Gently Weeps

Jake Shimabukuro | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hitchhike Records
• ASIN: B000HIP44M
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,996 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > World Music > Pacific Islands > Hawaii > Ukulele
  • #3 in Music > New Age > Instrumental
  • #44 in Music > Pop > Easy Listening > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

You'll forget all the Tiny Tim, Don Ho, and Hawaiian-music jokes about the ukulele when you hear Gently Weeps, which leaves behind the Roaring Twenties strum and plinky-dink sound of most such music. Jake Shimabukuro sets the tone with the lead-off track from which he takes the album's title, George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," unfolding the vulnerable undertow of Harrison's epic lament. A string of covers follows, as Shimabukuro touches the serene with Schubert's "Ave Maria," evokes a Japanese koto on a Zen-like version of "Sakura," and turns "The Star-Spangled Banner" into a lament. But Shimabukuro's original tunes are just as full of plucked nuance, especially "Heartbeat Dragon," where he uses a slight delay to create a quietly joyful Celtic air. However, don't think it's all wistful melancholy. Shimabukuro whips it out on original tracks like "Let's Dance," alternating hard rhythmic chops with flamenco-like strums. His take on Erroll Garner's "Misty" is a little jive, though I'm sure the hot jazz middle-section pumps the crowds up. Chick Corea's "Spain" fares much better and still scores high on the flash quotient. You just can't keep a fret-burner down, even when his fretboard is toy-sized. You can't keep the Hawaiian out either. Its gentle sway turns up on the sweetly laconic "Angel." A few bonus tracks of generic fusion at the end detract from the solo purity and intimate mood that Shimabukuro creates, but Gently Weeps is a joy until then. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ukulele Virtuoso, October 12, 2006

By 

Robert L. Flenner "muzik luvr" (Greenwich, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gently Weeps (Audio CD)

OK, there are 2 words I never, ever though I would use together. Virtuoso and ukulele. That is, until I heard "Gently Weeps". This disc is simply amazing. I heard Scott Simon on NPR's Weekend Edition talking to Jake, and what I heard intrigued me enough to gamble and spend the $$ for this disc. I figured, what I heard was good, and if the uke was a good enough instrument for George Harrison then it was going to be OK. Man, was I surprised at what was coming through my speakers. This man is one of the most incredible musicians I have ever heard. The songs he covers, especially his versions of "While my Guitar Gently Weeps","Misty", "Spain" and "Ave Maria" are some of the best versions anywhere anytime. Half of the disc is original compositions, which are absolutely beautiful. Of special interest are the bonus songs, here Jake plays with other musicians and is able to concentrate on creating fluid lead lines instead of creating both rhythm and lead as he does when he plays solo ukulele.

This disc is beautiful and powerful. There are traces of flamenco styling as well jazz, country, well...you name it. This disc is a wonderful surprise and I recommend it highly. "Ukulele Virtuoso" indeed.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I saw Jake at FloydFest in July 2006, December 13, 2006

By 

macfawlty "macfawlty" (potomac, MD USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gently Weeps (Audio CD)

He was one of the huge surprise performers that probably few had heard of prior to seeing him perform. Everyone was blown away. This newest CD is the best place to start. While My Guitar Gently Weeps is worth the CD alone. Anyone that has the courage to put Ave Maria and Star Spangled banner on a Ukelele CD must have the chops to back it up.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His Royal Highness, October 1, 2006

By 

I Rock With Piano (Bloomington, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gently Weeps (Audio CD)

One word: wow.

Jake amazes me everytime I listen. And every time, I seem to find something new about his playing or whatever musical approach he is doing. He is a real musician: he's got the legitimacy of a classical/jazz musician. He's capable of showing the hard work and effort he puts into his playing to the listeners of today. He can really put shame into a lot of rock artists, who's 'goal' is to write a music for the listeners and entertain and not crafting their skills on their instruments.

I really like his interpretations of the classics. I love his interpretations of Spain and Misty. And it's hard to imagine he's getting so much of tone through the four stringed 'toy' instrument.