Rath, Annie Stocking 

Keola plays the steel string, nylon string and electric guitars here, all in his C Wahine Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E). When his grandfather, Pono Beamer, was a young man, he once rescued a woman from drowning in the waters off Waikiki. The young woman, who had been diving for shells, had become exhausted in the swift currents and lay submerged, her body resting on a coral reef. He brought her gently to the surface, and when she regained consciousness, her first words to him were, "Why did you wake me from this beautiful dream?" In this reflection of his grandfather's story, Keola's guitar stylings and sensitive vocal performance conjure up the time for dreams. 

Shells lie on the shore 
Shells rest forevermore 
In the warmth of sunlight 
Between the sand and sea 
...Shells 

Take me home with you 
I'll sing my song for you 
I recall the summer
On a lonely shore  

In the warmth of sunlight 
Between the sand and sea 
...Shells  

Wanting you... 
Wanting you... 
Wanting you... 

4. KALENA KAI – (Charles E. King) - instrumental 
Guitars:  Keola Beamer & George "Keoki" Winston 

 Keola here plays the steel string guitar in the  F Wahine Tuning (C-F-C-G-C-E), tuned up one half step to sound in the key of F#, and George plays the eight-string steel string guitar tuned G-C-D-G-D-G-B-D, tuned down one half steps to sound in the key of F#. "Kalena Kai" was written in the early 1900's by Charles E. King. He called it "Bath House," because there was a favorite bathing place that Hawaiians enjoyed, near an area called "Watertown" on the island of O'ahu.  The setting is oceanside and Keola and Keoki give it the happy treatment of a fun filled outing. In this  instrumental arrangement, the guitarists extend a special aloha to  Sonny Chillingworth (1930-1994) for his everlasting contributions to the Slack Key guitar.  

5. WOODEN BOAT (Keola Beamer) - vocal 

Guitars, Ukulele, Vocals:  Keola Beamer 
Bass:  Michael Manring 
Drums: Paul Van Wageningen 
Percussion:  John Santos 
Piano:  Phillip Aaberg 
Backing Vocals:  Linda Tillery, Melanie Rath, Annie Stocking 

 Keola plays the nylon string guitar here in his C Wahine Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E).  The whole family endured life's ups and downs together, in this well paced original song of Keola's. This is a joyous affirmation of family generations, sharing and solving, facing life's challenges together. 

Papa goin' fishin,' Mama goin' fishin,' rocking in a Wooden Boat 
Grampa goin' fishin,' I'm goin' fishin,' rocking in a Wooden Boat 

Aunty goin' fishin,' Uncle goin' fishin,' rocking in a Wooden Boat 
Sister goin' fishin,' Brother goin' fishin,' rocking in a Wooden Boat  

We're rocking in a Wooden Boat 
Several generations old, we'll be going on forever 
Rocking in a Wooden Boat  

Cousin goin' fishin,' Brother goin' fishin,' rocking in a Wooden Boat 
Gramma goin' fishin,' Kids goin' fishin, rocking in a Wooden Boat 

We're rocking in a Wooden Boat 
The young ones turn into the old, we'll be going on forever, 
Rocking in a Wooden Boat 

From a million years ago, we can see the starlight's glow 
Out on the water, rocking in a Wooden Boat 

Rocking in a Wooden Boat 
Rocking in a Wooden Boat 
We'll be going on forever,  
Rocking in a Wooden Boat 

He na na, He na, na 
He na na na na 
He na na, He na na na na... 

Rocking in a Wooden Boat 
Rocking in a Wooden Boat 
We'll be going on forever, 
Rocking in a Wooden Boat 
(repeat) 
(repeat) 

6. HULA LADY (Carlos Andrade) - vocal 

Vocals:  Keola Beamer 
Guitars:  Keola Beamer & George "Keoki" Winston 
Percussion:  John Santos 
Acoustic Bass:  Todd Phillips 

Keola here plays the steel string guitar in the F Wahine Tuning (C-F-C-G-C-E), and  George plays the eight-string steel string guitar (tuned G-C-D-G-D-G-B-D) tuned down two half steps to sound in the key of F. 

This is one of the classic songs by Kauai composer Carlos Andrade. The guitarists swing gently through this tune - thinking of alluring hula maidens dancing in the tropical evening. 

Oh Hula Lady, oh hula girl 
The men all love you, oh hula girl 
Telling stories with your hands or rain and wind and flowers 
Tales of long forgotten gods, of lost and lonely lovers, 
Dance, dance lady, 
Dance, dance your dance of love 
Dance, dance Hula Lady dance 

7. DANCERS IN THE LAND OF PO (Keola Beamer) – (instrumental)  

Guitars and Hawaiian Nose Flute (ohe hano ihu): Keola Beamer  

Keola plays the nylon string and electric guitars here  in a "C Ni'ihau/Old Mauna Loa" Tuning (C-G-D-G-A-D), played in the key of G minor.Po is the Hawaiian realm of the gods. In this evocative instrumental piece, Keola envisions a hula chant with male dancers moving through the forest of the nether land. As a heavy mist gathers, the dancers move lower to the ground. The ohe hano ihu (Hawaiian bamboo flute) weaves a haunting melody that captures us in this moving composition. In the dense undergrowth of the forest, we are caught up in Keola's creative vision as the dancers move through the twilight. 

8. NO KE ANO AHIAHI (In the Evening Time) (traditional) - instrumental 
Guitars:  Keola Beamer 
Muted Piano:  George "Keoki" Winston 

Keola here plays this on two nylon string guitars in his C Wahine Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E).  This very old traditional Island chant, was researched by Eddie Kamae and was first recorded by Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawaii, with the late great Slack Key guitarist Gabby Pahinui on the album AN ISLAND HERITAGE (Panini Records KN-1001). Gabby played it in a C Mauna Loa Tuning (C-G-E-G-A-E); with the guitar tuned down to the key of A in this version. He also recorded a very soulful slow version in C Mauna Loa Tuning on the album GABBY PAHINUI - GABBY PAHINUI HAWAIIAN BAND, VOLUME 2 (Panini Records PS-1008).  Gabby’s son Cyril Pahinui has recorded a version in C Major Tuning (C-G-E-G-C-E) for his recording 6 & 12 STRING SLACK KEY (Dancing Cat Records). 

This instrumental celebrates the evening hours we love, as the sailing ships - full blown - pass in the wind. It is a name chant for King Lunalilo (1883-1874). The imagery in vivid, the melody, plaintive.  

9. DON'T YOU WANT TO BE MY BABY? (Keola Beamer) - vocal 

Ukulele, Guitar, Vocals: Keola Beamer 
Drums:  Paul Van Wageningen 
Percussion:  John Santos 
Piano, Synth and Bass:  Phillip Aaberg 
Backing Vocals:  Linda Tillery, Melanie Rath, Annie Stocking 

This original piece sways with two muted ukuleles, percussion,  and Hawaiian Slack Key nylon string & steel string guitars played in Leola’s C Wahine Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E). Keola says it is  a romantic sailors' song. 

Under the starlight 
the flowers in your hair 
will give their scent to the evening air 
In the arms of the moonlight, I'd be sailing so free 
if only I could hold you close to me  

Don't you want to be my baby in the morning light 
Don't you want to be my baby at noon 
Don't you want to be my baby in the dark of night 
Don't you want to be my baby soon  

Now see how the moonlight 
will float in to the air 
falling silently everywhere 
down a river of starlight, I'd be sailing so free 
if only I could hold you close to me  

Don't you want to be my baby in the morning light 
Don't you want to be my baby at noon 
Don't you want to be my baby in the dark of night 
Don't you want to be my baby soon 
Don't you want to be my baby in the morning light 
Don't you want to be my baby at noon 
Don't you want to be my baby in the dark of the night 
Don't you want to be my baby soon

10. KEALIA (Patrick Cockett) - vocal 

Guitar & Vocals:  Keola Beamer 
Keola plays this here on the steel string guitar in the in C Mauna Loa Tuning (C-G-E-G-A-E) capoed up to 2nd fret to sound in the key of D. Kealia is a small valley on the outskirts of Kapaa, on the east coast of Kauai. Although today a visitor might see only a quiet country village, a hundred years ago the valley was exploding with the industrial revolution and sugar cane. By the late 1940s, when composer Patrick Cockett was growing up there, only remnants remained. This song expresses his feelings about Kealia and what happened there. "I found it in one of Gabby's C Tunings," says Pat, "his tunings are so beautiful, they have so many different sounds in them." Keola's arrangement of this composition is sweet and tender. The dream quality pervades like "leaves blowing softly in the wind" says Keola.  

 Kealia... all the years are passing by and now you're sleeping 
you lay dreaming. 
Kealia...all the people that you knew, almost forgotten 
as you lay dreaming  

Memories like leaves that drift away 
and I will feel your soft caress...all of my days  

Far away, it seems so far away 
far away... 

Can you hear the voices calling your name  
from the time the century turned to sugar cane. 

Kealia... all the years are passing by and now you're sleeping 
you lay dreaming 
Kealia... all the people that you knew, almost forgotten 
as you lay dreaming 

Memories like leaves that drift away 
and I will feel your soft caress... all of my days  

Far away, it seems so far away 
far away...  
far away...  

11. ELEPAIO SLACK KEY (Keola Beamer) - instrumental  

Guitar:  Keola Beamer 
Percussion:  John Santos 
Acoustic Bass:  Todd Phillips  

Keola here plays this on the nylon string guitar in a unique F Major based tuning (C-F-C-G-A-F), that he invented. This a sprightly original Hawaiian Slack Key piece portraying the behavior of the Hawaiian bird (elepiao) believed to be the goddess of canoe makers. Hawaiian percussive instruments fill this melodic tone piece. The Hawaiian percussive instruments are 'ili'li - waterworn basaltic stones, kala'au - resonant stick, pa ipu - gourd drum, na pupu leho -cowrie shells. 

 12. E MANONO  (Traditional) - vocal 

Guitars, Hawaiian Nose Flute (ohe hano ihu), Vocals:  Keola Beamer 
Drums:  Paul Van Wageningen 

Keola plays this on the nylon string and electric guitars here in his C Wahine Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E), and plays the unusual key of G minor with the guitar tuned down two half steps, therefore sounding in the key of F minor.  In the Beamer family, the stirring story of Princess Manono and the Battle of Kuamo'o at Kona, Hawaii in 1819 has been a touchstone for five generations. This was a period of tremendous political and social upheaval in Hawai'i, for upon the death of the great king Kamehameha Nui, there was a sudden loss of spiritual guidance for all of the Hawaiian people. The Battle of Kuamo'o was the last battle fought in Hawaii, waged for the principle of retaining the old ways of Hawaiian religion and culture. Chief Kekuaokakalani (Manono's husband) and his men, armed only with hand hewn spears and clubs, fought courageously against the muskets and cannons of Kamehameha II. When the Princess Manono witnessed the death of her husband, overcome with grief and sadness, she rushed to his side, picked up his spear and plunged into the battle. Her haunting cry, "Ko aloha, ko aloha, malama ko aloha" (your love, your love, keep your love) was taken up by the warriors of Kekuakalani and reverberated far into the night. This unique chant with vocal and guitar combinations eulogizes Keola's ancestor Manono, who gave her last breath for her people. It gently and firmly says that there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome by love.  

E Manono la eaCome now, Manono 
E Manono la eaCome now, Manono 
Ae oe, ae oe 

Kau ka ope opeTake up your burden 
Ka ulu hala la eaThru the Hala Grove 

Hold on to, hold on to your love  
Hali'i pu nanaA resting place 
No huli maiTo turn to 

Ae oe, ae oe, e 
Ae oe, ae oe, e 
Ae oe, ae oe, e 

(slowly) Huli mai oe laTurn now 
Moe Kaualet us rest (metaphor for Death) 
Ae oe, ae oe, e 

Hold on to, hold on to your love 
Ko aloha la eaYour love 
Ko aloha la eaYour love 

Ae oe, ae oe, e 
Ae oe, ae oe, e 
Ae oe, ae oe, e  

13. HE ALOHA NO O HONOLULU (Greetings Honolulu) – (Lot Kauwe) - (instrumental) 
Guitars:  Keola Beamer & George "Keoki" Winston 

 Keola here plays this on the steel string guitar in the  F Wahine Tuning (C-F-C-G-C-E), and George plays eight-string steel string guitar tuned G-C-D-G-D-G-B-D, tuned down two half steps to sound in the key of F.  [Gabby Pahinui also recorded a version in C Mauna Loa Tuning on the album HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY, VOLUME 1 - WITH GABBY PAHINUI (Waikiki Records-319).  Slack Key guitarist Ledward Kaapana has recorded a version in G Major Tuning for an upcoming release on Dancing Cat.]   

This instrumental is a classic composition of Lot Kauwe. It is a long time favorite of Keola's that he performs with George "Keoki" Winston. Keoki plays the sweeping melody in harmonics and Keola provides the rhythmic arpeggios. A little later in the piece, the guitarists change roles. 

14. WHERE I HOLD YOU (Keola Beamer) - vocal 

Guitar, Vocals:  Keola Beamer 
Bass:  Benny Rietveld 
Drums:  Paul Van Wageningen 
Percussion:  John Santos 
Piano:  Phillip Aaberg 
Backing Vocals:  Melanie Rath, Linda Tillery, Annie Stocking 

 Keola here plays this on tow steel string guitars and electric guitar in his C Wahine Tuning (C-G-D-G-B-E).Where I Hold You is an original love song with universal appeal. Keola's gift of song writing shines through his honest performance. "I respect the creative process," says Keola, "I only wish I really understood it. For me, there is no better reason for doing what I do".  

Down where the river meets the sea 
When I was watching from the trees 
In the falling wind 
I was back again 
To where I hold you 

Needing something to believe 
I fixed a place inside of me 
Where each old worn path 
Would lead me back 
To where I hold you 

Where I hold you... where I hold you, 
Where I hold you 

And though you're gone without a trace 
In my heart there is a place 
Where I still hear your voice 
In the falling wind 
Where I hold you 

Where I hold you... where I hold you, 
Where I hold you 
Where I hold you... where I hold you, 
Where I hold you 

All songs by Keola Beamer and Nona Beamer c 1993 Starscape Music. 
Keola's electric guitar was made by Steve Grimes of Steve Grimes Steel String Electric Guitars in Kula, on the island of Maui, Hawai'i.