The biggest thing that's got me excited for this is the note from Daniel on his website: "Creating a musical recording involves a myriad of subtle, almost indiscernible, decisions. Music, like many forms of creative expression, is subjective - there is no right or wrong. Lessons of experience and awareness provide a basis from which to make "sound" judgements." Tehe, he's a joker too. But seriously, what a great statement to start off with.
No Spotify link available today, and no videos available. We're keeping it pretty wonderfully simple today, but I think it'll be fitting.
"Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua" is the opening track. I wasn't prepared for a piano album at all (shut up, yes, I know what's on the cover), but it's so lovely. I don't think I've heard such great piano since I was in school and working in the music building listening to students practice. I find it never to be a disappointing form, and this is still right along that thinking. Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.
The second song, "Ku I Ka Manawa Kupono" has a more modern-classic sound to it, almost even reminding me of a Whitney song. It's light and pretty, but made for a vocal track as well. There's a really nice way about this, and I'm almost leaning toward buying this album already because of this.
"Ku'u Ipo I Ka He'e Pu'e One" feels more like improv than a composed song, but just because of the way that the notes fall along the whole thing. There's a cool rhythm incorporated throughout though that keep is almost jazz-esq (woo new words!) and great to sit with in a room. Nice parlor music, or elevator, or... who knows.
Ladies and gents, we've found the love song in "Ke Aloha O Ka Haku." It's just full of good things to hear with someone, but will make you feel utterly alone without anyone (no worries friends - I'm only listening to a snippet). It's got an interesting drop off into something else, but the mood isn't lost. It's still a full song with emotion and beauty.
"E Kahe Malie" is the title track. Lots of falling and building in this track, and some very classic runs and melodies throughout that I remember playing in lessons when I was younger. It's pretty and appropriate as a theme for the album as a whole, just somehow in the way it sings out.
We're at about the halfway point with "Hi'Ilawe," a song that keeps up a nice melody throughout. It gets lost to the wind for me a little bit, but maybe that's not such a bad thing. The whistful-ness of a song can make it completely wonderful in every single way you need, without every knowing why. Am I getting a little to airy about this album? Oh instrumentals...
"Sanoe" brings in a lighter feel for the second half, while keeping up the falling notes right about mid piano, then taking it up to the higher register. A glimmer of happiness is found in those higher notes and whatever they're trying to reassure you of. This one also moves a little faster than the others so far, just in the way the notes are hit. It's like the speed you see experienced people typing, but these fingers are moving along the musical keyboard.
An English title? Oh my. "Take Me Away" is a dance song of sorts, at least to my ears. This would be like the opening to a dance number in a musical, I'd bet money on it. It's just a very different song we're hearing sung by those keys, and the down moments are painfully disappointing afterwords.
"No Ke Ano Ahiahi" sounds like it's trying so hard to press through. The major chords hit, though, signify some reward at the end, like it's all worth it. This needs a voice as well, even if it's just to hum along. It's amazing to me that these songs, which I don't recall ever hearing before, take on their own life and words like they're yearning to be built upon.
A little more light jazz for our listening enjoyment with "Henehene Kou 'Aka." The hitting of the keys is a little more hard but faster. Things are more definite in the notes than before, but not without Daniel's style of falling down the keys and letting the trills end where they may.
"Crystal Sands" is the final song, and it's soft. It's a good ending song, as if we're drifting off into the quieter night, or even bright of day, but always on a lovely, lonely beach. There are some minor tones hit, but maybe that's the world we're leaving behind, because the minors hit back and forth between the lighter major tones that dance around it and more forward, while the others are on repeat.
Added to My Playlist:
- "Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua"
- "Ke Aloha O Ka Haku"
- "Hi'Ilawe"