Released four years after his premature passing, Alone in IZ World was compiled and notated by IZ's long-time producer John de Mello.
The album consists of alternative versions of many of IZ's most popular songs as well as several songs previously unreleased to the public, namely "Mona Lisa," "Hanohano Wale No Na Cowboy and Ka Huila Wai" and "Ahi Wela/Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."
The CD version of the album is also an "enhanced" CD featuring a biography, photo gallery, screen saver and links to articles of interest on the Net.
John De Mello's commentary on each of the tracks provides a unique first-hand insight into the music and spirit of this giant of Hawaiian music. "Everything possible has been done to preserve and accentuate the purity of his voice and the soul of his performance," de Mello writes in the liner notes.
The previously unreleased recordings show the breadth of IZ's musical talent. IZ's version of the 1950 Nat King Cole classic "Mona Lisa" was captured at the end of one of IZ's recording sessions and is filled with IZ's humor and commentary.
"Hanohano Wale No Na Cowboy and Ka Huila Wai" mixes one of IZ's standards with an old slack key favorite by Sam Kamaipelekane celebrating Hawaii's cowboys, the paniolos.
In "Ahi Wela/Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," IZ once again blends a beautiful classic Hawaiian melody with a children's well-known standard. The track marks one of the few times that IZ harmonizes with himself. This track is destined to be a favorite of all IZ's fans worldwide.
The other tracks on the album are, in many ways, a collection of the best of IZ, not only in the choice of songs, but in the exceptional arrangements featured for the first time on this album.
Fans will not want to miss the new version of "Kaleohano," one of IZ's favorite and most moving songs. The recording of "`Opae E", a Hawaiian classic composed by Pilahi Paki and the recently deceased Irmgard Aluli, features the richness of IZ's voice backed only by a solo guitar, played by Mel Amina.
No album that bears the title Alone in IZ World would be complete without a recording of "Over the Rainbow." IZ's version of the Judy Garland signature piece takes on a whole new and brighter meaning in this song, which has been featured throughout the world in settings ranging from a TV commercial for eToys to the soundtracks of the films "Meet Joe Black," "Finding Forrester," and "50 First Dates."
The album concludes with Mike Reid and Allen Shamlin's "In This Life," a song which well sums up the life and career of this noble giant with a heart of gold:
"Let the world stop turning
Let the sun stop burning
Let them tell me love's not worth going through
If it all falls apart, I will know deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered had come true
In this life, I was loved by you."
Alone in IZ World is destined to be a classic of not only Hawaiian music, but also the music of the world.
Track Listings
- Mona Lisa
- Kaleohano
- `Ulili E
- Hanohano Wale No Na Cowboy and Ka Huila Wai
- Hi'ilawe
- Henehene Kou 'Aka
- Ahi Wela / Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
- `Opae E
- Starting All Over Again
- Over the Rainbow
- Panini Puakea
- La 'Elima
- In This Life
