A most musical new year ahead

January 1, 2015

Instead of traditionally looking back at this time of year, we're shifting forward this week, taking a look at a jam-packed show schedule coming up in the next couple of months.Charley's Restaurant & Saloon kicks off 2015 tonight at 9:30 p.m. with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real returning to the Paia restaurant's stage after their New Year's Eve performance. Tonight's cover is $30. In September, the band backed Neil Young and Willie Nelson at a Keystone Pipeline protest concert. For more information on shows at Charley's, call 579-8085 or visit www.charleysmaui.com.Returning to ...

Musicians leave mark on Maui

December 25, 2014

With the recent Lanai Slack Key Guitar Festival dedicated to the memory of revered Hawaiian musician Dennis Kamakahi, and the screening of "The Quietest Place on Earth" documentary presented as a tribute to legendary flutist Paul Horn, it's an apt time to remember a few musicians like Kamakahi and Horn who left us this year and had, over the years, performed on Maui and graced this column with their thoughts.Hailed by George Kahumoku as "probably Hawaii's greatest songwriter since Queen Lili'uokalani," Kamakahi was one of our most accomplished slack key guitarists and prolific composers. ...

Southbound with the Doobie Brothers

December 18, 2014

Teaming with some of Nashville's brightest stars on their new album, "Southbound," iconic rockers the Doobie Brothers have scored their highest-charting recording in almost 35 years.The Doobie's Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston and John McFee - reunited with former member Michael McDonald - collaborated on their greatest hits with country stars like Blake Shelton on "Listen to the Music," Brad Paisley on "Rockin' Down the Highway" and Sara Evans on "What a Fool Believes."Some of the highlights range from a blazing "Long Train Runnin' " with Toby Keith and "South City Midnight Lady" with Jerrod ...

MRAZ (mataz)!

December 11, 2014

Since he began performing around 15 years ago, Jason Mraz has captivated audiences around the world with his soulful, folk-pop and hopeful, inspiring messages.A Grammy Award winner, he's earned platinum sales in more than 20 countries, toured with the Rolling Stones and performed in such iconic venues as the Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden and London's O2 Arena.Known for hits, such as "I'm Yours," "Lucky," "The Remedy" and "Wordplay," Mraz released his latest album "Yes!" in the summer. Billed as his first acoustic album, it features backing by the all female Raining Jane band.The ...

Disco Diva

December 4, 2014

Anyone having fond memories of the disco era will recall Thelma Houston's classic anthem "Don't Leave Me This Way," which became a massive international hit. Winning the Best Female R&B Performance Grammy in 1977, she had the distinction of becoming the first female solo artist at Motown to win the coveted award."I knew it would be a great song to dance to," Houston says. "I would go to clubs and I knew how DJs would be able to work with it. But I had no idea it would be a great commercial success, nor any idea that I would get a Grammy."Over the years, the song has appeared in ...

‘In the Mood’ for Herb Alpert

November 27, 2014

Miles Davis once said of Herb Alpert's playing, "You hear three notes and you know it's Herb."The jazz legend was honoring another trumpet great who has the distinction of being the only artist to record a No. 1 instrumental ("Rise") and a No. 1 vocal ("This Guy's in Love With You").On the heels of his 2014 Grammy win for his album "Steppin' Out," Alpert has just released a new album, "In the Mood," which features a mix of original compositions and a modern take on some classic standards.With a nod to the past, Alpert kicks off the album with a unique remake of Glenn Miller's 1940s hit ...