Continuing the list of ukulele tracks you can get for free on eMusic. You can read all about how to get them in part one.
Beirut
7. Elephant Gun
8. Postcards From Italy
Indie-uke darling Zach Condon’s first album Gulag Orkestra and the Elephant Gun EP are both available on eMusic. These two tracks are essential listening.Grab the tab for Elephant Gun and Postcards from Italy.
Beirut’s latest album, The Flying Club Cup, will probably show up on eMusic soon after it’s released. Until then, you can content yourselves with this track from their website
Beirut – A Sunday Smile (mp3) via beirutband.com
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
9. Somewhere Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World
10. You Don’t Know Me
Braddah IZ’s cover of Somewhere Over The Rainbow is by far his most popular song. The version on eMusic is the one from his debut album Ka ‘Ano’i – a more reggae-fied version than the most famous version. But my favourite track on the album is his cover of You Don’t Know Me (made famous by Ray Charles). You can pick up the chords for the song here.
John Lithgow
11. You Gotta Have Pep
I don’t think words have been invented that fully describe how much I love this song. Most actors when starting a career in music make morose songs in a desperate attempt to prove that they are 4real. Lithgow (Third Rock From The Sun, Shrek, The World According to Garp) goes in completely the opposite direction and makes outrageously theatrical music with a healthy dash of banjo-uke in the bargain.
Ralph Shaw
12. Puttin’ On The Ritz
It takes some gumption to crown yourself ‘King of the Ukulele’ but he hasn’t had too many people disagree with him.
The Magnetic Fields
13. Absolutely Cuckoo
Don’t listen to the haters, Stephin Merritt has a genius way with a tune. The triple album 69 Love Songs has plenty of uke and non-uke delights. You can pick up the chords and tab to both at Stephin Songs.
The Magnetic Fields tracks aren’t available on eMusic in the UK or, I’m guessing, many places outside the USA.
Stephin Merritt
14. This Little Ukulele
UK eMusers can console themselves with this ode to the ukulele from the soundtrack to Eban and Charley.