May/18/12
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UOGB Documentary: Friday Links

A documentary about the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain The Ukes Down Under is raising funding. Robert Stern made a documentary about them six years ago and has filmed them again on their Australian tour this year. There’s the usual array of rewards including copies of both documentaries and a chance to appear on the DVD. You can fund it and find out more on the Indiegogo page.

I love this little ukulele animation: Heart Strings.

New Releases: New covers EP from Leftover Cuties, Craig Robertson has a new album songs inspired by Film Noir titles, Corner Laughers’ Poppy Seeds. And Anne Janelle’s debut solo album is out – you may know her as James Hill’s partner Anne Davison and James ukes on a couple of the tracks.

Lil Rev talks about Ukuleles In Old Time Music. And here’s a direct link to the PDF.

The Britain’s Got Talent judges weren’t impressed with the kazookeylele but other uke acts did well. Loveable Rogues reached the final (international version and The Jive Aces made it to the semis (Non-UK version).

The Uke of Wallington is Radio 4’s book of the week (thanks to @pabloscott).

The Garfunkel and Oates App has chords for their songs.

Ukulele pins

On Uker Tabs: Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s Take a Pebble

I lied to everyone and told them I could play the ukulele.

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  • Written by Woodshed
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4 Comments

  1. ukuhippo May 18th, 2012 5:55 pm

    Welcome back. I never commented before, but I missed your posts.

  2. Ron Hale May 19th, 2012 2:29 am

    What in the world are the Jive Aces doing in some inane talent contest, Al?

    They’re a big name professional act. ‘The UK’s No. 1 Jive & Swing Band’, as they bill themselves.

    Pretty cliched material, too. Just appearing is demeaning for them.

    Anything short of winning should be humiliating. Perhaps the Satin Dollz were carrying them all this time.

    And for crying out loud, guys — Lose. The. Suits!

    Now, I can’t believe the Ukes are hurting for cash. They could fund the DVD themselves.

    Trying to imagine them in yellow suits. The Satin Dollz would spice up the (tired) act.

    Which brings me to the whole notion of ukulele “orchestras.” Aren’t we getting tired of this sort of thing by now?

    A group of ukers playing cover songs with a dash of humor (sometimes) tossed in? The ukulele world may be the only place where cover bands become stars. Everywhere else they play pubs on weekends. If they’re lucky.

    Also, I’ll bet ukers are the only crowd that
    argues about cover bands and takes it seriously. (I did my share of it.) Think about it.

    If guitarists read ukers going at it tooth and nail over cover orchestras they’d crack up. And they should. It’s embarrassing.

    How much original musical material do these orchestras produce? Exactly. And how long have some of them been around without producing original material(for the orchestra)? Exactly, again.

    By the by, Al, I’ve come around to opposing
    Tiny Tim being inducted into the Ukulele Hall of Fame. Reasons forthcoming the next time the subject arises here.

    No need for that to happen, though. It no longer
    rises to the level of serious consideration as far as I’m concerned.

  3. pepamahina May 19th, 2012 5:51 am

    I enjoyed taking a clinic with LilRev at the Mighty Uke Day in Lansing Michigan and seeing him perform. I actually used a couple of his tips right away at a little jam session later on the same night so it was money well spent. I’d love to read his article but the pdf link appears to be dead.
    Heart Strings is super cute! Welcome back Al, glad you’ve returned from “snookering” or whatever it was you were up to. My Fridays just haven’t been the same without you.

  4. Woodshed May 19th, 2012 11:43 am

    ukuhippo: Thanks! Welcome to the comments!

    Ron: I’m baffled as to why the Jive Aces would want to appear on the most watch TV show in the country as well.

    I’m sick of orchestras doing covers too. When was the last time the Royal Philharmonic did one of their own songs? Saw them playing a pub last weekend. Useless twats.

    pepamahina: Thanks! It’s good to be back.

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