Lovely Surprise: 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' on Ukelele

Most covers of Beatles songs are, I think, disappointing. The originals are so good, after all. But here's one that isn't: It's ukelele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro doing a solo cover of George Harrison's While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Not only is Shimabukuro covering the Beatles, and Harrison, he's also covering Eric Clapton, because Clapton played the guitar solo on the original White Album recording.

If you've never thought of the ukelele as a "real," grown-up instrument, this will change your mind:

And covering a Harrison song on the uke is an appropriate way to honor the late Beatle. Harrison was a ukelele player himself, loved the instrument, often gave them as gifts to friends. For years, Paul McCartney has honored his fallen friend in concert by starting off Harrison's Something on a ukelele given to him by Harrison: