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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

They’re not available yet, but I’m already uke-lusting for a Kala UBass. Rigk Sauer has put up a couple of clips: Stand By Me, Tiger Rag. It’s not often you see baritone Gibson ukuleles up for sale but here’s a rather handsome Gibson UB-1. Good to see they went with the guitar-style headstock rather than […]

John Kavanagh has died after suffering an asthma attack whilst scuba diving. You can read tributes to him on Flea Market Music Mighty Uke trailer and an interview. Top notch ukulele tabs from Ukulele Dav Dusty Strings UkeFest in Seattle features Ralph Shaw, James Clem and Kimo Hussey. You’ll also be able to catch James […]