Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 5, 1 May 2014 — After decades of music making, ʻBlaʻ Pahinui reflects on his journey [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

After decades of music making, ʻBlaʻ Pahinui reflects on his journey

By Heidi Chang

For decades, James Daniel "Bla" Pahinui has been enriching Hawai'i's musical scene by playing with several important musical groups and on landmark albums, and as a solo artist. But these days, the gifted musician, who goes by his niekname "Bla," rarely performs in puhlie. That's why many tumed out to see him perform recently with his own band in Waimea Valley, and also to

celebrate the release of his new CD, James Daniel Pahinui "Bla." Known for his distinct voice and style of guitar playing, Bla continues to create his own unique sound. When your father happens to be Gabby Pahinui, a Hawaiian folk hero and the "Father of Modern

Slack Key Guitar," that's a tough act to follow. So instead, Bla has taken his father's advice to heart: "Be you, not me." On his new alhum, Bla performs some beautiful Hawaiian classics, original compositions, blues, rock and doo-wop. He produced some of the songs at his home recording studio on the North Shore of O'ahu. That's where I caught up with him, as he reflected on his musicaljoumey. Growing up, Bla was inspired by his father, Gabby, who gave himan 'ukulele when he was 10. He was also influenced by Elvis Presley and the rhythm and blues he heard in the '50s. Bla's parents struggled, and both worked to support 10 kids. "I hung out on the streets," recalls Bla. "My mom and dad were afraid I might get into more trouble and get hurt, so they put me into Ko'olau Boys Home." And that's when the teenager really started to play the guitar. (The former boys' home is now ■ known as the Hawai'i Youth sj\ Correctional Facility.) V U Then in the 1960s, Bla met Peter Moon while

surfing, and introduced him to his family. Later, Bla heeame a member of the groundbreaking group The Sunday Mānoa. Eventually, Bla joined his father and brothers in The Gabby Band. It was one of the most influential groups during the Hawaiian cultural renaissance in the 1970s. In 1972, Gabby's dream of recording an alhum with his sons eame true with the release of Gabby, often called The Brown Album. It features Bla along with his brothers, Philip, Cyril and Martin. Decades later, you ean hear several songs from that alhum also featured prominently in the Oscar-winning movie The Descendants. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Keawa'iki recording sessions on Hawai'i Island, whieh also produced two landmark albums: The Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band Vol. /and Vol. II. "Because the mana was so strong over there, my dad just nailed every song right on a dime," says Bla.

On volume one, Bla, sings "Moonlight Lady," written by Carlos Andrade and Pat Cockett, whieh heeame his biggest hit. "Just my dad giving me permission to do it on his alhum, that was a treasure," recalls Bla. In fact, Gabby stepped aside, letting Bla record the song with Cyril, Randy Lorenzo and Ry Cooder. Since Gabby died in 1980, the Pahinui Brothers have recorded one alhum together featuring Bla, Cyril and Martin. "It was full of aloha. When we get together the harmony comes fromthe heart," says Bla, reminiscing. No one else sounds like them

SEE "BLA" ON PAGE 33

Follow us: U, /oha_ .hawaii | Fan us:B/officeofhawaiianaffairs | Watoh us: Youfffl^ /OHAHawaii j MELEAILANA v > ISLAND MUSIC SCENE /

REVIEW

James Oaniel Pahinui "Bla" "Bla" Pahinui Big Knife Productions Available at iīunes ($9.99) or by emailing bla@pahinui.com

Bla Pahinui at his CD release party in Waimea Valley in February. - Photo: Heidi Chang

Bla Pahinui with father Gabby, in 1 980. - , Courtesy photo: L Hiek Kato

"BLA"

Continued from page 21

They are Gabby's living legacy. When Ry Cooder overheard Bla singing his own version of "Waimānalo Blues," originally recorded by Country Comfort, h ended up on the brothers' album in 1992. And h also became one of Bla's signature tunes. In 2002, Bla retired from the City and County of Honolulu, after working as a groundskeeper for nearly 20 years. These days, he

seems very happy, with his wife, Kathleen, and his journey so far. As a volunteer, Bla continues to help counsel troubled youth. He's eome a long way since his own early run-ins with the law. Encouraged by friends, Bla says he now wants to share his life story, in hopes of helping others. So he's collaborating whh writer Lynn Cook, a frequent contributor to Ka Wai Ola, to turn it into a book. Now 7 1, Bla is looking forward to producing more albums, and exploring new musical collaborations.

On his latest CD, Bla surprises you with his unique take on "When You Wish Upon a Star," backed up by Shoji Ledward on jazz guitar. That was his favorite song as a kid. And Bla sings it with so mueh feeling, he leaves you believing ... perhaps your dreams ean eome true. ■ Hei.di. Chang is a muItimediajournalist. You ean hear her award-win-ning NPR stori.es on Bla Pahinui and Soundtracking "The Descendants" With "Real" Hawaiian Music at heidichang.com.