Tahitian & Cook Islands Music

The tunes and hulas of Tahiti generally are faster and wilder than those of Hawai'i. ("Minoi Minoi" is the Tahitian "Mah-Na Mah-Na.") While Tahitian drums are paramount, other typical instruments are nose flute, coconut ukuleles, and accordion (or concertina). There are traditional recordings, ones with electric guitar, curious exotic-rock efforts, and even Carlos Rubio's unexpectedly crazy and wonderful mix of bossa nova and Tahitian.

The truly traditional Tahitian type of music is the chant, in which singing closely follows drumming. Also there are native instruments such as the bamboo nose flute, log, ukulele, and bongos. The Spaniards introduced the guitar in 1772, followed by the English missionaries with their hymns in 1797. The German traders later brought the concertina, a small accordion that figures prominently in Tahitian folk music.

Most of the better Tahitian records were recorded beautifully under the auspices of Gaston Guilbert or Eddie Lund. Arriving in Papeete in 1936, Oregon pianist Lund quickly learned the language and established himself in a band at Quinn's niterie in Papeete. Beginning in 1943 he wrote a substantial portion of Tahiti's music. Also he travelled to outlying islands to tape native performers, many of whom had never seen a microphone. In 1948 he started Tahiti Records, first publishing 78s. Some of the first records were used in the movie "Tanga Tika." As dedicated as Genoa Keawe on Hawaii's 49th State label (which also released some Tahitian lps), Lund and Guilbert captured inspired, creative performances as well as more predictable, traditional fare. And it is mostly great. As the Tahitians say, tamouré! (enjoy yourself -- party)!

Buying: In addition to LPs by Guilbert, Lund, and 49th State, albums by Charles Mauu and Augie Goupil are first picks.