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Sunday, September 19, 2004
Honolulu Advertiser
ISLAND SOUNDS
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
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"SIMPLE AS A SUNRISE" by Daniel Ho; Daniel Ho Creations
• Genre: World music.
• Distinguishing notes: The sun rises on musician Daniel Ho's "new" career as a vocalist; he's mostly been showcasing his artistry in guitar and 'ukulele instrumental albums. This outing displays a vibrant attitude and a vocal palette that reflects both confidence and creativity. Mostly, Ho sings of things and places that touch his inner soul and he succeeds as a storyteller, since most of the originals are from his pen (with collaborators).
The style is folksy — check out "Cup of Joe," "Off to Work," "Along for the Ride," "Simple as a Sunrise" — and you begin to see the luminous and lingering colors in his views. He also "covers" the Jonathan Cain rock ballad, "Faithfully," giving it a sweetness not found in the original. The arrangements are crisp, the musical backup seductive and supportive — the essence of a savvy musical force.
He plays most of the instruments, too, and mastered and even designed the total package. Further, he adds another dimension to his vision — the liner photographs are his, from his travels.
• The outlook: Ho's a contender to score as a singer; his talent is boundless.
• Our take: Nothing ho-hum from this prolific tunesmith.
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Friday, September 17, 2004
Honolulu Star Bulletin
Island Mele
By John Berger
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"Simple as a Sunrise"
Daniel Ho
Daniel Ho Creations
Daniel Ho can knock out slack key and mood music albums assembly-line style, but his new acoustic pop album is a one-off project that shows his awareness of detail and packaging. His versatility as a musician and composer has never been more evident either, playing all the instruments (except the drums), coming up with an interesting mix of moods and tempos.
Ho opens strong with "Off to Work," an upbeat song about life as a musician, and follows it with "Cup of Joe," a kicky song that uses a cup of coffee as a symbol of lasting love. While the other songs on the album are also solid, it's "Cup of Joe" that's most worthy of publicizing nationally.
A remake of "Faithfully" brings Ho's career-best album full circle, with another look at the experiences of working musicians.
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Daniel Ho |
vocals, guitars, ukulele, bass, shakers, udu, talking drum, graphic design, & photography |
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Randy Drake |
drums |
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Faith Rivera |
background vocals on Watching, Waiting..., Off to Work, & Along for the Ride |
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David Ho |
mixing, mastering & graphic design |
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Lydia |
Point Dume cover photo, Maui Arts & Cultural Center concert photo, & graphic design |
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Diana Dentino |
New Orleans railroad tracks photo |
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Akio Kase |
Nihonji mountain pass photo |
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Special thanks to Kenn Yuen of DHC Hawaii, Rick Turner & Barry Pearlman of Rick Turner Guitars, the Okami's of KoAloha Ukuleles, and all my family & friends who continue to support & inspire me.
Cedar & walnut wood textures in this booklet are from a Renaissance Nylon Guitar handcrafted by Rick Turner. |
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1.
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Off to Work
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Daniel Ho & Faith Rivera
Daniel Ho Creations & Lil' Girl Creations (ASCAP) |
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It’s off to work, my time to play
There’s a line outside as I make my way
So many faces, twice as many feet
As many hands I hope to shake & greet
Oh, man I’m running crazy, think I’m running late
Fly into my room where handsome I will make
Gotta shine them boots till they’re black as tar
Slick my stubborn hair & tune this old guitar
Hey na na na na 'n na ea
Hey na na na na oh
Hey na na na na 'n na ea
Hey na na na na oh
No private jetplane, guess coach will do
No limo driver, I’ve got Super Shuttle blues
No red carpet as far as I can see
Got one good roadie, hey, don’t you know it’s me
(Chorus)
Only cheese & crackers, no wine & brie
Won’t trade my music, not for luxury
Can’t beat this feeling I have inside
I’m here for you, and you for me tonight
(Chorus)
I'm coming home...
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2.
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Cup of Joe
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Daniel Ho & Lydia Miyashiro
Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) |
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This is how the story goes
It happened this way a year ago
Kickin' around the east side of town
Just me, solo
Enter stage right, cappuccino in hand
The princess of my fairytale
Had to find a way to be her man
Someway, somehow
I wanna be your cup of joe
The first sip in the mornin'
Your get-you-going ritual
And warm your soul from within
Let me be your cup of joe
That first sip in the mornin'
Baby, take me as I am
And through your veins I'll be flowin'
Her hair, so long, the tower, so high
A lonely tree against a black sky
Shards of my shattered heart
Still shine with hope
Puppy dog close: you can try me on
And if you're not happy, then I'll be gone
Have a drink of your double cafe mocha with soy
It's getting cold
(Chorus)
Funny how the story ends
We tried to get along as friends
Guess it wasn't meant to be
Noway, nohow
Done in from the moment we met
Ever after you & me
On lucky stars we made our bet
So happily
(Chorus)
I wanna keep you warm in the morning
Then I'll keep you up all night
Take me any way you want me
Any way you want
I'll be your comfort
I'll be the one that keeps you goin' on & on
I wanna be, I wanna be
Let me be the one
Come on and drink me in
Let me be the one who loves you
Somethin's brewin'... it's our love
Our love, our love
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be
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3.
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Come See Her Smile
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Daniel Ho & Faith Rivera
Daniel Ho Creations & Lil' Girl Creations (ASCAP) |
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Clear as day, she's cool as night
Strong as Skyy Vodka,
Sublime, alive
Warm as summer, she's pure as light
Dark as the willow's shade
That I'd rest under all of my days
Oh, her eyes
Drink the world in one shot at a time
Come see her smile
All that once was so wrong feels alright
Come see her smile
She dreams in color, she’s black & white
She is, but she isn't, wrong nor right
Fearless wonder, bounding bills & pains
Flying high in a rocket ship
Over doubts that she has what it takes
(Chorus)
We run for shelter as she plays in the rain
Splashing in puddles of thankfulness
Where others, they find blame
We're just spectators in this game called “Life”
She's got the ball, oh, she's running
Running with all of her might
And oh, her eyes
Drink the world in one shot at a time
Come see her smile
All that once was so wrong feels so right
Come see her smile
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4.
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Quiet & Blue
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Daniel Ho & Faith Rivera
Daniel Ho Creations & Lil' Girl Creations (ASCAP) |
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Morning can find you down
To rise with the sun unwakened
Not ready to brave the rest of this day
Never so lost, now found
No imminent means to my end
I look to the sky so far away
Sometimes the world feels quiet & blue
Spinning round, round, round without you
All the stars shine stillness into the night
Quiet & blue, quiet & blue
Many unanswered questions
Dance on in my mind, I realize
Here in my heart was peace all this time
(Chorus)
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5.
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If All Else Fails
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Richard Page
Little Dume Music (ASCAP) |
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You were the little angel
Everybody noticed you
Had a shining light of beauty
That only I could see through
And I thought you were something special
Even as a child at play
But you said a man in shining armor
Would carry you off someday
Take my love wherever you go
Whatever you do, I'll try to be strong for you
Keep my face inside of your mind
Don't let it fade, don't let it get lost in time
'Cause when you finally see through the veil
Through all of your hopes & dreams, your fairytales
I will be here waiting for you, waiting for you…
If all else fails, if all else fails
You said there was something out there
That you and you alone could find
And I tried in vain to tell you
It was all inside your mind
But I'd rather let you have your freedom
Than live with the bitterness
But it's so damn hard to do it
So baby just remember this
(Chorus)
No matter how it ends
I'll always be your friend
Don't ever be afraid…I'm with you, I'll be with you
And when you finally see through the veil
Through all of your hopes & dreams, your fairytales
I will be here waiting for you, waiting for you…
If all else fails, if all else fails
I'm here for you
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6.
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Along for the Ride
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Daniel Ho & Faith Rivera
Daniel Ho Creations & Lil' Girl Creations (ASCAP) |
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My papa said fill my pockets with riches
Buy a big house in Bel Air
Tie the knot with a Supreme Court Justice
Raise 2.5 millionaires
But Daddy Dear, oh, my wallet’s half empty
I rent a shack on the shore
I know you want just the best for me
But I’m fine, just biding my time
I’m just along for the ride
And there’s no need for me to drive
‘Cause I’m just along for the ride
I’m happy taking in all the sights
Oh, I’m just along for the
Just along for the ride
You insist I should have some direction
Take a stand, take control
Here’s my two cents Mr. Busman drive me away
Anywhere, please
‘Cause I’m on The Bus going nowhere fast
I missed my stop but it’s ok
My prized possession is my Mickey Mouse watch
Oh, I like it this way
(Chorus)
You might not approve of this road I’m traveling
My life is like a Sunday drive
But thanks for asking ‘bout me anyway
I’ll be alright, I like it this way
(Chorus)
Just along for the, just along for the ride
Just along for the, just along for the ride
I’m on The Bus goin’ nowhere, along for the ride
Don’t like the road that I’m travelin’, but I’ll be alright
Take my hand and come with me baby
There's so much to see
Don't like it very much, but I think I'll be okay
And I don't need to drive, no
Just taking it all in stride
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7.
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Simple as a Sunrise
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Daniel Ho & Lehua Kalima
Daniel Ho Creations & NLP Music (ASCAP) |
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I wake to feel your love surround me
The beauty that's there in your smile
It lights the whole world around me
And I know you are here all the while
I see the magic that's within you
The way you appear like a star
And shine like nothing else around you
I want to be right where you are
Simple as a sunrise, your love is my light
Chasing all of the darkness away
And I know in your eyes for all of my life
There will always be something
That guides my way
I dream at night I'm with an angel
And rise to behold it is you
So let the stars stay up in heaven
The wish I want most has come true
(Chorus)
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8.
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Watching, Waiting...
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Daniel Ho & Ernie Halter
Daniel Ho Creations &
Ernie Halter Publishing (ASCAP) |
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A little more patience
A little more time
A little more romance
Might have saved us that night
A little attention
A little more time
I never imagined
I'd see you wandering out of my life
We both know it's not right
Watching, waiting
Hoping & praying for love
To come back into this life,
Oh, into this life, into this life
Here I am wondering
What does it take
What can I do
To get your heart to unbreak
If I told you I loved you
If I promised to change
If I said I was a broken man
Would you believe what I say
Would it all be too late
(Chorus)
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9.
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I Do
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Daniel Ho & Hope Sato
Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) |
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I can’t promise to buy you the world
Or steal you the stars from the moon
I can’t promise the rest of our lives
Will sing like the usual love tune
But this much I know to be true
I’d regret it the rest of my days
If I never said I love you
I do cherish you
I do adore you
I do promise you
That I do love you
Yes, I do
I can’t promise that I’ll understand
But believe me I’ll always try
I can’t promise I won’t make mistakes
Or hurt you, or won’t make you cry
But this much I’ll never deny you
I’ll be here with you ‘til the end
No matter where tomorrow lies
(Chorus)
I promise I’ll always be true
I promise there’s nothing I won’t do
I promise I won’t leave your side
I promise there’s nothing to hide
(Chorus)
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10.
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Stronger & Stronger
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Daniel Ho & Hope Sato
Daniel Ho Creations (ASCAP) |
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I’m sick & tired of hearing that I’ll never have what it takes
Just need a few words of encouragement and I’ll be okay
Is love or jealousy preventing you from seeing my way
With or without your approval I’ll do it anyway
I’m getting stronger & stronger with each passing day
Flying higher & higher like a bird flown away
I’m getting closer & closer to finding my way
I just might make it someday
You know I just might make it someday
I’m off to chase those silly dreams you always warned me about
Don’t take it personal it’s not to prove you wrong but me right
'Cause you know I’m right you’ll see the light without a shadow of doubt
Was that out loud? Oh well, I’m sorry got no time to fight, no
(Chorus)
It’s not like me to be the one to say I told you so
But I told you so, I told you so, I told you so, I told you so
I told you so, I told you so, I told you so, I told you so
In case you missed it, listen carefully, I TOLD YOU SO!
(Chorus)
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11.
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Faithfully
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Jonathan Cain
Love Batch Music (ASCAP) |
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Highway run into the midnight sun
Wheels go round & round, you're on my mind
Restless hearts sleep alone tonight
Sending all my love along the wire
They say that the road
Ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line it's been you and me
And loving a music man
Ain't always what it's supposed to be
Oh, girl you stand by me
I'm forever yours, faithfully
Circus life under the big top world
We all need the clowns to make us laugh
Through space and time, always another show
Wondering where I am, lost without you
And being apart ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
And I get the joy of rediscovering you
Oh, girl you stand by me
I'm forever yours, faithfully
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