REVIEWS BY JOHN BERGER / jberger@staradvertiser.com
‘Ukulele Legacy’
Ohta-san & Herb Ohta, Jr. (Lele Music)
Hawaii’s music has been enriched by the contributions of several families in which talent extends from one generation to the next. This aptly named album by Herb “Ohta-san” Ohta and his son, Herb Ohta Jr., is an excellent example.
Ohta-san stands unchallenged as the most prolific ‘ukulele virtuoso of the last half-century. Herb Jr., is an accomplished musician in his own right. They team up here to revisit 11 songs written or co-written by Ohta-san. Herb Jr., describes the album as “my way of paying tribute…to my friend, my teacher, and my idol.”
Ohta-san writes, “This is a family affair. Music provided by Father and Son.”
Either way, this nahenahe (sweet, melodious) music deserves attentive listening. Take it all in — the melodic interplay between father and son on clean, acoustic arrangements — and behold what great players can achieve without electronic add-ons or extras.
With Ohta-san and Ohta Jr., the purity of the instrument wins out.
———
John Berger has been a mainstay in the local entertainment scene for more than 40 years. Contact him via email at jberger@staradvertiser.com.