Tag Archives: Kamaka Koa Deluxe Tenor

LIVE 168 • Monsarrat Ave (Kamaka HF-3D)

Fingerstyle, Live, Ukulele, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s a recent recording of “Monsarrat Avenue.”  This original solo ukulele piece pays tribute to the mellow vibes of the area around Monsarrat Avenue, which runs near Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head towards Kapiolani Community College.  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 a lovely little district of restaurants and shops.  After that, you pass rows of Kaimuki homes with people riding their bikes on quiet 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 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 condenser microphone.

LIVE 161 • Glass Ball Slack Key (Kamaka HF-3D)

Live, Ukulele, , , , , , , , , ,

Glass Ball Slack Key is a favorite chestnut (or perhaps kukui nut) of uke players in Hawai’i; it’s a fun little ditty that is sure to please aunty or uncle.  I learned this song watching and listening to the great Led Ka’apana over the years.  A recorded version can be found on the classic Led Live album.  Many other ukulele players have covered the song over the years as well.  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 condenser microphone.

LIVE 141 • “Horn” Improv – Nick Drake Uke Cover

Classic Rock, Live, Ukulele, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

LIVE 143 • Magnum, P.I. Theme Song on Ukulele

Live, Ukulele, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.