Posted on: Sunday, October 23, 2005
ISLAND SOUNDS
Heartfelt tunes and seasonal spookiness
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Meet an acoustic trio that reaches for the heart; Inner Session's the name, romance is the game.
And while storytelling discs are a hard sell, Jeff Gere's pair of recent arrivals just might be the answer for Halloween haunting, if you can find the time to sit and soak it all in.
"CHASING DREAMS" BY INNER SESSION; IMMENSE AND INTENSE PRODUCTIONS
Genre: Contemporary.
Distinguishing notes: Inner Session is a relatively new acoustic trio featuring Keao Cockett (vocals, piano, guitar), Sean Carroll (drums), and Nakana Wong (upright bass, vocals). Cockett is the heartbeat of the ensemble, writing all 12 originals. And what a refreshing entity, this is — crisp, reverent, romantic expressions of simple moments, set to fluctuating elements of relationships. There's no Jawaiian, no covers, no imitative vibes. Real-life themes prevail: a very commercial and lyrically appealing "Chasing Dreams," which underscores the personal journey for the group; the joys of reconnecting on the contagious "Meet Again"; the quest for that special person on the jazz-flavored "Find That Love"; the frustrations of uncertainty on the evocative "Look Away." There's also a soulful and blues turn on "Music," as upbeat as the group gets; and behold the "bonus" DVD (produced and directed by Dr. Trey), which gets you up close and personal with Inner Session individually and offers a couple of videos, including a newbie, "A Hundred Things," which is not on the audio disc.
The outlook: Instead of following the trend, Inner Session bucks it with its own brew of simple and honest songs that reach out to the heart.
Our take: Inner Session is one to watch, chasing dreams as it builds its legacy with a style and form that's so basic, it's new.
"HAUNTED HAWAII, VOLUME 2" BY JEFF GERE; TALK STORY MASTERS
Genre: Storytelling.
Distinguishing notes: This second collection of haunted tales with Island links is timed for Halloween sharing. These supernatural tales, supported by Les Adams' keyboard work and Sandra Lee Akaka's percussion accents, occasionally indulge in pidgin lingo, laced with real-life, eerie aura, like the one about a disappearing Punchbowl bus rider. He dares to venture into Samoan territory, too, with three separate vignettes that could raise your hair. These yarns are not for keiki.
The outlook: Not likely the stuff you'd hear on the radio, except on Hawaii Public Radio, where Gere hosts "Talk Story Radio."
Our take: With his gift of gab, Gere easily shifts gear from traditional tale-sharing to local-style mood-setter.
"RANK DEVIL MOUNTAIN" BY JEFF GERE; TALK STORY MASTERS
Genre: Storytelling.
Distinguishing notes: Here again, Jeff Gere is a crusader and prolific contributor to the genre of storytelling. In this disc, he shares three tales that involve a princess, a beauty, a devil, an evil spirit and more. The thrill is in the listening, since Gere embellishes character with nuanced voices, sound effects, and soundscapes that enhance the stories and create atmosphere. He even briefly sings about spaghetti on the first story, getting mood-setting support from Les Adams, keyboards; Sandra Lee Akaka, percussion; and Alani Cini, didgeridoo. The CD title is derived from the three aptly titled tales shared: "Old Rink Rank," "The Beauty, the Devil & the Shepherd" and "Jack & the Evil Mountain Spirit." These tales, recorded at Mana'o Radio on Maui, are perhaps best enjoyed in person, when Gere's vocal dynamics can be further appreciated with accompanying body language and facial expressions; he does pack a dollop of emotions in his delivery. The third tale even begins with "once upon a time. ... " For older audiences, not kids.
The outlook: An uphill battle for sales; Gere's strength will be at storytelling events, when listeners can get firsthand experience with his style and his stories — and then buy the CD. The tales are longish, requiring a commitment to sit and listen.
Our take: Limited appeal, but Gere has no lack of energy or whimsy. He rocks.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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