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Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Facing Future

Series: 33 1/3
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Dan Kois delves into the life of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, capturing the story behind his iconic album Facing Future. The book centres on the impromptu studio session that produced the delicate medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World," a track that has touched millions worldwide. Beyond its commercial success, the album serves as a cultural beacon, resonating deeply in Hawai'i amidst complex struggles over native heritage.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to readers interested in music history, Hawaiian culture, and biographical narratives of influential artists.

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Israel Kamakawiwo'ole was without a doubt the most popular and beloved singer in Hawai'i. His popularity stemmed not only from his music but from his outspokenness on issues of native Hawaiian sovereignty. This book presents an account of the life and music of this most legendary figures in contemporary Hawaiian culture.

The remarkable inside story of the best-selling Hawaiian album of all time

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Even at four in the morning, the strip clubs and watering holes surrounding the Honolulu studio were still hopping. The recording engineer heard a car pull into the lot, and soon the biggest man he had ever seen walked in. When he stepped into the studio, the floated floor shifted beneath the engineer's feet. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole engulfed the engineer's hand in his and said, "Hi, bruddah."

The product of that impromptu recording session, a delicate medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World," has driven sales of Facing Future to nearly two million copies. Each time the medley is licensed to appear in advertisements, in movies, even on American Idol, Mainlanders embrace it anew as a touch of the unfamiliar in their otherwise staid record collections. But in Hawai'i, a state struggling with the responsibility of its native heritage, Facing Future is much more.

Gaining unprecedented access to Israel's family, friends, and colleagues, Dan Kois tells the remarkable story of Bruddah Iz and the album that changed his lifeβ€”and his death.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780826429056

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 February 2010

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.

Illustration: 11

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 121.0mm

Height: 165.0mm

Weight: 178g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Dan Kois is an editor and writer for Slate's culture section and a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine. He's the former culture editor at Slate, where he launched the Slate Book Review. He previously co-hosted the podcast Mom and Dad Are Fighting and is a frequent guest on Slate's Culture Gabfest. His previous book was Facing Future, about the Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, for Bloomsbury's 33 1/3 series, and his next book is How to Be a Family, a memoir of parenting around the world.

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