As you know, I play ukulele (at least I think I've gotten to the point that I can say that. Still not anywhere near being able to say I've mastered the instrument, though). So, you'd think I'd have some Hawai'ian music in my vast quantity of music. Well, to be honest, up until yesterday the only Hawai'ian music I had was the two pieces that were on the Lilo & Stitch soundtrack. Mostly, when it comes to the uke, I've been concentrating on learning songs that I know, figuring that I'll learn the chords better if I already have an idea what the song should sound like. So. Last week I stumbled upon a great mash up of "Don't Worry, Be Happy", "I'm Yours" and a medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World". The later two songs by a gentleman called Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (goes by IZ for some reason). Having no idea who he was, I hit Wikipedia and found out he was big in Hawai'i.
Literally.
Sadly, he died young, but in the time he was alive, he recorded a lot of traditional Hawai'ian songs along with covering a few English songs. He had a beautiful voice. And he played the ukulele.
So, now I have one of his albums - Facing Future - and I'll probably be getting all of them, because he's that good. The following song is from that album, but I can't find anywhere on the album that says who wrote it:
This one makes me want to learn to hula:
The next is probably his most famous recording, mainly because most Americans aren't going to listen to a song if they don't know the language.
So, I suppose I'll leave you with that. I highly encourage you to go find his music yourself. It makes me Dance!
Yep, heard that version of "somewhere over the rainbow" many times, mainly in TV shows, when there is some emotional scene. Really pretty.
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