Into the Wild

Many moons ago I read "Into the Wild" by Outside Magazine writer Jon Krakauer. It's a true story about 22 year-old Chris McCandless, who throws off the shackles of privilege and spends two years missing as he adventures across the country. McCandless eventually gives away all his savings to wind up in the Alaskan wilderness where he perishes after an 112 day odyssey with nature and himself. Sean Penn directed the film adaptation which is closely entwined with Eddie Vedder's hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, stripped down to acoustic guitar and sometimes ukulele.

The music, as well as the story, have become deeply planted into my consciousness...to the point where I've become compelled to learn "Rise," an amazingly simple tune which Vedder actually plays on the mandolin. Hope you enjoy hearing it as much as I do playing it!

BTW, Eddie Vedder is quite known for including ukulele tracks on his recordings...apparently he contributed a ukulele song “Goodbye” to the soundtrack for Jack Johnson’s surfing documentary A Brokedown Melody. I'm going to have to check out both the tune AND the flick, especially since I'm a surfing girl and awaiting the Maverick's competition (no, no, to observe, not to surf!!) Here he is on the uke. Wonder what kind he plays?? When I did "Rise" at my uke club's open mic last night, found out that Vedder has a house on Molokai. Well, ALOHA, folks!