Sometimes simplicity is the way to go.

Born in Hawaii, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole began playing music at the age of 11 and formed a singing group with his brother in the 1970s. They eventually became the most popular purveyors of traditional Hawaiian music in the state during the 1980s, but Israel (known as Iz) decided he wanted to try his hand at a solo album. Cut to 1988.

In a Honolulu recording studio around 3 AM, engineer Milan Bertosa was closing up shop for the night when the phone rang. A friend was on the line asking if he could bring someone in to make a quick recording. Bertosa wanted to go home but agreed to stay if they could get there in 15 minutes. He set up a couple of microphones and a few minutes later a mountain of a man walked in with a ukulele. That was Iz. He said he had an idea.

Iz sat down and proceeded to sing a medley of “Over The Rainbow” and “What A Wonderful World,” accompanied only by his uke, in one take. He thanked Bertosa for the impromptu session and left. It had barely taken any time at all.

Bertosa kept a copy of the tape and occasionally played it for friends. A couple of years later, Iz recorded an upbeat, full band arrangement of the medley for his debut album, and now, five years later, he was working on his second album. Bertosa happened to be working down the hall and, remembering the late night session, brought the tape in to play for Iz’s producer. There was something magical in this unadorned version and it found a place on the 1993 album, Facing Future.

“Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World” was not released as a single at the time, but it featured in countless movies, TV shows and commercials over the ensuing years, and became a chart hit at the beginning of the 21st century in edited form. Sadly, Iz’s heart was too big for this world and he died before seeing the full scope of his success. But he left us all an enduring song of hope.

So wake up where the clouds are far behind … with Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo’ole.