Hawaiin Honeymoon - Basil Henriques and the Waikiki Islanders

" Hawaiian Honeymoon" is a most apt title for this delightful album because it follows the wedding of Hawaiian guitar to a superb collection of popular hits, many of which are of world-wide status, and all of them have appeared in the best-selling charts somewhere in the world.

For all of those to whom the Hawaiian guitar is the most romantic sounding of instruments this album will find ready acceptance, "the sound" producing, in such an individual style and treatment, a beautiful performance for so many of these melodies today.

The stereo effect is quite startling and for the technically minded was, I am told, obtained by direct injection,the themes being played separately and remixed to provide the full stereo effect.

For the layman such as myself it sounds tremendously full and clearly two separate parts combine perfectly to give rhythmic and melodic effect, whichever the tune demands.

This is not the first LP made by The Waikiki Islanders featuring Basil Henriques, and having heard the previous releases I can confirm that this latest album is outstandingly the best so far.

Henriques' control of such a complex instrument (the pedal Hawaiian guitar) is really quite superb and while the arrangements of the various items are uncomplicated there is always great authority in the playing and, when necessary, tremendous drive in the rhythmic effect.

In Short, "Hawaiian Honeymoon" is a thoroughly enjoyable and listenable album.

Side One:

1. My Cherie Amour (Wonder-Cosby-Moy)
2. Gentle On My Mind (Hartford)
3. He Ain't Heavy . . . He's My Brother (Russell-Scott)
4. I'll Never Fall In Love Again (Bacharach-David)
5. Girl Talk (Hefti)
6. Albatross (Green)

Side Two:

1. Help Yourself (Gli Occhi Miei) (Donida)
2. Love At First Sight (Je T'aime . . . Moi Non Plus) (Gainsbourg)
3. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Morricone)
4. This Guy's In Love With You (Bacharach)
5. Scat In The Dark (Izumi)
6. Little Green Apples (Russell)

TWO 290 (p) 1970