ISLAND SOUNDS
...Teen tunes...
"BRITTNI X 3" by Brittni Paiva
"A triple-threat instrumentalist from Hilo, only 16, looms as
the next star in the Island galaxy. She plays 'ukulele, slack-key and
bass."
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
• Genre: 'ukulele, slack-key guitar and bass instrumentals.
• Distinguishing notes: At 16, Brittni, a home-schooled Hilo
student and musician, is fearless. In her CD debut, she strums her way
on three different instruments (hence the title). Big Islanders know
of her; we're catching on, albeit late. What's remarkable about
Brittni is how she spears (get it, Brittni Spears?) and shatters
traditions, with her masterful strokes. One moment, she's offering
rhapsodic ki ho'alu on the indelible Lizzie Alohikea classic "Radio
Hula" and on Ozzie Kotani's "Ewalu," the next she's plucking uke on
the familiar "Hava Nagilah" and putting an Island spin on it and
introducing an original by her teacher Keoki Kahumoku on "New
Beginnings." For more variety, she coasts on the virtues of George
Gershwin's "Summertime" and adds her own stamp on Barry Flanagan's
"Lei Pikake." Oh, she is a composer, too ("Thunderstorm Slack Key").
Her bass is largely a background entity, but go figure — she's the
do-it-all girl.
• The outlook: Clearly, this is one is intended to showcase her
instrumental dexterity and strength. But we hear she sings, too — next
outing, for sure.
• Our take: Brittni is this year's Raiatea Helm.
Copyright © 2004 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett
Co. Inc. All rights
reserved.
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