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Sunday, August 31, 2003
Honolulu Advertiser
ISLAND SOUNDS
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
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"No words necessary for this offering"
Instrumentals take the limelight this week, featuring a slack-key compilation by one of the most prolific creators of new music. So it's possible to create pictures and evoke moods without words.
Genre: Instrumental slack key.
Distinguishing notes: Daniel Ho has become one of the major players in the ki ho'alu sweepstakes; the ex-Islander has assembled 80 glorious minutes from three previous CDs, "Watercolors," "Beyond Blue," and "Voyage Home," which translates into 23 titles that revive some traditional cuts ("Kanaka Waiwai," "Hawai'i Pono'i," "Whee Ha Swing") and introduces some of his original compositions ("A World Away," "Dreams of Eternity," "Lia," "Napili Meditation") that elicits new-age impressions in the old-style tradition.
The outlook: Evocative, uniformly romantic fare abounds here; a splendid collection to discover Ho, if you've yet to tune into his artistry. The instrumentals are mounted with dedication and care, with keyboard, koto, bass, and sax accompaniment; liner notes could have explained some history of the tunes and why they were written or recorded.
Our take: Ho-Ho-Ho! Christmas arrives early this year, with Ho's anthology of his best ki ho'alu stylings. A gift that will keep on giving pleasure.
Review posted on www.minor7th.com
Acoustic Guitar Music Reviews
By Patrick Ragains
Daniel Ho "Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar," 2003 Hawaiian Slack key is often deceptively easy on the ears, since its soothing rhythms and melodies can obscure serious musicianship. Daniel Ho is a powerhouse of Hawaiian music, promoting and recording artists including Led Kaapana, Cyril Pahinui and ukulele whiz Herb Ohta, Jr. This CD gathers Ho's instrumental recordings into a pleasing 80 minute program. Ho plays all guitars, keyboards, percussion and drum programming. Some tunes have a clear connection to the slack key tradition, including "Kanka Wai Wai," "Maui Dawn," "Whee Ha Swing" and "Aloha Oe." A smooth jazz feel characterizes other selections, including "Lia" and "A World Away," Where Ho adds nylon string guitar, single-string lead lines, flute and saxes. As such, this is no purist representation of Hawaiian Slack key, but rather an amalgam of very listenable music, similar in feel to the recent Hawaiian revue tours that have given mainland exposure to Ho, Kaapana, Ohta and other island stars. The eclectic slack key tradition provides an excellent point of departure for Ho's musical vision, which he fully realizes on this compilation. © Patrick Ragains
