Mackey Feary - "Back to Back"

Mackey Feary was a member of Kalapana and thus was one of Hawaii's most popular musicians of the 1970s. Feary and Malani Bilyeu were the main songwriters for the group creating a Lennon/McCartney feel. Feary was more introspective and experimental while Bilyeu was more pop and melody oriented. Together they wrote some excellent music. Feary was more intriguing because he was quiet and aside from music he seemed like a shy individual. He also was the youngest of the band just turning 18 when the group made it big. Feary left Kalapana for a solo career after the release of the band's successful second album. he later returned in 1980s.

Feary released a number of solo albums which are hard to come by now (except as Japanese imports) and thus have become like collectors items. "Back to Back" is really a compilation released in 1995 and picking tracks from Feary's 80s albums "Touch Sensitive" and "Nite Life." The tracks have been remixed they are very dated, products of the 80s and early 90s Hawaiian music scene. Some of Feary's lyrics are good but this music pales in comparison to his work with Kalapana. Overall works as driving music.

Feary's tale is a sad one as he battled with drug addiction for most of his life and found himself in and out of rehabilitation and brief stays in prisons. I feel the drugs took away his musical muse and hurt his singing voice. He eventually committed suicide in 1999 at the young age of 44 after being sentenced to a rather long prison term due to drug problems.

Hawaii lost one of its great voices at least we will always have the music.