When I say ‘essential’, I’m not just talking about records that are nice to listen to. All these records have changed the way I think about making music on the ukulele. They’ve inspired me to try something new, to be more ambitious in my playing or to think about the instrument in a new way.

This is my personal choice. So, if you think I’m an idiot, let me know what I’ve left out (or shouldn’t have included) in the comments and why it deserves to be here.

In no particular order:

James Hill – A Flying Leap

He’s got more tasteful and understated with his recent albums but I love this one for its spirit of , “Hey, Mum, look how high I can swing.” There’s an unrelenting enthusiasm to the entire album. Tunes like Uke Talk and Down Rideau Canal blast along like he’s desperate to play every note on the uke in as short a time as possible. He’s got total command of his ukulele and he’s enjoying every second of it.

With highly skilled players of any instrument there’s a tendency to sacrifice enjoyable tunes for technical wizardry but A Flying Leap doesn’t fall into that trap. Even a quite pretentious idea like the One Small Suite for ‘Ukulele is packed with hummable tunes.

James hasn’t made any secret of the fact he’s a bit jaded with the ukulele at the moment and, really, where do you go after an album like this?

Standout Track: Down Rideau Canal
Buy It: On Amazon
Play: Uke Talk, Skipping Stone and Song for Cheri on Dominator
Read: James Hill interview

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – Live in London #1 and #2

If you tour for 25 years, you tend to become a pretty good live act. And there’s no doubt that the UOGB are best experienced live (they’re currently up there with Dillinger Escape Plan and AC/DC as my favourite gigs). These two albums pack in all the hits (with the merciful exception of Smells Like Teen Spirit) along with the atmosphere and jokes as old as the band.

As a nerd, what fascinates me about these records are the arrangements. Most uke groups just have most people strumming the same chord while a couple of flash-Harry’s have at it. But their arrangements are crafted.

Standout Track: Just one? Hot Tamales
Buy It: On their website.
Play: Shaft, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Anarchy in the UK, They’re Red Hot.
Read: Will Grove White interview

tUnE-YaRdS – BiRd-BrAiNs

If someone had asked me a few years ago what I’d most like to hear I’d probably have said, “MIA covering Frank Zappa on a ukulele,” and I would be imagining something a lot like tuNE-yArdDS. Connecting TUne-YArds to those to is the masses of ideas they cram in each track and their ability to combine sometimes wildly avant-guard sounds to make something enjoyable, listenable and popular.

Standout Track: Hatari
Buy It: On Amazon
Play: Hatari
Read: UkeToob’s interview with Tune-Yards.

Miss Jess – Jammin’ at Jackson’s

The Luddite part of me thinks every album should be made this way. Write some great songs, get together a bunch of great musicians, sit them around a single mic and give them a day to produce something incredible. Miss Jess followed that tactic and it paid off spectacularly with this record.

Standout Track: Philadelphia
Buy It: On Amazon
Read: Miss Jess interview

The Bobby McGee’s – S’Amuser Com Des Fous

I liked this EP so much I bought it on vinyl despite not having a record player.

Standout Track: When Father Died Ferrets Licked Away the Tears (aka Forever and a Day).
Buy it: On iTunes
Play: Forever and a Day
Read: Bobby McGee’s interview

Jake Shimabukuro – Gently Weeps

Jake Shimabukuro is idolised by many ukers for his individuality and originality. Which is why they try to play like him.

After the effects- and instrument- heavy Dragon, Gently Weeps is much more open and direct. Other instruments don’t get a look in until towards the end (where they make the sound much more cheesy). The album is the perfect showcase for Jake’s ability and contains some captivating performances.

Jake has such an individual and recognisable style it’s a shame that he inspires more people to imitate him than he inspires to find their own style.

Standout track: No one agrees with me on this but my favourite is Grandma’s Groove.
Buy It: On Amazon

Beirut – Gulag Orkestar

“Yeah, I’m in a band. I play guitar. And Billy’s on drums. And Mike on bass.” Oh, piss off.

With all the incredible instruments in the world it baffles me why 95% of bands just stick with the obvious. By the simple expedient of using brass, ukuleles and accordions, Zach Condon makes music far more interesting and captivating than most of his contemporaries.

Standout Track: Elephant Gun.
Buy it: On Amazon
Play: Beirut tabs and chords

Sophie Madeleine – Life, Love, Ukulele

It’s tricky writing songs that are timeless without being retro. It helps to be an impossibly talented songwriter. And that voice. Being something of a white-trash thug myself, I can’t resist the posh voice.

Standout Track: Take Your Love With Me
Buy It: On Bandcamp
Play: I Just Can’t Stop Myself (Writing Love Songs About You), Take Your Love With Me (The Ukulele Song) (Chords), The Knitting Song, You Are My Favourite
Read: Sophie Madeleine interview.

Bobbins. Frank Sidebottom died this week. You know he did. He really did.

I pity the fool that doesn’t know how to play Kashmir on ukulele. Or what power chords are.

Very interesting interview with a ukulele collector on Collectors Weekly.

Frank Skinner does a Formby-esque tribute to the vuvuzela.

Kina Grannis’s ukulele has been nicked.

John Hodgman ukes it up with Neil Gaiman and Damian Kulash.

Ukulele china bags.

MP3s: Mates of the State are giving away their Daniel Johnston cover (there is uke in it, just wait), No Modest Bear have a track from Lille.

Pictures: new ukulele painting from Amy Crehore, new member of the Bobby McGee’s? #011 ukelele.

A rare occurrence this week: three videos from the same person. You may as well just visit Lila Burns’s channel this week rather than reading the post because I’ve also nicked two of the videos from her favourites.

One of them is Ólöf Arnalds for whom I’m stretching the rules (she plays charango). When you hear her I’m sure you’ll realise why. If you want to hear more, there’s a charango song she did with Bjork on Pitchfork.

Read the rest of this entry »

Videos this week include the Wellingtons with Bret taking the lead on a Randy Newman song (subscribe to their new channel), a snippet Martina ‘used to sing with Tricky’ Topley-Bird and her ukulele playing Ninja (see him more clearly here) and Ukulollo being hilarious.

But my faves this week are a couple of originals from 4DJB25 and Myriam Parent.

Read the rest of this entry »

This Facebook group is trying to get Tiny Tim inducted into the Ukulele Hall of Fame. I’m not quite sure of the Ukulele Hall of Fame’s status, they haven’t inducted anyone since 2007. Nevertheless, it provokes two interesting topics for discussion. Should Tiny Tim be in the Ukulele Hall of Fame? Who should be in the Uke Hall of Fame? Leave your answers in the comments.

The full line-up for Wukulele has been announced. And it’s the best uke festival line up this year. Bob Brozman is the big draw and there are plenty of Uke Hunt favourites including The Bobby McGee’s, Sophie Madeleine, The Half Sisters and The Re-entrants. Another interesting act on the bill is Richard Durrant a classical guitarist responsible for this bit of BBC ukery.

Ralph Shaw’s Ukulele Entertainer continues to be the best ukulele blog on the net. Recent must reads include posts about polar exploration, pain and why watching YouTube can be destructive.

Hester Goodman from the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has recorded a solo album and you can hear a few tracks on her MySpace. Via UOGB Fans who also have news that the Ukes will be playing with Jake Shimabukuro next year.

On the subject, Jake has some interesting things to say about the uke’s missing bass notes and the Ehime Maru. And according to Jake, his brother Bruce Shimabukuro is giving away free ukulele lessons via his Facebook.

If my finger-maths are correct this audio story from NPR will be up by the time you read this.

U900 visit London.

Mel Bay are targetting seniors with their latest ukulele book.

Ukulele shoes? (Thanks Jenny)

Pictures: Greta Garbo on uke, Pinstripe ukulele (much more sympathetic and understated than most ukulele paint-jobs), will play for chocolate

Learn to play the Ukulele Bartt way with his new DVD.

TVNZ chat with WIUO about their tour: “So you’re back out on the road again – you guys clearly enjoy the touring? Not really. It’s just that Andy lost a t-shirt during our last tour, so we are retracing our steps to find it.”

The Houston Sisters via Jeff.

Some nice solo ukulele tabs from DermitderUkulele

Pete Howlett revives the harp ukulele. Good move if you ask me.

Frank Skinner ukes on Formby’s grave for a BBC4 documentary.

The Bobby McGee’s take on Hong Kong

Pictures: Ukulele Ike chalk statue, Afternoon Tea, bob, Ukulele for Geeks – notes, green duco uke back.

Ukulollo has made a short documentary about Ukuleles for Peace (a project bringing together Jewish and Arab children in Israel to play ukuleles). You can donate and find out more on their website and you can help by buying the How to Play Ukuleles for Peace ebook.

If you haven’t seen the new look site yet click here and check it out. It’s all the hard work of Ben Lew and I think he did an incredible job. If you come across anything that isn’t quite right, let me know.

You can watch the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain’s appearance on Skins on 4oD. I’m told it works outside the UK. There’s a YouTube link here. I’ve never watched Skins before but I enjoyed it. In fact, I almost loved it. The Ukes start at about 44:30.

The Lummy Days ukulele podcast is available for download. It’s present by George from UOGB and features Fairport Convention, the Bobby McGee’s and Mr B. And don’t miss Keston Cobblers’ Club.

Smoldering Uke – ‘A winter ukulele retreat’ in California.

50 State Uke – cool idea. I’ve been considering something similar – visiting at least one uke player in every country in the EU (called, inevitably, EUkulele).

I can’t watch this video in the UK but apparently Penn Jillette is considering buying Tim Tim’s ukulele. Update: You can watch it in the UK here if you’re willing to wait a few minutes for it to start (Thanks to @ukegnome).

Buy a uke in a police seized goods auction.

In the comments: Howlin’ Hobbit makes a case for the inclusion of Brian Hefferan in the soloists section. I disagree with myself on this one as well. Perhaps I should have a ‘Most Underrated’ section. Get your nominations in now.

Check out the Stackridge podcast on Monday for a ukulele special including George from the UOGB co-present and tracks including Uke Hunt faves the Bobby McGee’s and Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer. And there’s a performance by Fairport Convention.

I’ll be heading off to Ukelear Meltdown this weekend. If you see me, say hi. I won’t bite.* Other festival possibilities include Wukulele (they’ve only announced one act, but that act is Bob Brozman), the Belper Ukulele Day and, of course, Donington. Let there be rock.

DFW have a series of posts on the uke starting here and taking in why people took up the ukulele.

Photos: Joe Strummer on ukulele (Thanks to Will who has many more famous ukers here), Ralph Shaw busking, Harold Walden, Herman gives Roger a ukulele and tells him that the only way to diffuse the Marshmallow Man’s anger is to play music.

tUnE-YaRdS 4AD session (via Bossarocker

Ukulala is back after a long break.

Michelle Blades is a synesthete.

Ukulollo shares his fancy video technique with Armelle.

MP3s: Blind Pilot did a ukulele version of 3 Rounds and a Sound for Daytrotter, Gorilla vs. Bear has White Hinterland’s highly effected uke.

* I might bite.

tUnE-YaRdS – Hatari (Tab)

Before I start, a quick update on the Sebi situation. After having his channel suspended for covering a song owned by WMG, he’s set up a new one with two videos sharing his love for Warners.

I’ve already covered most of the best ukulele albums from 2009 (like Sophie Madeleine‘s Life. Love. Ukulele. and L’appropriation Bourgoisie de la Bobby McGee’s), but I’ve almost completely ignored BiRd-BrAiNs by tUnE-YaRdS (perhaps because it’s such a pain in the arse to write the name). A horrendous oversight since it was one of the most exciting and interesting albums of the year.

As with all things tUnE-YaRdS, her ukulele tuning is somewhat unusual. As revealed in her interview with UkeToob, she plays a tenor ukulele but tunes it baritone style dGBE (with a high-D string). That means you can play it as written on a standard ukulele but it will be five frets higher.

UPDATE: Voting closed. Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.

I’ve been dragged from my Christmas break to bring you an important announcement.

The Bobby McGee’s are one of the contenders for Xfm’s New Music Award and need your help to get through to the shortlist phase.

Go to this page and write in:

First Choice Artist-
The Bobby McGees

First Choice Album-
L’Appropriation Bourgoisie De La Bobby McGees

You don’t need to log in or anything annoying like that. And you can vote once for each email address you have (I’ve already voted three times).

You need to vote for three – the contenders are here. If you can’t be arsed wading through them, the other known ukers on the list are:

Florence And The Machine – Lungs
(Hear them doing Postcards from Italy)
Tom Allalone & The 78s – Major Sins Pt. 1
(Hear them doing Casillero Del Diablo)

You’ve got until Friday to cast your vote.

More from the Bobby McGee’s

Learn Ukulele with the Bobby McGee’s
Forever and a Day (Chords)
Bobby McGee’s Interview