Great Songs Of Hawaii - Harry Owens

 

Hawaiian Paradise

Great Songs Of Hawaii

Harry Owens and The Royal Hawaiians

Cover Photo courtesy of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Engineer: Thorne Nogar

Hamilton HLP 141

A Division of Dot Records, Inc.

From the back cover: "Aloha," often described as the greatest word in any language, means many things, all of them good: Good morning, good afternoon, cheerio, sweet dreams, I love you and, eventually, good bye. And Harry Owens ("Mr. Hawaii," as he's called by many) has possibly done more than any other individual to bring the true meaning of "Aloha" to the world... and to bring the world to his beloved Hawaii.

In addition to being the most famous exponent of Island music, Mr. Owens is indubitably the most prolific writer of Hawaiian songs. Born in Nebraska, raised in Montana, "Mr. Hawaii" first gained fame as a songwriter non-Hawaiian hit, "Linger Awhile" which catapulted him from the study of law into a full time career as author, composer and conductor.

He first reached the shores of Polynesia in 1934. Organizing his now famous Royal Hawaiians, he remained the principal entertainment attraction at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, in Honolulu, from that year until 1940 when he took his large troupe of entertainers on a tour of the United States and Canada. His return to Hawaii in 1941 was thwarted by the tragedy of Pearl Harbor.

Continuing "stateside," Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians became a feature attraction in motion picture, distinguished hotels and on recordings. In the late 1940's, Harry became one of television's pioneers. His one hour weekly show – first board cast on a Hollywood station – grew in popularity until its coverage was expanded to the Western States and Hawaii. Consistently among the top-rated shows, an additional tribute to the popularity of Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians is his enviable record of 8 years of continuous sponsorship. At the time of semi-retirement in 1961, Owen's compositions totaled close to 300.

Recently, Hamilton Records prevailed upon Harry to emerge from retirement to make this album which includes 12 of his greatest hits. He interprets them with the authentic touch of author-composer and these renditions will not only evoke memories among the millions who have visited the Islands but will delight all lovers of sentimental and gently rhythmic music.

And so, in this album, Harry Owens – the man who virtually put Hawaii "on the map" and who has done more than any other single person to bring statehood to his beloved Island – continues his love song to the once far-away land which took him to its heart. This love song is also a paean of praise and thanks to the gentle Hawaiian people who adopted him.

Also from the back cover: The excellent trio heard in this album in comprised of Bill Cole, tenor; Gene Merlino, baritone and Bill Lee, also a baritone and leader of the group. Each is heard, additionally, in solos. Adding vocal support in certain passages are the Tavares Brothers – Ernest and Fred. Members of Harry Owen's original Royal Hawaiians in Honolulu, each not only sings but plays steel guitar, Spanish guitar and the ukulele.

The delightful soprano voice in this album belongs to Louie Jean Norman. In addition to the thrilling clarity of tone so evident in her solo and obligato passages, Miss Norman manages an almost incredible tonal accuracy throughout a rang which extends from the lower notes of contralto to those of coloratura soprano.

The other members of the outstanding group on this recording are Mannie Kline, trumpet; Gene Cipriano, Justin Gordon and Johnny Rotella, reeds; Morty Cobb, bass; Tommy Romersa, drums and Milt Rogers, celeste.

Sweet Leilani 

Hawaiian Hospitality 

Hawaii My Island

Cocoanut Grove

Dancing Under The Stars

My Isle Of Love

To You, Sweetheart, Aloha

Syncopated Hula Love Song

Voice Of The Trade Winds

Princess Poo-poo-ly Had Plenty Papaya

Hawaiian Paradise

Aloha Oe