Elof & Wamberg – 12 Ornli’ Syge Tracks For ‘Ukulele Og Kontrabass

On the face of it, an album with just ukulele and double bass doesn’t sound too promising. But that’s only because you haven’t heard this. The duo fits some remarkable variety into their tunes and arrangements, ranging from their own compositions to klezmer (Frelekh) and some traditional Danish pieces. Yes, it’s a bit of a cheat, as Nicolaj Wamberg also contributes violin here and there and one of them offers some tralling on the opener Halling. But it’s certainly the ukulele as you’ve never heard it before. It’s known as a very subtle instrument for melody lines, by Tobias Elof makes it into something magical. Also worth mentioning is the interplay between the pair of musicians, always easy and often complex. There’s plenty of beauty, like the delicious Mia (where the uke sounds like a guitar) or the jaunty picking of J.F. Polka (with added whistling). Yes there’s a fair bit of overdubbing, but when listening is this much fun, who cares? Uke Talk is a real rag-style workout, demanding on the player, and Elof is more than up to the challenge. Finishing with a well-loved Carl Nielsen piece is a masterstroke, adding to the Danish feel that lies under the entire disc. Odd, lovely, and a must for all ukulele fans.