Ah, the poor ukulele, relegated to the kid’s table at the musical reunion, along with the recorder and the tambourine. Still, it is capable of bringing focus to a song that one might not otherwise hear. First, Amanda Palmer recorded an album of Radiohead songs accompanied by her magical ukulele, then Jake Shimabukuro rocked the socks off the audience at the Ted Talks with his version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody on ukulele.
This morning comes news that 90s rocker extraordinaire, Eddie Vedder is releasing an album of ukulele music. Yes really. And you know what? The first single, “Longing to belong” is beautiful.
So maybe in buying a jet black ukulele for Kiddo for her birthday (I call it the Johnny Cash model), we were really just embracing the new world order in the musical kingdom. She loves playing it and maybe she’ll be the next ukulele star.
Jake Shimabukuro is huge in Hawaii — for obvious reasons… a Wunderkind.
I have been shopping for a Uke since I have been back.
Do the local economy a favor and buy your Uke from
Larsen or Guitars Plus —
Local plug…
My 15 year old niece has been playing the ukulele for years. She’s in a group or band and they’ve played concerts in Victoria and travelled to California and Hawaii.
Thanks Colin. We already made our purchase … at Long & McQuade. Larsen next time.
Cathrine — is that the Island Ukulele group? Kiddo was interested in joining and I think I will indulge her.