Something Real by Craig Einhorn

Some titles for this CD that were seriously, or not so seriously, considered were: “Craig’s Minstrel Period”, “Craig’s Midlife Pickle”, “Haole in the Mix”, “Jawaiian Style”, “Look What Hawaii Did to Me”, “Ukulur Fusion”, and “Uke This!” Although these rejected titles are humorous, they shed light on the origin, meaning, and purpose of the project. I ultimately chose Something Real because of its simplicity, and because the title song is unique and enrapturing. Incidentally, “haole” is an ancient Hawaiian term for a non-Hawaiian, or more commonly, a white person. It is usually used in a derogatory manner.

During a three-month adventure in Hawaii in 2005, I was invited to the fifty-fifth birthday party of Sam Kama, master slack key guitarist. Sam invited me to play Hawaiian music at the party, and what ensued can best be described as magic. Family and friends feasted on Hawaiian food, sang and played ukuleles and guitars, and children danced hula in blue jeans. After a jam session of several hours, Sam invited me to stay with him on the big island and learn about Hawaiian music and culture. The combination of steel string guitar and tenor uke (with nylon strings) became the inspiration for this album. I applied this timbral mixture to Hawaiian music as well as numerous other American styles. Aloha spirit is alive and well! A hui hou.

For booking or CD purchases contact: einhorn@efn.org, www.unicornguitar.com, or call

541-520-9053, 541-485-4008.

Shakedown Street by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia. Imagine by John Lennon. Island Style by John Cruz. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Neil Young. Tutu E: traditional Hawaiian. When I’m Sixty-four by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Expanded liner notes and lyrics for the Something Real CD can be read or copied from this website: http://cdbaby.com/cd/einhorn5

Craig Einhorn: Recording, lead vocals, tenor ukulele, steel string guitar, electric bass, electric guitar, bongos, djembe drum, snare drum, washboard, tambourine, shakers, and backup vocals.

David Burham: violin (Me Grandma, Zen Man, Warm Summer Breeze).

Larry Blom: pedal steel guitar (Sweetheart, Tutu E).

Alan McCullough: flute (Zen Man, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Something Real).

John Polese: accordion (Oregon Song).

Rebecca Oswald: keyboards (O Great Spirit).

Typhanee Keez: keyboards (Imagine, Only Love Can Break Your Heart).

Ambyrre Keez: backup vocal (Island Style).

Shandi Sinnamon: backup vocal (Shakedown Street).

Kristen Chandler: backup vocal (Warm Summer Breeze), lead vocal on chorus of Domino Game.

Jeanette Grittani: backup vocal (Something Real, Only Love Can Break Your Heart).

Sherrie Kuhl: Native American flute (O Great Spirit).

Madison Singell, Hannah Larson, Brooke Jackson: children’s chorus (O Great Spirit).

Peter Hollens, David Bersch, Bruce Cooley, Justin Armstrong: backup vocals (O Great Spirit).

Devin Mathys, Jade Johnson, Tivon Ingalsbee (ages 5 to 6): children laughing (Zen Man).

Shekina Horowitz: woman laughing (Zen Man).

Rebecca Oswald: production, arrangement, and audio editing. www.rebeccaoswald.com

Michael Charles McDonald: audio editing, mixing, and mastering at Syntharts Studio, Eugene, Oregon.

Peter Hollens: vocal coaching and sweetening. www.peterhollens.com

Never before have I had colleagues put their heart, soul, and talent into my music with such enthusiasm. I trusted in Rebecca’s and Michael’s brilliance of mind and excellence of spirit as they edited, mixed, and mastered, and I am elated with the results. This project is theirs as much as it is mine, and I will be forever grateful.

Graphic art and design by Rebecca Oswald. Cover and back watercolor paintings by Martha Sherwood. Rebecca manipulated the two paintings in Photoshop as a basis for the cover and insert artwork. Finding Martha was serendipity, to say the least, but what an angel she was for this project! Thanks, Martha. Thanks also to Niki Harris for press-ready electronic art files.

The Something Real CD is dedicated to Sam Kama, Hawaiian slack key guitar master. Special thanks to Mele Waikiki (kuma hula) for performing hula with me in Hawaii and teaching me about Hawaiian culture.

I completed this CD in memory of my father, Michael Einhorn, who passed away just before its release. More than anyone else, I tried to make this project a great one for his ears. I had wanted him to hear this version of O Great Spirit. I hope he can hear it now. Throughout my entire life I strove to make him proud, as his expectations of me were a loving force.

This CD is also in memory of my close friend Eagle, the most free and relaxed person to ever walk the earth — an original hippie. His love of Hawaii drew me there after his death in 2003 at age sixty-nine.

Special thanks to my friend Mason Williams for enlightening me on the level of quality a recording should be.

Produced by Rebecca Oswald.

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