Recordings

Song Notes (by William Wilson)
1. Maui-Gueña
The title was chosen by David Jones. Here’s David on the title:
“I remember back to the start of your project. The theme, as I recall, was to bring the ukulele and classical guitar together in the spirit of Hawaii. One of my favorite Flamenco pieces is the traditional Malaguena. It didn’t take me long to come up with Maui-guena – a fun take-off of the title that brought the island feel of the ukulele to the passion of the Flamenco.”
2. Bajo el Ombú
The name comes from my aunt Ana and cousin Jon Paul. Here is Jon Paul on the name:
“Hola Bill, Ana and I just sat listening to the piece a couple of times. She came up with “Bajo el ombú.” Ombú is a tree, characteristic of the pampa (More on El Ombú). It made her think of being surrounded by the Argentinian nature, cows, etc.”
3. Kula Mele
“Our song (mele) brings to mind Hawaii Island’s Parker Ranch paniolos riding through the grassy pastures speckled with cinder cones and koa trees in the shadows of the Kohala volcano.”
4. Maria
“I chose the name Maria after my wife Mary had asked for a song named after me, but in Spanish — Ernesto. I was delighted with the song William composed. I thought there can’t be an Ernesto without a Maria. And if anybody deserves to have a song written for her, it’s my Mary, who has brought 11 children into this world and raised them to be warm, loving, and virtuous — all while enduring a steady stream of nonsense from her Ernesto. Thank you, William, for writing and recording such a sweet, poignant song in honor of mi Maria.”
For more slack key music, check out Keola Bremer.
5. Cocinar Con Amor
“this song reminds me of cooking dinner at Sunset.. the beginning sounds like chopping.. then prepping and making a seven course meal… ”
Though she’ll kill me if she reads this, Amiko is a rock star chef ( and one of my most enthusiastic students) You can read about here here: SD Magazine on Amiko Gubbins
6. Corazón de Patricia
“The heart of my wife, Patricia, encompasses me, our family and all those around her. She has been blessed with this gift of a loving heart and it is one I have treasured over the 37 years I have been married to her. I believe that music is the language of the soul and reveals things that words cannot. William’s composition has captured the way my wife’s heart embraces those around her.
Through His Sacred Heart,
the lovebirds sing together;
their hearts become one.”
7. Puntos de Alegría
“OK so I wanted to name the song after Mickey as you know:) He has ‘dots’ that make him Mickey mouse. So I was thinking “Dots of Joy” because he adds so much joy and lives such a joyful life. In spanish it is ‘Puntos de Alegria’.”
If you enjoy this track check out Los Indios playing “The Ritual Fire Dance.”
8. Ku'u Ipo I Ka He'e Pu'e One
9. Olé-kulele
If you are a guitar / ukulele player yourself check out this video on how to play a golpe.
10. Ramblin' Gal
“The name ‘Ramblin’ Gal’ embodies not just the feel of the song, but how I live my life. I am a full time traveler with a permanent camp in a place called Slab City, where people live their lives how they want to live them. Keeping that as a home base allows for the time and freedom to go on trips ‘ramblin’ about the country. As a dancer, when I think of choreography for the piece, I envision a woman ‘strolling’ along a path, meeting all sorts of wonderful people on her journeys, in various settings from towns and villages to the countryside to marketplaces and festival sites.”
Here’s a super funny Ukulele Swing I just had to link to!
11. La Belleza de la Vida
“Why did I name my song ‘A Beautiful Life’ in Spanish. In Spanish because my beautiful mom is from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The rest of the reason can be simply stated..’ I woke up having another day of wondering why “bad” or challenging things happen to good and gracious people such as my mom. I listened to my song to name from Billy and immediately was reminded and felt through song the beauty of life. The rhythm and sounds of the song reminded me of the beauty of life experienced by the dark times followed by being blessed by light and hope. The music sounds like hope following life’s challenges. This gives me strength.'”
12. The Poet's Joy
“Matthew Lickona like William Wilson has a creative soul. Matthew writes poems to mark special occasions or milestones in life. William guitar music brings my beloved husband such great joy ,hence the name The Poet’s Joy .”
One of my favorite composers of Canons was Telemann. I recorded several of them on a recent album, Classical Guitar Music for Reading and Studying.
13. Ernesto
“‘Ernesto’ is named for my passionate, operatic tenor husband, who is a gift to those who know him, with his humor and empathy and also his majestic singing voice that gifts those who have the pleasure to hear him sing. Long live Ernesto!
In the composition I tried to capture both aspects of Ernie’s personality, the humorous and the musical. The first part of the song is fun and bouncy, but this moves into a more serious minor section with long notes in the melody. The piece concludes with a return to the fun major section and ends with a famous musical quote. Can you name the tune? (Hint listen to the last 10 seconds or so)
14. Wahi I'a
This track features a seven string guitar (listen for some cool low notes, way down to a low “A”!) made by Len Laviolette and commissioned by wife Mary Ann.
15. Melodía de la Attamma
The title was chosen by K Karunaratne and means “Melody of the Grandmother,” in a combination of Spanish and Sri Lankan.
16. Sunset Over Mackinaw
The title was chosen by Michael McDowell, who used to visit Mackinaw Island, Michigan, back from 1938-1941.