The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Your Tunes: Pu Uana Hulu

Welcome to the Gretsch Pages

Pu Uana Hulu

- Rated: 45 ↑
Sep 13, 2008 10:28 a.m. Richard Hudson:

Okay. Time for grass skirts and hula dancing. This is a very old Hawaiian chant song. I have heard a very old recording of David Alapai doing this song in the true Hawaiian chant style. Somehow Chet Atkins was able to come up with this beautiful arrangement for guitar. Slack key tuning: Big E tuned down to C and 5th string tuned to G.

There used to be a Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival in Hawaii. I'm not sure if they still have that event or not. My friend, Doyle Dykes was invited over there a few years ago. That would be a fun gig, huh?

This is a different cut than the one that is on my "Thinkin' Of Chet" album. It's fresh; just this morning. It is very difficult for me to play smoothly. I thought I could do better by now; but it's still pretty rough. Chet's grand niece, Meagan Taylor, likes the way I play it, so I still have the big head over that.

Hope everyone is safe on the Gulf coast from Hurricane Ike.

Thanks,

Richard

Pu Uana Hulu
- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 13, 2008 10:35 a.m. wenzel:

Very relaxing! I'd like to hear a version of you playing this unplugged acoustic!!! I love the playing a lot and it's very peaceful and flawless. Great job Richard!
- Rated: 34 ↑
Sep 13, 2008 11:47 a.m. Bernw:

Richard - as usual - excellent playing.
- Rated: 41 ↑
Sep 13, 2008 4:39 p.m. bwallace1:

hi Richard, I saw the title and said oh no Richard's done started playing Don Ho on us. and I wasn't going to listen, but when I read that you had some special tuning ? hmmmm ? I've got to listen. good stuff man. as has already been said, it's nice and relaxing. actually, tuning the low E and A strings like that is the start to tuning to open C(CGCGCE). another good job, my friend.brent
- Rated: 45 ↑
Sep 13, 2008 6:13 p.m. Richard Hudson:

Don Ho. That's pretty funny.

I appreciate you guys listening. It's not exactly a rip roaring tune but it's a tough one to play. Some of those stretchy chord shapes come pretty quickly about 5 frets away. At one time I had it down pretty smooth; but I haven't tried it in a long time.

Hope everybody's gas tank is full. You're gonna see some high prices I'm afraid. Ol' Ike did a number on the Houston/Galveston/Texas City area. It's been raining here all day. Lazy day.

Happy pickin'

Richard
- Rated: 8 ↑
Sep 14, 2008 4:42 a.m. JW:

Very pretty work, Richard!

I am a long time fan of Hawaiian Slack key; Real soothing music and you played it very well!

I'll second Wenzel's request for a mic'd acoustic version.

John
- Rated: 45 ↑
Sep 14, 2008 8:19 a.m. Richard Hudson:

I would like to have an acoustic nylon string. I just can't find one that I like that I can afford. Maybe I should lower my sights a little and come up with something. Since Jerry Reed's passing last week, I have been watching and listening to him more than I ever have. He was always able to get music out of anything he picked up. Most of Jerry's hits were recorded with a Baldwin classical that was a relatively inexpensive guitar. Some of my friends own guitars like his and the real love affair seems to be more with the prismatone pickup than with the guitar. I think Willie even has a prismatone in Trigger. That pickup is no longer available.

Well, I didn't mean to start rambling; but thanks for the nice comments. Check out Chet's recording on his "Almost Alone" album sometime.

Thanks,

Richard
- Rated: 52 ↑
Sep 14, 2008 9:24 a.m. Bear:

Richard,

That was absolutely beautiful. You play like I've always dreamed of playing.

You might want to look into the Washburn C104SCE classical (CLICK HERE). I had one and it was a beautiful sounding and playing guitar. I was sorry when I had to sell it. It uses B-Band electronics which don't sound as honky and plastic to me as other piezos like Fishman.

Here are a couple of photos of the one I had. The workmanship was beautiful and with case I paid around $300.00 as I caught it on sale.
- Rated: 45 ↑
Sep 14, 2008 8:00 p.m. Richard Hudson:

Thanks Bear. That's a nice looking guitar. To be honest about it, I just haven't had that much of a hankering for a nylon acoustic; but there have been a few times that I could have used one. The Gibson CE that I have is a pretty good electric. I didn't get the EQ very good on the recording I posted. It is a different animal to play. The bass strings sustain like crazy.

You'll need to log in to post.