Reel Good: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Ukulele Masters John King and James Hill

By Greg Olwell

With this week’s Throwback Thursday falling on St. Patrick’s Day, it just seemed right to feature a little Irish music.

Back at the Portland Uke Fest in 2008, two modern masters, the late John King and James Hill, play a medley using the traditional double jig “Larry O’Gaff” and a reel called “The Swallow’s Tail.”

The ukulele’s bright, warm tone and Irish music’s lively bounce, makes the two seemingly disparate things feel like a natural match. It makes me want to hear more Irish music on ukulele.