Jim Beloff, The Ukulele: a Visual History (Backbeat Books, 2003)
Right off the bat let me tell you ... it's more fun to play the
ukulele than to read this book. And it's easy enough for just about anybody
to strum a tune within five minutes of sitting down with one of these little
beauties in your hands. Last spring I traveled to Waikiki and in a half-hour
intensive course on the street in front of the hotel, along with a group of
20 other tourists, we were taught a half dozen songs with a dozen chords. We
had a ball. George Harrison kept ukuleles in every room in his house in case
he got the urge to play. He gave his friends ukuleles. The little "dancing
flea" is in the middle of a major comeback, and Jim Beloff has played a
big part in it.
Together with his wife, Beloff owns Flea
Market Music, Inc., a company devoted to the ukulele. They sell music
books, instructional guides, and they even designed a new low cost, high quality
ukulele that is recommended throughout Hawaii. I bought one while I was there. Beloff
also is a player and has released CDs of original tunes. He wrote and compiled
this delightful history of this instrument that causes anyone who sees it to
smile.
The other day I was asked to sing a song to a gathering. I brought my "Flea"
(the smaller of the two ukuleles Beloff offers) and they all laughed ... until they
heard it! Then they realized it was a serious musical instrument. Okay, it has
a thinner sound than a guitar, and it looks like a toy, but in the right hands
the ukulele can be amazing. The Ukulele is just what it claims to be: A
Visual History of this unique piece of musical equipment.
Beloff starts the book with a chapter called "The History..." which
traces the development of the ukulele from the Portuguese 'machete' or 'braguinha'
(which arrived in Hawaii on August 23rd, 1879) through its adoption as the instrument
of choice by King David Kalakaua, its use from Tin Pan Alley to Arthur Godfrey.
Every chapter, no, every page is richly illustrated with photos of ukuleles,
players, historical shots of builders and champions of the instrument, and documents
reflecting the worldwide acceptance the ukulele found. Beloff provides a list of
movies in which the ukulele appeared, ads in which the ukulele featured, and art which
utilizes the image of the "little dancing flea."
The second chapter contains brief biographies of important players: Ernest Kaai,
Jesse Kalima, Eddie Kamae, Herb Ohta, Cliff Edwards and Tiny Tim (among others).
Each artist's bio is illustrated with a portrait and pix of his/her instrument,
and his/her records. Beloff includes a list of essential recordings to look
for. Chapter three traces the history of ukulele manufacturing in Hawaii and
on the mainland. From early $3 instruments made of koa wood to the plastic explosion
of the 50s he looks at the major builders ... Nunes, Kamaka, Kumalae, Martin,
Gibson, National, and Maccaferri ... they're all here.
The book concludes with a chapter called "The Story Continues..."
which brings us right up-to-date. He looks at new players, new designers, new
songbooks, and even a new breed of instrument. It's a fascinating story, told
in Beloff's breezy prose. The pictures are wonderful. If I had a complaint it
is that the book is too small for the wealth of material it holds. These old
eyes had to strain to read some of the tiny fonts that are used to describe
the photos. A slightly larger format would allow larger fonts and reduce that
strain. But that's it, otherwise The Ukulele is perfect. Its retro design
and binding showcase a true labour of love. The only thing better than reading
Beloff's book ... is playing one of Beloff's ukuleles! Get yourself a Flea or a Flukulele
and join the fun.
Don't forget to visit Backbeat Books!
