Jan/28/12
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Ukulele Video of the Year 2011: Nominations

The real purpose of the vote: to get people watching excellent musicians. So if there’s a video you think has been cruelly overlooked, be sure to give it a nomination because I’ll be watching anything I missed first time round.

For the first stage, everyone gets to nominate up to 5 videos – leave them in the comments. From those nominations, I’ll cobble together a list of ten (ish) that will be voted on in the next round. Use whatever criteria you like. I went with whichever videos/songs I enjoyed most.

The Rules

The rules remain as ramshackle as ever:

– There has to be a ukulele in there.
– Videos must have been originally uploaded in 2011.
– Videos must be publicly available online.
– Maximum of five nominations per person.
– Post your nominations in the comments.
– Nominations close midnight Sunday 5th February.
– Ten acts with the most nominations go into the final vote with their most nominated song going forward.
– No prize. Just the love and admiration of the heaving masses.
– No sucking up by voting for me.

Don’t panic if your comments don’t show up right away. First time commenters and comments contains a few links can get held back for spam checking.

My Nominations

A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade – Oração
Amanda Palmer & The Young Punx – Map of Tasmania
Keston Cobblers’ Club – Pett Level
Lisa Hannigan – Knots
LP – Into The Wild

Videos You May Like

To jog your memory, here are some more videos that have caused a stir in the comments, on the net or in my pants:

Raymond Penfield – Addicted To Love
Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt – What Are You Doing New Years Eve?
James Hill – Hand Over My Heart
Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep
Taimane Gardner – Taimane’s Toccata
Seryn – River Song
Keston Cobblers’ Club – Shoemaker’s Song
My Brightest Diamond – I Have Never Loved Someone
Nicholas Abersold – Those Punk Rock Days
tUnE-yArDs- You Yes You
Givers – Meantime
The Jive Aces – Bring Me Sunshine
Pegasus Bridge – Yoko
Celisse Henderson – Me and You
Ukulele Tim – The Summoning
Ukulele Bartt and James Hill – Kashmir
Sungha Jung – I’m Yours
Leftover Cuties – Places to Go
Jake Shimabukuro – 143
KYAS – Bad Romance
Kina Grannis – Michicant
Kate and Janelle – Star Witness
Jonathan Coulton – Down Today
Sophie Madeleine – Oil & Gold
U900 – I Want You Back

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61 Comments

  1. Logan January 28th, 2012 2:30 pm

    1. Lisa Hannigan – Knots

    I seem to especially fall for one video a year. In 2010 it was Antarctica Takes It!’s “C&F”, and in 2011 it was Lisa Hannigan’s “Knots”.

  2. GeorgeG January 28th, 2012 3:49 pm

    havnt seen anything by him her but my video of the year is the girl from ipanema by ws64

  3. Tanih January 28th, 2012 4:41 pm

    I liked the Ukuleighleighs doing a version of the Rocky Balls song ‘I Heart You Online’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEpNnfzWI5M and also performing ‘Guitar Player’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QENP486lBs (which was shown on S4C TV channel on 22 Dec 2011 and available on S4C website for 2 wks after airing but was not uploaded to you tube until Jan 2012).
    & Sophie Madeleine’s ‘Oil & Gold’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1RW7f_tMDg

  4. Martijn January 28th, 2012 7:14 pm

    Hi Al, great to see another edition of the Ukulele Video of the Year. My 5 for the longlist:

    1. Jive Aces Skiffle Combo – Mama don’t allow
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tHj1Q39oFQ
    2. Gofel – Sultans of Swing
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2A_1bSnfkc
    3. Ukulollo & Sarah – Mad World
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNDh1RXYI6I
    4. Bella Hemming – Little Ghost
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCv5pBd1kdc
    5. Artichoke – Little Hearts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbJzjCxj5mU

    Looking forward to the final vote! Cheers, Martijn

  5. sanford(andsong) January 28th, 2012 9:40 pm

    any tune-yards performance of “Powa” that came out last year will certainly do…

  6. Tyler January 29th, 2012 1:48 am

    1. LP’s Into the Wild
    2. Eddie Vedder- Longing to Belong
    3. Joseph Reuben- I Was Once
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRfOLlDqxpc
    4. Courtney Welbon- To Be or Not to Be
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fd3_IVNJE0
    5. Manila Uke Project- Beer
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF1jtxz-1P8

  7. Tom Cunliffe January 29th, 2012 8:23 am

    Most of ws64’s vids would fit the bill, but I ‘d agree with George G and go for Girl from Ipanema

  8. Tom Cunliffe January 29th, 2012 8:28 am

    Forgot to put the link
    Girl from Ipanema

  9. Alexandre January 29th, 2012 9:00 am

    Here is my list of 5 (or 4+1):
    1. Lisa Hannigan – Knots
    2. LP – Into The Wild
    3. Celisse Henderson – Me and You
    4. Ukulele Bartt and James Hill – Kashmir
    5. TheLex78 – Rich girls by The Virgins
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4qYUX4Do-w
    (the last one is find of self support cause I’ve been cruelly overlooked ; )

  10. Alexandre January 29th, 2012 9:04 am

    * kind of self support (excuse my french)

  11. Ron Hale January 29th, 2012 9:32 am

    Lisa Hannigan – Knots.

    Did you catch the ‘Making of’ video, Al?
    Shows the prep before and the mess after. Seems the paint tasted “horrible.” Imagine that.

  12. Ky Doran January 29th, 2012 9:49 am

    My nominations are
    Suits and Ukes episode 7: Yeah Oh Yeah
    Best Cover
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXAVsVFUABc&feature=BFp&list=FLwXV4nfQtZOro12m6I32m3A

    Billy Chong: The Nearness of You
    Best Jazz Song
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tNYRBwBK0w&feature=BFa&list=FLwXV4nfQtZOro12m6I32m3A&lf=BFp

    Lila Burns: Barefeet
    Best Unknown Artist
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfrkkdNb6W8&feature=BFa&list=FLwXV4nfQtZOro12m6I32m3A&lf=BFp

    Eddie Vedder: Longing to Belong
    Best Celebrity song
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_U1bINwdVg&feature=BFa&list=FLwXV4nfQtZOro12m6I32m3A&lf=mh_lolz

    Julia Nunes: Stay Awake
    Best Debut
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9A3fupyjsk

  13. Quique Martes January 29th, 2012 10:39 am

    1- A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade – Oração (undisputed)
    2- LP – Into The Wild (new promise)
    3- Amanda Palmer & The Young Punx – Map of Tasmania (A professional image)

  14. Nicholas Abersold January 29th, 2012 11:07 am

    Lots of great videos on your list, Al.

    I would also nominate Kresling’s Ashes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIHUQ4TP3WU

    and of course Ukisociety’s brill version of Friday
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJBrrsniyGk

  15. ukuleletim January 29th, 2012 5:16 pm

    Ooooh, I haven’t seen a lot of these. Lisa Hannigan tops my list.. well, a few of my lists.

    BTW, Al I have a new harp ukulele video. Stop by if you get a chance. Thanks for the mention!

  16. Logan January 29th, 2012 7:43 pm

    Apologies for voting twice, but I’ve just remembered Sophie Madeleine’s “30 Days 30 Covers” project. Unfortunately, my favorite of her videos this year was done with a cavaquinho (http://youtu.be/94Stpju46j8), but there are some winners on uke, too.

    1. Lisa Hannigan – “Knots”
    2. Sophie Madeleine covers Cults’s “Go Outside” (http://youtu.be/Mq5Tn79rxJk)

  17. Robbo January 29th, 2012 11:27 pm

    In no special order:

    Raymond Penfield _Addicted to Love
    LP _ Into the Wild
    Lisa Hannigan _ Knots
    Keston Cobbler’s Club _ Shoemaker’s Song
    Pegasus Bridge _ Yoko

    Thanks for this Al,and all you do.
    And may my carpal tunnel disorder go far far away.

  18. Jeff January 30th, 2012 2:22 am

    In no particular order:

    Nicholas Abersold – All summer long (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX3jAQRCDkM)
    Tyrone and Lesley – Where’s that Bear? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6GvmGq5Yhg&feature=related)
    mugambismonkey – Stuff in Sepia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4NGp_LixyI&list=FLU8TZG1Pm1oykJwJPEvIFUw&index=2&feature=plpp_video)
    Nigella in Petrolia – Rainbow Connection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x5KqVYxWSc&list=LLU8TZG1Pm1oykJwJPEvIFUw&index=3&feature=plpp_video)
    ydnac4axle – Europa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59kD5dlV5oE&list=LLU8TZG1Pm1oykJwJPEvIFUw&index=8&feature=plpp_video)

  19. pepamahina January 30th, 2012 2:44 am

    I think that the requirement “there has to be a ukulele in there” somewhere doesn’t cut it for me. It’s not really a ukulele video if ukulele is just one of five other instruments in the piece, anymore than it’s really a “tuba video” if a brass quintet is featured. Also, it doesn’t make for a great video if it’s really just a film of some player that you love playing something cool, unless that player is really being visually interesting. He or she better be putting on a show and not just sitting there playing. Ideally a “ukulele video” should really have ukulele at the center musically, and be very visually interesting at the same time. Using that criteria it’s pretty easy to eliminate the vast majority of the suggestions put forth so far. These are the ones I think are keepers:

    1)Lisa Hannigan-Knots: ukulele is center stage, definitely visually entertaining!

    2)Taimane Gardner – Taimane’s Toccata: eat your heart out Jake, this lady knows how to put on a show, and holy crap can she play. I was mesmerized for the whole 6 minutes.

    3)Raymond Penfield – Addicted To Love: Laughed my head off, maybe because I remember the original so well. Tell me you didn’t love this one!

    4) Nicholas Abersold – Those Punk Rock Days: So ukulele-centric that there aren’t even any humans in this one, and something just makes me want to keep gazing at that lofty little blue uke.

    5) Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep: Perhaps a little too “real” of a music video, but NO ONE has done more this year to put the ukulele up front and center and drag it’s reputation even further away from Tiny Tim.

  20. CC January 30th, 2012 7:34 am

    Sophie Madeleine & Justin Saltmeris – “Shangri-La” (M.Ward cover)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLSFDEJLR6M

  21. Susanna January 30th, 2012 11:27 am

    I keep coming back to the Apron Strings (NZ) Demonstrate the Muffin Method on ‘tonight you belong to me‘

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fCAtb0dUUo

    and Tyrone’s Uke Tune ‘Ukulele Heart’

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CG5l0cxEZQ

  22. Kempo January 30th, 2012 11:31 am

    I’ll have a look at the other suggestions but straight away I’d need to say Addicted to Love, I love that video. They even manage to make a God Awful song sound great!

  23. Michelle January 30th, 2012 2:02 pm

    My favourite video of the year is Tyrone’s “Excuse Me”. Makes me laugh every time I watch/hear it.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdnCp2iPUqI

    Second nomination is Tyrone’s “Ukulele Heart”. A really lovely simple song that always makes me smile.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CG5l0cxEZQ

  24. ukulefty.wordpress.com January 30th, 2012 5:12 pm

    Here’s my 5 nominations:

    1) EugeneUkulele – When You Wore A Tulip
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFu65P8bc8

    2) James Hill – Hand Over My Heart

    3) Lisa Hannigan – Knots

    4) Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep

    5) Julia Nunes – Run Around Sue Cover

  25. brett January 31st, 2012 7:17 am

    this is my favorite uke vid.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6GvmGq5Yhg&feature=related

    Tyrone – Where’s That Bear?

  26. Ted January 31st, 2012 12:15 pm

    I have to agree with you on a couple. In no particular order:

    -LP, Into the Wild
    -Kate and Janelle, Star Witness
    -Keston Cobbler’s Club, Pett Level (Love the Cobblers thanks to you!)
    -My Brightest Diamond, the Gentlest Gentleman
    and last but certainly not least, one of favorite videos ever:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOr8q8Q86RQ
    -Kate (from Kate and Janelle) playing So Sorry (originally by Feist)

    Thanks!

  27. Dominik January 31st, 2012 6:33 pm

    #1 West Cork Ukulele Orchestra – Ra Ra Rasputin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkW2m3qsTZQ

    #2 A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade – Oração

    and then We Were Evergreen – Second Hand
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVDaB6BRT90

    and Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep

  28. Johannes January 31st, 2012 10:37 pm

    Can someone point me to a place where I can see the LP – Into the wild video that is mentioned here so often?
    The link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By1EbHetjAs is not available here in Germany

  29. Woodshed January 31st, 2012 10:43 pm

    Johannes: I don’t know about watching it but you can listen to it and download the MP3 it on her website.

  30. Heli February 1st, 2012 10:12 am

    Allo Darlin’ – Tallulah
    http://vimeo.com/33098371

  31. Tich February 1st, 2012 5:23 pm

    Dpctoe What – Chameleon Circuit, Charlie Mc Donnell Acoustic version (charlieissocoollike) :)

  32. Tom February 1st, 2012 9:37 pm

    LP – Into the Wild http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By1EbHetjAs
    Tyrone – Ukulele Heart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CG5l0cxEZQ
    WS64 – Road Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4BcpwL9jG4
    Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W0B-1iF6S4

  33. Henny February 2nd, 2012 6:28 am

    http://youtu.be/cWUbxltQLfI

    Siany and John doing The Seekers.

  34. Norman February 2nd, 2012 7:37 am

    Number 1 is:Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt – What Are You Doing New Years Eve
    Next:Raymond Penfield – Addicted To Love
    3rd:The Jive Aces – Bring Me Sunshine
    4th:Taimane Gardner – Taimane’s Toccata

  35. Barbara February 2nd, 2012 9:11 am

    In no particular order, I would go with:

    Eddie Vedder: Can’t Keep

    Sophie Madeleine & Liam Blake: Runaway

    Taimane Gardner: Taimane’s Toccata
    When I die and go to heaven, I want to play like her!

    James Hill: Hand Over My Heart

    Danielle Ate The Sandwich: Where the Good Ones Go

  36. Chris Roeller February 2nd, 2012 10:07 am

    … I could go with every single suggestion of your Top 5 – just love the music you are listening to! Thank you for this wonderful website!
    Okay, so my favourite is “Pett Level” – because I didn’t know it (Thank you!) and stayed with The Keston Cobblers since then.
    Christiane.

  37. Gady Mirtenbaum February 2nd, 2012 10:08 am

    My nominatios, in no particular order:

    Amanda Palmer & The Young Punx – Map of Tasmania
    Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep
    Keston Cobblers’ Club – Pett Level

  38. Fatty Fudge February 2nd, 2012 10:24 am

    My additional nomination is this lovely song performed by DLM Davis Lindley Mullan
    – Tonight you belong to me. Smashing stuff

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2kWx2m67kI&feature=related

  39. RobNY February 2nd, 2012 12:24 pm

    Raymond Penfield

  40. John Ficarro February 2nd, 2012 12:47 pm

    James Hill – Heart Shaped Tattoo

  41. Andy February 2nd, 2012 2:03 pm

    Lisa Hannigan

  42. pv123 February 2nd, 2012 2:09 pm

    1 – Keston Cobblers Club – Pett Level
    Joyful video, I can play the song (thanks Watershed), and I’m off to see KCC tonight. Yay!

    2 – Raymond Penfield – Addicted to love.
    Fab arrangement, tongue in cheek video carried off with insight and lurv.

    3 – A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade – Oração.
    Just wow. And I don’t understand a word.

    4 – Special Educational Award – The Musgraves – Someone like you, Adele cover http://youtu.be/qBMiicSl8ag

  43. Linda Meziere February 2nd, 2012 4:35 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1fcUe9MoMw
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAkMJJSvtyI

    This kid has a future! Too cute.

  44. Mander Mae February 2nd, 2012 4:47 pm

    1. oração . a banda mais bonita da cidade (c/ leo fressato)
    2. Kate and Janelle star witness
    3. Zooey Deshanel and Joseph Gordon Levitt what are you doing new years eve
    4. KYAS bad romance

  45. Ryan February 2nd, 2012 10:10 pm

    1. Eddie Vedder- Can’t Keep
    2. Eddie Vedder- Without You (on letterman)
    3. Eddie Vedder – Longing to Belong

    4. Lisa Hannigan – Knots

    5. James Hill and Anne Davison – heart shaped tattoo (HIsessions)

  46. Twittysb February 3rd, 2012 12:20 am

    Kina Grannis – Michicant

    She did an amazing job with an amazing song. A great talent.

  47. Nickie February 3rd, 2012 5:55 am

    This one’s really cute:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrYntgFr-s0&feature=share

    Walk off the Earth – Drink to That

  48. Tich February 3rd, 2012 4:52 pm

    I meant Doctor What not Dptoe What. oops :/

  49. George February 3rd, 2012 5:16 pm

    1: An open letter to Stephen Fry by Molly Lewis
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n_hkeYGcT0
    2: Stay Awake by Julia Nunes
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9A3fupyjsk&list=UUDEsQa71VXh7tXn4SpFu9Lg&index=1&feature=plcp
    3: Hand over my Heart by James Hill
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4pJcRoTg4c
    4: Fun Science: Sound by Charlie McDonnell
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH8mT2IQz7Y&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
    5: Gregory Brothers live at VidCon
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCTWlwnL-8s&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

  50. Secret Home Party February 3rd, 2012 5:56 pm

    AMANDA PALMER and TUNE YARDS !!

  51. Warren February 3rd, 2012 11:17 pm

    Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep

  52. Kempo February 4th, 2012 12:09 am

    Ok, I really have been mulling this over for days (to the point where I’m starting to question how I spend my time ;) ), I’ve watched almost all of the videos and my nominations are… oh, I forgot about Molly Lewis!!

    Ok,

    5. Nicholas Abersold – Those Punk Rock Days
    4. Molly Lewis – Moustaches (Crosby & Nash vs The Beatles) (a late entry, pushed out Eddie Vedder)
    http://www.youtube.com/user/sweetafton23?feature=watch#p/u
    3. Raymond Penfield- Addicted to Love
    2. oração . a banda mais bonita da cidade

    But it’s all really about…
    1. Lisa Hannigan – Knots Eff tee double you, fo’ sho’.

  53. Kempo February 4th, 2012 12:18 am

    Oh yeah and if you look up the lyrics to Oracao it’s even more likely to cause you to ‘have something in your eye’.

    Oracao means Prayer, aparently…

    My love, this is the last prayer
    To save your heart
    The heart is not as simple as you think
    It holds what what does not fit in the cupboard

    It holds my love
    It holds three life times
    It holds a dresser
    It holds both of us

    It even holds my love
    This is the last prayer to save your heart
    The heart is not as simple as you think
    It holds what does not fit in the cupboard

    It holds my love
    It holds three life times
    It holds a dresser
    It holds this prayer
    http://lyricstranslate.com

  54. Greg February 4th, 2012 1:05 am

    1. Lisa Hannigan – Knots !!
    2. Amanda Palmer & the Young Punx – Map of Tasmania

  55. Acilius February 4th, 2012 4:44 pm

    Manitoba Hal’s “Poulet Shack” still gets my vote.

  56. Bee February 4th, 2012 5:18 pm

    My nominations:

    1) Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep
    2) My Brightest Diamond – I Have Never Loved Someone
    3) Lisa Hannigan – Knots
    4) Nicholas Abersold – Those Punk Rock Days
    5) LP – Into The Wild – I cannot even see the video where I live but the song is so great the video could be a still frame I’d still nominate it.

  57. Connor013 February 4th, 2012 5:46 pm

    Tough call, but here’s the one I revisit most often:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW0i1U4u0KE

    a banda mais bonita da cidade – oração

  58. Ron Hale February 4th, 2012 9:10 pm

    Atomic Bouratinos – Mr. Jones (Christmas Mystery)
    AtomicBouratinos

    The Original Rudeboys – Stars In My Eyes (Official Video)
    TheOriginalRudeboys

  59. Graham Jong-Il February 5th, 2012 12:18 am

    By far:

    Amanda Palmer & The Young Punks – Map of Tasmania

    Nicholas Abersold – All Summer Long

  60. Terry Truhart February 5th, 2012 7:07 pm

    Best Duet Multi-instrument Arrangement
    Ukulollo and Krabbers – Sky Turns Red
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ68eBJ4afk&feature=relmfu

    Pure Duet
    Kate and Janelle – Star Witness
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vindfGQuC-4

    Best Theme Uke Video
    Stay Awake
    by Julia Nunes
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9A3fupyjsk

    Best Band Uke Song
    LP – Into the Wild
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By1EbHetjAs

    Best Song about Uke Playing
    Those Punk Rock Days – Nicholas Abersold
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdIHyezKx9o

  61. Woodshed February 6th, 2012 10:19 am

    Nominations closed!

    Thanks for voting everyone. The shortlist will be up once I’ve figured out what it is.

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