Joe Brown
Album: The Ukulele Album
Label: Joe Brown Productions
Tracks: 15
Website: http://www.joebrown.co.uk

Almost as soon as it started migrating east, the Hawaiian guitar, aka the ukulele has had a bit of a trash reputation. During a musicians contract dispute in the States, a number of performers still made money playing the uke at night because it wasn't considered a 'proper' instrument.

Over here even when it was played with serious intent by the likes of George Formby it was still viewed as kitsch, particularly as the films dated and were regularly parodied. The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain my have shown the versatility of the instrument, but still seem to maintain that novelty effect.

That said the instrument is being rehabilitated at the moment. A significant number of schools offer ukulele as an instrument to supplant the ubiquitous recorded as starter instrument of choice, a good decision as musically it offers much more diversity. Similarly it's an instrument you're starting to see at gigs as both lead and support instrument.

Joe Brown's "The Ukulele Album" is a bit of a curate's egg of a release, albeit a good one. For me the main problem is that it can't decide what it wants to be, to use another well worn phrase, it's neither fish nor fowl.

What is beyond dispute is the quality of the performance, the songs are full bodied, full blown covers of some fifteen songs. The problem is that it's a collection of songs, not an album, there's too many musical styles thrown about, it shows of the versatility of both the instrument, Joe Brown's playing and Pete Brown's arrangements, but unfortunately cover's like "Ace Of Spades", "Pinball Wizard" and "Mr Blue Sky" still have a novelty feel about them.

That's more than counter balanced by songs such as "I'll See You In My Dreams", "Where Were You Last Night" and "I'm Not In Love" which showcase the more emotional side of the instrument without getting over sentimental.

"The Ukulele Album" is an enjoyable album, I've never known Joe Brown to be anything other than good value, but somehow I can't shake that nagging feeling that a trick ended up being missed.

Neil King