LFF
Co-Organizer for Can Jam '09
Member of the Trade: Paradox
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2004
- Posts
- 7,055
- Likes
- 265
Hello everybody!
Once again I bring you another pick of the week a little late due to my non-existent internet connection at home.
This week I bring you a nice little album which I enjoy quite a bit and has become a personal favorite over time.
Bill Tapia – Duke of Uke
When people think of Ukulele masters they think of IZ or they think of the technical wizardry of the some the younger stars like Jake Shimabukuro. Now IZ is definitely at the top of the list, and while Shimabukuro is a technical wizard, I much rather prefer experience over wizardry. Enter Bill Tapia.
“Who the hell is Bill Tapia LFF???” Bill Tapia started playing ukulele as a young boy in Hawaii and educated himself on the instrument by entertaining sailors at Pearl Harbor during World War I. That’s right – not WWII but WW ONE!!! Tapia’s career has taken him from his native isles to the recording studio and stage, in the company of world class swing and jazz musicians as a session man on guitar. Tapia has even played with Louis Armstrong! Now, I know jazz, and, IMHO, if you were good enough to play with Armstrong, then your good enough to be heard by anyone.
For most of the last 60 years, Tapia played guitar in session recordings and with mainland swing and jazz bands. For a time, the ukulele took a back seat to his guitar, as the island instrument was relegated to living room renditions for his family. If there was one thing Tapia built up during all these years it was charm.
The undeniable charm and skill of Tapia is fully present on "The Duke Of Uke". "Duke Of Uke" includes a wonderful rendition of "Black Orpheus" and his rendition of “Crazy” is so warm and full of charm it can’t help but put a smile on your face. However, the renditions take a back seat to Tapia’s experienced hands. His delicate phrasing and his vocal charm makes this an album to own. In addition to the jazz standards and instrumentals which get his experienced treatment, "Duke of Uke" includes wire recordings of Tapia made in 1936. While the sound quality is lacking, Tapia’s musicianship comes through with absolute clarity.
If you like your albums with experienced musicians who can swing a tune and are full of charm, this is definitely an album to get.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Once again I bring you another pick of the week a little late due to my non-existent internet connection at home.
This week I bring you a nice little album which I enjoy quite a bit and has become a personal favorite over time.
Bill Tapia – Duke of Uke
When people think of Ukulele masters they think of IZ or they think of the technical wizardry of the some the younger stars like Jake Shimabukuro. Now IZ is definitely at the top of the list, and while Shimabukuro is a technical wizard, I much rather prefer experience over wizardry. Enter Bill Tapia.
“Who the hell is Bill Tapia LFF???” Bill Tapia started playing ukulele as a young boy in Hawaii and educated himself on the instrument by entertaining sailors at Pearl Harbor during World War I. That’s right – not WWII but WW ONE!!! Tapia’s career has taken him from his native isles to the recording studio and stage, in the company of world class swing and jazz musicians as a session man on guitar. Tapia has even played with Louis Armstrong! Now, I know jazz, and, IMHO, if you were good enough to play with Armstrong, then your good enough to be heard by anyone.
For most of the last 60 years, Tapia played guitar in session recordings and with mainland swing and jazz bands. For a time, the ukulele took a back seat to his guitar, as the island instrument was relegated to living room renditions for his family. If there was one thing Tapia built up during all these years it was charm.
The undeniable charm and skill of Tapia is fully present on "The Duke Of Uke". "Duke Of Uke" includes a wonderful rendition of "Black Orpheus" and his rendition of “Crazy” is so warm and full of charm it can’t help but put a smile on your face. However, the renditions take a back seat to Tapia’s experienced hands. His delicate phrasing and his vocal charm makes this an album to own. In addition to the jazz standards and instrumentals which get his experienced treatment, "Duke of Uke" includes wire recordings of Tapia made in 1936. While the sound quality is lacking, Tapia’s musicianship comes through with absolute clarity.
If you like your albums with experienced musicians who can swing a tune and are full of charm, this is definitely an album to get.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
