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| Song List
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| Daniel's Note
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| With the exception of marine life in the deep abyss, and mold, most of life thrives in the warmth of sunny spaces. Though I prefer temperatures in the mid-70's and moderately low humidity, I am no different. I spend my life in search of those sunny spaces, both figuratively and literally. From articulating drum sounds with compression and equalization, to life's more personal lessons, these recordings represent some of what I've learned over the past few years. I am infinitely grateful to my family and friends who stand by me - rain or shine; the remarkable musicians and songwriters who shared their talents on this album; and my listeners, with whose support I am able to continue doing what I love. --Daniel |
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| Reviews
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"Sunny Spaces" by Daniel Ho; Daniel Ho Creations Genre: World music, adult contemporary. Daniel Ho's latest tells you his heart is in Hawai'i Distinguishing notes: Daniel Ho is a musical hyphenate — producer, record-label owner, ki ho'alu player, 'ukulele stylist, pianist, singer, composer, engineer, graphic designer — and a Grammy Award winner. Lest you forget, he co-produced those slack-key guitar compilations that won the past three best-Hawaiian-album laurels. Happily, his palette includes vocal colors that warm the heart. Perhaps the thrust of the tune "No Apologies," which he co-wrote with Faith Rivera, says it best: "Gonna play my tune, strum my guitar, straight from my heart; gonna follow my star, gonna better myself, not for anyone else, 'cause I wanna be strong and sing my song." It's his mission. Raised and schooled in Hawai'i, Ho found recording success when he moved to California. Yet "Living in Paradise," another collaboration with Rivera, clearly states where his soul is — in sunny Hawai'i, despite the changes — because "the sun is out and I'm just along for the ride." Indeed, sunny moods infiltrate his vision for this album, from the title tune to "Suncatcher," which reflect — with varying modes — his quest for sunny spaces, literally or figuratively. The bonus track, "The Breakfast Song (Pineapple Mango)," co-written by Ho and Amy K. Stillman, is a must-listen ditty, with a calypso tempo and a very sunny morning disposition. It's rendered in Hawaiian (except the pineapple mango utterances), with simple, repetitive but lingering lyrics — the kind anyone without a knowledge of Hawaiian can quickly pick up and sing along. Our take: This is probably Ho's most intimate and enchanting endeavor ever — he makes the simple sound special, with easy-access, laid-back mana'o. |
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"Sunny Spaces" Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations) Grammy Award-winning record producer Daniel Ho has a promising parallel career as a mainstream pop vocalist and song writer. His previous pop album, "Skies of Blue," was a collection of pop chart remakes originally recorded for the Japanese market. This one spotlights his talent as a writer. The presentation is primarily acoustic -- Ho accompanies himself on guitar, ukulele and piano and plays other instruments on various tracks. Three long-time friends comprise the rhythm section, and the foursome creates an ear-catching variety of rhythms, tempos and instrumental textures. Ho and his writing partners -- Faith Rivera, Hope Mayo and Lydia Miyashiro -- also have a knack for coining memorable lyric images. For instance, Ho compares himself to "a button that's stuck ... depressed and down" on a song that ends as a witty dismissal of the emotionally abusive ex that wishes he felt that way. Ho may never win a Grammy for his pop work, but it is well worth hearing. |
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| Credits
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Daniel Ho plays YAMAHA guitars & KoAloha 'ukuleles. Record Label: Daniel Ho Creations |
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| Lyrics
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1. Living in Paradise
Faith Rivera & Daniel Ho Lil’ Girl Creations, Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) Eating out one day, I heard somebody say, “Gee, things ain‘t like what they used to be” I work three times as hard, car’s rusting in the yard And my house (our house) ain’t worth half what it used to be Things are changing all around, the market’s up, the market’s down But hey we’re living in paradise and it’s cool, cool, cool, yeah (chorus) Oo-oo, Oo-oo, Oo-oo, I got the sun in my eyes Oo-oo, Oo-oo, Oo-oo, dreaming on a clear blue sky Oo-oo, Oo-oo, Oo-oo, got the sun in my eyes Oo-oo, Oo-oo, living in paradise Downtown to Kapolei, on the H-1 Freeway I’m stuck (alone) in a sea of lonely drivers There’s so much fish in the sea, why then is there only me? I wish (someone) would share this ride with me Then I’d be in the carpool lane, cruising by with the radio playing The sun is out and I’m just along for the ride, yeah (I’m just along for the ride) (chorus) 2. Pretty Little Adriana Vince Gill Benefit Music (BMI) 3. Suncatcher Faith Rivera & Daniel Ho Lil’ Girl Creations, Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) Wandering this solitary labyrinth of life, so empty Wonder if I’ll ever find my way In the absence of your light, can’t find my will to fight so I’ll just surrender and pray Heaviness hangs over me raining its poison arrows Shelter me, these clouds are threatening only sorrow Suncatcher, catch some sun for me Suncatcher, make the sun rise please Suncatcher, shine your light on me Suncatcher, could you take this darkness from me? Wishfully I light this candle, to awake this love eternal Even if I never find my way Follow flowers at my side Realize they’ve been my guide so beautiful even in my darkest days Happiness rains down on me, shelter me with your comfort Illuminate me in your radiance, no more sorrow Suncatcher, catch some sun for me Suncatcher, make the sun rise please Suncatcher, cast your light on me Suncatcher, will you take this darkness from me? Heaviness hangs over me raining its poison arrows Shelter me these clouds are threatening only sorrow Feel the rain, it’s so cold on my face now Won’t you come and shine your light down on me, baby My Suncatcher, shine your light on me I can use a little sunshine in my life, make the sun rise please Suncatcher, won’t you come and shine your light all over my darkness? Suncatcher, can you show me the way to the warmth of your comfort? Suncatcher, I’ll be finding my way sometime soon Suncatcher, can you shine a little light on this darkness for me? 4. Some Breathing Space Hope Mayo & Daniel Ho 5th of May Publishing, Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) Sorry, I just told you a lie When I looked you straight in the eye And I swore to you, everything’s alright Lately I’ve been feeling low Life has got me by the throat And I’m sailing on a sinking boat (chorus) I can’t explain Why I feel this way Give me some time And some breathing space As I rearrange the pieces of my life If I looked to my left and right So afraid of what I would find Are they just like me--too scared to dream? 5 out of 7 days Shouldn’t have to ask for a raise Just to find myself living in a 3-walled cell (chorus) When did life become a chore? Lately it’s been such a bore As I hear them say, “Cherish every day” If I could point my finger and say It happened that specific day Oh, you know I would, only if I could (chorus) 5. For Eternity Hope Mayo & Daniel Ho 5th of May Publishing, Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) You and I Were strolling on the seaside Walking by the moonlight The stars were shining bright Then you whispered softly, “There’s no place I’d rather be” Here tonight I long to be by your side ‘Cause I’ve got nothing to hide My eyes they do not lie I asked you if you loved me You whispered, “For eternity” And now the sand has turned to stone Do we know which way to go? Turn around or venture out to sea? The sun has set, the night is cold Will our love be there to keep us warm (safe and warm) For eternity, for eternity Another day As this dream fades away As the tides wash away All I believed in you And you in me For eternity And when the sand had turned to stone We didn’t know which way to go It seems as though our love was washed away Our sun has set, the nights are cold I’m here with you and all alone (tonight) For eternity, for eternity My dreams they fade away Our love has washed away I face another day alone 6. No Apologies Faith Rivera & Daniel Ho Lil’ Girl Creations, Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) I didn’t know that this could hurt To give my best to the world and be called a jerk I won’t apologize for my song How can I apologize for doing no wrong? (chorus) Gonna play my tune Strum my guitar Straight from my heart Gonna follow my star Gonna better myself Not for anyone else ‘Cause I wanna be strong And sing my song Yesterday, no one cared Couple of gramophones, critics everywhere They want me to apologize for my song How can I apologize? They write their wrong (chorus) After all is said and done I’d like to thank everyone I’ve had to prove wrong I owe you gratitude for this song Thanks for listening, come on and sing along (chorus) 7. The Song You Wish I’d Sing Faith Rivera & Daniel Ho Lil’ Girl Creations, Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) Like a button that’s stuck, I’m depressed and down Like a dropped glass, I’m shattered Like the foot that stepped on it, Oh, I bleed Like the red setting sun, going down, down, going down This is the song you wish I’d sing A melody ‘bout my broken heart strings Like a kid in a candy store Who can’t buy a thing Guess you can’t have everything No you can’t have everything Like a door-to-door salesman, You sent me away Like a dumb homing pigeon, You thought I’d fly home Now like man’s best friend, You wait at the door Knock, knock who’s there? Not me… no, not me Where is the song you wish I’d sing? The melody ‘bout my broken heart strings And the kid in the candy store Who can’t buy a thing Oh, you can’t have everything No you can’t have everything Like a four-day old flower, You wither and wilt Like a sad weeping willow, You cry Like the depths of the Arctic, You’re icy and blue Like a mine that’s been mined, We’re through, oh, we’re through Here is the song that you should sing A melody ‘bout your broken heart strings You’re the kid in the candy store Who can’t buy a thing Guess you can’t have anything No you can’t have anything Oh, you can’t have anything 8. No Resistance Faith Rivera & Daniel Ho Lil’ Girl Creations, Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) (chorus) No resistance to you Do with me what you will, oh yeah Learn to go with the flow of things Trust in you and the love you bring I’ve got to ride with my back to the wind No resistance to you You flew right in like a butterfly Straight to my heart, to my surprise Your every move just makes me high Like dancing ‘round a big blue sky Just when I thought nothing could get through My heart of stone, my soulless shoes Walk me into this dream with you Through the clouds ‘round the moon (chorus) Your love comes down like a summer rain It helps me grow, it cools my pain Deeper than an ocean full of treasures and fame So sweet, so rich, so glad you came Just when I thought nothing could get through My heart of stone, my soulless shoes Walk me into this dream with you Through the clouds ‘round the moon Gotta tell myself to have (chorus) I surrender to you Take my heart, take these dreams I surrender completely to you (chorus) 9. There Are No Words Siena Lee & Daniel Ho Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) Can you hear the prayers I pray for you? Can you taste the tears I cry for you? Can you smell this rose I bring for you? Since I don’t know what to say Don’t know what to do (chorus) There are no words There are no words There are no words I can’t believe the news I can’t believe it’s true I can’t believe it’s you Can you hear this song I sing for you? Can you feel the rain that falls so blue Upon the flowers blooming red and new? Only for today Only for you (chorus) 10. Wishing Well Faith Rivera & Daniel Ho Lil’ Girl Creations, Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) Here goes another penny in this wishing well Another wasted effort, Oh, what the hell ‘Cause I’ve been to church on Sunday, I’ve studied the stars I can’t seem to find a way to your heart yet here you are Wishing well, oh, can you tell me If you’ll make my dream come true? Let your magic flow through her So maybe she will love me, too Wishing well, oh, can you tell me Won’t you make my dream come true? “Happy ever after” we will be It’s up to you I can’t believe I’m talking to a wishing well When all this time you’re wondering, what the hell? She asked, “What did you wish for?” I wouldn’t say “She must be something special,” then she looked away Wishing well, oh, can you tell me If you’ll make my dream come true? Let your magic flow through her So maybe she will love me, too Wishing well please can you tell me If you’ll make my dreams come true? “Happy ever after” we will be It’s up to you Do you believe in magic? In fairy tales? In every birthday candle? In wishing wells? Oh, ‘cause I believe in four leaf clovers and rainbows’ ends Somehow you found a way to my heart, so here you are Inches away next to me, a heartache away watching me Throw away all my hard earned money on you Wishing well, oh, can you tell me If you‘ll make my dreams come true? Let your magic flow through her So maybe she will love me, too Wishing well please can you tell me If you’ll make my dreams come true? “Happy ever after” we will be It’s all up to you 11. Sunny Spaces Lydia Miyashiro & Daniel Ho Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) Whatever happened to goodness innate? Did it get lost, consumed in its ways? Covered in loneliness and hate In mute darkness unable to escape In search of hinted glimmers I peer Alive and well, I know, I know it’s here In sunny spaces… Like a garden growing green in light In sunny spaces… Like an eagle soaring through and through the sky Like the comfort I find in your face Your love will always be my base For sunny spaces My sunny spaces Sunny spaces 12. Bonus track: The Breakfast Song (Pineapple Mango) Amy Ku'uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP)
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