UOGB in C: Friday Links

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall prompted a flurry of press interest. No surprises that the only one that’s interesting and doesn’t drop the F-bomb was written by George himself. Here he is discussing adapting Terry Riley’s In C for ukulele. You can glimpse the results here and download the score in the underbar.

The first part of Matt Kresling and his ukulele’s trip to Madagascar has been my favourite documentary of the year so far. And now episode two of his Madagascar Journals is up. And you can download the instrumental and vocal versions of the theme tune (MP3 links).

Fred Sokolow has three new ukulele instruction DVDs out.

Kickstarting: Aaron Keim is raising money for a new Quiet American. Rewards include a full collection of Aaron’s songbooks, Skype lessons and a Mya-Moe ukulele.

Recordings: Grant Wood’s Grave by Craig Robertson, Chistofer “Nevershoutnever” Drew seems to have struck out on his own with a new song The Light.

Pictures: HoneyBell labels, Marlene Dietrich with uke, Ukulele Man Figure.

Video: Jack Johnson sings about plastic.

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5 Comments

  1. Kempo September 30th, 2012 11:41 am

    That UOGB piece is genius, they’ve just gone way up in my estimations. Would love to find ukulele group to try that out with*, although I suspect they make it look much easier than it is.

    Hey Al, are you able to tweak something that means when we click on a link it automatically opens in a new tab? I know I can right click and select it myself but I’m too impulsive and I forget.

    Cheers!

    *But I probably won’t.

  2. Kempo September 30th, 2012 12:10 pm

    Ah, one quick Wiki search later, and it turns out it’s Terry Riley’s idea that I think is genius.

    Estimation levels readjusted, from ‘Talented and Extremely Inventive’ down to ‘Talented and Ambitious with some Eclectic Influences’.

  3. Woodshed October 1st, 2012 11:12 am

    Kempo: I wasn’t familiar with In C before this, either. I tried listening to the Terry Riley version. Lasted about 10 minutes.

  4. tooney October 19th, 2012 11:06 pm

    We just saw UOGB at Princeton University on Tues. the 16th. They were fabulous. Best time I’ve had in ages. Talented musicians, witty, and great musicologists, I’m guessing. Who can play Handel while the others sing “My Way,” “Hotel California” (and others) and have it all come together? You haven’t lived until you’ve heard “Psycho Killer” and “Teenage Dirtbag” played & sung by UOGB, concluded by a rowsing sing-along to the theme from “The Beverly Hillbillies.” (I didn’t think to bring my ukulele – a few did and they had a play-along to “Relentlessly in C.”) Can’t wait to see them again.

  5. Woodshed October 20th, 2012 1:01 pm

    tooney: Glad to hear you enjoyed the show!

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