Honolulu Weekly

Best bet for live music on Sunday nights in 2007? The Steve Inglis Electric Trio at Anna Bannana’s. Inglis bills it as live eclectic-electric workouts featuring Hawaiian, slack key, Dead, Dylan, Motown and more. Joining the accomplished guitarist is bass impresario Jon Hawes and effervescent South African drummer Steve Howells.

Over the past decade, Inglis has made tremendous strides. Following his stints with local reggae/ska band Red Session and popular jam rock band Palolo Jones (which played regularly at Anna’s from ’96–’02), he hooked up with Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann and monster bassist Calvin Schaeffer in 1998 to form House of Spirits on Kaua‘i.

It was during his three years on the mainland from ’02–’05—his “homesick time” he calls it—that he delved into ki ho‘alu and Hawaiian music. Performing solo up and down the west coast honed his acoustic-playing skills, which lends the heartening sound to his 2004 debut album Fringes of the Wayside and his 2005 sophomore release Driftwood. Both albums have been heralded for Inglis’s evocative poeticism and his technical adeptness—compliments that, the exceedingly humble singer-songwriter should be proud to recognize, characterize the work of Richard Thompson, one of his biggest musical heroes. Driftwood also includes two songs he composed in Hawaiian. His upcoming third release will feature more electric playing, supplementing tender folk ballads with more rockin’ tunes.

After returning home in 2005, Inglis rediscovered his electric chops playing with Makana’s band. The new Sunday night gig at Anna’s presents the opportunity for him to marry old and new, acoustic and electric, covers and originals.

“As slack key and ‘olelo Hawai‘i have had such a big influence on my songwriting in recent years, I think they’ll bleed into the improvisation in wonderful ways,” he anticipates, offering an example: “Think the middle jam of Scarlet Begonias by the Dead segueing into Hanohano Lililehua (his enchanting atmospheric Hawaiian tribute to Palolo Valley). It’s a fun way to expose folks to my new music.”

If you’ve heard Stephen Inglis play guitar, you know you’re in for a treat. If you haven’t, it’s a rewarding resolution to do so.

Anna Bannana’s, 2440 S. Beretania St., Sundays 8pm–midnight, $5, 946-5190