NEWS. PRESS. MUSIC. SIDE PROJECTS. CD BABY. ITUNES. CAFEPRESS. PHOTO. CLIP. THINK. DONATE. LINK. INFO. MUSIC. Solo Releases by Daniel. SUMMER STORM | a collection of ukulele ditties [2005] Tracklist: 01 - Across the sea 02 - In heaven 03 - Doug's little love shack 04 - No mall at Sharks Cove 05 - Talking story 06 - Silver lining 07 - A just senator 08 - Summer storm >> Hear it @ CD Baby or iTunes or... Buy CD: >> @ CD Baby >> @ Amplifier [NZ/Australia] Download it: >> @ CD Baby >> @ All Apple iTunes Music Stores >> @ Mp3tunes.com >> @ Rhapsody >> @ PayPlay >> @ Napster PRESS Daniel Gannaway SUMMER STORM | a collection of ukulele ditties Written and recorded in Hawaii and New Zealand, Summer Storm – Daniel’s sixth solo outing – references laidback island life with the ukulele’s nylon strings, while wrapping it up in the kind of dynamic folk/indie-rock/ electronic feel that’s been gradually evolving throughout the singer/songwriter’s catalogue, particularly on the past two albums – 2001’s Bound and Suburban and darling one year, released end of last year. “…A symbol of innocent merriment," as described in Paradise of the Pacific (1917), the ukulele epitomises Hawaiian lifestyle and the ‘aloha’ spirit. Popularised by the Waikiki Beachboys in the early part of last century, the ukulele had something of a heyday in the 1920s and ‘30s, when Hawaii was still a far off tropical island filled with mystery and romance. Though now firmly into the 21st century, this romance and mystery is captured beautifully on Summer Storm. Recording for the first time without guitar, Daniel’s lilt on the ukulele and his trademark evocative lyrical content creates a distinct and fully-formed sound which is a journey in itself. Mixing Hawaiian references throughout – particularly in the environmental song No Mall At Sharks Cove, earlier released as an overnight recording in support of Friends of Sharks Cove (a Hawaiian Nonprofit Organization) – with social observation and personal insight (tipping his hat to political writer/ filmmaker Michael Moore in the cynically stated A Just Senator), Daniel combines his eclectic influences to deliver an album of light, frangipani-laced airiness and incisive, resonating cultural insight. Set against this background, Daniel has welcomed back his darling one year contributors, Michael Brennan (Phonoss/the Stung/kidameln/the Feds/7 dials) on bass and Stan Leboy (theNOWawol/kidameln) on drums/ keyboards & loops. Together, the trio has created a warm, optimistic and cohesive album. Further, with the release based around the uniquely evocative ukulele, Summer Storm is an album unlike anything you’d expect. Summer Storm is a welcome new chapter in this talented singer-songwriter’s ongoing story. Previous quotes: "...Down to earth and laid back, it has none of the musical tension of trying too hard or the injection of false emotions. Suburban folky and bohemian chic, it [darling one year] ties up agreeably layered and distorted vocals into an angst-ridden, quirky pop as catchy as The Strokes but easily as mysteriously engaging as James Keenan Maynard..." - Indie-Music "...A perfect blend of lyrics, emotion and rhythm...If your looking for some refreshing new music for the soul, I whole-heartedly recommend darling one year as a must have for your collection." - AllAboutSurf "...[Bound and Suburban] like walking alone on the beach at night and seeing Jim Morrison and Jeff Buckley strumming and singing at the water’s edge..." - Indie-Music "...these tracks [Bound and Suburban] could well have been written by the love child of David Kilgour, especially (and use your imagination here) if the other 'parent' was David Byrne (Talking Heads)..." - NZ Musician Magazine "...Herein lies the essence of Bootlegged at the Temple: simply an audience, a musician, and a quiet venue... - no hype... In context with Daniel's previous two albums - FINE BY ME and flashback* - and subsequent release 'Bound and Suburban', 'Bootlegged' is a departure, which provides the listener a greater perspective on all of his work. Bootlegged is a great live album, which, over time, becomes as much a voyage of discovery and inspiration for the listener as for the musician himself." - Justin Walsh - Review of SUMMER STORM | a collection of ukulele ditties @ NZ Musician Magazine Singer/songwriter Daniel Gannaway shows the ukelele in an inspiring new light with his sixth solo outing. Written and recorded here and in Hawaii the eight tracks are a rewarding journey for a Sunday afternoon with their folk/indie-rock style, supported with delicate use of electronic synths and loops. The innocence and simplicity of the primary instrument, the ukelele, provides the distinct back-drop for the Hawaiian laid-back lifestyle and certainly creates that picture perfect aesthetic over the album. But within the evocative and convincing vocal delivery Gannaway will allow you to feel the Hawaiian sunshine or push you into darker personal, cultural and social insights with thought provoking vocal harmonies and melodies. The great aspect of the album is that each song's arrangement maintains a minimalistic nature, which shows a discipline and a depth of understanding on Gannaway's part. Underneath the ukelele, the cruising drums and harmonic supporting bass grooves provide an all around easy and easily recommendable listen. Kent Walsdorf for NZ Musician Magazine >> Link to NZ Musician Magazine's website - Review of SUMMER STORM | a collection of ukulele ditties @ the LogBook Many times, an album has been sparked by an artist's discovery/rediscovery of a new or unusual instrument, and sometimes it's worked (Todd Rundgren's A Capella experiment of the human voice as every instrument) and just as many times it hasn't. This is one of those times where it really works. New Zealand-based indie rocker Daniel Gannaway constructed this somewhere-between-EP-and-LP-length collection on a simple premise: every song would feature the ukelele in some fashion. (Yes, you read right, the ukelele.) Recorded in NZ and Hawaii, Summer Storm takes that premise, and the instrument itself, through several permutations, and it all manages to work, largely thanks to Gannaway's reliable gifts in the songwriting department. Oddly enough, and this isn't a crack about originality or the lack thereof, the ukulele's role here reminded me of the shock value of the mandolin as a lead instrument in R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion. It's front and center on every song, though the tone of the songs shifts from light and breezy (Across The Sea, which reminded me curiously of early, pre-electric Split Enz) to more straight-ahead rock (Talking Story, which was the song that made me think of the Losing My Religion comparison in the first place), with stops at several stylistic destinations in between. Someone's clearly having fun putting the ukulele through its paces, though again, the songs are the key - they're all good enough on their own, unusual arrangements or not, to stand up. But any preconceptions you have about the ukulele in terms of strumming away at old tropical island tunes may not stand up after you hear this one - in a few places, it's some real rock 'n' roll. If you're in the mood for something different, this is some good stuff. Reviewed by Earl Green theLogBook.com editor/webmaster >> Link to theLogBook.com - Review of SUMMER STORM | a collection of ukulele ditties @ Indie Music Reviews: Daniel Gannaway ~ Summer Storm Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 @ 07:26:44 EST Topic: Reviews Artist: Daniel Gannaway CD: Summer Storm Home: New Zealand Style: Ambient Pop Quote: "These unique Gannaway sounds offer a pleasant musical getaway." By Dan MacIntosh Daniel Gannaway makes pretty and beguiling music comprised of ukulele playing and other more ambient elements. It is also subtly political at the same time. If you listen to tracks like “No Mall At Sharks Cove,” for instance, which rails against the proliferation of McDonald’s restaurants, mini-malls and the like, it’s obvious that Gannaway is angered over the way places of scenic beauty are often spoiled by a quest for the almighty dollar. It’s impossible to neatly categorize Gannaway’s music. The title track, for instance, begins with a kind of Chinese music feel to it, whereas “A Just Senator” is slightly jazzy. Most all of these tracks include the severely underused ukulele, as well. Gannaway sings with a clear vocal tone, although he sounds ragged and drowsy during “Silver Lining.” It’s nearly impossible to tell that he’s a New Zealander. At least until the way he pronounces the word “heaven” on “In Heaven” gives his roots away. Much like Gannaway’s home country, this music is an exotic, faraway place in relationship to the rest of the overall modern musical landscape. Nevertheless, these unique Gannaway sounds offer a pleasant getaway. >> Link to Indie Music LYRICS Track 1: Across the sea Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2005 Oh my love You're so far away Waiting in those islands Across the sea I can't wait I can't wait To see you my love once more To see you my love once more To see you my love once more To see your happy face Loving embrace You're in my arms again Oh my love You're so far away I'll soon make that journey Across the sea I can't wait I can't wait To see you my love once more To see you my love once more To see you my love once more To see your happy face loving embrace You're in my arms again So I'm singing this song to close the distance So I'm singing this song to close the distance So I'm singing this song to close the distance + Track 2: In heaven Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2005 In heaven It rained all night the paths afloat In heaven Palm fronds fell that wind so strong In heaven Outer reefs broke that giant surf In heaven Center of the storm the lagoon was calm In heaven In heaven In heaven Razorbacks plunge that windward edge In heaven A sea haze lifts over valleys and cliffs In heaven In heaven In heaven In heaven In heaven Red dirt stains all manner of things In heaven The trades resume and the sun will soon + Track 3: Doug's little love shack Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2005 Doug's little love shack on the North Shore Made for one to have fun there's room for one more A short walk to Pipeline watch the surfers ride Their skill and their daring is a dream for you and I At Doug's little love shack At Doug's little love shack Love shack Love shack At Doug's little love shack on the North Shore When the giant swells break you really hear them roar The ground shakes the trees sway the coconuts fall Whitewater on the beach path will wake you if you snore At Doug's little love shack At Doug's little love shack Love shack Love shack Shack of love At Doug's little love shack on the North Shore There's so much aloha you'll stay forever more But if you start a family you'll have to add a room Doug's little love shack's made for one plus you + Track 4: No mall at Sharks Cove Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2005 Give them an inch and Well they'll take a mile Turn a cinema into McDonalds Say 'Oh how did that happen last night?' Now say hello to McRonald If we want country Let's keep it country If we want town Let's go to town We don't need any mall in Sharks Cove We've already got enough of them sharks around Swimming around They'll ask twice as much so They get just what they want When we compromise Let them make a start Soon more buildings Will be popping up 'Till we won't recognise country And we wish they'd stop If we want country Let's keep it country If we want town Let's go to town We don't need any mall in Sharks Cove We've already got enough of them sharks around Swimming around Developing it up like hell Like Hell If we really need to go Oahu's got Costco Ala Moana in Honolulu Do we really need more parking lots in paradise? We want real progress then let's preserve this place If we want country, let's keep it country If we want town, let's go to town We don't need any mall in Sharks Cove We've already got enough of them sharks around Swimming around Swimming around + Track 5: Talking story Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2005 Sunny days we're all hanging out The wireless gets the news around I heard this but you heard it like that A ninth hand version so let's add our own twist to it Pretty soon All of us we're talking story Recounting with updated theory Animating all the glory Giving us more than story Sunny days we're all hanging out Remembering what being young was like Some things just get better with age Some are better read from memory's page Pretty soon All of us we're talking story Recounting with updated theory Animating all the glory Giving us more than story More than story Talking story Sunny days we're all hanging out Exchanging views on what life is about Maybe there's nothig more to it Than taking time to share for enrichment + Track 6: Silver lining Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2005 You're floating off up into the sky You're now looking for that silver lining You're floating off up into the sky You're now looking for that silver lining I think you've found it You're floating beyond my reach of site I can see a hint of silver in the light You're floating beyond my reach of site I can see a hint of silver in the light I think you've found it I think that you've found your silver lining I think you've found it + Track 7: A just senator Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2005 You're a just senator Hypocrisy is not your fare You're sending your children off to war Just like those of the middle class and those of the poor You agree with this it's democratic and fair Your children proudly serving over there You're a just senator Hypocrisy is not your fare You're sending your children off to war Just like those of the middle class and those of the poor You serve the government but as a parent you care That they don't die for lies while they're over there You're a just senator Hypocrisy is not your fare + Track 8: Summer storm Music & Lyrics by Daniel Gannaway/Apra © 2005 Summer storm on the horizon Rolling in across the ocean I see that rainbow bringing pennies from heaven So here we stand on the edge of the land Watching earth move while holding hands I see that rainbow bringing pennies from heaven Pennies falling raining on the ground I'm so happy that I'm here with you now Make a wish Quick links: >> MP3s & CDs @ CD Baby! >> Apple iTunes >> Rhapsody >> iSOUND >> MP3tunes >> Napster >> eMusic >> myspace >> VIRB >> ReverbNation >> CafePress ^ top ^ thankyou for supporting truly independent music