Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Israel

Not the small, beleaguered country in the mideast.

It's the late Hawaiian singer with the impossible-to-pronounce last name:
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

He recorded a remarkable version of "Over the Rainbow".
I often tune to AM740 in Toronto, where they play
hits from the 40's thru the 80's in the wee hours--
midnight to maybe 5 a.m.

Again last night: I was dozing, hearing an occasional song,
but not really listening. About 3:14 a.m. I caught the
tinkle of a ukelele and then Israel's voice, moving into his unique
rendition of the song named "#1 Song of the Century" that
Judy Garland first recorded in 1938.

The phrasing, the notes he improvises, the simple backup of a uke create
memorable listening.

Google it....Over the Rainbow, Israel. See if you agree.