Several times over the last few months, some of my Facebook friends have exchanged YouTube links to videos of people Playing the ukulele. It's amusing and amazing what some people will transcribe to the uke. I've posted some of these links to Mazurland. The players are usually decent, and their covers of many pop tunes are fun to watch. But, not all uke players are in it for the novelty. I've posted in the past a link to the wonderful natural talent of the late Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole. Though his strumming was never more than a vehicle for the tune, his soulful high tenor carried it in such a beautiful way.

For technical and interpretive brilliance on the instrument itself, it's hard to beat Jake Shimabukuro. Here he is giving his Rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. He's truly a uke virtuoso. And, unlike the many mirthful cover artists, he has reverence for the song he's playing. It shows in his rendition of the National Anthem. (It's a little showy for my taste, but embellishment seems to be what people want these days. Hey. He didn't scratch himself.)