Customer Reviews

Walking Down Rainhill

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

 

 

When I started playing ukulele, I did a Web search to see who the top players were. It's always good to know how the scale is defined :-) The consensus on the Web was clear: Jake is the Steve Vai of the uke universe. This was the first album I bought of Jake's and it does not disappoint. A few tracks including his remake of while my guitar gently weeps are awesome and instantly infective. Other tracks I didn't initially love have since grown on me in a big way. I would recommend this album to anyone who appreciates great technical players like Steve Vai or Ingwie Malmstein. To hear what Jake can do on 4 strings is really incredible--the voicings don't seem possible. I recently saw Jake at a small club in San Francisco -- just him and his famous Kamaka uke. He was not only as impressive as I had hoped, but one of the nicest, most approachable musicians I have ever seen (especially at that level of talent). I bought his most recent CD at that show, and it's just as amazing as this one. I think Jake is still a few years away from 30, so I hope he continues to amaze us for the next 30 years. Thanks for your music, Jake -- you're an inspiration to me and all the other uke players in the world!

I first became interested in Jake Shimabukuro when I saw a video of him playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on uke. He is a virtuoso! This CD includes "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," plus many originals. "Grandma's Groove" is a great blues piece, and "Wes on Four" is jazz on steroids. A bonus DVD is included, showing Jake in the recording studio. You really have to see him to fully appreciate him.

No Tiny Tim Tiptoeing Through the Tulips here, or even the old-fashioned ukulele plunking for hula: Jake does things with the ukulele that I've never heard before; it's hard to believe there are only four strings on the instrument.

I bought this album from Jake when I saw him play at Chai's Island Bistro in Honolulu. I've been lucky enough to see him there twice (and the restaurant is packed whenever he's there). What a great showman: He's not showy--actually very modest--but when he's playing, he has so much personality, exceptional talent, and verve that you're riveted (and his enthusiasm is infectious). He was kind enough to sign the CD cover on his break. I have his Crosscurrent CD as well--love them both, and have his others on my wishlist!

He's got the skills, I can tell you that! He is amazing on the Ukelele and the music is pretty good and impressive! But it's not much of a "I will listen to it all the time" music, it's not like Jazz in a way as in you can just keep it in the background... some of the songs are very plesant but some are hampered by the fact that his skills put the Uke into some interesting note arrangements that, at least to me, aren't as easy listening as I had hoped. Also, no lyrics, so it's all instrumental.

I'll give Jake 5+ stars for skills, and his music is excellent, but for what many people will buy it for (easy background) listening, it's more of a 4 star album.

Mr. Shimabukuro is every bit as incredible a musician as everyone says. However, I want to hear him, not a group, and I didn't find any of the songs memorable, or worth hearing again but for his playing. This version of "While My Guitar..." was particularly disapointing. I'll preview his other albums more carefully before purchasing.