Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - May 20, 1959 - June 26, 1997.
One of my favorite things in this world. Take 4 minutes out of your day and play it. All that is beautiful is not lost.
There may be a better version out there. I'll keep looking... Bruddah Iz, one of the last full blooded Hawaiians. The first vid gives some footage of who he was. The second has the better sound quality.
A note on the first vid: "The Hawaiʻi State Flag flew at half-staff on July 10, 1997, the day of Iz's funeral. His koa wood coffin lay in state at the Capitol building in Honolulu. Over 10,000 people attended his funeral. Thousands of fans gathered and cheered as his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12, 1997."
This is beautiful and full of glory. Thank you very much for posting it.
Posted by: Susan | February 15, 2008 at 08:13 PM
He has an amazing voice. And the way he reworks the melody makes it rather haunting.
Posted by: joseph | February 16, 2008 at 02:37 PM
What a remarkable man. The ups and downs, like the waves of an ocean. And through it all, he inspired us all, from Harlem (New York) to South Africa, to Ireland, the Bahamas, Brazil, Cuba, California, Ontario; where ever you go, people love Iz. Brudda, rip, and keep a warm place for me, would love to hang and heal the world together. BTW: We drink lots of coconut juice, guava duff, and love reggae and Calypso where I'm from (Caribbean) so we should have lots to talk about.
Posted by: j curry | March 22, 2008 at 01:16 PM