Search - Jake Shimabukuro :: Walking Down Rainhill

An incredible album from the best uke player in known World

Josh Miller | SF Bay Area, CA | 01/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I started playing ukulele, I did a Web search to see who the top players were. It's always good to know how the scale is defined :-) The consensus on the Web was clear: Jake is the Steve Vai of the uke universe. This was the first album I bought of Jake's and it does not disappoint. A few tracks including his remake of while my guitar gently weeps are awesome and instantly infective. Other tracks I didn't initially love have since grown on me in a big way. I would recommend this album to anyone who appreciates great technical players like Steve Vai or Ingwie Malmstein. To hear what Jake can do on 4 strings is really incredible--the voicings don't seem possible. I recently saw Jake at a small club in San Francisco -- just him and his famous Kamaka uke. He was not only as impressive as I had hoped, but one of the nicest, most approachable musicians I have ever seen (especially at that level of talent). I bought his most recent CD at that show, and it's just as amazing as this one. I think Jake is still a few years away from 30, so I hope he continues to amaze us for the next 30 years. Thanks for your music, Jake -- you're an inspiration to me and all the other uke players in the world!"

Very Creative Ukulele Player

David A. Cory | South Bend, IN USA | 01/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first became interested in Jake Shimabukuro when I saw a video of him playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on uke. He is a virtuoso! This CD includes "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," plus many originals. "Grandma's Groove" is a great blues piece, and "Wes on Four" is jazz on steroids. A bonus DVD is included, showing Jake in the recording studio. You really have to see him to fully appreciate him."