One of the first true YouTube sensations – courtesy of his much-viewed cover of George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps back in 2006 – you could say that ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro has definitively shattered preconceptions of his chosen instrument as merely an implement of simple folk music. But to characterise him as some kind of genre-bending ‘novelty’ artist would also be doing him a great disservice, as what really defines Jake’s performances is a depth of emotion that transcends any such gimmickry.
Opening with the an energetic trio of songs including the flamenco-inspired Let’s Dance, the unassuming and frequently smiling Japanese-American got a rock star welcome from a quickly engaged audience.
After a bit of banter (in which Jake revealed that his forthcoming album had been produced by the legendary Alan Parsons) it was on to a softer chapter of sorts with the beyond-beautiful Blue Petals Falling. For pieces like this, and the following Fields Of Gold, there was absolutely no shame in getting a little misty-eyed, such was the delicacy of Jake’s touch on his four strings.
In fact, Jake went about proving that he could wring some profound music out of a mere three strings with the enigmatically spare Missing Three. Stretching his fingers to within an inch of their lives, he then simulated the rich chord sounds of a mandolin with a piece devoted to his baby son, Gentlemandolin. And if those pieces didn’t say enough about Jake’s ingenuity on his instrument, then his rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody – all six crazy, bombastic minutes of it – sure did.
When the long-awaited performance of While My Guitar Gently Weeps finally came, it was to a thoroughly enraptured audience; so determined were some punters to soak up the moment that a fight almost broke out when someone dared to carry on a conversation while it was happening. (Can you imagine a brawl at a ukulele concert?)
Renowned for his humility and grateful demeanour, I’m sure Jake was merely flattering us when he effused that he was ready to ‘pack his bags and move’ to Australia. Still, if he enjoyed himself half as much as the 20-minute-plus rave on his touring experiences would indicate, we shouldn’t have to wait another 5 years before the next tour.
BY JESSE SHROCK
LOVED: Music. Just the very idea of it. That’s what Jake does to you.
HATED: Nothing really, apart from the fact that the new album wasn’t available as planned.
DRANK: Beez Neez honey wheat beer.
