REVIEW BY JOHN BERGER / jberger@staradvertiser.com
‘Pure ‘UkuIele’
Herb Ohta Jr. (Lele Music Productions)
Throughout his career — currently two decades and counting — Herb Ohta Jr., has emerged from the shadow of his father, internationally acclaimed ukulele virtuoso Herb “Ohta-san” Ohta, with a similar commitment to precision and technique.
There is certainly a place for experimentation as the ukulele continues to evolve — various sizes, additional strings, different materials and, of course, the full range of electronic effects used over the years by rock guitarists. Ohta Jr. has left such things to others and concentrated instead on achieving everything he possibly can with the basics — four strings, an acoustic wooden instrument — of what he describes as a “small and humble instrument.”
His musical odyssey includes several “solo” albums recorded with studio musicians behind him, and several duet projects with other “name artists.” The latter include Tony Conjugacion, Daniel Ho, Keoki Kahumoku, Jon Yamasato, and a long-awaited father-and-son project, “Ukulele Legacy,” that was released in 2012.
With “Pure ‘Ukulele,” Herb Junior steps out entirely on his own — no celebrity partners, no studio musicians, just the pure sound of a solo ukulele.
Nine of these instrumentals are original compositions. One that is not, “Always With Me (Itsumo Nandodemo),” is known to anime fans as the closing theme of the 2001 blockbuster movie, “Spirited Away.” It will certainly appeal to his many Japanese fans.
Originals titled “Sunrise” and “Napili Slack Key” catch the ear with their faster, brisker tempos. The Japanese song stands out as an example of Ohta’s skill as an arranger of other composers’ work. The beauty that can be achieved with a solo ukulele comes through on all of them. So does the range and precision of Ohta’s technique in playing what he describes as a “small and humble instrument.”
———
John Berger has been a mainstay in the local entertainment scene for more than 40 years. Contact him via email at jberger@staradvertiser.com.