Island Mele
Friday, December 21, 2001
Daniel Ho is by his admission a pianist who also enjoys playing guitar and ukulele. He plays all three on this ambitious studio project -- sometimes as a "soloist" and sometimes accompanying himself on multi-track productions. Dean Taba, a long-time studio pal, plays bass on several selections. (And, to correct some recent misinformation printed in a rival publication, Jake Shimabukuro co-wrote one of the songs but doesn't appear on the album.) "Pineapple Mango"
Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations)Ho's urbane musical horizons include originals in several modern genres, Dave Brubeck's "Blue Rondo Ala Turk," and three classic melodies by Johann Sebastian Bach. A restful tranquil mood knits everything together. Ho's original instrumentals allow one's imagination to wander. Is "Haiku" about a place or a style of poetry? Who but Ho can claim to know for sure?
www.danielho.com
MP3 Audio Clips:
School's Out
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Few things are as tedious as bad remakes. Ilona Irvine's remake of the Carpenters' beautiful "Merry Christmas, Darling" is a perfect example. The self-styled princess and her producer, Dave Tucciarone, fail to bring any new ideas to the song. They also fail to maintain the sweet romantic warmth Karen Carpenter projected so perfectly in the original. "Merry Christmas" Princess Ilona
Alan Fernandez adds some basic rap as Irvine's partner on "Somebody Bigger." This song too is a remake but far more obscure. It's the better one here by far. However, since this two-song CD-single is priced at a ridiculous $8.99, only Irvine's most fanatic fans should consider buying it.
Call: (808) 282-0254
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The secret to recording a decent remake of a pop chart oldie is approaching the song from a fresh perspective. Keahiwai -- Mailani Makainai and Lei Melket -- do that with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." The duo and their studio musicians avoid any reference to Brenda Lee's definitive 1960 hit and stick to their own back-yard acoustic sound. The new version merits local radio play. "Christmas is Here"
Keahiwai Island, Groove Productions"Christmas is Here," a doleful original, and "Don't Break My Heart," a remake that previews the duo's next album, also reaffirm Keahiwai's distinct musical identity.
www.keahiwai.com
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See Record Reviews for some past reviews.
See Aloha Worldwide for locals living away.John Berger, who has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972, writes reviews of recordings
produced by Hawaii artists. See the Star-Bulletin's Today
section on Fridays for the latest reviews.
