After watching election results roll in and Hillary and Barack engage in mutual post-primary-speech-impoliteness, we perked up when Mr. O’Brien introduced 31-year-old ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukoro who did a crazy good, solo, chord-melody laced rendition of the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Conan loved it even more than Yeasayer and they hugged! He’s getting very excited musically these days.
“We’ve been doing this show a long time, ladies and gentlemen. That’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever seen, over here.” Gotta love how vocal Conan is about the musical acts he approves of, it’s like Carson’s inviting-you-over-to-the-couch stamp-of-approval days all over again — if he likes it, you’ll know. And to O’Brien’s critical credit, we’ve seen he’s got great taste and serious skills. Anyway hit Jake’s site for tour dates and more on Jake’s crazy ukulele. Eat your heart out, Zach Condon.
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I really wish Jake would stop playing While My Guitar Gently Weeps. He’s been milking that for years. He has tons of better and more complex original material.
I’ve never heard any of his other stuff but I agree. My girlfriend looked him up while we were watching that and we were both like “okay, lets see something interesting and not years old.” Regardless, I might have to buy a ukulele for an upcoming birthday.
I think He does the more recognizable song because the ukulele, for some, may be slightly inaccessible. A song that many people will recognize, especially with The Wu Tang Clan cover it recently, will get people hooked easier and faster.
ueah i saw him in 04 @ telluride he jammed with bella fleck — he is very talented indeed.
Nice to see Jake finally getting some notice. I reviewed his Gently Weeps and My Life EPs last year, but haven’t seen him mentioned anywhere else.
It’s great to see Jake getting recognition. He’s such a fantastic musician.
@Alan: I’d agree that he’s been going at this song for a long, but this is the first time most people will have heard him performing it. And it’ll certainly make them take note.
Well coming from someone who’s never heard him before, I just fell in love. I absolutely adore that song to begin with and that was just freaking awesome. Definitely have “taken note” and will be looking for more…:)
my favorite conan band reaction is after mmj played one big holiday a few years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Q9iAcPjzc
Jake and Kaki King played together at a show in nyc alittle while ago…
i thought jake did very well.
it’s great to see the ukulele
get recognition on this level
of stage.
for more advanced ukulele check
out the link
http://cdbaby.com/cd/ukulelemike
thanks,
mike conway