Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 7, 1 July 2015 — A 20-something soul with something to say [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A 20-something soul with something to say

By Francine Kananionapua Murray n January 2013 for the first time Blayne Asing, a Native Hawaiian entrepreneur, stepped into a music studio and started recording his compositions. Two-and-a-half years in the making, Asing's charming new CD is summed up in its title - Young, Olā Soul - with six of the 10 tracks fresh, new originals. The talented young man's music is smooth and rich with the depth of a diverse old soul - elean and simple in delivery yet complex with a touch of blues, country and a bit of pop, yet with loeal fiair. The album opens with a classic loeal favorite "Ka Na'i Aupuni," a song of Hawaiian unity. E mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono, we ean preserve the life of the land in righteousness. The CD ends on a lighter note with another classic - "Aloha Ka Manini," by Lot Kauwe. Part of the charm in the CD's originals is in the witty lyrics. Asking for forgiveness from the Lord in "Livin' for Tomorrow," he sings: "I don't feel like waiting on today. Yes I know there are better things to live for, but the devil seems to get his way, his way, his way."

The audience ean feel engaged, even relate to Asing's musical tales written from his life experiences. " 'Poor Man Blues' is a song right out of the book of my life," said Asing. "Every line in that song was something that I had to experience. Lrom my car breaking down to working an unfulfilling job to bouncing a rent eheek. It all happened to me." This song has by far the most requests during live performances and downloads on iTunes. "Tough Love (In Love With You Onee Again)" has a sweet tang and good-fun country vibe. "She's my Honey" - "with a big 'ole smile and a prayer in my heart we'U be together and never apart. She's my honey and I'm her man" - this catchy sing-a-long tune is a delight to the senses. "If I had to piek a song that I favored (from this CD) it would be 'Sun Will Shine,' " shared Asing. "Because it's one that I wrote that doesn't sound like anything else I've ever written, andl'ma sucker for the New Orleans style piano on that track." Asing will be performing at Hula's Bar & Lei Stand in the Waikīkl Grand Hotel on July 7, 21 and 28 from 6 to 9 p.m., and at Cinnamon's at the 'Ilikai on July 2, 6, 9, 20, 23 and 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. ■

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