Alone in Iz World [Import, Enhanced]

Yes, this is one of the best CDs you'll buy this year, and its crossover appeal will be a timeless, treasured addition to your music collection. But I want to say early in this review: this CD is not the one with which you should start your IZ collection. First, get your hands on "Facing Future" (which fortunately also contains "Rainbow/Wonderful World"). "Facing Future" is the most popular and best-selling Hawaiian music album of all time, and anyone who is even remotely interested in IZ will want to own it. Get it, you'll be glad you did. The haunting "Hawai'i 78" is the feature song of the album, and it's better even than "Over the Rainbow." Trust me on this.

"Alone in IZ World" is a well-done compilation by IZ's Mountain Apple record company. While the songs are familiar, there are very few cuts that have already appeared on previous IZ CDs, at least not in the form we get here. Besides "Over the Rainbow", there are plenty of other highlights. "In Dis Life" is a beautiful, meaningful love song. "Hi'ilawe" is the staple song made famous by Gabby Pahinui, the father of slack-key guitar...and IZ's version is simple, but lovely and touching. And "Starting All Over Again" is a particularly timely message to Americans in these troubling times.

Having been blessed to live in Hawaii for three glorious years (IZ died the week of my arrival, in 1997) this music has a profound meaning for me and my family. I honestly believe, though, that ANYONE who listens to IZ's music will be able to feel the warm ocean breeze on your face; feel the white sand between your toes; and smell the intoxicating scent of plumeria blossoms. Discover or re-discover IZ, and let your mind relax and go on vacation to the Hawaiian islands...the most beautiful place in the world.

In "Starting All Over Again", we hear him talking about the passing of his parents, and his philosophy on the subject in an intro to the song. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was a signature piece for IZ; the song that meant so much to his fans, and still does. It is ideally suited to his voice and his interpretation is heavenly. "La 'Elima" is an enchanting traditional melody which just soars with his high notes, and is about his favorite fishing village in Hawai'i.
There is an extra track that comes after a few seconds of silence at the end, and it is Iz speaking of his size, and the need for oxygen.

The booklet insert contains short explanations of how each piece was recorded, the sound has been engineered to be quite good considering that they are essentially "out-takes" and "lost recordings", and total playing time is 52'25.
This beloved singer may have gone to his island paradise in the sky, but his music lives on to delight and inspire us, and the purity of his voice to warm our hearts.