Livin' It Live

Jazz | Jul 2009

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2009-08-30
BILL TAPIA: Livin’ It Live
Red Spider, 2009

HAWAIIAN SWING – 101-year-old ‘ukulele maestro Bill Tapia continues to tour, record, and charm the pants off audiences with his gentle mix of swing standards and old-time Hawaiian tunes. This live set, recorded in S.F. in 2005, matches Bill with a local rhythm section and a series of Hawaiian guest stars (tracks 5-10).

* * * | Fo’s Picks: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12

1. 5:37 – gentle swing… listen for when Bill plays uke behind his head!
2. 3:48 – sweet, creaky vocal: come on, how can you resist this?
3. 6:18 – easygoing instrumental swing, straightforward
4. 4:37 – soft ballad, easy pace, nice sound from the uke
5. 6:45 – a slow, warm breeze; joined by singer Mihana for a romantic sound
6. 7:21 – Led Kaapana brightens the pace… a jaunty stroll
7. 6:57 – Lyle Ritz on 2nd uke… but they’re not always in sync
8. 5:27 – a little banter, then a great duet vocal with Mihana
9. 5:33 – another bright duo with Kaapana; drums get in the way
10. 4:37 – uke duo with Lyle Ritz, much tighter than #7, nice bass too
11. 5:06 – relaxed Ellington swing and charming vocal
12. 3:32 – Bill tells a story, and he can still play “Stars and Stripes Forever”

[ Fo ] 08/30/09

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Charting

2009-08-30 — 2009-11-01 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Nov 1 2
Oct 25 1
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Oct 4 1
Sep 27 1
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Track listing

1. Undecided
2. I Want To Learn To Speak Hawaiian
3. Secret Love
4. Nearness Of You
5. E Ku'u Morning Dew
6. Honeysuckle Rose
7. Satin Doll
8. All Of Me
9. The Sheik Of Araby
10. The Lady Is A Tramp
11. In A Mellow Tone
12. Stars And Stripes Forever