Paris Uke Fest 2010 Off, Ukulele Loki: Friday Links

There won’t be a Paris Uke Fest 2010 (via Armelle).

And speaking of Armelle, she’s interviewed me – using her crafty techniques to drag a few neuroses out of me.

Ukulele Loki is giving away his whole album for free this week only.

Bosko and Honey announce the Safari winner and here it is.

If you’re reading this in the UK before 5:30PM on Friday – you might be able to hear my uke playing on Radio 4. Update: Well, they used my version, but they didn’t give me any credit for it. Here’s the MP3.

U900 release a Christmas album.

Ukulele.fr interview Jake Shimabukuro.

UKDad has been asked to design a new Fluke. See some of his ideas here. If you were designing a Fluke, what would you go for? I think I’d be all zeitgeist and go for a moustache.

Quiz yourself on ukulele chords.

Podcast interview with Rock That Uke director.

Laura Veirs’s Spelunking on Uker Tabs.

Marvin Gaye ukulele in Midsummer Night’s Dream.

MP3s: Circles of Concrete has Christpher Bell’s rather lovely Robert L. Sinclaire. Boston Band Crush has one from The Sound of Growing Up.

Amy Crehore has some new sketches and Tickler 3 is on the way.

Would young Patak have been able to get his hands on a Lisa in those days? Even if he didn’t think it was a guitar. (Thanks to Tom for spotting that).

Photos: At home with the Swainsons Part 1 Part 2 (check out the rest of that guy’s photos as well – like this guy). Model with uke.

Adorable: Cory McAbee and his daughter duet. Go to Behind the Scenes, Rocket Ship, 2min30.

Chipswow interviewed by WAF!. She’s a lot less cutesy-wootsy when she’s speaking French.

In the comments: There was a great deal of discussion about how the hell James Hill was playing Billie Jean so I asked him.

Friday Links

Pam ‘Nerd’s Eye View‘ Mandel has a lovely little story about travelling with a ukulele.

William King has been making some very sexy, solid body electric ukuleles.

The Bobby McGee’s crop up in the new Dizzee Rascal video (not the first time he’s had a uke in his video) thanks to cardboardfrog for spying that.

Whilst I was working on the updated Buy a Ukulele section, I realised I hadn’t seen a Black Bear ukulele for sale in a very long time. So I actually did some investigative journalism and got in touch with Duane. Turns out the eBay rules and fees got too high and he now sells them on Flea Market Music.

Rumour has it my version of Upstairs, Downstairs will be on Radio 4’s PM next week.

Help Ukulele Movement find 101 reasons to play the ukulele.

The Qatari royal family are learning to play ukulele.

Tiny Tim Overdrive are a new uke covers band from Vancouver. There’s a recording of their rehearsal in the sidebar (including covers of Sam Roberts and Eddie Vedder) and I can’t wait to hear more.

Photos: Sophie Madeleine shoot, Bongolele (thanks to byjimini), ukulele swimming pool (via Shelley).

Ukulele spotting: in the intro to Neighbours.

Billy Connelly has been uking it up with Jack Black and Emily Blunt.

Megg Farrell hooks up with the Beatles Complete on Ukulele guys.

Ukulele Cookbook: Friday Links

What do ukulele players like to eat? Rose Turle Ertler has answers from James Hill, Cat Green Bike, Jen Kwok and many others.

Voting has started for Bosko and Honey’s Join the Safari Contest. The process of selecting a winner is closely modelled on that of the election of the Doge of Venice; I think you vote for one video from each country and then your overall favourite. Those favourites and possibly others go through to various rounds of judging by Safari participants, sponsers and relatives. Then the winner is paraded round Piazza San Marco on Easter Monday.

Help Victoria Vox record her new album and get yourself mp3s, a house concert or a chance to chat her up depending on how much you’re willing to donate.

Uke, Ubu, Uke! is a new uke blog that already has some cool posts.

The New Zealanders didn’t manage to break the mass-ukulele record. But they did have Bret McKenzie. His opinion: “It looked better than it sounded.” Keep fighting those New Zealand jibes, guys.

Mark Nelson has put up tab for Moana Chimes on Uker Tabs.

Ukulele zeitgeist on the wane according to The Guardian (via Mr D).

Roger Daltry: “Is it worth tuning it?” And Steven Tyler plays Little Grass Shack for Oprah.

Mike DaSilva has some interesting things to say about ukulele tone.

Ukulelezo won last year’s Bushman Contest. Yes, it definitely happened. And anyone who tells you a cover of Mmmbop won is obviously joking.

The Leisure Society are looking for an army of ukulele players to join them on stage in London.

Sheena Beaston has an interview with and track from Via Tania.

Ukulele pin-up of the week: Sari (a slight misunderstanding of the roots of the ukulele but who cares?).

Molly Lewis CD, Celebrity Ukuleles: Friday Links

Lots of opportunities to do your bit for charity and get a celebrity uke: bid on Warren Buffett’s ukulele, Frank Skinner’s ukulele and a uke signed by the UOGB.

Molly ’sweetafton23′ Lewis made you a CD (but she eated it). You can buy the downloads here.

The London Uke Festival has made it to the final round of voting for Best New Festival. You can vote for it here.

Mel Bay have put up part 2 of John King’s introduction to Famous Solos and Duets.

The New Zealanders are having a shot at breaking the biggest uke ensemble record (are there even enough people in the country?). Mike Dickison is supposed to be leading and even he might not make it. He needs a ride from Hastings to Gisborne on Sunday morning. If you can help him out send him an email.

The podcast/ukulele love-in has been shattered: “Helen and Olly, Answer Me This. Why are assholes so attracted the the ukulele?” Martin the Soundman: “The ukulele is an instrument only a 5 yr old would get a hard-on about.” (To be fair, they weren’t entirely disparaging about the uke and it’s still my favourite podcast).

James Hill dances even better than he ukes (via Bosko and Honey).

Julia Nunes on College Humor (thanks to Cliff).

Jeff’s compiling a list of ukulele scenes in movies. If you can think of any more, let him know.

MP3s: A couple of rehearsal tapes from Howlin’ Hobbit’s Snake Suspenderz, Bridging the Atlantic has a few MP3s from Merrill ‘tUnE YaRdS/Sister Suvi’ Garbus.

Brittni Paiva is a very slick player but, yikes, those album covers.

A man’s got to have a hobby.

Ukulele pin-up of the week.

Joe Brown Signature Kala: Friday Links

Kala will be releasing a Joe Brown signature ukulele this year. Do Americans know who he is?

Only a week and a bit to win your place on Bosko and Honey’s ukulele safari.

Friend of the blog, Acilius has an extensive review of UOGB’s new album.

Put your moleskine to good use.

Jim D’Ville enlightening series of interviews continues with Del Ray (I’m slightly embarrassed by my contribution now).

Two new releases on CLLCT: one from Linguistic Banter and one from Existential Hero.

The weekly ukulele pin-up to keep Jodi happy: Betty Page.

Roger and Dave are doing another Beatles Complete on Ukulele Festival. This one will feature 16 Yoko Ono impersonators.

Bushman World Ukulele Video Contest 2009: Friday Links

The Bushman World Ukulele Video Contest 2009 has kicked off. This year the winner will be decided by a vote – perhaps they’ve realised they have bloody awful taste.

The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra’s new EP The Dreaming is now available online.

I wish I could go to the Uketober Fest in Griffith Park LA. It features a bunch of Uke Hunt favourites: Kate Micucci, Madame Pamita and The UkuLady.

If you’re anywhere near Sydney sign up for the Sydney Ukulele ‘n’ Beer Meetup.

Shelley ‘UkeBox’ Rickey has some ukulele themed desktops available to download.

Armelle comes up trumps with some great creole songs on ukulele.

Ukulele Hero: Warren Buffett edition.

Charles Dance loves playing the ukulele.

Gosh Damn! has some, “ukulele laden house music,” for download.

My favouite uke photo this week comes curtousy of ukulele.fr: Edouard Jacovacci.

Might Uke Documentary: Friday Links

The Might Uke documentary will be premiering at the Woodstock Film Festival. If you need ukumentary action right now, you can watch a documentary on the ukulele in New York on YouTube: Part 1, Part 2.

Lost Sound Tapes is looking for contributions for their next ukulele compilation.

The Corner Laughers have a new album out Ultraviolet Garden

Tim Harries has more ukulele cartoons.

Some useful advice for uke groups from Gerald Ross, “If all you are doing is striving for volume, your rhythm and tone will suffer. As the band size increases the overall volume level should decrease.”

Lancaster online talks ukulele with Phredd and other local ukers.

The finished Day of the Dead ukulele.

Marilyn on uke: she sure knew how to be in a photo.

MP plays ukulele with Billy Bragg at the Lib Dem conference. And here’s a very short clip of it.

A week late, pirate ukulele.

Live in London #2, Tab-U-Learn Returns: Friday Links

Two new records out: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain’s Live in London #2 and a solo EP from Howlin’ Hobbit available on CD and by download. And he could use the support.

Tab-U-Learn is back up and running. It has the best selection of baritone ukulele tabs anywhere on the net, so get over that if that’s your axe of choice.

I discuss playing ukulele by ear with Jim D’Ville.

Bosco and Honey officially launch their OZ contest. And it’s great to see they’re getting a lot of support from sponsors.

Judy Robinson is doing a survey of ukulele players. Fill it in and you could win an iPod.

New(ish) uke blog: Ukulele Perspective.

Ian Chadwick has a bunch of vintage ukulele songbooks available for download.

The Indie Rock Coloring Book – cool idea and it has a ukulele on the cover.

“George Formby is one of my heroes,” says Zooey Deschanel.

Celebs on the uke: Tony Danza and Nicky Campbell.

Photos: Day of the Dead painted ukulele, Paper Moon (Thanks to Ukulelia and Zoe), Gibson SG style ukulele, one of those rare cases of a kid-with-uke photo that is so adorable even I don’t hate it.

Armelle interviews classical uker Herman Vandecauters and Ken Middleton for some ukulele fingerpicking tips.

The Blower’s Daughter by Damien Rice on Uker Tabs.

MP3s: Franny Deschanel has some of his songs available for download, Songs:Illionis has Andrew Phillip Tipton. Said the Gramaphone has a track from one of the many bands called The Ukeladies.

Why the ukulele is the smart boy’s choice.

Netbook essential #4 Foxit Reader with one of my ebooks loaded (Thanks to the eagle-eyed J-Hob for spotting that).

Essential Ukulele Links

Hello from Venice!* Since I haven’t been spending 17 hours a day scouring the internets for ukulele links, I don’t have anything new to share. So here are some links to places that are awesome and don’t get the attention they deserve.

There are a bunch of great sites in French:

- Ukulele Dav – tabs from Roy Smeck and other ukulele classics.
- Des Cordes et Du Bois – more excellent tabs including many classical pieces.
- Ukulpic – Chords, tabs, indie ukulele music. Sounds like a good idea for a blog.
- Le Soir Ukulele Sessions – Top notch take-away type sessions.

Jeff’s Humble Uker Ramblings is always packed with great photos and interesting info. Some recent posts well worth checking out:

- Buying a 2nd ukulele.
- Confessions of a Martin collector
- Interview with Winin’ Boy

Jake Wildwood’s Antebellum Instruments is packed with pictures of wonderfully restored vintage ukuleles along with mandolins, banjos and guitars. But my favourites are the unusual stringed instruments that cross his path.

- Octofone – so named because it’s supposed to be 8 instruments in one.
- Fretless banjo – give it a listen here.
- Unmarked Archtop Guitar
- Bohm Waldzither

*Actually, I’m writing this beforehand and I’m in still in Derby – the Venice of the Midlands.

Blog Makeovers, Win an Oz Trip: Friday Links

First off, a quick parish notice. I’m off to Venice for a week tomorrow. Thanks to the magic of the internets, there’ll still be posts turning up (hopefully), but I won’t be replying to emails and comments. Yes, it would have made sense to time my blog break to match up with it. On to more important things.

It must be the season to makeover your blog. Both UkeToob and Ukulele Languages have sleek new looks and new urls. And KDUS has rebranded itself Ukulele Club de France.

Bosko and Honey are offering a chance to fly out to Australia and join them on their safari via the usual, “This is my entry…” video contest thing.

Aaron Keim has released a two-chord songbook.

Sophie Madeleine’s Life. Love. Ukulele. is now available on CD.

Rod, Jane and Freddie bust out the ukes on Rainbow including the traditional Hawaiian reference to the hokey cokey. (Thanks to Andy)

Get the Gus look.

You can catch the online premiere of Stingray Sam here on the 16th September and watch the trailer here.

Oh, Yahoo Answers. I love you and hate you: Help! I can’t stop fantasizing about Julia Nunes. Windmill it in your right arm then let go?

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