JAKE SHIMABUKURO – HULA GIRLS & MY LIFE
November-December 2007
ARTIST: JAKE SHIMABUKURO
TITLE: HULA GIRLS & MY LIFE
Label: HITCHHIKE RECORDS
The ukulele of Jake Shimabukuro continues to boldly go into musical territory where no uke has gone before. Shimabukuro largely left behind his traditional Hawaiian repertoire some years ago, but his exploration of the instrument’s expressive capacity remains enthralling for music lovers not attached to genres. Two fall releases, one linked to the signature dance form of Hawaii, the other reaching out to vintage pop, deserve attention.
In the EP recording My Life, the virtuoso offers beautiful, heartfelt arrangements of six of his favorite tunes. He treats the work of Sarah McLachlan, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Cyndi Lauper with respect while integrating his unique interpretations.
Jake said the songs he selected had inspired him since his childhood in Hawaii. “They have timeless melodies written by artists I admire,