Don Ho - Don Ho - Greatest Hits

don ho/willie nelson

I do not use the inter net a lot, thanks you people make this soooooo easy to do. October 6, 2008

A True One-Hit Wonder ... But Why Remains A Mystery

When putting out multi-artist compilations covering "one-hit wonders" many producers take liberty with the term to include some who, although maybe having just the one big hit to their credit, also had one or more other charters, whether low on the Billboard Pop Hot 100, or perhaps scoring on the Adult Contemporary (AC) - or Easy Listening - charts, or even the Country and R&B listings.

Donald Tai Loy Ho, born April 13, 1930 in Hawaii, and former jet fighter pilot with the USAF, could only garner one national hit although, to be fair, he was more inclined to album work than single releases. In fact, after becoming popular at Duke Kahanamakui's club in Waikiki (Duke's appropriately enough), he landed a recording contract with Frank Sinatra's Reprise label and had turned out two LPs before registering his first and only hit single.

That, of course, was Tiny Bubbles, composed by Leon Pober and, with his backing group The Aliis, it seemed to be heard everywhere on radio/TV and in juke boxes in late 1966/early 1967 after its release on Reprise 0507. And yet, despite that, the best it could do on the Hot 100 was a modest # 57, peaking in March 1967, although it did go as high as # 14 on the AC charts. Why that is so remains a mystery, considering the fact that the follow-up album, titled Tiny Bubbles, hung around on the LP charts for almost a full year.

This 12-track compilation first came out in vinyl in 1969, produced by noted orchestra leader Sonny Burke, and while there's no doubt the other 11 tracks were among his most popular at home, not one would ever crack the Hot 100 or AC charts, assuming any were indeed released as singles. We can't be sure from the information in the insert which is restricted to a re-listing of the tracks showing composers/writers, but no discography details, and one page of background notes written by Todd Everett. Even the B-side to Tiny Bubbles, his nice rendition of Born Free, was left out.

After listening to this little package (which should be upgraded to around 20 tracks including Born Free) and its excellent sound reproduction, you too will be left wondering why he never had greater success with his single releases. July 12, 2008

This CD is a keeper!

First of all, I was looking for a version of I"ll Remember You with the Alii's. Most of his CDs do not include the Alii's, his backup singers. The Alli's were a very talented group of musicians. They enhanced the sound of whatever Don sang. I was born and raised in Hawaii. I saw Don Ho at Duke Kahanamoku's in the 60's. You had to wait in line to get into his show. If you went to his show, you know what I mean.........it was a happening thing in Hawaii. When I listened to this CD,it brought back so many memories. This CD recreated what was truly happening during this era. It gives me goose bumps listening to these tunes. Do not listen to the negative reviews, this CD is a keeper.
Aloah nui loa December 15, 2007

Don Ho - Greatest Hits

This CD has all the Don Ho songs I heard and loved while living in Honolulu and it brings back many happy memories. June 9, 2007

Brings You Back

The best collection of pop/jazz hawaiian music. Kind of like Sinatra/Tony Bennett for hawaii February 18, 2007

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