Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Pairs Voice and Ukulele on ‘Over the Rainbow’

Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s “Over the Rainbow” brings the familiar melody into a close voice-and-ukulele arrangement.

Mountain Apple Company’s official upload identifies the singer and selection, tying this recording to the company presenting it. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting. This preserves the relationship between the musical parts in this recording.

Ukulele gives the song a light texture, providing rhythm and harmony beneath the vocal melody. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting.

The singer’s tone connects successive phrases, maintaining continuity across the familiar tune. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting. This preserves the relationship between the musical parts in this recording.

Recognizable passages orient listeners as the melody unfolds in this more restrained arrangement. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting.

Watch the performance

Voice and ukulele occupy complementary roles: one carries the tune, the other supports its harmonic movement. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting. This preserves the relationship between the musical parts in this recording.

Measured entrances establish phrases, while releases leave room for the instrument to bridge into the next line. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting.

The video frames this performance as a distinct filmed version, connecting the sound with its visual presentation. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting. This preserves the relationship between the musical parts in this recording.

The spare arrangement makes the relationship between melody and accompaniment easy to hear. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting.

The familiar tune links individual phrases into one progression, with ukulele carrying a gentle rhythmic thread. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting. This preserves the relationship between the musical parts in this recording.

Kamakawiwoʻole’s “White Sandy Beach” offers another song and recording from his repertoire. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting.

Mountain Apple’s isolated-vocal “Over the Rainbow” brings the singing forward without the instrumental part. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting. This preserves the relationship between the musical parts in this recording.

One companion follows the singer into another selection; the other returns to this song through its vocal track. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting.

This version’s character comes from the close partnership of voice and ukulele, without a larger ensemble. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting. This preserves the relationship between the musical parts in this recording.

The company’s official source keeps the singer and release connected with the recording. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting.

Warm vocals and gentle ukulele give Kamakawiwoʻole’s “Over the Rainbow” an intimate shape. The official recording keeps this musical detail connected to the performance and its identified setting. This preserves the relationship between the musical parts in this recording.

More videos to explore

Mountain Apple Company’s “White Sandy Beach” video offers a different melody and presentation.

The isolated-vocal upload makes the singing in “Over the Rainbow” available in a separate recording.

Further reading: Performance background and source. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I