"Hawaiian War Chant" Hook covers Ella Fitzgerald

Hook · August 13, 2012, 02:05:22 PM

I had to learn this tune, last night at about 10pm for a show this morning. Not sure if I'm getting the pronunciation right, in fact I'm pretty sure it's not right, but oh well. This is me rehearsing in the cab of the truck I'm driving this morning. Recorded live, one track through the mbr mic. My favorite thing about the mbr is I was able to record & master a finished wav in the truck in 30 min. (I was rehearsing). I did use leveler and normalize in audacity but still, one small little box! love it! This is based off of Ella's version but not entirely faithful

Hawaiian War Chant

written by Prince Leleiohoku (1860's)
English adaption by Freed & Noble (1936)
performed by Hook

Tahuwai la a tahuwai wai la
Ehu hene la a pili koo lua la
Pututui lu a ite toe la
Hanu lipo ita paalai
Tahuwai la a tahuwai wai la
Ehu hene la a pili koo lua la
Pututui lu a ite toe la
Hanu lipo ita paalai
Au we ta huala
Au we ta huala

There's a sunny little, funny little melody
That was started by a native down in Waikiki
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
And together they'd play his gay Hawaiin Chant
Soon the other little natives started singin' it
And the hula hula maidens starting swingin' it
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
Funny little gay Hawaiian chant

Ow way tah Tualan
Me big bad Fightin' man

Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
If you wander into any cabaret
You will hear this gay Hawaiian chant

Ow way tah Tualan
Me big bad Fightin' man

bruno · August 13, 2012, 03:57:23 PM

Wow - that's a lot of un-memorable words to remember. That's a fantastic job, loved to be there to see you perform it. It's got a wonderfully free feel about it, open and honest - can't ask for more than that when you are recording. Great recording - love it bro. Hope the gig went well as this recording!
B.

Hilary · August 13, 2012, 04:25:06 PM

QuoteGonna check out Ella's version now.

she scats most of hers and who could blame her!

Rata-tat-tat · August 13, 2012, 04:45:44 PM

That's a mouthful of vowels... Great one Hookster!!! LOVE IT!!!

kenny mac · August 13, 2012, 05:44:57 PM

cool hook,I love the story here about you playing this is the cab,how on earth do you manage not to get any background noise do you park in the woods lol.
you have that uke down to a tee.well done