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Review by Wayne Harada
Island Sounds
by Wayne Harada
From the Honolulu Advertiser 4/25/98
Cindy Combs’
“Land of the Endless Summer” (Better Days
Records BDRCD 003) is also a first time recording for
the Kauai-based singer-composer-guitarist. Her originals
are mirrors of her interaction with the Garden Island.
She bounces from Hawaiian to light jazz in an acoustic
environment as she showcases original tunes and interprets
some classics. It’s a mixed bag but underscores
her ability to tell a story.
“Come Summer” is a glimpse at romance, with
a seasonal framework (I’ll watch my love grow, watered
in springwine”). “Ka Nani O Koke’e”
paints images of that sweet-smelling region that’s
home to maile and mokihana.
“Pulelehua” might be subtitled the “Metamorphosis
Song,” what with its images of caterpillars and
butterflies and its commitment to belief (”Faith
can take you far; there’s nowhere to go without
hope”). Good friend Jerry Santos of Olomana does
background vocals.
Lena Machado’s “Ei Nei,” Alfred Alohikea’s
“Pua Lilia,” and Johnny K. Almeida’s
“Maile Swing” are delicate interpretations
of oldies for a new generation of listeners.
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