Let's be nice...

there hasn't been much in the way of easy listening for that last few days, so here is something mellow and gorgeous from Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Iz), the outsize Hawaiian singer who died in 1997. I hadn't seen any pictures of Iz and was staggered when I looked today - he was a VERY big lad: "Throughout his career, Iz also had a weight problem that plagued his 6-foot-2-inch frame. At one time he tipped the scales at 757 pounds, and vowed in 1995 to shed 360 pounds...at one point during his career, he required a forklift to get on stage. Even walking was a chore, and he had to rely on an auxiliary oxygen tank to help him breathe". His voice belies his bulk, delicate but strong.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: Somewhere over the Rainbow/Wonderful World