ISLAND SOUNDS
Couch, Ryder CDs tug at heartstrings
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Romance is in the air — with exquisite ballads from Danny Couch.
And from Maui, Lei'ohu Ryder explores love, Hawaiian-style.
There's also a delightful little find from left field — college chums connecting on an instrumental jam.
"THEN AND NOW" by Danny Couch; Danny Couch Records
Genre: Adult contemporary.
Distinguishing notes: Ever since he was a member of The Ali'is, Danny Couch has been a singular sensation. This new CD, a labor of love, has been awaiting release for weeks — on again, off again because of production glitches — and it's finally out. The material includes songs earlier associated with Couch (hence, the "Then") and more recent tunes he's been performing in his shows. His incandescent voice brings luminous and everlasting glow to a song, and he has a field day here. His yesteryear hit, "I Love Hawai'i" (which he also wrote), is included as a good-luck charm; his prowess is reflected in three stunning bonus tracks, "To Where You Are" and a pair of glowing "Phantom of the Opera" anthems ("All I Ask of You" and "The Music of the Night"). There are other sweetly romantic and emotionally breathtaking treatments of "Waikiki," "Hakuna Matata (A'ole Pilikia)," "You Are the Best of My Life" and "Brown Eyes." And who of the current crop of non-Hawaiian troupers here would dare to tackle "Kaena" and its higher-register vocal demands? Couch goes there and comes back a winner.
The outlook: This CD brings hours of listening pleasure.
Our take: This Danny boy croons, maintaining the integrity of the love songs.
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"All I Ask of You" by Danny Couch. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats. |
"LOVE RETURNS (E HO'I MAI KE ALOHA HOU)" by Lei'ohu Ryder; Ululoa Productions
Genre: Contemporary Hawaiian.
Distinguishing notes: Lei'ohu Ryder puts a spiritual spin on Hawaiian love songs, delivering 14 new tunes including 11 of her originals. Her Hawaiian lyrics are poetic and varied, and her subjects run the gamut, from simple love to remembrances of family and friends, from tributes to her kupuna to homages to the 'aina. Her plaintive guitar accompaniment is augmented by other acoustical instruments that richly enhance the vocals and arrangements. There's sensitivity and eloquence to spare on "He Mele No Ku'uipo," "Ua Pai Kapu," "Mele Inoa O Makua" and "Po'olenalena." Two tunes are not from her pen but capture the essence of what's in her heart: Jon Osorio and Randy Borden's "Hawaiian Soul" and Christine McVie's "Songbird," performed in English.
The outlook: Ryder is an artist who blends lyrics and melodies into a meaningful tapestry.
Our take: A romantic odyssey with a lingering tug at the heartstrings.
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"He Mele No Ku'uipo" by Lei'ohu Ryder. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats. |
"AKAMAI BRAIN COLLECTIVE" by Akamai Brain Collective; Pass Out Records
Genre: Progressive Island instrumentals (plus one vocal).
Distinguishing notes: Three Island pals went to Boston to college to study music — but also jammed on the side. The Akamai Brain Collective is one of the results, a collaboration of Abe Lagrimas, Eric Lagrimas and Randy Wong. The music is original, with obvious Island riffs ('ukulele, guitar, bongos, marimbas), with reflections of Island life ("Pineapple Bug," "Island Smile") that can be visualized even without words. One vocal, "Miles," is one of those yearnings from across the sea, delivered with tenderness.
The outlook: A certain mystique surrounds this one; think Pure Heart, Ohta-san and Roy Sakuma at an afternoon jam and you get the Collective spirit.
Our take: A modest but earnest stab at relieving homesickness.
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"Pineapple Bug" by Akamai Brain Collective. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats. |
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
