Ukulele version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
Today, National Public Radio re-aired their piece on Ukulele badass Jake Shimabukuro. If you haven't yet watched the above 2006 performance of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," please do. I promise you won't be disappointed. "In the Hands of a Master, the Ukulele Is No Toy" (NPR, thanks Bob Pescovitz!)
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wonderful!
Damn! He good! Imagine a threesome with the Yoshida Brothers.
Wow, a competent musician playing a well known song. Thanks for blowing my mind, Boingboing and NPR. I have such a hard time finding clips of musicians on youtube.
I wonder what 2009's darling music fad instrument will be? Pop songs played on the Bouzouki? Theremin players doing death metal? I have a soft spot for the Oud and would love to see someone play a cover of Stairway to Heaven on one.
it's OK Brother, send in your Youtube URL, we promise to watch.
Imagine a threesome with the Yoshida Brothers.
He is easy on the eyes, but even I hadn't considered a threesome. I have to say that I'm feeling sadly untalented after watching that video. He's amazing.
Yep, that Jake is an inspiration to us all.
This is one of my original favorites, guaranteed to blow your mind. A rare combination of virtuousity and interpretation that has the same deep emotional impact every time; Jake always leaves stunned silence in his wake.
This man is unbelieveable, here is another Great Jake clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0BwyWRANSY&feature=PlayList&p=10D9C162BFD88CA3&index=7
As a ukulele player myself I would like to say that I think Jake Shimabukoro is no fun. His technique is impressive but he doesn't engage me at all. It's all so serious.
I started playing uke after hearing Beirut:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01XO0seAfw8
And then there are my favorite good-time Scottish ukulele superstars, Gus and Fin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxjWaRcilsk&feature=related
TheBoredom, damn, thanks for those two. The first one is possibly the one of the best straight forward simple music videos of all time.
This reminds me of Robbie Fulks singing "Dancing Queen" on Fresh Air. A soulful ass-kicking performance that surpasses the original's passion.
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=4776527&m=4776528
At first I thought 'Ukulele Badass, no...' but then I watched the video and, in fact, he is a Ukulele Badass...
ah, so much good stuff!
Nifty :D
I teach at a high school in Japan.
There's a 16-year-old at my school who can do an almost perfect rendition of this on ukulele. I was under the impression it was his arrangement until I saw this. But still, the kid is 16.
WOW - nice arrangement for the song, and that uke itself is beautiful sounding.
Oh, yeah, that guy can play - would be nice to see live.
The Beirut video (and song) is a thing of beauty... thanks for sharing that!
Jake Shimabukuro is truly spectacular, on a technical level. I think what makes it interesting is that it's an unusual instrument to see someone play like that. But I got bored 2/3 of the way through. I know, I know, we're not supposed to talk about being bored here, but technical proficiency doesn't automatically make for artistry. Not that I want to start an argument about musical taste... it's just that he lost me when he started Vegas-ing it up there in the middle.
My Guitar is weeping, it's never been played like that and it know it never will.
I was not bored. ...
Masterfully played by a young master of his art. His Ukulele may be weeping, graciously, but George is up there smiling... Bravo!!!
@theboredom - I guess you've never seen this very fun Jake video.
Stunning
Wow, as a guitarist, I always thought the ukulele was something that never stayed in tune and could never be taken seriously for a medium of professional music. I now know how wrong I have been. That was sensational! He's a regular Richard Thompson of the ukulele. Thanks for posting this.
theboredom @8:
The Gus and Fin video reminds us that music is nott just what's played in concert halls. It's also played in people's homes. Well, maybe not so in big cities - You'all do have those concert halls, eh.
In small, old communities, say in the Atlantic Provinces, you hear music played in your neighbour's kitchen on a Saturday night.
Great stuff!
Did anyone notice that the sun seems to break through the clouds and shine a little more brightly on Jake about two-thirds of the way through? Coincidence? I think not.
"Welcome to Gus and Fin's rock and roll radio Ramones ukulele show...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNFpOh2seqo
Yep, Gus and Fin are inspirations too.
Did I read about the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain in Boingboing, or was it elsewhere? Anyhow, I think it's time to mention them. YouTube have some fun videos of the UOGB. I particularly like this one, but I have a weakness for David Bowie mash-ups. The Shaft theme and Wuthering Heights I also like.
or, for something completely different, the ukulele orchestra of great britain
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9ba1e9GkI4c
and
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OP7F8P1ZtD0
While the fireworks will always get more attention, and deservedly so, but Jake is not a Soulless Playing Machine. Here is another Beatles cover.
In My Life
There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more
Lastly there is California.
I had the opportunity to see him at the Newport Folk Festival over the summer. He is truly amazing. He played with Jimmy Buffett (who isn't all that impressive) and did "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with the steel drummer. That was awesome.
If you like Jake, you'll love James Hill, the Canadian Ukulele sensation known as "The Wayne Gretzky of the Ukulele."
James comes from a noble tradition of uking in Canada, all thanks to uke-master Chalmers Doane of Halifax, (father of singer-songwriter Melanie Doane, who also plays uke).
I was one of the 50,000 Canadian kids who learned to play the uke in public school in the 70s thanks to Doane's programs. Now, he and James Hill collaborate on books and teaching methods to keep the instrument alive and well here in the hinterland.
James' work is beautiful. His noble spirit embiggens all uke players!
http://www.jameshill.com
Hey Jake...nobody likes a show off.
i half expected his fingers to start spurting blood halfway through... a true shredder!
DAvid, I think this is the link you were looking to provide.
http://www.ukulelejames.com/bio.htm
A great example of the difference between a musician and a pop star.
Thanks foetusnail - you're right, wrong URL. Although I kinda dig the sculptures the "other" James Hill does too.
yes, AMAZING! playing, blows my version of Gimmie Shelter out of the water. If your ukulele won't stay in tune just tighten the screws on the back of the tuners.
For some reason, this always makes _me_ weep. Wonderful.
Gosh, I submitted this to boingboing about 2 months ago, seeing that it had never been on here. This is the second thing I've submitted only to see it show up a few months later. I wonder what I am doing wrong?
For some other alternative ukulele players, might I suggest seeing the videos at http://www.ukulelecabaret.com/
@36 - What are you doing wrong? Hmm... caring a lot about whether or not your submissions get posted, that seems a bit wrong.
Jake's great and all, but I prefer my uke music sung by cute Japanese girls wearing hats & chaps:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1ufBkSnmRk&feature=related
SLOP,
I work for BB and my suggestions don't get picked up either. It just depends on who's pawing through the bin on any given day.
But you also gotta give props to the granddaddy of them all, Roy Smeck, The Wizard of the Strings!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIgfoLz6AC4
Also, if you've got a uke hanging around, drag it out of the box this season. I've posted links to about every Christmas song you'd want over on BoingBoing's little sister site: http://www.ukulelia.com
As long as we're sharing fav uke covers, here's one for the Tom Waits song, Hoist that rag:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=USWLXvI-QwY
I am actually quite proficient at the thumbs. Just my thumbs. Although this group is exquisite, I've always equated the ukelele to the sound of a guitar as one equates the sound of the church organ to an accordion. Glad to have my preconceptions shattered. Thank you Boing Boing.
Okay, I'll jump in. George was a big fan of the uke himself-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRjy-tP0RpA&feature=related
@#39 posted by pork musket
What's wrong with caring?
@#41 posted by Antinous
Thanks, I see how the operation works alittle bit now.
Up until now I was under the impression that "ukulele" and "badass" were mutually exclusive terms. I stand corrected.
PS If I was going to suggest something today it would be this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Ob9TJueBQ
[dabs eyes with tissue]
@ ARTBOT
I saw Petty Booka open for the Aquabats a few years back in Houston. They are even more adorable in person!
This is the type of talent and dedication that leaps out at you from the first and second notes played. Thanks for the post.
@ Takuan. Found one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjN652y6TUI&feature=related
Sorry for the piss and vinegar.
so much oud on Youtube! I hadn't thought. Look at this guy go, it's bigger than him!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfFMjCOCBHg&feature=related
SecretLOP, that was great, the interview was unfortunately hilarious and the music was wonderfully dark.
Takuan, his teacher must have flipped when he first saw the kid's hands. He has fingers like Hendrix.
This guy needs to hook up with the gorgeous Ukulele-playing Clara Belle that was featured here awhile back. Their children would be able to play using only their minds!
Amazing I have never respected the ukelele before this