Album Notes

Before I tell you about this album, if you are needing to contact us, either call 808-735-6003 (Hawaii) or email gmacd@aloha.net. "Timeless" is our sixth CD, and won Best Jazz Album/Artists at the 2005 Hawaii Music Awards! If you have followed our progression, we have gone from three tropical albums, to one classical, to Christmas, all instrumental, featuring the steel drums, but also useing unusual character instruments like accordion, ukulele, Hawaiian steel guitar, etc. Unlike many groups, each of our CD's have distinct and different personalities. "Timeless" adds American Standards to our list. We picked about half ballads, half upbeat tunes. Junko plays the ballads on the sultry sound of the double second steel drums built by Chris Wabich. I do most of the upbeat tunes either on single or double tenor pans. If you like steel drums and songs from yesteryear, there has never been a combination like this before. You will love it. To see and hear all recordings by us, scroll down to "Try This," located on the lower left of your screen, then look for "GALLERIES this is in Greg MacDonald," and click on it. Bio: We are an instrumental duo. I play parallel lead pans (higher register) and Junko plays double seconds (lower register). My introduction to pan was at the University of California, Berkeley. Having been a professional trap set drummer, I took a class at Berkeley in 1985, and fell in love with steel drums. For that year I performed with the Berkeley Steel Orchestra, then moved to Hawaii. Junko and I met at a Christmas party in 1994. She liked the sound of the instrument and began coming to band rehearsals, later learning a few tunes and sitting in with us. Her musical background is classical piano, so she had a well trained ear and picked up pan quickly. By 1996 we had formed a duo, and a couple years later got married. She is from Tokyo and is the world's first professional female Japanese pan player. Our cultural and musical differences help to define our sound. We are dedicated to this instrument, which is another story, too long for here. Credits: We have provided pre concert entertainment for Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Buffet, Julio Iglesias and Kenny Loggins (all while they were in Hawaii.) Our corporate clients include: Sony, ATT, Coke Cola, Dr.Pepper/7up, Coors, Intel, Taco Bell, Motorola, Cisco Systems, and dozens more. Our Latin album, Pan-a-Cabana, was featured in July 2002 on the largest Hispanic TV network in the world, Univision, broadcasting from Miami. In June 1999, we appeared on Home Shopping Network and set a new sales record (to that date). Contact info: If you are planning an event, we specialize in background music for weddings, dinners, cocktails, grand openings, registrations, etc. If you want a full calypso band, we can provide that also. Phone/fax (808) 735-6003, e-mail gmacd@aloha.net, or write to Greg and Junko MacDonald at PO Box 161083, Honolulu, HI 96816. Please email us to get on our mailing list. If you are planning your event through an agent, destination service, or other such provider, we would be happy to work with them to simplify your efforts. Coming to Hawaii? Please catch one of our free performances in the heart of Waikiki, at International Market Place, Food Court Stage, Sun and Tue, 7-9pm, under the Banyan Tree! Sometimes visitors get lost in the Market Place, if so, the Food Court Stage is in the back left if you enter from Kalakaua. Or, just ask a vendor. See ya there! You can purchase this CD now, at this site, by charge card, or toll free by phone if you prefer at 1-800-Buy-My-CD. Or, you can mail order from Greg and Junko directly. Also, we (Greg and Junko) can burn you a custom audio or MP3 CD, where you pick only the songs you want from all our CD's. Please contact us at 808-735-6003 or gmacd@aloha.net for more info. 99 cents per song, 15 song minimum. Price includes shipping. Reminder: to see and hear