Sunday, April 17, 2011

Strumming the old ukulele


The ukulele is making a comeback. which is a wonderful thing. The instrument has a long history, with many ups and downs, one of the most recent ups being Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole's beautiful "Over the Rainbow." 'It’s not hard to see the attraction. The light, carefree strum that has become the instrument’s sonic stereotype invokes innocence, sincerity and childlike wonder, as well as nostalgia for a pre-rock ’n’ roll era. It doesn’t hurt that the sound also conforms to ingrained notions of Hawaii as a consumer-friendly earthly paradise.' More...

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