Emerson,Ken / Armstrong,Robert Ken & Bob Escape To Jazz Island CD

Ken Emerson and Bob Armstrong both sing and play guitar, ukulele and steel guitar on an eclectic mixture of jazz infused island music. Whether it's playing tradition selections from the Hawaiian Islands or Tin Pan Alley, these two veteran string maestros serve up a unique blend of old and new musical stylings. Fifteen tunes ranging from Frank Ferera's old instrumental Palakiko Blues, classic Hawaiian melodies from the Cunha, Charles King and Noble songbooks; ukulele gems such as Roy Smeck's Ukulele Bounce and great 20s/30s songs like Someday Sweetheart and Japanese Sandman. Then there's a fine performance of our old pal Shanghai Lil and two versions of Tiger Shark, the Hawaiian classic tune from England in the 30s (by the Hodgkinson Brothers... better known as the Hawaiian Islanders). Plus two fine original numbers, Minkow Tango and Bees in Blue Flat. David Paquette adds his great jazz piano to several songs and also the vocals on Someday Sweetheart. The charming Elaine Hoffman sings for US on Pidgin English Hula.

1. Fish and Poi/In a Canoe 2. Japanese Sandman 3. Shanghai Lil 4. Breeze 5. Hapa Haole Hula Girl 6. Tiger Shark 7. Ukulele Bounce 8. Song of the Islands 9. Bees in Blue Flat 10. Someday Sweetheart 11. Palakiko Blues 12. Pidgin English Hula 13. Minkow Tango 14. Girl of My Dreams 15. Tiger Shark Reprise