Upstairs, Downstairs Theme (Tab)

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MP3
I think I mentioned before, I don’t own a TV any more. But I might get a TV license anyway just to support the BBC’s new ukulele orchestra. One member of the group is Radio 4’s Kathy Clugston (from off of the shipping forecast) and she [...]

The most interesting video this week is of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain being joined by Yusuf ‘Cat Stevens’ Islam for a version of Peace Train. You can watch the Uke’s other performance on the show here.
Also this week are GUGUG, Ukesysteemi (the 14-year old, Finnish, slightly fuckin’ awesome version of GUGUG) and the [...]

Larrivee seem to have been abscent from the ukulele scene for a while but a rather cute koa Larrivee soprano has turned up on eBay. The last mention I could find was on Ukulelia about a limited run in 2004. Although it looks like they still have some in stock here. And it’s no wonder [...]

Keep up ukulele players’ well deserved reputation for kindness and generosity and sponser me for my part in the London Uke Fest’s record attempt. A big thanks to Jeff, Josh, Art and Chris(who was incredibly generous) for opening the pot.
My Fingerpicking Ukulele mini-course is looking a bit tired and will be taken down next Friday. [...]

Paolo Nutini – High Hopes (Chords)

Polo Nutini’s ukulele may have met an unfortunate end but this ukulele ditty (from the upcoming Sunny Side Up) turned out nice.
And it’s a dead simple song – perfect for beginners. It’s just baby’s first uke chords: C, F and G.
Suggested Strumming
Old faithful:
d – d u – u d [...]

The London Uke Festival is shaping up to be a really fun event. So much so I’ve been tempted out of my lair and will emerge, blinking into the sunlight, myself. As much as I know so far: Joe Brown is going to sign three ukes for charity, Pete Howlett will be making a uke [...]

Hellogoodbye – Betrayed by Bones (Chords)

To complete the Ukulele Recordings EP trilogy. On the first few listens I thought this was the weakest track on it. But it’s grown on me a great deal since.
Like the other tracks on the EP, it’s in D tuning. But it works fine playing the chords in C-tuning. Although [...]

Watercolor Paintings – Telephone Wires (MP3)
Watercolor Paintings – Indiana (MP3)
Blanket Truth – Hanging Out (MP3) via Lost Sound Tapes
There’s very little from the 1980s that I’m nostalgic for. The TV, fashion and music almost universally terrible. And the dominant format for music was the cassette. But my antipathy towards the cassette might be turned around [...]

Jim’ll Fix It Theme (Chords)

Apologies to the majority of you who have probably never heard this song before, but after mentioning it the other day I couldn’t resist writing it up.
One thing to look out for in this is the two different versions of the C chord. In the original there’s a strong bass-line move [...]

It’s been four days and twenty hours since Peggy Sue got a mention on here. An oversight that must be rectified immediately.
Also this week is Fairport Convention (or what’s left of them) paying tribute to their ukulele heroes, Franny Deschanel’s best song yet, a bit of Justin Timberlake and plenty more.