THE DEW REVIEW
SPECIAL TO IRH FROM BETTY DEW (including photos)
Club Passim + Led Kaapana + Cyril Pahinui 8/5/01
"Mele Aloha in New England!!!"
Betty in between Cyril (left) and Led
Club Passim is where Bob Dylan played backup for Joan Baez before fame. It is in the heart of Harvard Square, down a tiny street, nestled between the two buildings that house the Harvard Coop (Harvard's very own bookstore). On this scorching hot and foggy summer night, Cyril and Led played to a packed house! The crowd spilled over onto the street, and people peered down onto the stage from the open French doors to listen. The Club's air conditioning broke down and it sure was HOT & stuffy inside! No one seemed to mind, though, as the aloha spirit took over and lifted the souls in that historic room with every strum of their guitars.
There were three sets: in the first, Cyril, in his quiet way, took the room with his song. In the second set, Led demonstrated why Keola Beamer told Rabbett last week that "Led is a musician's musician." He not only played, he made love to his guitar and ukulele. The room came alive. When Cyril joined Led for part three, the room was completely theirs. The aloha was palpable all evening. Cyril explained that he and Led do not rehearse nor plan their sets, they just play. Draped in daisy leis, play they DID!!! Once, during the last ten minutes of their over two-hour show, someone dropped a plate. Without missing a beat, Led strummed the same note that the plate made. When I saw his face, I saw the joke. Not everyone caught it. They closed the show with "Hawai`i Aloha," and invited people to sing along. Many stood, held hands, with expressions of melancholy. Those are the folks who knew the words. The crowd did not let the show end, as a standing ovation and cheers of "hana hou!" echoed throughout the room. One more tune was played, then Cyril & Led enthusiastically signed autographs and posed for photos. Cyril and Led took particular delight in signing tour posters that some people removed from the bathroom doors! (Yours will be in the mail tomorrow, Rabb!) After Cyril's set I joined the two of them outside. Asked if they are making a cd together, Cyril, standing next to Led, responded by saying, "'Eh, I've known this guy here since I was twelve. We may make a cd together, but, if we do, it will be because it is time to do so." (He also indicated that that time may come upon their arrival home, in September.) I was struck at how outgoing Cyril seems in conversation, and Led so shy, but on stage, Led is the outgoing personality. What a smile! Such an endearing giggle! Cd's were for sale, but the asking price was [a too high] $20/each. I exclaimed suprise (since you can order these cd's online from the IRH website for much less), and was told by a lady selling them that Dancing Cat Records set the price. I told the woman that I will purchase Black Sand through Internet Radio Hawai`i, mahalo nui! Cyril and Led wanted to make SURE that I extend a hearty "MAHALO NUI LOA!" to Rabbett, since www.IRH.com brings Hawaiian music to all of us. I told them that, although I have a family there, and I was raised on Hawaiian music, I know about them BECAUSE OF IRH. They were also informed about all of the publicity Rabbett has given and continues to give this tour. They were delighted. There is probably an IRH interview coming up when they get home. Kate & Ron Rivera, IRH listeners, were there, and are going to check out this review. I welcomed them, among other folk, to add their own thoughts and feelings, and, for God's sake, EMAIL Rabbett to let him know they are listening! Hi Kate & Ron!!! They LOVED the show. They were positively glowing [and not just from the heat]!!! The bottom line is: if you are lucky enough to have this very extensive tour anywhere close to you, GO! You will be glad that you did. Aloha nui - Betty :~)
Here's are the rest of the tour dates:
> Aug. 5 - Cambridge, MA - Club Passim
> Aug. 6 - Claremont, NH - Claremont Opera House
> Aug. 8 - Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest (Volksplatz Tent)
> Aug. 9 - New York, NY - Knitting Factory
> Aug. 11 - Pawling, NY - Towne Crier Café
> Aug. 12 - Alexandria, VA - The Birchmere
> Aug. 13 - Philadelphia, PA - Tin Angel Cafe
> Aug. 14 - Annapolis, MD - Ram's Head
> Aug. 16 - Ann Arbor, MI - The Ark
> Aug. 18 - Chicago, IL - Old Town School of Folk Music
> Aug. 20 - Lexington, KY - Kentucky Theater (Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour)
> Aug 21 - Atlanta, GA - Red Light Café
> Aug 22 - Nashville, TN - Radio Café (Two Shows)
> Aug 23 - Salt Lake City, UT - Gallivan Twilight Concert Series
> Aug. 24 - Colorado Springs, CO - D.A.V. Club #26
> Aug. 25 - Denver, CO - Lowry Theater (former Lowry AFB)
> Aug. 26 - La Center, WA (near Portland) - La Center Casino (outdoor venue)
>
> Aug. 28 - San Francisco, CA - TBA
> Aug. 30 - Eugene, OR - WOW Hall
> Sept. 1 - Grants Pass, OR - Rogue Theatre
> Sept. 2 - Laytonville, CA - Hog Farm Pignic
> Sept. 4 - Santa Barbara, CA - Soho Restaurant & Club
> Sept. 5 - Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory Hollywood (Alterknit Lounge)
> Sept. 6 - San Diego, CA - Belly-up Tavern
> Sept. 7 - Whittier, CA - Ruth B. Shannon Perf. Arts Ctr. Whittier
> College
> Sept. 8 - Saratoga, CA - Western Arts Alliance Booking Conference
> Sept. 9 - Morgan Hill, CA - Guglielmo Winery (Music in the Vineyards Fest.)
