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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ukuleles at the Movies
1. The Jerk
2. 50 First Dates
3. Me and Orson Welles
4. Bart Got a Room
5. Stingray Sam
Name the Group
6. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
7. The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra
8. GUGUG
9. The Bobby McGee’s
10. The Re-entrants
Know Your Maker
11. Bugsgear
12. KoAloha
13. Fender
14. RISA
15. Luna
Whose Ukulele?
16. Jake Shimabukuro (photo by beatsrhymesnlife)
17. John Lennon
18. Pockets/crouts0
19. Amanda Palmer photo by byronv2
20. Ami Worthen of Mad Tea Party
Lyrics Round
21. Tiny Tim (Tip Toe Through the Tulips)
22. Noah and the Whale (Five Years Time)
23. Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele (You Can’t Force a Dance Party)
24. Garfunkel and Oates (or Ted and the Gooch) (Screw/F**k You)
25. Rocky and Balls (I Heart You Online)
UkeTubers
26. Julia Nunes
27. Molly Lewis
28. Narciso Lobo
29. John King
30. Sebastiano ‘Sebi’ Mereu
Long Players
31. Jake Shimabukuro
32. James Hill
33. Molly ‘Sweetafton23’ Lewis
34. Sophie Madeleine
35. Craig Robertson
Upon Finding the Studio Ukulele
36. Death Cab for Cutie
37. Black Kids
38. The Hoosiers
39. Rilo Kiley
40. The Little Ones
How did you do? Leave your score in the comments here.
Most of the UOGB stuff that turns up on YouTube is DVD rips, which makes lizardonuke’s channel very refreshing with lesser seen songs and backstage shenanigans. As well as the UOGB, this weeks vids include Mr B schooling us, Lulu and the Lampshades going bandstand busking (watch the whole thing here), The Bobby McGee’s fighting off zombies, Plushgun making a video on the cheap, Peter Moss soundchecking, Luca Gemma with the UKEit guys and plenty more. Read the rest of this entry »
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.
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