Adele, whose third studio album, “25,” is sizzling on the charts, says “hello” to Hawaii’s Bruno Mars, who co-wrote track No. 10, “All I Ask,” on her top-selling CD.
Clearly, this should become a biggie, since the pop star’s production team, The Smeezingtons, produced the track about unrequited love, delivered with nuanced and heart-tugging sensuality and intensity by Adele. It wonders, with heartache and hurt, “What if I never love again?”
Knowing this one involves Mars, you can imagine him belting “All I Ask,” too. But no, this is solely Adele’s spotlight moment, not a duet.
Mars’ Smeezington collaborators, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, also are credited as co-writers of “All I Ask,” which is about the inevitable ending of a relationship.
The liner credits do not indicate who did what: Adele’s lyrics and/or music or Mars’? And whose pain, hers or his? (She has denied problems in her relationship with boyfriend Simon Konecki).
Oh, and if you’ve yet to acquire “25,” I suggest you get your copy at Target, because that version includes three bonus tracks for a total of 14, instead of 11, tunes. …
DATEBOOK: Exotica lives again, with percussionist Harold Chang’s new group, Dynasty, evoking the Arthur Lyman era during a one-night performance, from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4, at La Salle at the Pagoda Hotel. Doors open at 5 p.m.; a buffet dinner is available from 6 p.m. Chang was in vibraphonist Lyman’s group from 1957 to 1975. Dynasty also features Tom Chun (guitar), Jeremy Lawi (vibes) and Alika Lyman (upright bass). …
The Rich Crandall Trio (Crandall on keyboards, Bruce Hamada on bass, Stacey Tangonan on drums) performs in “Jazzed Holidaze” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Studio 909, at 909 Kapiolani Blvd. Tickets are $15 and it’s bring-your-own drinks and food. …
In rehearsal is a new local-style impersonation show, “Waikiki Kopy Katz,” expected to unveil early next year at the Warrior Lounge of the Hale Koa Hotel.
Showman Jack Cione, best known for his “Follies” spectacles, is teaming up with Bo Irvine, the comedian, to produce “Kopy Katz” via their newly formed Bojac Productions. The cast includes Kimo Kahoano (Don Ho), Cathy Foy (Hilo Hattie), Charles Degala (Alfred Apaka) and Randy Smith (Frank Sinatra, supposedly vacationing in Hawaii), sharing such tunes as “Suck ’em Up,” “When Hilo Hattie Does the Hilo Hop,” “Sweet Leilani” and more. Irvine will emcee. …
ON THE ICE: That Kristi Yamaguchi-Brian Boitano “Golden Moment” skating show last weekend at Blaisdell Arena was an utter delight, with family moments aplenty. Yamaguchi’s two daughters performed: Keara, 11, did a hula while Na Leo sang live, and Emma, 9, was all over the ice rink with mom. Further, Shizuka Arakawa, Japan’s Olympic gold medalist, showed off her most personal “trophy” — her infant daughter — gliding to cheers and hurrahs from the audience. The li’l girl was gleefully living her golden moment. …
And the inclusion of live music by local musicians such as Manoa DNA was a no-brainer — not only because of the homegrown sounds, but because it was a savvy alternative to taped music. …
Aidan James, 14, who also sang and performed on ukulele as the ice show’s opening act, has a hectic few weeks ahead. His full-length album, “Echoes,” drops Dec. 1, and features 11 titles, including such local faves as Imua Garza, Gaylord Holomalia, Brandon Apeles, Barry Flanagan and Kapali Long. The disc features a remake of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.”
An album release party is set for today at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art. And listen for James playing ukulele on “Mele Kalikimaka,” one of the singles on Train’s new “Christmas in Tahoe” CD. In February, James will join Train on its “Sail Across the Sun” tour , trekking from Miami to Jamaica with a lineup that includes Michael Franti, Phillip Phillips, Andy Grammer and Shaggy. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
