By j. poet | Published January 2022
Jake Shimabukuro has been described as the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele. That may be flattering, but the title doesn’t do justice to his wide range of interests, or his musical prowess.
His ability to leap genres and play jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk and classical is impressive. His friends on this album include a sampling of pop, blues, country, rock and bluegrass greats. On “A Day In The Life,” Shimabukuro’s ukulele plays off of the multi-tracked vocals of Jon Anderson (Yes) and the ambient rhythms of Dave Preston’s guitar and Evan Hutchings’ drums to reinvent a masterpiece of psychedelia.
Shimabukuro’s bluesy fills weave in and out of Anderson’s shimmering vocals. George Harrison’s “Something” features Vince Gill and Amy Grant. Shimabukuro plays the hook at a slowed-down tempo, while the tension Grant and Gill bring their performance echoes the uncertainty of the lyrics: “I don’t know, I don’t know.” He shows off his chops on a pair of instrumentals. “Smokin’ Strings” features bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings. It starts slow and bluesy with Strings and Shimabukuro trading bluesy, jazz-like solos. Then the tune accelerates into a fast-moving bluegrass jam with Shimabukuro playing mandolin-like leads on his uke. He gets deeper into the blues on “Sonny Days Ahead,” trading solos with electric blues guitarist Sonny Landreth.
The album closes with a trio of duets. Shimabukuro’s understated ornamentations add lively touches to Willie Nelson’s rendition of “Stardust,” Bette Midler’s crooning on “The Rose” and Jesse Colin Young’s whispered vocals on “Get Together.”
Jake & Friends: A Place In The Sun; Sonny Days Ahead; All You Need Is Love; Why Not; Smokin’ Strings; Find Yourself; On The Road To Freedom; Warren Haynes; Come Monday; Something; Two High; Moon Taxi; A Day In The Life; Go Now; Wrapping Paper; Stardust; The Rose; Get Together. (79:00)
Personnel: Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele; Nolan Verner, David Sutton, bass; Dave Preston, Spencer Thomson, Sonny Landreth, Billy Strings, guitar; Trevor Terndrup, ukulele, vocals; Evan Hutchings, drums; Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Loggins, Amy Grant, Ziggy Marley, Paula Fuga, Katie Shore, Dennis Ludiker, Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Hana Aluna, vocals; Mac McAnally, Vince Gill, Warren Haynes, Jack Johnson, Jesse Colin Young, Ray Benson, Lukas Nelson, guitar, vocals; Michael McDonald, baritone ukulele, vocals; Jon Anderson, vocals, percussion; Brian Mann, keyboards, accordion.
Ordering Info: mascotlabelgroup.com
