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Track Listings
| 1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps |
| 2. Ave Maria |
| 3. Wish On My Star |
| 4. Shakura |
| 5. The Star-Spangled Banner |
| 6. Let’s Dance |
| 7. Misty |
| 8. Spain |
| 9. Heartbeat/Dragon |
| 10. Blue Roses Falling |
| 11. Grandma’s Groove |
| 12. Breathe |
| 13. Angel |
| 14. Lazy Jane |
| 15. Hula Girl |
| 16. Beyond The Break |
| 17. Wish On My Star (vocal version) |
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
Product Description
Jake Shimabukuro is one of the most exciting up-and-coming musicians today. Already compares to greats like Hendrix and Clapton for his ability and innovation, word of Jake's breathtaking talent spread worldwide when a video clip of him playing George Harrison's While My Guitar Gently Weeps began circulating the internet last year. Word about the Hawaiian-born ukulele virtuoso is still spreading. Sold-out crowds and standing ovations were a nightly occurrence on his second US tour. Capturing the energy of his live show, Gently Weeps features solo performance repertoire that's causing fans from Los Angeles to New York and New Orleans to Chicago to hail Jake as the next musical legend.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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
By macfawlty
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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
Format: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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Ukulele music/player...go Jake!!!
Bought this CD for myself and for my students to listen to as they enter the classroom for my Ukulele Unit. Cannot wait to use it in a couple of weeks!
Published 2 months ago by Musicis4all
5.0 out of 5 stars
My first time!
This is the first Jake CD I got less than 6 months ago, which started my addiction to everything he's recorded. It's all magic! Read more
Published 15 months ago by alohalover
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gently Weeps by Jake Shimabucuro
I have just flown from England to Oklahoma USA 13 hours of listening to Jake Shimabucuro on my MP3 player, when I arrived there My thoughts and spirit were on a different planet he... Read more
Published 20 months ago by gusyfix
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally amazing!
Anyone that has investigated the capabilities of the ukulele is going to have run across Jake Shimabukuro. His ability with the ukulele is second to none. Read more
Published on January 13, 2010 by Mark W. Swarthout
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is that really just a Ukulele?
I stumbled on Jake while doing a search in Youtube. Once I saw the video for Gently Weeps I bought the CD. It is amazing that this guy can do on a Ukulele. Read more
Published on September 10, 2009 by Geoffrey H. Gentry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational
Great performances. Jake uses the uke's made by Kamaka of Ohau. Beautiful tone.
Published on July 2, 2008 by David Carlin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ukelele virtuoso
Jake Shimabukuro melds Christopher Parkening, Bela Fleck, and Eddie van Halen onto the ukelele. His technique is flawless and he's just beginning to explore new directions for... Read more
Published on March 23, 2008 by Dana Edsall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Ukulele
I had never heard of Jake Shimabukuro before, but I was sick with the flu and up watching Conan O'Brien When He played " While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Read more
Published on March 22, 2008 by Alan Talbott
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most beautiful recordings I have ever heard
I love it. All my friends love it. I have never played it for anyone that was not just blown away by it! Read more
Published on February 22, 2008 by Tom Sanders
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Jake's Best
This is Jake's first solo CD (without a band) and I bought it solely because of the song "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" (I like the version on "Heartbeat" better). Read more
Published on February 2, 2008 by LiveUkulele.com
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