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Posted on: Sunday, February 15, 2004
ISLAND SOUNDS
Couch, Ryder CDs tug
at heartstrings 
By
Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Romance is in the air — with exquisite ballads from Danny Couch.
"THEN AND NOW" by Danny Couch; Danny Couch Records
Genre: Adult contemporary.
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/current/il/islandsounds
Distinguishing notes: Ever since he was a member of The Ali'is, Danny Couch has been a singular sensation. This new CD, a labor of love, has been awaiting release for weeks — on again, off again because of production glitches — and it's finally out. The material includes songs earlier associated with Couch (hence, the "Then") and more recent tunes he's been performing in his shows. His incandescent voice brings luminous and everlasting glow to a song, and he has a field day here. His yesteryear hit, "I Love Hawai'i" (which he also wrote), is included as a good-luck charm; his prowess is reflected in three stunning bonus tracks, "To Where You Are" and a pair of glowing "Phantom of the Opera" anthems ("All I Ask of You" and "The Music of the Night"). There are other sweetly romantic and emotionally breathtaking treatments of "Waikiki," "Hakuna Matata (A'ole Pilikia)," "You Are the Best of My Life" and "Brown Eyes." And who of the current crop of non-Hawaiian troupers here would dare to tackle "Kaena" and its higher-register vocal demands? Couch goes there and comes back a winner.
The outlook: This CD brings hours of listening pleasure.
Our take: This Danny boy croons, maintaining the integrity of the love songs.
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"All I Ask of You" by Danny Couch. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats. |
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
Go to Danny's dedication to Wayne Harada.
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Island Mele
John Berger
http://starbulletin.com/2004/02/13/features/index.html
Friday, February 13, 2004
"Then & Now"
Danny Couch
Danny Couch Records
Handsome Danny Couch was already a veteran musician when he joined the Aliis in 1981, but it was during his time as an Alii that he first hit as a recording artist. That's the era represented in the "then" half of the title of his new album. But it can't be called a greatest hits collection, because he's redone his songs from the '80s and his biggest, all-time hit, "These Islands," isn't even included. Regardless, it's a fine retrospective. Couch has long been known for high tenor and falsetto vocal range, his soft romantic style, and his preference for airy synth-based pop arrangements. Most of the selections stick to that proven formula -- "Waikiki" is particularly nice -- and his voice is as sweet as ever. "Brown Eyes," "Hakuna Matata (A'ole Pilikia)" and his calypso-style anthem "I Love Hawaii," all show that he also enjoys heartier, up-tempo material.
A lengthy "Phantom of the Opera" medley closes the album in a memorable style.
Mahalo to Fan Ed Allen for emailing us the newspaper~
