Ukulele Magic - Sweet Hollywaiians

CD front, Sweet Strings Rec. R-1360463

According to several sources, in his later career Oscar Alemán always had his cavaquinho with him in his live stage shows and played his "O.A. 1926" as a solo piece as part of the show. Some unissued Argentine recordings of his live-performance of this tune have been saved, here's the best and most elaborte arrangement from a radio broadcast c. 1955



The "O.A.1926" was recorded as a magnificient solo piece for ukulele by the Dutch string wizard, Ton Van Bergeyk, in 1976 for the Kicking Mule label titled 'Anno 1926', his version is close to the inserted, broadcasted take by Alemán himself. If you look up other versions of the tune at YouTube, you'll discover other versions by uke-players, one of best and most swinging is by a Japanese uke-wizard, Mario Takada, in a solo performance inserted below



Mario Takada is a member of the Sweet Hollywaiians string quartet from Osaka, Japan, specializing in 1920s and 1930s Hawaiian, swing, calypso, Italian instrumentals etc. and having released four CDs since 2008. A website introducing more info about this fabulous ensemble is available here - and the recordings are available from Amazon or/and CDBaby.

Sweet Hollywaiians

Last year the Sweet Hollywaiians has released a new short CD solely devoted to ukulele tunes, Magic Ukulele Waltz - containing most enjoyable playing and great tunes. The CD has an ensemble-version of "O.A. 1926" and a great version of GB Lobo's waltz "Criollita" plus five more excellently played tunes.

Magic Ukulele Waltz, Sweet Strings Rec., R-1360463

The CD is available for purchase here.  - As mentioned, the waltz "Criollita" by Gastón Bueno Lobo is also featured on the CD, a YouTube video by Mario Takada has the tune in a similar version, although a bit short, anyway, here it is


The title track of the CD, "Magic Ukulele Waltz", was originally composed by Roy Smeck and recorded at his Magic Ukulele LP album, since re-issued on CD. To end this small presentation of the mentioned ukulele CD by Sweet Hollywaiians, here is Mario Takada's version of the Magic Ukulele Waltz - enjoy!


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Jo
keepitswinging.domain@gmail.com

If you are a fan of the Japanese string ensemble, Sweet Hollywaiians, then the latest CD with the title Magic Ukulele Waltz definitly should be a part of your collection of great music. The CD has seven tracks of excellently played tunes with the ukulele in front backed by the ensemble, the repertoire has new versions of classic swing tunes and a couple of waltzes - every track is a sheer joy to be listening to. - Highly recommended!





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Ukulele - Sweet & Melodious

Ukulele (source: Wikipedia)

The ukulele originated in the 19th century as a Hawaiian interpretation of the machete, a small guitar-like instrument related to the cavaquinho, timple, braguinha and the rajão, taken to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants. The instrument became a very popular one in Hawaiian culture, and a majority of Hawaiian songs involves the ukulele. In Hawaiian, ukulele literally means "flea (uku) jumping (lele)." It was named as such because when plucked, the high pitch of the strings brings to mind the image of a jumping flea. There are currently four sizes of ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone.The ukulele can be played with simple or elaborate strums, as well as fingerpicking. (source: Wikipedia)

Part of music sheet front

The handy, four-stringed instrument also became popular outside Hawaii and was soon adopted by the mainstream American popular culture as a frequently used tool by Tin Pan aley crooners and songbirds as well as by movie stars of the 1920s and 1930s performing light entertainment or comedy in Holywood films. However, in Hawaii the instrument has always been recognized and respected as a serious musical instrument that needs study to bring out the pinnacle of the instrument's natural limitations.Below I'll introduce a representative of the young generation of the Hawaiian ukulele musicians who has earned a degree of virtuosity on his instrument that combines the beauty of original music from Hawaii with the clearest musical expression.

Herb Ohta Jr. played the traditional Hawaiin tune "Ku'u Pua I Paoakalani" in the video. Herb Ohta Jr. is recognized as a true virtuoso of his instrument and he has released several recordings that prove his outstanding musical and technical abilities. Herb Ohta Jr. is the son of another famous Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso, Herb Ohta Sr. or Ohta-San as he is often named. Ohta-San took part in the 1960s and 1970s revival of traditional Hawaiian music, often associated with musicians who participated in concerts and recordings with the locally famous group The Sons of Hawaii, founded by ukulele legend Eddie Kamae in the late 1950s. Herb Ohta Jr. was taught ukulele by his father at an early age and has established a successful career as a performer and recording artist in his own right. You can learn more about Herb Ohta Jr. at his official website, here

CD-cover - Lele Music Productions, LMP CD 1005

The CD shown above, 'Ukulele Nahenahe (- which in English means 'sweet and melodious ukulele') is a nice examaple of the virtuosity of Herb Ohta Jr. The CD was released in 2010 by Lele Music Productions and is still available - you can buy it at Herb Ohta Jr.'s webshop, CD Baby, Amazon a.o..Herb Ohta Jr.s ukulele is the solo voice throughout the eleven tracks of the CD that contains examples of original Hawaiian tunes and ends with a splendid interpretation of the wellknown evergreen 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'. In some tracks the ukulele stands alone, but other tracks also have accompaniment by a rhythm combo composed of Jon Yamasato (guitar), Nathan Aweau (bass) and Jeff Au Hoy (steel guitar). The music is magnificent and beutifully excecuted in the hands of Herb Ohta Jr. - the CD is an uplifting musical experience that brings a wonderful sense of peace and joy in your heart and soul, highly recommended.

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Jo

keepitswinging.domain@gmail.com

The ukulele is rightly associated with Hawaiian music and culture, although the small instrument often has been used in other fields of music and entertainment. A true virtuoso of the Hawaiian ukulele style is Herb Ohta Jr. who recorded the CD 'Ukulele Nahenahe in 2010. The CD is a magnificent example of the beuty of Hawaiian music performed by Herb Ohta Jr. with the clearest musical expression - an uplifting musical experience that enchants the listener with a wonderful sense of peace and joy.

Retrospect Keep Swinging (old) Oscar Aleman Choro Music Flexible Records Hit of the Week-Durium Friends of the Keep Swinging blog Keep Swinging Contributions