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 | Aliis News - 7-November-2005 |  |
 Benny Chong New CD~ Former Ali'is with Danny Couch
"Ukulele Jazz" by Benny Chong
(Music Ben Productions)
One of the greatest living jazz Ukulele players. Plays with the Don Ho Band.
Benny Chong has been known for more than 40 years as the guitarist who helped make DON HO & THE ALI'IS one of the biggest acts in Contemporary Hawaiian Music Scene.
Review by Wayne Harada
"UKULELE JAZZ" BY BENNY CHONG; MUSIC BEN PRODUCTIONS
Genre: 'Ukulele instrumentals.
Distinguishing notes: Over the years, Benny Chong has been many things to many people. Guitarist with The Aliis for many years; musician with Don Ho in more recent times; a closet 'uke soloist to his family. Now he's "outed," with an impressive, if simple, serenade of solo and ensemble strumming, on a patchwork of tunes that ultimately forms a quiltwork of his livelihood. His touch and his sound blend harmoniously as Chong sashays from one genre to another, tackling Broadway favorites ("Happy Talk," "Summertime"), world classics ("Meditation," "Night in Tunisia"), pop titles ("Cry Me a River," "Spicks and Specks") and Hawaiiana ("Ka Wailele O' Nu'uanu," which he adores so much, he includes a rhapsodic ensemble version along with an intimate solo rendering). Listen to his phrasing, his handiwork; he's up there with the more established faves of the day.
The outlook: Underrated and under the radar for years, Chong's coming-out party should be welcomed enthusiastically. This, clearly, is a belated labor of love.
Our take: Chong delivers a bull's-eye.
LISTEN TO HAPPY TALK
LISTEN TO Ka Wailele O' Nuuanu
LISTEN
The selections are a mix of jazz standards and songs that Chong feels lend themselves to jazz arrangements. The opener, "Happy Talk," sets the mood as Chong teams up with Nathan Aweau for the first of five ensemble numbers. The group concept and retro '80s-style arrangements work well in positioning Chong as a jazz artist. Six solo recordings give ukulele aficionados a better opportunity to appreciate the intricacies of his technique. Chong's decision to record "Ka Wailele O' Nuuanu" first as an ensemble piece and then solo allows comparisons to be made.
ALIIS SLIDESHOW
THEN AND NOW CD
ALIIS ORIGINAL FAN CLUB
DANNY COUCH SOLO DAYS
Byron Yasui's liner notes add human interest and educational value by explaining in simple English the technical aspects of Chong's technique that make him unique.
WELCOME BACK TO THE LIMELIGHT BENNY!
MORE ON BENNY CHONG
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