Touching tribute
from EnchanteWith Greatest Love: Enchante Gallardo (Enchante) CD single
ENCHANTE Gallardo is a familiar face in local commercials, theater and talent contests, but her debut as a recording artist isn't about her career. Enchante's 7-year-old cousin, Khaliah-Shay, has battled leukemia for five years. Enchante, her father, Stephen Gallardo, and family friend Chazz Lyons recorded and produced this CD-single to help pay Khaliah's medical expenses.
Enchante wrote "My Favorite Star" with help from Chazz and Dad; she and Khaliah-Shay share the vocals. It's especially touching as a kids' song written by kids rather than something by adults trying to write like kids. Dad helped his niece with "Khaliah's Thank You," and it touches the heart too. Enchante added "The Greatest Love Of All" as a personal indulgence; it's one of her favorite songs.
Young Hawaii Plays Old Hawaii: Hui Ohana (Lehua)
FANS of modern Hawaiian music will rejoice at the re-release on disc of five early Hui Ohana albums. This is the one that introduced Dennis Pavao and Ledward and Nedward Kaapana in 1972. Dennis and Led played guitar. Ned played bass. Their renditions of Hawaiian standards have aged well. The promise of the group, and of the guys later as solo artists, is apparent throughout.
Lehua is releasing each album separately with the original cover art and annotation. Vinyl albums rarely contained more than 35 minutes of music; this has 41. Adding information on what Dennis, Led and Ned have done since 1972 would give buyers more for their money.
Keeper Of Ohe Rain: Bill Keale (Twin Island Records)
BILL Keale introduces himself with a big gritty voice and a smooth blending of country, folk, and acoustic rock.
He writes and sings of family ties, love found and lost, and magic moments that can linger in the mind forever -- the sight of a beautiful woman in a bar ("Rescue You"), adventures while cruising in a special car ("Red Chevrolet") or seeing the face of eternity on a city street ("Keeper Of The Rain"). "Ua Mau" and "I'll Remember You" reflect his island origins.
See Record Reviews for some of John Berger's past reviews.
See Aloha Worldwide for locals living away.
John Berger, who has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972, writes reviews of recordings
produced by Hawaii artists. See the Star-Bulletin's Home Zone
section on Fridays for the latest reviews.
