Kaula `Ili (The Rawhide Lariat)

Uncle Sonny Chillingworth included this old paniolo song on his "Sonny Solo" CD as well as his "Waimea Cowboy" LP. Sonny tells us the story is about a cowboy, thrown from his horse by a collapsing lava tube, who shakes off his injuries to ride again.

But there are other versions of the story and the development of the song seems quite complex, with verses added and lost over the years. Huapala.org has an extended version of the lyrics as well as some information on the history: https://www.huapala.org/Kau/Kaula_Ili...

Regardless of the story line the melody is sweet and satisfying, moving through the chords in 3/4 time. Of course with Led Kaapana guiding us we'll have an enchanting journey.

Led is playing his vintage Martin 000-16, I'm using my Kathy Wingert Model E, and both guitars are tuned to taropatch open G (D G D G B D from low pitch to high). I recorded the audio using a spaced pair of Schoeps CMC641 microphones into the Zoom F6. Video was shot on a pair of Panasonic Lumix GH4 cameras. Editing was done in Edius 9.