jake

Live
$16.98
I caught Jake Shimabukuro in Austin, TX recently, fresh off a tour with Jimmy Buffett. In live performance he was a wonder, his entire body swooping and weaving as his fingers flew up and down the short fingerboard of his ukulele, making the instrument sound like a mandolin, a flamenco guitar, a piano, and sundry percussion instruments. He was not just a smokin' hot player, though, but an expressive musician with an unforced charm in his asides to the audience, which the night I was there was totally enthralled.

Much of Shimabukuro's charisma comes through on this live album, taken from various performances in various locations, but remarkably consistent in sound and atmosphere. His own compositions span the gamut from the simple charm of "Piano-Forte" to the jaw-dropping virtuosity of "Let's Dance," while he covers everything from Bach to the Beatles to a Japanese folksong, "Sakura Sakura."

If pressed to the wall I'll admit that, without having him in the flesh, a tiny sense of sameness creeps into some of his longer original compositions. It's not surprising that one of the best tracks, and the one that shot him to fame, is a cover, his lovely and touching take on Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." This is a very personal reservation and shouldn't discourage anyone from sampling the art of this very special musician.

Jake Stays Awake
$16.95
This is a wonderful childrens book. I bought this book for my grandson. He read it so often that it started losing pages. I thought we would both enjoy a new copy for Christmas.

Jake Baked the Cake (Picture Puffins)
$5.99
Highlights the sound of long a with the repetitive, "while Jake baked the cake." Also highlights the days of the week as everyone (the vicor, tailor, the jewler, the bridesmades, etc.) prepares for a wedding until they all finally get to "eat the cake that is the pride and joy of Master Baker Jake" Wonderful illustrations. Appears to be a seaside village in France.

Jake Is Up! (Jake's World)
$6.95
My son received this book as a gift and hasn't put it down since. He loves to point to the dog on every page. He is not speaking yet, so I cannot ask him, but he appears to be interested and learning. If I find more books that hold his interest like this, maybe he'll enjoy reading in the future!