Israel Kamakawiwo"ole

Message

Frodoleader · #1 Post by **Frodoleader** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:10 pm

Any one here ever give a listen to Brudda Iz's music? You've probably heard him sing, "Somewhere over the Rainbow". He is another that left us way too soon. Here is a link to a memorial site.

http://www.geocities.com/~ukulele/iz.html

I wish we could have seen him on MPI during its run. Give a bit more props to the native Hawai'ian culture. If you want to hear his music, I suggest www.imeem.com.

Dervish · #2 Post by **Dervish** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:30 pm

I'm a big fan of Bruddah Iz.

You can get his albums on amazon.com . My favorite one is "Facing Future".

#3 Post by **ConchRepublican** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:57 pm

I have Facing Future and Alone in Iz World. He's on constant rotation at the Tiki Bar.

I've heard good things about John Cruz as well, but I've yet to get my hands on a CD.

Agatha · #4 Post by **Agatha** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:46 pm

OK, Frodoleader, so is that IZ playing the drums and chanting during the luau in the Kapu episode?

#5 Post by **J.J. Walters** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:15 am

In checking out Bruddah Iz's Wiki page, I see that "Facing Future" became Hawaii's first certified platinum album. I did not know that!

Agatha wrote:...is that IZ playing the drums and chanting during the luau in the Kapu episode?

It looks like a different guy to me, but I've never seen what Iz looked like in the 1980s.

Agatha · #6 Post by **Agatha** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:43 am

You're right, James. It doesn't look like the IZ on the memorial page. I posted without actually looking at the episode.

Oh well. Still interesting. And I LOVE his "Over the Rainbow!!" If it's the one I'm thinking about. Haven't really checked that out either...

#7 Post by **Styles Bitchley** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:14 am

Definitely love this guy. When I first heard his stuff in the mid-90s I had trouble finding any CDs in Toronto (where I lived at the time). I then found a Honolulu-based website on that newfangled internet thing and made my first online purchase: two IZ cds. Unfortunately, I after the exchange rate, shipping charges and Canadian duty, they ended up costing me almost CA$35 each!

Still, it's hard to put a price on music that sends you on a mental vacation to the middle of the Pacific.

rubber chicken · #8 Post by **rubber chicken** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:18 am

I didn't recognize the name or face, but I searched and found Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I recognized it immediately, though I'm not sure from where - maybe a commercial?

It's a beautiful song, thanks for posting the topic Frodoleader.

#9 Post by **Styles Bitchley** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:43 am

rubber chicken wrote:I recognized it immediately, though I'm not sure from where - maybe a commercial?

It's been used in several movies. Great for triggering a teary ending to a story! The only one I can think of right now is Finding Forrester, but I remember noticing it in others as well.

rubber chicken · #10 Post by **rubber chicken** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:53 pm

I did see Finding Forrester, that's probably what I remember it from.

#11 Post by **Doc Ibold** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:38 pm

ER, where Anthony Edwards character died is another notable time when the song was played

Frodoleader · #12 Post by **Frodoleader** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:49 am

Doc Ibold wrote:ER, where Anthony Edwards character died is another notable time when the song was played

That and the fact the character died in a beach house in Hawai'i!

Frodoleader · #13 Post by **Frodoleader** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:51 am

It's a beautiful song, thanks for posting the topic Frodoleader.[/quote]

You are very welcome!

Danno · #14 Post by **Danno** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:03 am

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I've only recently started listing to Iz after seeing his photo in just about every ABC store in Hawaii and hearing him all over the islands.

If that is him (I don't think it is) in the Kapu episode it would be during his days in The Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau I think. Here he is in 1982:

I can't believe he died at 38. So sad. His music really does take you to the middle of the Pacific.

#15 Post by **Styles Bitchley** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:15 am

Dan wrote:I can't believe he died at 38. So sad. His music really does take you to the middle of the Pacific.

Yep. Couldn't agree more.