KAPAKAHI JUG BAND: Kapakahi Jug Band

Kapakahi Jug Band

Kapakahi Jug Band

© 2005 Kapakahi Jug Band

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Legendary Honolulu jug band's "lost album." First time on CD.

notes

First time on CD! Japanese edition, in paper jacket.

The Kapakahi Jug Band (adapted from the original 1981 liner notes):

Before the Kapakahi Jug Band came together, the spirit of the thing was jazzing around somewhere out there looking for a voice. You see, human situations as old as love, jealousy and the blues inspire the heart to create music- the surefire elixir - remedy to a world of woes.

Jug Band music is by nature accessible to everyone. Put together a clothesline, a broomstick and a washtub and you get a 'gutbucket' bass; a washboard and wooden spoons take the place of a standard rhythm section; a ceramic jug replaces a tuba; a comb covered with a piece of waxed paper takes the place of a trombone; and someone usually has a guitar, banjo or fiddle. The resultant 'sound' is unique to Jug Bands, and there are many variations on this theme.

This recording of the Kapakahi Jug Band was made in Honolulu in 1981 at the zenith of a musical confluence that has spanned over forty years. It all began when, teen-aged (and wise beyond her years) Jan Killam's All Girl Jugless Jug Band showed a glimpse of ankle in 1965 on a talent show stage at Punahou School. That pheromone wafting in the Manoa valley breeze drew the folk-savvy banjo player and bohemian artist Pan Wilson down from his meditations in a mountain cave. Washtub bass-playing University of Hawaii art professor Duane Preble, with a background in West Coast skiffle bands, knew a good groove when he heard it, and invited Jan and Pan to play with him at his 'Art From Recycled Waste' exhibition.

From that time forward, many players contributed to the band, culminating in the configuration that appears on this album. This 1981 grouping, sadly never to be reconvened in this earthly sphere, includes the already mentioned Jan, Pan and Duane, as well as the irrepressible, irreplaceable raconteur, jug and washboard player Richard "Pee Wee" Drake; the late great Dean of the Hawaiian Musical Saw, Jeremy T. Stewart; Janice Hanley (she, the speech pathologist with the pipes to sooth the savage soul); Autumn "Lil' A" Hancock (that statuesque fiddler with the killer riffs); surferdude, sawmiller, guitarmaker and strummer Bart Potter (who brought the beer so they let him play); and Don Sharp whose infectious horn chops unfailingly ratcheted up the adrenaline several notches. Kapakahi was and is about fun--in Pee Wee's words, "If we'd wanted it slick we would have practiced."

For more on the band see Pan's Kapakahi website:
http://www.kapakahijugband.com

reviews

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  • Fine, Fresh and Funny.
    author: Carl M. Nielsen

    This is absolutely happy-go-lucky-music. The sounds of saw, kazoo and washboard makes a unique atmospheare around well known tunes like "The Sheik Of Araby","Somebody Stoll My Gal" and "Blues My Naughty Sweetheart", creating a very special room of moods and sounds.It also swings with a strong beat! "Hula Love" is the only tune directly related to Hawai, but all through the album, is this unexplainebly touch of beach palms and Honululu flowers, adding some island sunshine, and making the music even more smiling. Are you depressed? Here's the cure!

  • author: Gerry D

    i have the original phono album, but no longer have a phonograph, so i had to have the CD, but have no CD player, so had to get one of those little players that plug into my car cassette player to listen-what a 68 year old has to do these days, the KJB played at my wedding, so I HAD TO DO IT!

  • Lots of fun
    author: comandomac19

    Makes you want to grab a washboard or gazoo and join right in.

  • If weed of rehearsed, weed a sounded as good as youse. de elliot bros. jugband
    author: Blind Willie of de Elliot Bros.Jugband

    Like I said, if weed a rehearsed, weed a sounded as good as youse. de elliot bros.

  • Refreshing style leads to contagious fun!
    author: Michael Oliver

    Filled with contagious fun and enthusiasm, this CD reminds us that making music, as well a living life, should be more about the journey. Vocal and instrumental spontaneity and imperfections are refreshing!

  • Fun LP has morphed into great CD
    author: magschmooz

    You don't have to be from the Islands to sense what great fun this group must have been to have been seen live...The perfect CD to pick up your spirits on a rainy day...

  • author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby

    For the first time on CD, this legendary Honolulu jug band's "lost album" is brought to you with serious charm and professional playfulness. Complete with musical saw, this shuffley group brings an uncontrollable smile to the face of the toughest of critics. Considering the world we live in today, this is the kind of music that can turn us towards the naturally light and delightful parts of life, lest we forget the magic of silliness and swinging good fun. This is by far the one of the most clever and enjoyable albums in circulation at the moment.

  • This is the very best of old time jug band sound. You will love it!
    author: Malia Yang

    I am so glad that this has been issued on CD. Future generations will treasure the Kapakahi Jug Band's great tunes!

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