Customer Reviews

Gently Weeps

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I was lucky enough to hear this new CD. It's Jake's first SOLO Album without any other musicians.

It'll be coming out in September in the US so the price should be more resonable then.

All his other CDs are great - my favorite is still Crosscurrents. And the DVD is a bargain at under $15.00 list!

This guy is a whiz! Just listen to samples!

Steve

Jake plays a mean ukulele, and his rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps is phenominal. I bought this CD just for that song and really like it. The other songs on the album are also great.

I heard JAKE perform live last summer and we fell in love with his "Ave Maria". This cut is gorgeous, but so is everything else on the CD. Highly recommended for anyone who loves string repertoire.

This is a very good CD. Jake is still young, and has a tendency to want to show off his wonderful technique a bit much, but he is already a fine musician and he does know how to choose his music well. Once he matures a bit, and gets over his "king of the speedway" approach to playing, he will be one of the great jazz/rock ukulele players, right up there with Lyle Ritz and Ohta-San. He certainly has the talent.

I like this collection of ukulele solos a lot more than I like Jake's previous work, playing with a group of backup musicians. He makes an ukulele sing like a string quartet. I could do without the "bonus tracks," in which he plays accompanied by drums, bass, slide guitar ... but I suppose the producers wanted to show off Jake's group instrumental compositions.

Jake's covers of other people's compositions are creative, interesting, entertaining, and fun to listen to; his own compositions for ukulele have great musical inventiveness, energy, and sensitivity. Jake does things with his ukulele that I did not imagine were possible on a single instrument, much less one with just four strings. But I don't listen to it for the amazement value -- it's just great music, played with spirit and finesse.

Jake Shimabukuro is a very talented and entertaining ukulele performing artist! Each one of Jake's CDs and DVDs are items everyone should purchase. I highly recommend seeing Jake Shimabukuro live in concert, since it is a show you will never forget!

Unless you have heard Jake Shimabukuro before, it is unlikely that you have ever heard the ukelele sound like this. It is tough to believe that anyone can draw such magnificence from a tiny 4-string instrument. The title track is a cover of the old George Harrison song. It will move you, fill you with awe, and -- perhaps -- make you weep.