Raymond Penfield: UkeTube

13 Comments

1. Ron Hale December 11th, 2011 12:32 am
   

   Craig keeps coming up with lyric barbs that stick with you, Al. “Tarzan Song” has one of his best lines.

   I do believe Ray will make an appearance in your video contest next month. Will 2012 be the year of the harp uke? Isn’t 2011 the year of the banjo uke?

   Ian Clarkson’s becoming quite the uker. So are the Satin Dollz for that matter.

   Short UkeTube? No matter, mate. Let me toss a couple out for your readers. Some might actually enjoy them. Not bloody likely, but hey…

   Patti Cakes – My Sweetie Pie
   mufti

   Found Patti with a “ukulele burlesque” search. But don’t let that put anyone off. Her sweet Kamaka is worth checking out.

   And speaking of checking out. Or in this case Czeching out. Wanna rock? Look no further.

   Ukulele Troublemakers – Everybody Needs Somebody
   petrvolgemut

2. Luke December 11th, 2011 1:36 am
   

   Can’t say they really get five star ratings anymore can you….

3. RobNY December 12th, 2011 12:00 am
   

   I can’t stop watching Raymond Penfield

4. pepamahina December 12th, 2011 3:01 am
   

   Do you remember a couple of months back when you blokes all smeared that guy all over the blog for saying in a Dummies review on Amazon that Al got it wrong when he says you should hold the uke in the “crook of your hand”? Take a look at Gerald Ross’s hand position in this video. See how he has the thumb on the back, his wrist pulled away, and his fingers curled around? That’s the way I play too. In fact, I just can’t play with the uke in the crook of my hand. Maybe it is from having played violin in the past. Diane Rubio, who happens to also be a cellist, is another example of a great uker that’s been featured here that doesn’t use the crook. Watch Bosko and Honey. No ukes resting in the crooks there either. Although I don’t think that it is “wrong” to use the crook, or wrong of Al to use it in his book, I think there is definitely room for argument about hand position. I can imagine that the crook is a definite advantage when standing, but it makes some chords excruciating for me, particularly a B or anything with a bar, and doesn’t allow me nearly the freedom of movement up and down the neck. Anyway, I’ve been hesitant to say anything, but watching Gerald gave me courage. Thanks for the link.

5. david beckingham December 12th, 2011 5:14 am
   

   I’m surprised there aren’t more comments this week so far. This is a great little collection. Grey power, cool skiffle, Craigs best song for ages, and those harp ukes are looking kinda tempting (although a bit silly)…

6. Woodshed December 12th, 2011 2:07 pm
   

   Ron: I think it’s a forgone conclusion that Raymond will figure in it. He’ll certainly get a nomination from me. Thanks for the pointers.

   Luke: I’m not with you.

   Rob: Me neither. That guy’s got charisma.

   pepamahina: My objection wasn’t to what he said, my objection was that he reviewed the book without having read it. If he’d read it he’d have found that I go into more detail on the thumb position. But I do think that’s the easiest way for beginners to start playing.

   David: Glad you enjoyed it. It’s tempting because it’s silly!

7. Starkey December 12th, 2011 9:44 pm
   

   I find it odd you used that song for The Jive Aces. I just looked em up, they’re really a swing band. Still, very glad you posted it, I’m loving them already.

8. ukuleletim December 14th, 2011 2:02 am
   

   Hey thanks for putting my video here and on uketoob, Al!

   I am loving that Injured Birds song. Gonna go look for some more of their stuff. His voice is outstanding and the his accompaniment was really cool.

9. John B December 15th, 2011 5:49 am
   

   GREAT. you’ve picked several of my favorite You Tube posts of recent. Tim (What a sound!), Craig, Gerald, and my buddy Jon (Eugene) are all on my short, short playlist this week.

   The rest I haven’t heard before, but I’ll be listening in. Heck – that Raymond has a lot of style, and a ton of chutzpah. :D

10. pv123 December 22nd, 2011 6:44 pm
    

    Could someone put me out of my misery and tell me what that nice little chord at the very beginning of the Penfold’s ‘Addicted to love’ is? Please.

11. Woodshed December 22nd, 2011 10:14 pm
    

    pv123: I think its just all the strings open.

12. pv123 December 23rd, 2011 9:24 am
    

    Doh! Thank you and Merry Christmas, sir. You’ve restored peace and harmony to my ukulele universe. It’s such a sweet understated arrangement and now I can play it.

13. Woodshed December 23rd, 2011 9:48 am
    

    pv123: You’re welcome. And Merry Christmas!