Here’s some improvisation I recorded one day on a standard Kamaka HF-3 tenor ukulele.The Kamaka tenor is a classic ukulele sound – for strumming of course, but also for single note lines.The strings are the stock Kamaka brand black nylon strings with a wound low G – the Kamaka nylon strings have a soothing, mellow, jazzy tone – but also some nice sparkle and definition.It’s a classic set that wears well.Hope you enjoy.
Recorded with a Kamaka Koa Tenor ukulele (Kamaka HF-3, low G with stock Kamaka brand black nylon strings and a Thomastik-Infeld CF-30 flat wound fourth string) and a Neumann TLM 103 microphone.
Here’s an improv around Nick Drake’s “Horn” I recorded one day between takes of another song I was working on. Appearing as a sort of interlude on the Pink Moon album, Horn is a fascinating little study of a song in its own right. I love the simple, atmospheric melody, and think it translated well to ukulele. Hope you enjoy.
Recorded with a Kamaka Koa Deluxe Tenor ukulele (Kamaka HF-3D, high G with Uke Logic Soft Tension strings and a Thomastik-Infeld CF-27 flat wound third string) and a Telefunken M60 microphone.
Growing up in Hawai’i, the classic theme song to Magnum, P.I. still resonates with me somehow. Though my memories of the actual show are filtered through a sort of vague, hazy nostalgia, I always liked the idea of Thomas Magnum cruising around in a Ferrari and solving mysteries. Original Magnum (and later Monica boyfriend) Tom Selleck has been one of those now longtime TV hallmarks, and established the character. The reboot with Jay Hernandez from a few years back also had a great cast that built upon that legacy, and I was happy it featured a remake of the original theme song. I’m not really into recording TV theme songs, but this one is a classic that ended up being fun to record on uke. Hope you enjoy.
Recorded with a Kamaka Koa Deluxe Tenor ukulele (Kamaka HF-3D, high G with either Uke Logic Soft Tension or Ko’olau Aho strings, and a Thomastik-Infeld CF-27 flat wound third string) and a Telefunken M60 small diaphragm microphone.
The restless crowd. The slit in the speaker cone. The distortion. The rock glory. One of the most influential guitar songs ever, the story of Link Wray’s “Rumble” is the stuff of legend. I’ve always loved the song, and have covered it on guitar (and taught it as a guitar teacher), but something made me want to try it on uke to see if some of the attitude would still filter through – regardless of the instrument. I think it does. Hope you enjoy.
Recorded with a Pono Acacia Tenor Deluxe (ATD) ukulele and a Line Audio CM4 microphone.
This solo ukulele piece pays tribute to the mellow vibes of one of the best little neighborhoods in Hawai’i, that area between Waikiki and Kapiolani Park, Kapahulu and Diamond Head, running from the Honolulu Zoo to Kapiolani Community College and the back side of Diamond Head (where it turns into Diamond Head Road) is Monsarrat Avenue. There are so many little things to love on (or just off) Monsarrat: the Honolulu Zoo and its fence with local artists selling their wares, the wafting of music from the Kapiolani Bandstand or the Waikiki Shell, Kapiolani Park itself with the powerful beauty of Leahi, Diamond Head, in the background, nearby is the peaceful enclave of Diamond Head Community Garden with its rectangular patches of lovingly tended vegetables and plants… Next is a lovely little district of restaurants and shops – Bogart’s (Breakfast Potatoes!), South Shore Grill (Fish Tacos!), Da Cove (Acai Bowls!), and several other places to get Sushi and other grinds, Open Space Yoga, Paul’s Barber Shop, Diamond Head Market and Grill, the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. After that, rows of Kaimuki homes with people riding their bikes on the side streets as Monsarrat Avenue meanders and changes name to Diamond Head Road; it then passes by Kapiolani Community College – home of a popular (crowded) weekly Farmer’s Market – and curls around the back side of Diamond Head.
Recorded with a Pono Acacia Tenor Deluxe (ATD) ukulele and a Sennheiser e 914 microphone.