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The (Not Yet) Legendary Play Uke Album, Vol. 1:
The idea for this CD project began at the 2010 Tahoe Area Ukulele Festival, (now the Reno-Tahoe Uke Fest). The theme of the weekend was “Diversity of Uke,” and it featured artists taking the humble instrument in stunning directions, from simple to spectacular. After witnessing the various styles of the creative geniuses on stage, I felt a CD showcasing “all that uke can do” was a natural follow up. This compilation features “uke legends yet to be,” and showcases the instrument in styles ranging from minimalist folk to fully arranged ensemble. It also contains several songs that demonstrate the true soul of the ukulele, unabashed pure fun!
The uke is equally at home providing melody for comedian and virtuoso, instrumentalist and vocalist. The selections are grouped in this manner. We hope you enjoy the CD and, if you don’t yet play the ukulele, you should seriously consider it. Each uke has a musical soul waiting to add enjoyment to a life. Let it be yours! ~Doug Reynolds
Credits: Mastered by Paul Speer, paulspeer.com, Memphis, Tennessee • Tracks 3 & 7 produced, recorded, and mixed by Michael Powers, michaelpowersmusic.com, Seattle, Washington. Photos by Kelly Anderson, shootforthemoonphotos.com, Key West, Florida. Package concept and design by drdesign.net. Peli-Uke-Pack not approved for actual use. Do not attempt. No pelicans were harmed in the making of this CD.
Click here to purchase
Section One: Instrumental ensembles and solos:
Kris Fuchigami
No Turning Back
(K. Fuchigami)
The track: The CD flies out of the starting gate with Kris’s speed and virtuosity on display in this original composition. About ‘No Turning Back,’ Kris says, “When I wrote this song, I was inspired by the feeling that there is no turning back in life, and that we have to keep pushing through all of our pains and struggles.”
~
When Kris was 13 years old, his mom and siblings went to visit her family in Japan for the summer and Kris was stuck at home with his dad and very bored. He found a busted up old Walmart ukulele in his older brother’s stuff and started playing with it. He remembered his middle school music teacher mentioning something about an ukulele player named Jake Shimabukuro during the previous school year. Kris looked up Jake on the internet and listened to the music clips that were available. Kris and his dad were amazed at what they heard and Kris said, “I wanna play like that!!!”
Kris asked his dad for a better ukulele. They went to the music shops in Hilo and were surprised to see how expensive ukuleles were. Kris’s dad told him that he would get a new ukulele if he could show that he was serious about learning how to play. His dad actually thought that this would get him off the hook of having to buy a new ukulele. Within days Kris was playing a few of Jake’s songs on his busted up ukulele. His dad had to keep his promise and buy Kris a better ukulele.
In the seven years since Kris picked up the ukulele, he has proven himself to be much more than another hopeful player parroting Jake’s techniques. He now writes and performs his own music and has been called the real deal by numerous musicians and critics. After listening to Kris’s recordings and videos and talking to friends who had seen Kris perform, concert promoter and Play Uke founder Doug Reynolds invited him to open the 2011 Reno-Tahoe Uke Fest in the Nugget’s Celebrity Showroom. Doug thinks Kris is going to be the next big name in the world of ukulele. http://krisfuchigami.com
Ukuleles used on this track: Kamaka Tenor
*****
Craig Brandau
Craig’s Waltz
(H. Heitmeyer)
The track: We immediately slow down and move from full group to simple solo. Craig’s Waltz is a relaxing, melodic interlude.
~
Craig Brandau began playing guitar at the age of nine and was musically influenced by the folk, rock, soul and jazz of the 1960s. Throughout his young adult years, he played a variety of music and in the early 1980s, attended and graduated from Musician’s Institute (G.I.T.). However, it wasn’t until 1991 that Craig met his mentor, Howard Heitmeyer, and quickly realized that he’d met his teacher. “It was a truly profound moment in my life. I realized that I’d finally met the person who could teach me how to play the way I’d always wanted to be able to play.” Several years later, during a trip to Hawaii, Craig heard and read about the legendary jazz ukulele player, Lyle Ritz, and soon after, picked up the tenor ukulele. Fortunately, Howard agreed to create chord melody arrangements for the tenor ukulele and they continue working together today. Purchase Craig’s music and CD’s at http://ukulelecraig.com
Ukuleles used on this track: Ko’ olau Tenor
*****
Michael Powers
Dance With The Sun
(M. Powers)
The track: Next we head for the influence of the Atlantic islands with their steel drums and contagious spirit.
~
Guitarist Michael Powers has performed and/or recorded with the giants of jazz, including Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Nancy Wilson, Diane Schuur, and Gladys Knight and the Pips to name a few. But it was sharing the stage with Jake Shimabukuro in 2006 that inspired him to embark on a solo ukulele project he called Urban Ukulele. Whether performing solo or with his full ensemble, Michael has taken the ukulele into a unique direction, combining the instrument’s native tones with instruments such as steel drums, piano, saxophone, and harmonica springing from the same strings with the help of Roland’s guitar synthesiser. http://urbanukulele.com
Ukulele used on this track: Kala Solid Acacia Tenor with RMC pickups
*****
Dominator
Rise and Shine
(D. Pieranunzio)
The track: And back to solo acoustic ukulele, but this time with speed, dexterity, and spirit.
~
Dominator began playing the ‘ukulele after visiting the island of Kaua’i in 1999, where he discovered the “joy of such an unassuming instrument.” Returning home to Northern California, he put his musical background to work, puzzling out how to capture the joy and nuances of the songs he’d heard on his trip. The results of his efforts are posted on his website, which features a myriad of Dominator-created tabs and transcriptions from a treasury of ‘ukulele artists. Dominator’s enthusiasm for the ‘ukulele—as well as his generosity in sharing his wealth of knowledge—has touched the hearts of hundreds of ‘ukulele players around the world. His detailed tabs, transcriptions and YouTube video lessons, guide “new” and “old” ‘ukulele musicians to become better players, one song at a time.
http://dominator.ukeland.com/
Ukulele used on this track: Dominator Custom Spruce Top Tenor
*****
Kevin Birkbeck
Faith Of Our Fathers / For The Beauty Of The Earth
(Traditional)
The track: The ukulele is next stripped to it’s bare essential as Kevin combines two traditional tunes in a simple, meditative arrangement.
~
Kevin is a school teacher in the Bakersfield, California area that teaches ukulele to over 2,000 students a week and also uses the instrument to lead worship at his church. He recently released a CD of worship music performed on solo ukulele.
*****
Stu Herreid
Swing
(J. Buckey)
The track: A hint of Lyle Ritz (who just happens to be one of Stu’s favorite uke players…) can be heard in Stu’s take on Jay Buckey’s tribute to Swing.
~
Stu is the founder of Ukulele University in Sacramento, California. He teaches ukulele full time in the Sacramento area, plays, and uses the uke for it’s most appropriate purpose: having fun. Stu also teaches ukulele at his local junior college, Sierra College, and in two local studios. He is the founding member of the Sacramento based uke band, “The Mighty Uke Tones,” and is doing the sound for our Festival Stage at this year’s Reno-Tahoe Uke Fest! ukuleleuniversity.com
Ukuleles used on this track:
1) Kala solid cedar top/Koa back and sides tenor
2) Kala U-Bass, fretted solid spruce top
All tracks played by Stu
*****
Section Two: Ukulele for Vocalists:
Jessica Reynolds & The Michael Powers Quintet
My Funny Valentine
(R. Rodgers, L. Hart)
The track: The era of early to mid-twentieth century continues as the ukulele becomes accompaniment for vocalists in the next few tracks. This selection demonstrates that, combined with drums and bass, two ukuleles can more than adequately replace guitars in a fully arranged, ensemble arrangement of an American Standard.
~
Jessica is a renaissance girl with a myriad of creative outlets and interests. As a mathematics major and music minor, she is busy in choir, opera, and musical theater, in addition to her academic studies. Her hobbies include replicating movie props from scratch and collecting original 45′s and LP’s. She is also a big fan of the Beatles, Disney Classics, Broadway Musicals, and American Standards. She asked Michael Powers to provide background for one of her favorites, this Rodgers and Hart classic from Babes in Arms. Michael arranged the entire backup ensemble and performs the tasty ukulele solo as well.
Ukuleles used on this track: Kala Koa Tenor, Kala Solid Acacia Tenor with RMC pickups
*****
Kristin Lagasse
Even So
(K. Lagasse)
The track: We next leap forward to the 21st century with two tracks demonstrating how a new generation of singers is using the ukulele to support their songwriting. First, in true minimalist folk style by Kristin…
~
Kristin Lagasse is a 28 year old singer-songwriter from Maine. She has traveled across the US and Canada, performing in hundreds of cafes, bars, farmers markets, and restaurants and festivals. Kristin has released two albums, For Those Who Still Believe In Unicorns in 2007, and Gypsy Girl, in 2010. They are both available online, as well in select stores and cafes in the US.
Kristin has lived for extended periods of time in Boston, Toronto, San Francisco, and Lake Tahoe. She will always continue to spread her message mile by mile, developing a steady following with her strong, vibrant voice and honest, unique songwriting.
Ukuleles used on this track: Custom Tenor
*****
Ryan Suzuka
145 To Belmont
(R. Suzuka)
The track: …and next in a style popularized by Jason Mraz and Amos Lee, Chicago resident Ryan Suzuka weaves a story about an encounter on a city bus trip.
~
Although he frequently smiles, Ryan sings sad songs on his ukulele. Some songs are happy, some are angry, but most are sad, though, sad in a way that will make you smile just like he does.
His first instrument was the harmonica with which he has performed and recorded for acts such as Crystal Bowersox, Company of Thieves, Ty Maxon, A Wu Li Conspiracy, Devin & The Straights, Rick Simcox & The ToneQuesters, Brian Walker, and Algebro. http://reverbnation.com/ryansuzuka
Ukulele used on this track: Broad Horizons Six String Tenor
*****
Acoustic Solution
Wacky Khakis
(J. Andrews)
The track: Country crossover can do uke too! And if you throw in a taste of Jimmy Buffet and some tongue-in-cheek lyrics, you get this delightful toe-tapper from Acoustic Solution.
~
Performing together as a band since 2003, audiences enjoy their musical diversity and acoustic sound. This duo/trio has a feel for bringing in the roots of folk, traditional, Celtic, blues, ethnic music, with a new, original, and creative blend. http://acousticsolutionmusic.com
Ukuleles used on this track: 1950′s Dixie Banjo Uke, $1 Thrift Store Ukulele
*****
Ralph Shaw with Linda Kidder
Manikin Man
(R. Shaw)
The track: Combine vaudeville, British Humor, the 20′s, and the 50′s, and you get a small sampling of the genius of consummate entertainer Ralph Shaw. And as you will hear in this track, you can also throw in squeezebox and synchronized overlapping opposing vocals, or something like that!
~
http://ralphshaw.com
*****
Erich Sylvester
O’Brien Is Tryin’ (To Learn To Talk Hawaiian)
(A. Dubin, R. Cormack)
The track: Early twentieth century humor is on display as Irish and Hawaiian meet in this chuckler from Erich. It reminds me of the types of treasures Dr. Demento would pull out of his archives, or something I’d hear on my 1915 Edison cylinder phonograph.
~
San Francisco resident Erich Sylvester is a regular at ukulele festivals and is nearly finished with a CD of hapa haole songs coupling the ukulele with steel guitar. The songs span a period from 1920 to 1941. Hapa haole songs are Hawaiian pop/jazz songs with mostly English lyrics, with some Hawaiian words and phrases.
Ukulele used on this track: Kaleponi Concert made by Al Dodge
*****
Uncle Zac
The Italian Food Song
(Music: Traditional, Lyrics: Uncle Zac)
The track: The ukulele suits the parody song well, as well… errr… too! Enjoy a gastronomical tongue-twister from Connecticut’s Uncle Zac which again, coincidentally, includes an Irish reference.
~
Uncle Zac is a well known uke player and instructor hailing from the Northeast. This song is a parody of the old Irish folk song, “Dear Old Donegal,” in which Zac replaces Irish Names with various Italian Cuisine. The song was inspired by Zac’s mother’s menu from a memorable Thanksgiving Dinner. http://unclezac.com
Ukulele used on this track: 1964 Gianinni Baritone
*****
Cali Rose
Let Me Call You Sweetheart
(L. Friedman, B. Slater Whitson)
The track: We close the CD, (maybe…), with a style I truly enjoy, melodic playing mixed with sweet vocals.
~
Cali plays and sings songs from fun to the sublime. She is an accomplished ukulele and keyboard player who performs for audiences big and small. Cali is an award-winning songwriter and her recent album “Are You Having Any Fun?” was nominated for a Hawaiian Music Award. This CD is “forty minutes of feel good” because the ukulele is all about joy. http://calirose.com
Ukuleles used on this track: Ko’ olau Custom Tenor with LR Baggs pickup