Album Notes

This review by Brett Campell appeared in the Eugene Weekly The classically trained guitar virtuoso takes a brave leap into singer-songwriter territory, mixing covers of Lennon, Young, the Dead and more with his own laid-back originals, often regarding his Eugene home ("Zen Man: Spencer Butte," "Oregon Song") and recent Maui sojourn ("Warm Summer Breeze," "Island Style"). Einhorn's singing can't match his guitartistry, but the aloha spirit that breezes through this Hawaiian influenced disk and solid contributions from a dozen local lights (Dave Burham, Shandi Sinnamon, Rebecca Oswald et al.) will warm up a chilly winter's eve. Something Real Liner Notes ©(P)2006 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.peter