Friday Links

Peter Luongo is retiring as head of the Langley Ukulele Orchestra after over 30 years. He’s going to be replaced by his son, and mighty fine player, Paul Luongo.

Watch
Episode 3 of Matt Kresling and his ukulele’s Madagascar Journals. This episode: lady troubles in Mozambique. This is a fantastic series. If you’re not up to speed episode 1 is here.
– PBS’s Jake Shimabukuro documentary Life on Four Strings if you’re in the right part of the world.
Spending Time With…Cory McAbee (Thanks to Ron Hale).

New Releases
– Book documenting The Martin Ukulele by John King and
Peter Delaney’s Witch Bottle
The Flamin’ Mamies debut EP
Ukulele by Jan Laurenz

Education secretary Gove back to school for ukulele (cc: everyone who believes that playing the ukulele will make you a better person crap).

View Comments

9 Comments

  1. Ron Hale May 17th, 2013 10:22 pm

    Peter belongs in the Uke Hall of Fame, Al. If it’s still up and running. But, who cares? You could always start your own Ukulele Hunt Hall of Fame.

    Would carry more weight than the other one. Plus, we could argue about the candidates. And
    Paul will do just fine. Had a fabulous model.

    Wonder what uke Secretary Gove’s wife gave him. Mahalo, in the fine English tradition? Mumford fans, so perhaps Mya-Moe?

    Disturbing his family with his untrained twanging? But I thought anyone could learn the instrument in 5 minutes. Or less.

    Taking lessons at the Idler Academy? Great name. Photo makes him look rather harried. Be
    jamming with George and Kitty in no time.

    Send him a free copy of DUMMIES. Great PR. And who knows, 10 Downing Street could be next.

    If you’re in the right part of the world do you get or not get Jake?

    A cynic like me thinks that quitting the ukulele makes you a better person.

  2. Woodshed May 18th, 2013 6:47 am

    Ron: I agree that he should be. But I disagree that my own would carry more weight. Those guys really know their stuff.

  3. Alistair C May 18th, 2013 10:23 am

    Cannot decide if Matt Kresling is really sharp, really stupid or just has a death wish! Either way, I love the way it is all presented.

  4. Woodshed May 19th, 2013 10:16 am

    Alistair: I’d go with a mix of all three.

  5. Kresling May 19th, 2013 11:37 am

    I don’t recall including any sharp parts.

  6. Russ May 19th, 2013 12:44 pm

    If Gove resigns after he learns a few chords you’ll have to eat your words! (If not I’m with you…)

  7. Woodshed May 21st, 2013 4:43 pm

    Russ: Even if Michael Gove suddenly becomes non-evil, they’ll still have to explain why I’m such a dick.

  8. Alec May 24th, 2013 5:01 pm

    Al, thanks heaps for the links to Madagascar Journals. Really fantastic. And to all the would-be filmmakers I know who say they cant make a movie because they haven’t got the dough, it’s probably creativity, inspiration and hard work they lack. …anyway, loved the first episode and I’m spreading it around. Hope there’s a little more Ike to come!

  9. Woodshed May 25th, 2013 7:00 am

    Alec: Very glad you’re enjoying it.

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