Customer Reviews

Duke of Uke

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Bring home a piece of history... Bill Tapia, ukulele legend, will celebrate his 100th birthday this November (2007). You'd think a century would slow someone down, especially inhibit their ability to play an instrument with agility. Well, don't be fooled by Tapia. He plays like a 20-year-old, and his songs are full of life. If you're interested in Hawaiian/ukulele music, or saw the PBS documentary on Tapia's life, this is a definite must for your collection. If you haven't seen the documentary or don't know much about ukelele music, this is a great foundation CD for your music library. Tapia was one of the first ukulele artists to take the instrument to the next level. If you like Jake Shimabukuro, you HAVE to check out Tapia. He started it all!

As a side note, if you get a chance, check him out in concert. I just saw him recently and his stories are so entertaining. They say he's got a million stories to tell since he's met and seen pretty much everyone and everything, and he shares some of them between songs. He'll have you laughing and smiling and tapping your feet!

The music will take you back and the intricate stylings will keep you going from song to song. Such an incredible musician and how he makes the songs his is just awesome. I bought 4 for my friends and they loved it.

It is great. The guy really knows the Uke, he lives and breaths it. You can't believe that he's as old as he says. I mean 103.
All the greats are gone, but him. He's an Hawaiian National Treasure.

I enjoyed this because of my many trips to HA and seeing Bill Tapia on PBS TV (KCET in L.A.). For those who have not traveled to HA or saw this TV program, this may have not interest to them.