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Staggering virtuoso on an unlikely instrument Jul 09, 2009
I caught Jake Shimabukuro in Austin, TX recently, fresh off a tour with Jimmy Buffett. In live performance he was a wonder, his entire body swooping and weaving as his fingers flew up and down the short fingerboard of his ukulele, making the instrument sound like a mandolin, a flamenco guitar, a piano, and sundry percussion instruments. He was not just a smokin' hot player, though, but an expressive musician with an unforced charm in his asides to the audience, which the night I was there was totally enthralled.
Much of Shimabukuro's charisma comes through on this live album, taken from various performances in various locations, but remarkably consistent in sound and atmosphere. His own compositions span the gamut from the simple charm of "Piano-Forte" to the jaw-dropping virtuosity of "Let's Dance," while he covers everything from Bach to the Beatles to a Japanese folksong, "Sakura Sakura."
If pressed to the wall I'll admit that, without having him in the flesh, a tiny sense of sameness creeps into some of his longer original compositions. It's not surprising that one of the best tracks, and the one that shot him to fame, is a cover, his lovely and touching take on Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." This is a very personal reservation and shouldn't discourage anyone from sampling the art of this very special musician.
Jake's Best Album Yet! May 12, 2009
Jake Shimabukuro's new "Live" album has just become my one of my favorites. The quality of sound that was coaxed from a Fishman Matrix pickup blew me away.
There are four new original songs on this album: Trapped, Piano-Forte, Five Dollars Unleaded, and Yeah.
While those new songs are exciting, this album has plenty to offer in the way of new arrangements to keep the old songs fresh.
In press releases it was said that this new version of Gently Weeps could be Jake's best. While it was a lovely performance, I still think that the Youtube version holds the crown - that was a special place in time.
All in all this is a phenomenal album, Jake`s best yet. The `ukulele virtuoso chose a great selection of his best live material.
Jake Live: A Terrific Album May 02, 2009
I usually shun live albums and rarely buy one. But this is an exceptional album. If you want 100% unadulterated Jake at his best and can only afford to buy one album, this one is my pick. And I have them all.
Move Over Eric Clapton, Jake Shimabukuro is God Apr 27, 2009
When most people think of the ukulele, they think of soft Hawaiian tunes; Jake Shimabukuro takes the ukulele to a whole different realm. If you appreciate a variety of musical styles played with jaw-dropping musicianship and dexterity, then buy this CD (buy any Jake CD). What Jake does with 4 strings seems impossible, but hearing is believing. Seeing is believing too, if you're lucky enough to catch a live show (I've seen him 9 times; I live in San Diego and have driven as far as Temecula and Laguna Canyon to see him play---worth every penny!). This man is something special, and he loves what he does. You can hear it on his CDs, see it in his shows, and feel it when he chats with you (yes, he is THAT accessible and grounded). His music amazes and uplifts; buy it NOW.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Jake's Live album, indescribably wonderful Apr 25, 2009
April 14th Dominator Ukulele Tabs wrote, "Jake's new Live CD is outstanding... He just keeps getting better and better."
My favorite, Piano-Forte, is melodic, deceivingly simple and incredibly beautiful. Two others I really enjoy are Trapped and Five Dollars Unleaded. Wes on Four and Yeah are masterpieces of ukulele skill, but then I guess all Jake's playing is. These five pieces are less known to me. The better known songs are as extraordinary as ever, such as Let's Dance, Dragon, Sakura Sakura, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Blue Roses Falling and on and on. Each tune is so pleasurable it's difficult to leave one for the next.
The quality of the sound, clarity of tone and the feeling Jake both shares and elicits is indescribably wonderful.
Steve I. Ramm's review is correct in every way; I especially agree with, "Once you hear him, you can't get enough." Elaine of Alaska writes, "I would recommend his music and performances to anyone and everyone..." and I have, even to strangers while flying on planes, waiting in airport terminals and riding on buses.
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