April, 2009 www.tricornpublications.com/uke_player.htm

Ukulele Hit Parade - Gerald Ross Gerald Ross is a world-class It's been in movie scores musician playing guitar, ukulele, and countless recordings. and steel. The drums and bass Gerald plays it beautifully. lines are sequenced. "Things We Said Today" Beatles "California Girls" has a little swing tune. I believe Paul McCartney The song line-up includes a list edge to it. wrote this tune. Not many of hits from decades all of them people remember it. brilliantly arranged and played "Sleepwalk" is an old Farina by Gerald. brothers tune. It's been played "The Gypsy" is another standard. and recorded many times over I recall the Ink Spots version of 1. A Smo-o-oth One the years, but Gerald makes it the tune. 2. Samba De Orfeu his own. There is an Hawaiian 3. California Girls 4. Sleepwalk flavor to this rendition, thanks to "Canadian Sunset" is another 5. Sabor A Mi' the steel guitar. The steel is song I have heard many time. I 6. You Don't Know Me dead-on. You won't hear timing really like Gerald's interpretation 7. One Mint Julep mishaps, nor flat or sharp notes. of it here. Nice blend of guitars 8. Things We Said Today With such extensive use of steel, 9. The Gypsy and steel. "Apache" is a "surf 10. Canadian Sunset that is rare. Flawlessly performed music" tune and I have heard it 11. Apache in this recording. more than once. I am not sure 12. He Aloha No Honolulu who wrote it. Nicely done. 13. Runaway 14. Music to Watch Girls By "Sabor A Mi'" will hook you in the "He Aloha No Honolulu" I was 15. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy first measure. Great intro. I love not familiar with this song. I like the guitar work. Again, timing is it. Again, nice steel work. When it comes to instrumental EVERYTHING on this song and music, Gerald is one of those Gerald pins it down nicely. Even "Runaway" Del Shannon made people that has a great the sequenced snare drum is run-run-run-run-runaway a bit hit understanding of dynamics and perfect. subtlety. His playing is smooth in the early Sixties. Gerald has once again made it his own. and he exhibits a great deal of "You Don't Know Me" is another finesse. Nothing is over the top song that became a standard. "Music to Watch Girls By" ...I and nothing is left wanting. Cindy Walker wrote it... I think it remember this song from my was the mid 1950s. It was parents record collection when I The CD kicks off with a Benny recorded by several notable was a kid. Andy Williams had a Goodman tune. If you like artists, including Charles great voice and I remember his swing, this track with get your who gave it a really edgy vibe. I rendition well. attention in the few seconds love this interpretation of it. and keep it. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. I want "One Mint Julep" also was done more. This is a great collection "Samba De Orfeu", the Luis by . It has appeared of tunes from a great musician. Bonfa tune is a standard. on many recordings.