Comments on: Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer, Plushgun, Luca Gemma: Saturday UkeTube

By: byjimini

byjimini — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:05:32 +0000

I was in Whitby with the band (The Trollops) for the Folk Festival over the weekend; busked on the Sunday and got rained off on Monday, so we dived into a pub (as you do…) as we knew there was music on, sat down and played our stuff. I was stood next to a lady who was singing unaccompanied, and it was only when I sat opposite her and heard her sing that I realised it was Mo from The Anything Goes Orchestra featured here! We had a little chat and she asked if I’d play “I’m Yours” for her to sing to.

Normally I turn my nose up at that request, but I was so stunned to see her that I gladly accepted, and I played whilst she sat 2 feet away belting it out. The whole room loved it, and I got some great feedback for my playing. :D

*bounces around the room again*

By: Woodshed

Woodshed — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:25:24 +0000

Jodi: Me too. I wish he’d come over to the UK.

By: Hello Jodi

Hello Jodi — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:11:46 +0000

Seeing this a little late but hot damn! James Hill, eh? I gotta see this man live.

By: CharlesHugh

CharlesHugh — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:22:25 +0000

I was more or less right. Boo-ya. Now if only I could do it.

By: alec - howtoplayalone

alec - howtoplayalone — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:18:35 +0000

That Bill Jean move is so good it’s magic, and he should keep it up his sleeve indeed.

By: Craig Robertson

Craig Robertson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:44:28 +0000

James Hill is always at the top of our particular heap because of things like this…he’s willing to experiment and try new things and just MAKE THEM WORK. Damn. totally jaw-dropping.

By: Woodshed

Woodshed — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:33:33 +0000

Here’s what the man himself said:

“There are absolutely no effects and no loopers involved. That’s what makes it fun! I’m not totally against using loopers… just mostly.

I’m sure I should keep a bit of this up my sleeve so I’ll just say that the main breakthrough was this (I used the same approach on the One Note Samba routine): I’m flicking the strings very close to the bridge (think booger flick) to get that “bass drum” sound. That way you can get a note (or chord) and the bass drum sound simultaneously (with about 1000 hours of practice…). I came up with this way of playing about five years ago but it’s taken a while to find ways to make it musical and fit it into my set.”

By: Woodshed

Woodshed — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:32:00 +0000

Gin: Even Mr B can’t convince me to get a banjolele. The spectre of George Formby would never leave.

Ken and Charles: I’ll have to email James and get it sorted out.

By: CharlesHugh

CharlesHugh — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:45:15 +0000

Ken – As far as i can work out to get the bass drum sound he is strumming the strings right in front of the bridge, so the note sounds and with the bass turned right up on your amp the drum sound is also made.

By: Ken Middleton

Ken Middleton — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:10:07 +0000

Aimee – I don’t think it is a loop pedal. James Hill has a knack of playing something very hard and making it look easy.

Al – I hope you do figure it out. I spent an hour on it and got nowhere. The bass and chord parts seem straightforward enough, but the drum beats are what makes it difficult. I am not sure where he hits the uke, with which finger and how he play a note at the same time.