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| Song List
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| Reviews
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Herb Ohta, Jr. & Daniel Ho: “`Ukuleles In Paradise ” (Daniel Ho Creations) This is one of the first albums to showcase the new KoAloha six-stringed D-VI `ukulele, and Ho picked a wonderful partner to work with in Ohta (who plays a conventional four-stringed uke, also from KoAloha.) The two players come from different enough backgrounds that there are distinct stylistic variations, yet their love of melody links them. You can even study their separate techniques, as the recording isolates Ohta on the left channel, and Ho on the right. Ohta is, of course, the son of acclaimed `ukulele virtuoso Ohta-San, and although he has certainly been influenced by his father’s jazz technique, Ohta-the-younger is more deeply rooted in the Hawaiian repertoire. Ho, on the other hand, has recorded in everything from k? h?`alu styles to smooth jazz, and his instrument treats the six strings as individuals, rather than pairing them up in courses, so he can utilize his slack-key playing skills. The album is a gentle, nahenahe collection of eleven Hawaiian classics, such as “Pua Hone,” “ E Ku `u Morning Dew,” “Pua Lililehua,” “Kauanoeanuhea,” and “I’ll Remember You.” This album is perfect for helping you drift away to your own personal Island paradise. Excellent choice of material combined with flawless, tasteful playing; I hope this is the first of many volumes from these two, and it would be an album I’d recommend for fans of Hawaiian music, whether they already have hundreds of Island albums, or just a small collection. |
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| Album Notes
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| Two ‘ukuleles... pure and simple. Herb Ohta, Jr. offers his stylishly innovative ‘ukulele arrangements (on the left speaker), while Daniel Ho (on the right speaker) displays the versatility and range of his signature slack key ‘ukulele, the D-VI. First of all, thank you to my Heavenly Father! I have been blessed with a loving family, great friends, and an exciting musical journey. Secondly, I would like to thank Daniel Ho for his love of the ‘ukulele and allowing me to record with him! It was a pleasure working with and getting to know such a talented and gifted musician. Thank you to Lydia and her family for being so kind to me and making me feel like a part of their family. Last but not least, thank you to my fans and ‘ukulele fans around the world; for without all of you, this recording would not have been possible. No matter where this album finds you, I know that when you listen to it, it will bring you to Hawai‘i, our home. Aloha, Herb Ohta, Jr. Collaborations are an excellent way to learn, find inspiration, be creative in ways otherwise not possible, and make new friends who share common interests. This project is no exception. It has afforded me the opportunity to fully appreciate the supreme talents of Herb Ohta, Jr. - not from afar, but in the recording studio, under a microscope! Another collaboration, from years of discussions, brainstorms, and shameless begging (on my part), was with Paul Okami, head designer of KoAloha ‘Ukulele. We recently unveiled the D-VI, our signature line of slack key tenor ‘ukuleles. Harmonically liberating and melodically inspiring, the D-VI has significantly deepened my affinity for the ‘ukulele. I’d like to express my gratitude to Herb, for his friendship and music; to KoAloha for building the instruments we play on this CD; and to Lydia, for her artistic eyes and ears, literary aesthetic, time-insensitive pursuit of perfection, and for always pushing me far beyond my abilities. Mahalo, Daniel |
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| Credits
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Herb Ohta, Jr. & Daniel Ho play KoAloha ‘ukuleles. www.herbohtajr.com www.jrjrjr.com Record Label: Daniel Ho Creations Recorded: May 2005 |
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