Christo Ruppenthal

The Royal Hawaiian Troubadours  
"Aole Wau E Paoina Iaoe" 

Hear the sounds of the very first commercial recording session of a Hawaiian band! The Royal Hawaiian Troubadours perform “Aole Wau E Paoina Iaoe” on this 10.5 inch blue shellac American…

Toots Paka's Hawaiians 
"Ninipo" The FIRST recording of the steel guitar! 

I’m very excited to add this historic cylinder to the Antique Aloha collection shelves. Years prior to the Hawaiian Pavilion at the Pan-Pacific Expo and the start of the…

Hawaiian music introduced the resonator guitar to the world through Sol Hoopii's use of a National Tricone prototype in his first sessions for Columbia in 1926. Remarkably it also brought the first recordings of an electric guitar to the world's…

During "The Hawaiian Craze" of the 1910s, 20s, and 30s, Hawaiian music was one of the most popular genres in the world! At that time, it thoroughly permeated the popular music of the day and introduced its signature sound, the…

"Sophisticated Hula / My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua, Hawaii" 
The Happy Valley Boys  

Jerry Byrd (as Gerry Byrd) - Steel Guitar  
Ernie Cornelison - Guitar  
Recorded 10/09/1940  
Atlanta Georgia  
Bluebird B-8776   

Today I’m thrilled to be able to share…

Enjoy “Aloha Means I Love You” from Kaiamas Native Hawaiians. Note the interesting use of a single cone resonator by the steel player, who I assume is Willie Kaiama. The sharp attack and short sustain of those guitars made them…

REVIEW BY CHRISTO RUPPENTHAL 

Grass Skirt Records GSK 6001 

Originally published in Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association (HSGA) Quarterly Volume 37, Issue 143 

The new record by Les Cook’s Grass Skirt records “Sam Alama and his Hawaiians” is a welcomed addition…

Frank Ferera & His Hawaiian Orchestra 
"When It's Lamp Lighting Time In The Valley / When A Boy And Girl Were Dancing" 

Frank Ferera’s final 78 RPM release!  

Even though I'm an avid Hawaiian music 78 RPM record collector I…

In my role as Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association (HSGA) president I was able to interview my friend German based Hawaiian Steel guitarist Sebastian Müller.  We had a fun and casual musical discussion. I hope you enjoy! 

Hawaiian Steel Guitarist…

"Sweet Leilani" RARE take A 
Sol Hoopii 

The Sol Hoopii 1935 Brunswick recording of Leilani is perhaps his most common 78 RPM issue due in large to its inclusion in Columbia’s extremely popular “Hookani Pila Hawaii” C-19 album set. That…

Frank Ferera Trio   
"Drowsy Waters"

This extremely rare Polk issue P9064 what is sourced from Melotone 12115. It was recorded on February 25, 1931. It features legendary steel guitarist Frank Ferera who is most likely accompanied by guitarist John K…