Friday Links

New Releases

– Herman Vandecauter has released a selection of pieces played on the rajão (the Madeiran precursor to the ukulele). They’re fantastically played. Highly recommended.
– Jolly new Christmas song from Phredd: Bob the Snowman.
– A jazzy Christmas record from the Ladybugs.
– Macy Warner’s Apologies to Myself.

Window Shopping
– Lichty’s U127 Fretless Tenor. I’m sure I’d could make that uke sound absolutely awful.
– 1929 Martin 5K
– Custom Martin Tree of Life.
– Santa Cruz UK-3.
– Lyon & Healy Bell soprano.
– 1930s Regal Concert Banjo Ukulele.

Contests
I don’t usually cover contests but there are two at the moment that have good aims:
– Rachel Manke is giving away a customised Ohaha and all you have to do to enter is give to the ukulele charity of your choice.
– The Levy Sheet Music Collection is running the Save our Songs Contest. To enter you record a version of any of the songs in their collection. There are hundreds of with ukulele chords to choose from.

A heartbreaking story of ukulele theft. An Oakland man had the uke his late-wife playing during chemo stolen. It was a Kala Ukadelic Tropical Day if you’re in the area and see one in suspicious circumstances.

A while back I wrote a post on No Hassle Chord Changes. Now Mark of Ukulele Bedford has added a few to the list.

Ever wondered what it would sound like if you recorded one note on your uke in every town in Massachusetts? Wonder no more.