Customer Reviews

Crosscurrent

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Who knew you could make a ukelele sound like this? Well, I guess somebody did but I didn't. I bought this disk after I heard Jake interviewed on NPR, figuring to send it along to my 16 year old nephew who's something of a whiz kid on stringed instruments. It was gonna be a challenge. After listening to it several times, especially on long drives, I got back on Amazon and ordered Robin his own copy. I'm keeping mine. A couple of the cuts admittedly seem to be more about technical skill or cross-market appeal (I'll let you decide which ones), but on most of the cuts that considerable skill is put to artistic use. Jake Shimabukuro brings joy to the world and while there are probably higher callings, there are few that are more needed. I'll be buying more of his disks for myself and for Robin (Jake and Nickel Creek are high on his Xmas list this year).

Artist is magnificent, BUT, after while all the songs begin to sound the same. Not too bad

No question that JS is a skilled ukulele player. However, why he chose to record an album of fluff is a mystery. About half of what is on this album is the kind of vacuous nonsense churned out by Dave Koz, Boney James, and the rest of those prancing chimps. Souless noodling, I'm afraid.

This is background music and boring! There are touches of lyricism on Wish on My Star, Mrs. Robinson, and Hana. Overall, though, this is garbage.

Here's a clue when listening to any music: If the backing sounds canned, toss the CD.

Here's a clue when considering Hawaiian music: Pay absolutely no attention to what so-called reviewer Wayne Harada says. He praises every single album. If you read his superficial writing, you would get the impression that Hawaiian music is unique in that every single album and track is great. [I kid you not! I live in Hawaii and, as far as I know, the only time WH has had a negative response is to a single track on a comedy album!]

Finally, having said all of the above, Hana is the only track on this album that is worth a listen.

I should have heeded the words of another reviewer, who felt this album was basically a modern soft jazz version of Hawaiian music. I thought - I like jazz, I like island music - maybe this will be cool. Wrong-o. This album is pretty much muzak - homogenized and shined up to have mass appeal, I suppose. It misses the mark, though, and hits neither a truly jazz oriented stride nor the island feel one might anticipate. Mr. Shimabukuro is obviously talented, but those talents go to waste on a go-nowhere album. If you are looking for HAWAIIAN music, and want to feel that flavor once you're back home and missing those lovely islands, pick up Keali'i Reichel's 2-disc set, "Kamahiwa" and get ready to feel some true yearning. His voice is silky, and the melodies are lovely - nothing kitchy or contrived here. This is beautiful, soul-stirring stuff. So, pass on Jake, and seek out Keali'i.

I live a hectic Washington DC life. I use music to control my mood and this CD definitely helps me get through the day. It is a mix of up beat and relaxing jazz music with an asian influence. Music is good medicine!

Jake is like the (insert your favorite guitar hero here) of the ukulele. I love the carefree sound of the uke anyway but Jake makes it sound ways I was never aware it could. I love the jazz renditions as well as all of the other styles offered. A nice, relaxing cd.

On a separate note, it amazes me that people are surprised what this CD contained and complain about it being instrumental or jazzy. Did you not read the editorial review or more importantly take advantage of the SAMPLES provided to you BEFORE you bought it? Hard to say it wasn't what you expected when you can hear 30 seconds to at least get an idea.

I LOVE this CD! This is JAke's Second. I prefer to his Sunday Morning CD. The title track is great! And this is music you can play for teens and adults. I play this CD at least once each week - especially during Sunday breakfast!

It's elevator music. Make that Muzak. Sometimes it's pretty, but it's only skin deep. Jake Shimabukuro and a band of "guest musicians" deliver twelve formulaic instrumentals in just over forty-five minutes on this, his second CD. Tracks include covers of Chick Corea's Spain and Mrs. Robinson (!) by Paul Simon, as well as eight Shimabukuro originals. As a composer, Jake (as his fans call him) doesn't have a lot to say, which is an insurmountable impediment in taking this Sony Music Japan release seriously. A cute theme, a little jamming, a contrasting cute theme, recapitulation, a big finish. Over and over. To be sure, there is plenty of sound and fury: Shimabukuro's trademark manic strumming, burp-gun solos, distortion pedal effects. But signifying nothing. The production is first rate as long as you don't dwell on how a ukulele would really sound backed up by a brass section, strings or a set of drums. In the end this is just a competent, assembly-line product that will probably sell a lot of units. Play it backwards and you might hear someone chanting "Music is a business. Music is a business."