Jake Shimabukuro - Play Loud Ukulele (DVD, 2005)

This DVD is an excellent example of the phenon of new Hawaiian Ukulele. It has clips of concerts in Asia, interspersed with q&a by Jake. The hext best thing (some say better) to being there. His instructional portion at the end inspires the watcher to grab their uke and learn along - culimnating with a "lesson" to learn "Yesterday" by the Beatles.
The DVD isn't a beginner's lesson, but an inspiration to all who aspire to play Ukulele.
The concert portion is high energy, and if you like Jake's instrumental renditions, this is a true pleasure to watch & listen to.
The interview portions interspersed throughout are insightful and offer a glimpse into this young gun of ukulele - making the hawaiian instrument thought of as a toy, seem something greater (as his concert segments attest to) and contemporary for his generation.
If you are a mainlander who loves hawaii, and great music this DVD is a must - something I'm sure may get worn out before you tire of it (I'm sure our household will).
I can't think of anything I disliked about the DVD - maybe it was too short? (100 minutes), Maybe I wasn't familiar with the concert segment songs? Nah , , , , Great! I'd recommend it to any fan of Jake, any ukulele fan/ any contemporary instramental genre music fan.

When I told a friend that I had picked up the ukulele, he told me I gotta check out "this Jake guy". "He's incredible. He shreds that little instrument in a way that no one has." So, sight unseen, I picked up a copy.

The DVD has segments of a concert performance. It's well produced, and sounds good. There are also little interview segments throughout the main program, and they're cool too. The extra features, which include some ukulele technique lessons are incredible! Jake teaches some fancy strumming styles and makes them really easy to understand.

Here's the thing: Some people might not be into the music. At times it has a new age, easy listening style that my dad would like. Don't get me wrong, there are some tracks that rock out hard...but it can be mellow too.

Anyway, if you are curious to see the boundaries of this little "toy" instrument pushed to the absolute limits...then you'll dig this.

This kid is amazing. He really broke down the strumming and picking techniques. I wish he did a few more songs in lesson format. I enjoyed the perfomances. I did not need as many interviews. Just one perhaps and the rest of the time doing more complex songs.

Love the different style music, not the typical Style when you think of Ukelele. Jake is definately a Master at what He does (Virtuoso) on the UKELELE.

Jake is amazing on the ukulele! I bought it cause I am learning to play the instrument and now I'm REALLY inspired!

Fun DVD, Great Loud Music out of a small insterment. Jake has it down. It left me smiling! If you ever thought the uke was just for the HuLa this is the DVD that will change your mind. Classical to Rock it is an incredable little insterment.

The tutorial is worth many times the price of the dvd. The playing is , ofcourse, 5 star,plus you get to see the unpolished Jake stage presence in its infancy... There is no better uke player ( some James Hill fans may differ with me). For the ukulele player...would you like a few lessons with Jake for a few bucks? Here it is.

This will become my favorite DVD ever.........Jake, I am so impressed and hope to meet you one day. I also love the ukulele but could never expect to do what you can do with this beautiful instrument! Thank you for going to the edge of what the uke can do !
I will keep practicing and know that my uke will keep me happy. It is a part of me ! Totally cool !

Aloha This is the Best NokaOi Ukulele Player on Earth! We lived on Kauai for 20 years and would travel to outer islands just to go hear Jake play his ukulele and now you can have the show on a DVD

I decided to but this DVD on ebay after coming back from a family vacation to the islands of Oahu,Maui, and Kauai. The sounds if IZ, "The Hawaiian Suppa Man" and other island musicians rekindled my love of the local music of Hawaii. The title caught my interest. I wondered what loud ukulele music was like. I was completely captivated by the bold style of Jake Shimabukuro. The stereotype of ukulele music was definitely blown out of the water by the arrangements of Jake's music. The DVD was excellently produced with live concert footage and sound that was like being there. Our whole family sat down and enjoyed every song. The ten ukulele playing tips, as well as the lesson on learning to play a beautiful version of Yesterday by the Beatles,was worth the selling price alone.I recommend this DVD to all music lovers. It is a definite must have for ukulele players who want to think out of the box of what most people think ukulele music is all about. Buy his DVD, put into your dvd player, get your self a refreshing drink,sit back and let Jake Shimabukuro-Play Loud Ukulele refresh your mind and body. Aloha Joe Shuter Boise,Idaho USA