Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 27 May 2008 6:42 am |
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Happy Summer 2008.
The warm weather is finally here! Upper Midwest winters are very long, cold and severe
but the spring, summer and fall are paradise. Everything is green and lush with rivers
and lakes everywhere.
I recorded three summer themed songs this past weekend in three completely different
musical styles - Samba, 60's Soul and Waltz time. The one unifying thread is warm weather images
and moods.
The ukulele takes the lead on all three tunes. All songs recorded direct into the computer
- no microphones.
The first song, 'Samba de Orfeu' is a Luis Bonfa composition made famous in the 1959 film 'Black Orpheus'. In the film a young boy would sit on the hillside overlooking Rio de Janeiro each morning
playing this song on his guitar. My Talsma tenor ukulele plays the lead, sequenced bass and drum kit.
The second tune is the 1966 Joe Zawinul composition/Cannonball Adderley hit 'Mercy Mercy Mercy'. On this solo uke tune I used a Motown shuffle beat. I can't help it. I grew up in Detroit and have heard these rhythms my whole life.
The third song 'Beautiful Ohio' written in 1916 is Ohio's state song. It's a beautiful summertime waltz performed as a guitar/ukulele duet. This song always reminds me of an outdoor Saturday night dance at a county fair - a local band plays the music, fireflies and Chinese lanterns are the decorations. Thelma Lou and a reluctant Barney Fife dance the first waltz - opening the dance floor.
Oh yeah... quasi-steel - Jerry Byrd recorded this one in the 1950's.
Samba de Orfeu
Mercy Mercy Mercy
Beautiful Ohio
Three Summer Tunes!
I hope to see you somewhere on the road this summer!
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
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