Another Voice, Another Place:ukulele improvisations and compositions
Solo Ukulele Improvisations and Compositions - 2020
All music on this site is available to freely stream on any device and download on any non mobile device. To download, hold your mouse over the active player and right-click to Save Audio. Each player can play or download an individual piece.
These pieces were all recorded between 2018 and 2020 most of them are improvisations in that no set melodies or chords were written down. A few of the pieces were "written" in the traditional sense with a set melody and chord progressions. All of the pieces were recorded on a Pono baritone ukulele with a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. The model number of the ukulele is RBSH5(S)PC and the pickup is a MISI undersaddle piezo. It's a beautiful instrument that sounds, looks and plays like a dream. Following are selected tracks for your listening pleasure
1. "La Playa Dream" - baritone ukulele - This is one of my favorite improvisations. I can't really say why but this one has so many of my favorite threads in it. All of these pieces have musical threads (different little thoughts or ideas) that appear and re-appear in different forms and guises.
2. "Allegro Con Moto" - baritone ukulele - I love the sound of the baritone ukulele - there's something very unique and plaintive in it's voice. It's a very beautiful instrument to hold and play and this one in particular sings very sweetly.
3. "Adagio" - baritone ukulele - I use classical forms to title these piece but in tone and mood they often seem to harken back to times long before the 18th century.
4. "Dreaming of Marie" - baritone ukulele - My wife, Marie, has been a great fan and has supported me in unnumerable ways over the past quarter of a century. This song is an expression of my love and appreciation.
5. "Diamond Head" - baritone ukulele - Strangely enough, I have never been to Hawaii. Perhaps never having been there is a good thing in helping me to evoke the idea of a distant tropical island paradise. Sometimes dreams can be better than reality.
Grain of sand under cross polarized light