Book Reviews

If it weren't such a hackneyed phrase, this book could be called Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Ukelele... Except How to Play It, and if that leaves you cold, think again. The ukelele is not only a surprisingly versatile instrument, but it's also one for which there seems to be signs of a revival. More importantly for readers of this book, it is an instrument whose history has never been documented in such a complete and entertaining manner. Jim Beloff, Associate Publisher of Billboard and author of three instructional song books for the instrument, has put together a visually witty and richly illustrated guide to the diminutive instrument. Color illustrations and photographs abound on literally every page. Beloff traces the history from Portugal to Hawaii to the Mainland, and covers the fad for Hawaiian music and ukes in the early part of the century. He also shares anecdotes and trivia and notes the influence that the instrument has had on figures in pop music, TV, the movies, and advertising.

Beloff also pays tribute to all the great players, from the early days in Hawaii to those who arrived on the scene later from the Mainland and the U.K., and he supplies a basic discography of albums, many of which are unfortunately no longer available. The last chapter is of more esoteric interest, being a guide to the various instrument makers and their respective models and other related instruments. There are a few oversights. There is only a cursory allusion to Chalmers Doane, a Halifax, Nova Scotia, music teacher who, in the 60s, initiated an innovative and popular school music program based on the instrument that spread beyond the area. The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain is mentioned, but only one of the group's albums is listed, even though these are relatively recent productions. On the other hand, a somewhat similar recent group from the U.S. named Humuhumunu kunu kuapua'a (named after Hawaii's most well-known fish, if you gotta know!) is not mentioned. All in all, it's a very charming and informative book.
-- Paul Comeau (Comeauville, NS, Canada)

The B.B. King Companion
by Richard Kostelanetz
Schirmer Books 301 pages, $15.00

You can listen to B.B. King for years and still have no clue as to how he manages to make his guitar Lucille wail from a whisper to a scream. This new text by Richard Kostelanetz is an excellent companion to King's autobiography Blues All Around Me. A collection of essays, articles, and reviews on the master musician, it chronicles the days when King was a blues deejay in Memphis (hawking "Pepticon" elixir on the side) and his recordings with The Rolling Stones, U2, and Bonnie Raitt. From the "Chitlin' Circuit" to Carnegie Hall, B.B. (Blues Boy) King has toured the world over getting standing ovations for his high-energy, raw electric blues. When he sings "The Thrill is Gone" you know he's lived it. The B.B. King Companion gives you powerful insights and history of this remarkable blues musician who helps define the word "legendary."
-- T.J. McGrath (Woodbridge, CT)