The ukulele : A visual history
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Music
The ukulele : A visual history Details
Review "Visual" is the key word in the title of this thoroughly engaging look at a whimsical, diminutive instrument that's had much more influence on pop music and culture than one would initially guess. With its elaborate illustrations and eye-popping, color-drenched photos of ukuleles, famous players and manufacturers, sheet music and a wide variety of other memorabilia, The Ukulele traces the history of the instrument from its birth to present day with a fun text that's equally rich in trivia and history. As the instrument moves from turn of the century Hawaii to popularity on the Mainland, it helped boost tourism in Hawaii, influenced Tin Pan Alley songwriters and performers as diverse as Arthur Godfrey, Tiny Tim and Joni Mitchell, and became a key icon in advertising, even when the product had nothing to do with ukuleles. Author Beloff, the associate publisher of Billboard magazine, has written several ukulele songbooks and recorded a CD of original ukulele songs, and there couldn't be a better tour guide for time travel through the evolution of this wacky little instrument. His profiles of some of the great ukulele players and key manufacturers are particularly interesting, and he presents an intriguing look at Hawaii as a culture through the images projected of its most famous export to the rest of the world. Great fun and a good read. -- From Independent PublisherThe Ukulele is an entertaining look at this whimsical, diminutive instrument and its influence on popular music and pop culture worldwide. Elaborately illustrated, the color-rich book brings to life the "jumping flea" in a unique showcase of rare ukuleles, famous players and manufacturers, and witty memorabilia and artwork. With a fun-to-read historical narrative, The Ukulele traces the instrument's evolution from its 1800s roots to the current ukulele festival in hawaii and beyond. Richard in folklore as well as documented history, the uke's birth took place on August 23, 1879, when a ship arrive din Hawaii carrying 419 Portuguese settlers. Hawaiian music would never be the same again! --Midwest Book Review Read more
Reviews
A thoroughly enjoyable book! Lots of informative and fun facts combined with a multitude of fascinating color pictures. It spun me off in a number of interesting directions to following up listening to groups, individual artists, and recordings that I wouldn't have realized were out there otherwise. I'm so glad I purchased this book!