Gathering of the Ali'i

Webley Edwards produced the long running radio series Hawaii Calls as well as a series of recordings on Capitol Records in the fifties and sixties. These records were all themed around Hawaiian music, some more traditional than others. Many featured flamboyant covers, this music is often labeled "Exotica" by collectors.

For some unknown reason, the thrift stores I frequent have had a run of these lately. Most of the albums have a broad variety of "Hawaiian" music composed by professional writers. This album, with the most lurid cover of all, turned out to be a pleasant surprise:

A host of leading Hawaiian musicians, drummers, chanters and singers made these recordings... ...as a prelude to the Gathering of the Ali'i (the old nobility) to dedicate the meeting place on the site of one of the early homes of the former royal family. The sounds and the voices and harmony are exotic, and they are all truly authentic - from great Hawaiian artists, whose eyes misted or sparkled as they performed!

~Webley Edwards

The list of performers reads like a who's who of Hawaiian artists:

Al Kealoha Perry
Haunani Kahalewai
Winona Beamer
Lani Kealiiwahamana and Iwalani Kahalewai
and many others.

The music on this album, while sometimes tainted with modern influences, is about as close to the old styles as you are likely to find.