Posted on: Sunday, July 16, 2006
ISLAND SOUNDS
'Peggy's Dream' by Daniel Ho a palette of reflective tunes
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Daniel Ho assembles vocals and instrumentals that are a reflective undercurrent to the artwork of Peggy Chun.
Justin Kawika Young puts a shine on a collection of easy-listening "unplugged" tunes that are as mellow as his gentle demeanor.
A voice from the past, Manny LaGod, a one-time member of The Aliis, strolls down memory lane on his new CD.
And Danny Carvalho, 15, makes a bid for stardom with his first solo venture.
"PEGGY'S DREAM" BY DANIEL HO; HAWAIIAN SERENITY LLC
Genre: World music; acoustic blend of ki ho'alu, 'ukulele and instruments such as koto and saxophone; some vocals with instrumentals.
Distinguishing notes: Inspired by the paintings of Peggy Chun, who is battling ALS (or Lou Gehrig's disease), composer-musician Daniel Ho hand-picked tunes from his repertoire that would reflect the artist's wisdom, strength and spirit. Chun's art has been a favorite for decades. Though she is now dependent on a ventilator and 24/7 monitoring by nurses and her army of supporters, called Peg's Legs, she is undaunted — she uses her eyes to communicate digitally in order to "paint."
"Sacred Journey" mixes slack-key guitar (Ho) and koto (Jill Kuramoto of Hiroshima); "Simple as a Sunrise" unites Ho and Lehua Kalima Heine (of Na Leo) in an aural portrait of love; "Stronger and Stronger" is an ode to perseverance and strength; "Come See Her Smile" musically embodies Chun's unwavering strength; the mood-provoking "Haiku" has the wisdom of a poem, though wordless. Chun and her son selected additional art to link to the music. (Yes, that's her landscape, "Dream Reef," on the CD cover.)
A portion of sales ($2) will go to Friends of Peggy Chun, who, in turn, will share the proceeds with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The outlook: Vibrant tunes shape the spirit of a beloved artist; this one's for a good cause.
Our take: A wondrous journey of a musician and visual artist spiritually connected through this inspired project.
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"Simple as a Sunrise" by Peggy Chun. Audio sample available in mp3 format. |
"UNPLUGGED: SPECIAL EDITION" BY JUSTIN KAWIKA YOUNG; NEOS PRODUCTIONS
Genre: World music with an acoustic slant.
Distinguishing notes: Justin (yes, just one name) is one of Young Hawai'i's more prolific, versatile artists, and still underrated. This assembly of some of his trademark tracks, remixed for easy-on-the-ears appeal, reveals the breadth of his contemporary pop. From falsetto tones on "E Kailua E" to the romantic tone of "The Valentine's Songs," Justin is in touch with his emotions and capable of tapping yours. There are vocal collaborations with the likes of Norm, B.E.T. and Jon Yamasato; his covers of "The End of Innocence," "Butterfly," "More Than Words" and "Leaving on a Jet Plane" showcase his interpretative, personal style.
The outlook: Though Justin has made radio charts and won a couple of local awards over the past decade, "Unplugged" looms as his unequivocal attention-getter.
Our take: Mellow's the word for this mild-mannered fellow.
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"One More Aloha" by Justin. Audio sample available in mp3 format. |
"SOMETHING" BY MANNY LAGOD; MLAE PRODUCTIONS
Genre: World music.
Distinguishing notes: Manny LaGod used to be Manny Lagodlagod, a onetime singer-bassist with Don Ho's sidekicks, The Aliis. This CD — his first solo outing — is a lifelong dream come true that proves his pipes are still in working order, that he still can sell a romantic ballad and that he still has sex appeal (remember when he was nicknamed Pussy Galore?). The material reflects an earlier era, from the title song — a cover of George Harrison's classic — to 1970s and '80s standards such as "Besame Mucho," "Volare," and "MacArthur Park." A medley of "Goin' Out of My Head," "What a Wonderful World" and "Over the Rainbow," plus a revival of his signature "Makahilahila (Bashful Eyes)" offer more nostalgia. His backup support is on target, creating a clubby sentiment amid a light jazz format. A kiddie chorus enhances "Hey, Jude"; "My Beautiful Hawai'i," one of four LaGod originals, signals his love for his former hometown.
The outlook: Because LaGod lives on the West Coast, promotional efforts are a challenge; and airplay will be hard to come by. This might "Something" primarily for those who remember LaGod from his performing past.
Our take: Plays like a vanity CD, despite the nostalgia.
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"Something" by Manny LaGod. Audio sample available in mp3 format. |
"SLACK KEY JOURNEY: ON MY WAY" BY DANNY CARVALHO; LAVA ROCK MUSIC
Genre: Ki ho'alu instru-mentals.
Distinguishing notes: Danny Carvalho, a 15-year-old slack-key star-in-the-making, is a student of Ozzie Kotani who counts Ledward Ka'apana, Leland "Ata" Isaacs and Gabby "Pops" Pahinui among his inspiration. Carvalho is blessed with nimble fingers that dance up and down his guitar neck, and his strumming reflects well on those who preceded him. He mixes traditional slack-key fare ("Hula Blues," "Whee Ha Swing") with originals he wrote ("Booboo's Lullaby") and interpretations of some titles not commonly selected by ki ho'alu vets ("Aloha 'Oe," "I'll Remember You," "Hawaiian Soul," even Santana's "Europa") on this CD. There's magic a-brewing in his delivery, and his future seems bright.
The outlook: You may remember Carvalho from a 2004 appearance on National Public Radio; he's moved on to greater heights since.
Our take: This Danny Boy will be one to watch.
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"Hula Blues" by Danny Carvalho. Audio sample available in mp3 format. |
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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