Breaking News

Maui Beat

Kinky Stuff

It's hard not to bust up laughing when you're chatting with Kinky Friedman. Mind you, it probably depends on one's political persuasion, as this irreverent country musician/author is known for satirical, non-PC songs like "They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore" and "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in Bed," and witty books like "You Can Lead a Politician to Water, But You Can't Make 'Em Think."This 69-year-old artist typically regales interviewers with strings of one-liners and astute, humorous musings on all manner of subjects from legalizing marijuana to the dearth of ...

Tower of Power built to last

For more than 40 years, Tower of Power has drawn laudatory reviews for an exuberant fusion of soul, funk, rock and jazz. Hailed as one of the world's greatest rhythm-and-blues bands, Tower of Power became a fixture on the San Francisco Bay Area music scene in the 1970s, producing spicy hits like "What is Hip?," "Don't Change Horses," "Soul Vaccination," "So Very Hard to Go" and "Down to the Nightclub."Still going strong, Tower of Power has successfully weathered various shifts in musical taste, surviving the disco era, punk and rap, staying true to a love of what members describe as ...

Makana: ‘Ripe’ for the Pickin’

One of Hawaii's most innovative musicians, Makana has dazzled audiences around the world with his brilliant guitar playing. Adept at many styles, he has taken Hawaiian slack key guitar into uncharted territory. With his latest album, "Ripe," this virtuoso artist has delivered a superb work, which eloquently encompasses the breadth of his diverse range."It's like an overview of my entire career," Makana explains about his new project. "It has my roots music and radically progressive things, and acoustic and full production. It's probably the best representation of the diversity of my art. ...

‘Island Style’

It was one of the highlights of David Crosby and Graham Nash's magical concert at the Castle Theater in late August, when John Cruz, joined by the two veteran stars and special guest Jackson Browne, sang his signature song, "Island Style.""Their songs have laid the blueprint for singing harmony," Cruz enthuses about performing with the legendary musicians. "It was fantastic. It felt very comfortable. They invited me to go to Kauai too, but I couldn't go."Cruz had previously sung his popular anthem with Browne and Jack Johnson at a Kokua Festival, featured on the benefit compilation "Best ...

After all these year performing is still a thrill

Legendary entertainer Boz Scaggs has been touring in support of his latest album, "Memphis," which was released in March.Recorded at Memphis' famed Royal Studio, where soul great Al Green cut so many hits in the 1970s, Scaggs' first album in five years finds the star showcasing a couple of original songs and some choice covers interpreted in his own inimitable style."The album is primarily classic material, songs that are favorites that I just love to sing," Scaggs reports.These classic covers range from Willy DeVille's "Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl" and the early Steely Dan song "Pearl of ...