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| Song List
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| Reviews
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ISLAND SOUNDS Next-generation act of Kahumoku, Ohta reunite for 'Hana Hou' "HANA HOU" BY KEOKI KAHUMOKU AND HERB OHTA JR.; DANIEL HO CREATIONS • Genre: Hawaiian, world music. • Distinguishing notes: "Hana Hou" reunites two favorite sons, a next-generation act that inevitably pays homage to their dads, George Kahumoku Jr. and Herb Ohta Sr. The juniors are on a streak, with Kahumoku singing and strumming guitar, and Ohta strumming his Ko'Aloha uke. The elder Kahumoku's "Five More Minutes," "Kewelina A Kealoha," "Hana" and "Ho'o Kupu" provide the slivers of freshness; for the most part, the other tunes revisit the past — "He Punahele No 'Oe," "Maui Waltz," "Miloli'i" and "Ke Kali Nei Au" providing historical perspective. Daniel Ho also appears on keyboards on a couple of tracks; hey, what are friends for? There's a tidy mix of Hawaiian-lyric tunes, hapa-haole tunes and English-Hawaiian tunes. • The outlook: A quick-hit release, this one sacrifices details in the liner notes for timeliness. Still, there are stellar readings — like "Days of My Youth," the Kui Lee classic, that just might be the right time (and right version) for a new generation of listeners. • Our take: A combo with balance, style and substance.
Keoki Kahumoku & Herb Ohta, Jr.“Hana Hou” (Daniel Ho Creations) These two young musicians are prime representatives of the “Next Generation” of Hawaiian artists, both sons of respected players (Keoki’s father is k? h?`alu star George Kauhumoku, Jr.; Herb’s dad is acclaimed `ukulele trailblazer Ohta-San.) They have worked together off and on for a decade, but it has been a little while since they did an album together. Kahumoku handles the vocals here, along with his strong slack-key playing, while Ohta’s `ukulele flourishes enhance every tune. (Daniel Ho, who recorded and issued the CD, also plays an assortment of instruments on three selections.) The choice of material is a blend of standards, ballads, hula numbers, and compositions by Kahumoku’s father. Classics include renditions of “Maui Waltz,” “Ke Kali Nei Au,” “Keawaiki,” “Waik?k? Hula,” and Kui Lee’s haunting “Days of My Youth.” |
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| Album Notes
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| I wish to thank all the family & friends who help to support our music. It brings such joy to us when we play for you. Thanks to our Heavenly Father who has blessed us with such gifts. A special mahalo to my wife, Nadine; our children, Aaron & Kellie-Ann; my dad, George Jr. & Nancy; my mom, Penny & Papa Gilbert; Grandma Aileen, Grandpa Elvin, Grandma Kay Kuniko; and all my uncles, aunties, cousins, nieces & nephews for the support and encouragement you give me. Mahalo to the friends & musicians who inspire me to create this music. Mahalo to Herb Ohta, Jr. & Daniel Ho for your hard work & patience as you waited two weeks for me to send you these mahalo notes. Aloha, Keoki Expressing myself through music for the past 15 years has been a great joy for me. Working with gifted musicians along the way has taken me on an emotional roller coaster ride. It has opened my eyes to each person's heart and soul. I have been performing with Keoki Kahumoku for 10 years. Never have I been around a person with so much love and feeling for Hawaiian music. For that, I thank Keoki for always being true to himself and his art. Through our friendship, we have become like the brothers we never had. Thank you to Daniel and Lydia for allowing Keoki and I to be a part of your Ohana; to the Kahumoku and Ohta Families for all of your support (even when it seemed like we weren't going to record again); and to KoAloha `Ukulele for their great `ukuleles! For everyone that requested a new recording... here it is! One more time - "Hana Hou" for all of you to enjoy! Aloha, Herb, Jr. |
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| Credits
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Herb Ohta, Jr. plays KoAloha `ukuleles. www.herbohtajr.com www.jrjrjr.com Record Label: Daniel Ho Creations Recorded: November 2004 & May 2005 |
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