ukulelia

Jake Shimabukuro Songbook

2012-01-26T17:05:00.000-08:00

Jake's first book of song transcriptions Peace Love Ukulele will be released on February 7th. Just in time to give your sweetie for V-Day. Songs included:

Bohemian Rhapsody
Boy Meets Girl
Bring Your Adz
Five Dollars Unleaded 2010
Go For Broke
Hallelujah
Hula Girl
143 (Kelly's Song) 2011
Pianoforte 2010
Trapped 2010
Ukulele Bros.
Variation On A Dance 2010
While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Pre-order here.

Mystery Uke from NAMM

2012-01-26T13:11:00.000-08:00

Hey, NAMM attendees: anyone remember who made this uke? If so, please drop me a note at gpeare AT hotmail DOT com. Mahalo.

Ben from U900

2012-01-26T10:28:00.000-08:00

They're so darn cute. Now they're playing Ben from the movie Willard. Maybe it could be someone's campaign video?

Kamaka at NAMM

2012-01-26T10:13:00.000-08:00

Musicguymic interviews Casey Kamaka on the new ukuleles at NAMM.

Jake Plowing for Famers

2012-01-25T10:24:00.000-08:00

Jake is now the spokes-strummer for Farmers Insurance in Hawaii. I'm sure it pays better than uking. Sadly. Link

UPDATE: Here's a TV commercial featuring Jake:

Warren Buffett Plays Ukulele, Sings 'I've Been Working On The Railroad' For China's New Year Gala

2012-01-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

Story and (out of synch) video over on the Huffington Post about Warren Buffet appearing as part of a New Year's gala in China. Link

NAMM 2012

2012-01-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

Tim over at Ukeeku has uploaded a full-day's worth of photos from the NAMM show. I am SO mad I didn't take a day off and go. Some really exciting stuff to be seen. I'll try and point to some highlights later. In the meantime, enjoy this feed.

Martin Ukulele Shirt

2012-01-19T14:43:00.000-08:00

I may not be able to afford one of the new Martin ukes, but I could scrape together enough for one of these new Martin ukulele aloha shirts. Link

New Martins at NAMM

2012-01-19T14:31:00.000-08:00

I'll take one of each, please. Link

NAMM Show 2012

2012-01-19T11:23:00.000-08:00

Kamaka stunners from the NAMM Show, going on now. Link

Knitted Ukulele Cases

2012-01-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

Do you knit? On intimate terms with someone who does? Then check out these cute knitted/felted ukulele bags designed by Wendy Bernard.

"The Soprano version is small and flirty like its namesake, Betty Draper; the Tenor version is simple and sporty like the girl we named it after: Gidget. Add a purchased or re-purposed purse handle and you can take your ukulele anywhere. The optional pocket is a handy place to store your tuner."

Instructions are here at this link on knitty.com.

Hot Girls with Ukuleles

2012-01-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

An aptly-named Tumblr set. Warning: Some NSFW images. Link

Hawai'i 1948

2012-01-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

Photo of a young woman strumming a ukulele. Photograph by Eliot Elisofon. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, January 1948. I've seen this around the web of late, but the image was reversed (unless there was a ukulele luthier named nitraM that I'm not aware of). So I've fixed it. Great shot, isn't it?

Theme From Love Story

2012-01-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

A friendly reminder that Valentine's Day is less than a month off. h/t to Rob Bourassa for the link.

Folk Uke Down Under

2012-01-10T11:44:00.000-08:00

Here's a video performance and interview by Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson, aka Folk Uke, from Noise11 in Australia. I love "Quattro Momento" from their new CD Reincarnation. I also love their cover of Harry Nilsson's "He Needs Me" from his Popeye soundtrack. Link

Vintage Ukulele Photos

2012-01-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

This guy has a Facebook album with just about every vintage ukulele photo I've ever run across. Perhaps he has UPAS (Ukulele Photo Acquisition Syndrome). Link

Make a $10 Ukulele Stand

2012-01-08T15:41:00.000-08:00

Over at Ukulele Underground, Aldine shows you how to make your own ukulele stand out of PVC pipe and foam insulation for less than $10. Neat! Link

What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

2011-12-29T14:43:00.000-08:00

This is a great song that deserves more strum time. Anyone catching what make uke Zooey is playing?

William H. Macy's Christmas Carol from Shameless

2011-12-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

We don't get Showtime, so I missed this, but the sentiment works for our run up to New Year's Eve. Here's William H. Macy and the cast of Shameless singing a Christmas Carol that, yes, even Craig Robertson would like.

Joe Brown Inteview

2011-12-28T16:15:00.000-08:00

Nice video interview with Joe Brown by the BBC here at the link. A new ukulele CD is in the works.

Kala Ukulele Stand

2011-12-27T12:24:00.000-08:00

My favorite Xmas gift from my family this year was one of Kala's Stand Out ukulele stands. I have a violin stand that I've used for several years, and it simply doesn't compare with these.

If you don't have a uke stand, get one. (And if you have a different make that you like, post it in the Comments.) You'll find that you'll play your instrument a lot more when it's within easy reach. Link

Chord Master Update

2011-12-26T11:42:00.000-08:00

We first posted about Chordmaster.org, a site dedicated to Maccaferri and other vintage plastic ukes back in 2010. Just checked out the site again and WOW!...

The site now includes scanned product booklets and ads, a huge gallery of vintage photos (some NSFW), and detailed repair tips. Just go now. It's amazing. Link

Did You Get a Ukulele For Christmas?

2011-12-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the club! When we originally started publishing Ukulelia, finding ukulele resources on the Web was a real chore. Nowadays you can trip over all the information out there. Here, therefore, is some sage advice. If you just got a uke, head over to Ukulele Hunt, where Al Wood has put together a free booklet offering sound guidance to the newbie. So You've Just Got Your First Ukulele includes:

Five Things to Know.
Five Chords to Learn.
Five Songs to Play.
Five Websites to Visit.
Five Things to Get Free.
Five Things to Buy.
Five Videos to Watch.
Five YouTube Channels to Subscribe to.

The only glaring error we've found in Al's book is that Ukulelia is not included in his Five Websites to Visit. But we forgive him. Link

Ukulelia Holiday Songbook

2011-12-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

Here for a return engagement is the Ukulelia Holiday Songbook: a compendium of all the tunes you're likely to need for the next couple of weeks. Enjoy! Link

Jake on Prairie Home Companion, New Year's Eve

2011-12-22T10:14:00.001-08:00

Well, it's about flippin' time, Garrison. Link

West Cork Ukulele Orchestra

2011-12-22T09:46:00.000-08:00

An all-uke version of German disco group Boney M.'s Rasputin.

Gary Oldman, Uker

2011-12-22T09:43:00.001-08:00

Add Gary Oldman to your list of celebrity ukers. Link

Newt Gingrich is Running for Pres

2011-12-19T14:32:00.000-08:00

This just in: Loudon Wainwright III with a seasonal, satirical, political ditty.

Ukulele Hero!

2011-12-17T18:00:00.001-08:00

My friend Patrick Spargur pointed me to this. Get your game on. Link

West Coast 'Ukulele Retreat

2011-12-17T12:58:00.000-08:00

Registration is now open for what appears to be the uke community's answer to TED. The West Coast 'Ukulele Retreat will be held at Asilomar, May 16-20, 2012. Spendy, but I want to go. Link

(Okina courtesy of Ron Hale)

Jingle Bells - Rob Bourassa

2011-12-17T11:54:00.000-08:00

Only a smattering of ukulele in this video from Rob Bourassa, but plenty of things to love nonetheless. Rob is playing several instruments made by Gary Zimnicki. My first New Year's resolution is to officially hate Rob. Just kidding. What an amazing instrumentalist. He hails from Wyandotte, Michigan, so I attribute his talent entirely to having been weaned on Muskrat Dinners.

Silent Night

2011-12-16T13:45:00.000-08:00

A wonderfully bluesy version of Silent Night performed by Friends of Old Puppy, featuring Steven Strauss on soprano and Billy Wilson on bari.

(Via Humble Baritonics.)

Amanda Palmer Uke

2011-12-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

Finally, a Red Mahalo cool enough for Amanda Palmer. Check out this bad gal, painted by Kayla Oberlin. The uke is actually one several that Kayla painted for La Palmer in connection with her Ukulelehead CD release. Kayla is also a musician; here's her Bandcamp page. Link

(Photo by Tara Malpass)

Danielle Ate the Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

2011-12-16T08:15:00.000-08:00

Here's Danielle Ate the Sandwich with a lovely version of The Christmas Song. I love her effortless singing. Enjoy!

Automated Ukulele Band Machine

2011-12-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

Caution: Contains no ukulele. Link

1916 Uke Ad

2011-12-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

From the Archive of Archaic Advertisments of codehappy.net, a newspaper ad from 1916 featuring Nunes ukuleles. Link

Bill Tapia's Advice

2011-12-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

Lil Rev was kind enough to give us permission to publish his poem and tribute to Bill Tapia.

Bill Tapia’s Advice
© Lil Rev/Patchwork Poems 2011

When out on the road, or flying the friendly skies
A man needs a standard that he can live by

There’s 10,000 Maniacs banging away
Playing louder and faster than Jake ever played

Now speed is a wonderful and curious thing
Likewise, the notes, that one can make ring!

But, then there is taste, some call it soul
Listen to Lyle Ritz, perhaps then you’ll know

It was at the New York Uke Fest, Bill Tapia said to me
Sitting so cool, at 103!

He said “Rev can you tell me, cause I don’t understand
Everything sounds like a scale! What’s going on man?”

He said “first there’s the melody, you gotta play it once or twice
Then play around it, as that’s always nice!”

“Then it’s back to the melody in a few different ways
Then go on and take it to some other place!”

“Now it’s back to the melody so people can hear
No matter where you go, it’s always near!”

I’m not talking about this Steve Vai sort of thing
I’m talking about taste if you’re gonna make it swing

Now the great James Hill is one who would know
Sometimes you gotta say…Go Cat Go!

But after a while even James would agree
Ten million notes, makes you a one trick pony!

With all due respect that’s why I say…
…Thank you Mr. Tapia for showing us the way!

Interview: Ukulele Legend Bill Tapia (1908-2011)

2011-12-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

The Fretboard Journal has posted a 2002 interview with Tappy. It originally appeared in The Ukulele Occasional. Link

Dave Talsma's License Plate Uke

2011-12-03T11:12:00.000-08:00

Talk about suffering for your art! Dave Talsma, builder of the legendary Dairy Queen Uke (and dozens of likewise legendary instruments), has sacrificed his ability to drive in order to produce his latest creation, this tenor uke.

Next will no doubt be a petition to the Michigan Senate to change the state nickname to "Great Ukes State", and the motto to Si quaeris ukulele amoenam circumspice. Rock on, Dave! Link

Tappy is Strumming With the Angels

2011-12-02T18:34:00.000-08:00

Very sad to announce that Bill Tapia passed away in his sleep last night. One month shy of his 104th birthday. Lucky to have known him, and to have heard him talk story. Mahalo for everything, Tappy! Link

St Louis Blues by Bob Armstrong on Baritone Uke

2011-11-30T16:35:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gentleman, Robert Armstrong, playing a new bari made by Keith Cary:

"It's made out of wood native to, and harvested in California. Redwood top (recycled from our old farmhouse), CA walnut back, sides and neck (cut and milled locally by a friend's stepfather), mesquite (from a dead stump found in the Mojave by friends) and oak binding from a big tree that fell in Roseville."

Link

The Ukalope

2011-11-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen a Ukalope? Link

I knew this

2011-11-18T11:23:00.000-08:00

From Yahoo News: Link

In 2004 on my first CD Practical Hypnotism, I did this song;Link

Besides all the other stuff at the Listening Party...

2011-11-17T09:58:00.000-08:00

...there will be the world premier of my new video for "Tarzan's Song" shot and edited by Hugh Mackay.

Craig Robertson to perform at Northridge Music

2011-11-17T07:49:00.000-08:00

...in Citrus Heights, California. I don't get out to the Left Coast that often, and this will be the first time I've ever performed anywhere near Sacramento...so come on out. Tuesday, December 20th at 7pm. (I'll be the one in the nice fedora)(this is my 'arrogant attitude' photo!)

Link

Hamlet's Soliloquy as a Song

2011-11-12T08:59:00.000-08:00

Via Neatorama:

"Courtney Welbon had to memorize the “To Be or Not to Be” soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet for school and decided that she’d have an easier time at it if she turned it into a song. It’s now a light and cheerful work."

Now: to pick or not to pick. Not. Srsly. No picks, please.* Link

* The only Thou Shall Not in my book. Unless you have arthritis, which compels one fellow I know to use a felt pick. I'm even beginning to (grudgingly) turn the blind eye when professionals who insist on playing Red Mahalos neglect to properly tune up. (Amanda P, are you listening?) But picks? I'd prefer they be banished to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns.

High Praise from the Master

2011-11-10T20:03:00.000-08:00

We are okay in Loudon Wainwright III's book. Link

Uke Sales Hit $42Million

2011-11-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

This article from Hawaii Business Magazine includes sales stats from 2009 and 2010. I've always wondered what the uke market looked like. And here it is. Link

Amanda Palmer at Occupy Wall Street

2011-11-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

Great shot by Neil Girling. Link

Under Creative Commons License.

Wolfelele Ukelele Kits

2011-11-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

These look like a lot of fun, and might be just the gift you're looking for next month. The Wolfelele Ukelele (sic) Company offers kits for several triangular uke models. Wolfelele claims that the ukes can be built in about 30 minutes. Their site features materials for teachers and festival organizers who'd like to offer ukulele building activities.

Shown here is a soprano model, which sells for $49 Canadian.

Link

Tiki King Fluke Art

2011-10-31T07:59:00.000-07:00

Jim D'Ville interviewed Tiki King about his custom painted Fluke and Flea ukes. I didn't realize that His Majesty still paints the tiki Flukes by hand. Link

IKEA Thailand TV Commercial

2011-10-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

Snort. Link

Home of the Fluke

2011-10-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what the workshop of the Magic Fluke Company (makers of Flukes, Fleas, and Fireflys) looks like? Answer: quite a bit like Santa's workshop. Nice little profile of Phyllis and Dale Webb and their company in the Berkshire Eagle. Link

Honolulu World Record Attempt Falls Short

2011-10-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

A valiant effort, but not record. Video and pix at the link. Link

The Martin Tiple Blog

2011-10-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

Uncle Emile points us to his new blog devoted to the uke's kissing cousin, the tiple. Link

Felix the Cat Ukes

2011-10-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

Are you a Felix the Cat fan? If so, you'll want one of these ukes from Oriolo. There's even a blem available on Amazon right now at a substantial discount. Link

Ukulele Katie

2011-10-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

While searching for a uke version of Your Feet's Too Big for my post below, I ran across a series of videos by Ukulele Katie, a stage-4 cancer patient who demonstrates unflappable spirit in the face of her disease. Here's the Waller tune, but also check out Terminal Cancer Blues.

I note that Katie has not posted anything for a while. Does anyone know her status?

The Happiest Way To Be Sad

2011-10-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

They say you can't play a sad song on a ukulele. From a quick listen to the track samples of Lil' Rev's new CD, he's split the difference, and found upbeat ways to sing the blues. Think Fats Waller's Your Feet's Too Big. Naturally, it's titled The Happiest Way to Be Sad. Check it out, and buy it here.

for use with a folding chair and a folding umbrella while wearing your Borsalino roll up fedora

2011-10-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

link

World Record Attempt, Honolulu

2011-10-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

If you'll be on Oahu on October 22, join Jake Shimabukuro and friends in an attempt to set the new Guinness World Record for the largest ukulele ensemble at the Waikiki Band Shell.

Details are on the event site.

Tiki King's Coffin Uke

2011-10-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

His Majesty, the Imperial Potentate of the Ukedom of Felton, Tiki King, has built this sick baby. Behold the Tiki King Coffin Uke: sitka spruce top, birch laminate back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, maple bridge. And, natch, bone nut and saddle. The perfect ukulele for the season, and ideal to rip out this classic.

Link

News of the Skewered

2011-10-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Shelly Rickey points us to this disturbing little news item.

"A believer has his cheeks pierced with two ukeleles at the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket Thailand. During the festival people pierce themselves with swords, or other objects, and many undergo painful procedures for the sins of the community to take over."

Link

You May Be A Witch In Baton Rouge...new/old song

2011-10-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

yes, yes, blah, blah. Go for it.

Hmmmm....

2011-10-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

from the Apple App Store:
"Description

"ukulele girls" is tuning utility for the ukulele.
Can do the tuning of High-G and Low-G.
The girl is strummed repeating the string when touching."

no comment, no link.

Gerald Ross: Ukulele Swing

2011-10-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

The first of several (promised) videos in which Gerald Ross shows you how to swing that uke! From the Ukulele Sessions blog on the Mel Bay site. Link

Irritation is the mother of invention

2011-09-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

One of the songs on my “Perfect Wife” CD came into being because of irksome neighbors. At the place I was living last year, the back yards butted up against the back yards of the houses on the next street over.

Every warm evening, the house diagonally behind ours would have a backyard party which usually consisted of lots of beer, kids and an over-the-top car stereo cranked flat out. The music they most often listened to was generally south of the border ballads with very heavy bass lines.

Very heavy. In my studio on the second floor I could see the windows vibrate from the bass.

I had the windows closed one day and I was trying to write a song for the Perfect Wife CD…but all I could hear, even with headphones on, was the the bom bom-bom ba of the bass from the car stereo in the other yard.

After getting frustrated by trying to ignore the sound…I finally just gave in and wrote a song using that bass line.

Voila: “Reassurance”

The CD "Perfect Wife"

Fill Up The Ocean...new song demo

2011-09-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

I started out to write a happy song...but I got ambushed by this one.

Fill Up The Ocean

Mystery Instrument

2011-09-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone got an idea what Louisiana Lou is playing here? Link

...on the horizon...

2011-09-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

…until then, my website’s CD page offers many pathways into my music.

Uke Firewood

2011-09-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Whew. Link

Tippy Canoe & Melody Walker House Concert

2011-09-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

Tippy sez:

"Please join Tippy Canoe and friends this coming Saturday, September 17th for a special House Concert in Elk Grove [CA] hosted by the one-and-only Ukelele University.

This is completely Open to the Public and will also feature the incredible Melody Walker & Jacob Groopman (of The Real Nasty)."

Link

Ferris Wheel by Shiny and the Spoon

2011-09-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is the first full CD by the Cincinnati duo Shiny and the Spoon, Amber Nash and Jordan Neff.

Yahoo! ‘Bout time. The CD contains 13 songs, 11 of them originals. This is a very comfortable CD to listen to. The blend of Amber and Jordan’s voices makes any sugar in my coffee unnecessary.

The sound they achieve on this CD is probably somewhere in the Folk area…but it is by no means limited to just folk. Guitar, ukulele, bass, piano, slide, drums…all make their way into the various arrangements to good effect.

But it’s the vocals that kill on this CD. The vocals. The vocals. And the songwriting.

Here are a few that stuck in my head as I listened:

The fourth song, “Killing the Flowers” has a great lyrical arc and a nice bite

“Black Nag” is a cool story that drags you into itself

“Run” would be my hands-down favorite for a driving-cross-country-song.

“Thirteen Crates” does that down home boogie so well.

“Bread and Butter” Killer, killer harmonies.

How can I dislike a Malvina Reynolds song? “No Hole In My Head” is a lovely rendition of a song from a much overlooked songwriter.

For me, the true measure of a CD is if I hear a song that I would feel comfortable (sometimes even compelled) to cover. On this CD “I Hear Ghosts” is that song. “…their words are like wine I just can’t stop drinking…” Works for me.

Go buy this CD. Put down your mouse and do it now.

Shiny and the Spoon

2011-09-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Jame Hill’s new CD

I’m going to say right off the bat that I don’t think there is a better ukulele player today than the Canadian James Hill.

Having said that, I won’t have to mention the ukulele again. On his newest CD “Man With A Love Song”, the ukulele is just one of many instruments he plays to make the music he makes.

And he has truly made music on this CD. The 13 songs (with one reprise) are tight and confident. His voice, also is more confident. The sound swings from bluegrass to, well, swing to sultry shuffle. These are all great songs and it isn’t hard to see why he put them together on this CD.

His musical partner, Anne Davison, supplies honeyed harmonies, cello and violin; supporting but never overpowering James.

The first song “Hand Over My Heart” (good pun) starts off with a bang and never looks back. If you’re looking for that breathtaking instrumental work, you get it in spades on this cut.

In the second song we’re introduced to Anne’s killer harmony singing and cello playing.

The best written song, for me, is the eighth cut “What Would You Have Me Do?” that opens with “The lady is too fat for words/ but she sings like her life is on fire”. Damn.

Although all the songs are definitely worth listening to, I’m just mentioning a few that stuck with me. The ninth cut, “Indecision Rag” tosses you in the rollercoaster and takes off, never looking back. Relentless.

Lyrics are always a benchmark for me, and the writing on this CD is topnotch.

But…the song I would cover, the one that grabs me by the throat is the final (two) cuts “Voodoo Forever, Aloha”. I’m a sucker for a song in 6/8s time and a spooky lyric.

Quit reading this and go buy this CD.

“Man With A Love Song” James Hill

Gilligan in Gotham by Gemma

2011-08-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

Gemma, from the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, made this lovely Sonic Uke video of the song from Gilligan's Isle while Irene howled in the background....

da vid

WIUO website

Goodnight, Irene.

2011-08-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

Sing it loud, strum it long. I pray it keeps the water from your home. Link

(Note the subject keywords: Celebrities Portraits Spouses Recreation Vice Deception Suicide Distress. No Hurricane. Still, sounds like a Craig Robertson song.)

A Whole Host of Ukuleles at Strathmore

2011-08-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

Official count: 944. A new record? Link

Dancing into September

2011-08-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

Only 5 more days! My newest CD "Dancing on the Edge of the Knife" will be available on Bandcamp as a 'name your price' download. Starting in September, it will be $15 a download. Here is my song about imprisoned Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo from the album

Liu Xiaobo

(all proceeds from the sale of this CD go directly to Amnesty International)

Great Ukulele Instruction Book....!

2011-08-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

Once you get past the silly title (Ukulele for Dummies), you realize that Al Wood (who runs www.ukulelehunt.com) has actually put together a marvelous compendium of ukulele knowledge that takes you from novice to expert. I'm not always a fan of 'teach yourself an instrument' books, but this one of Al's is, really, a ukulele bible. A great reference, with an included audio dvd, and some very witty writing that makes it fun to read.

Go get it. Now.

Ukulele for Dummies

No excuses...

2011-08-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

For those of you who do NOT live in Boston. (is there a world outside of Boston? I've heard one exists, but I'm not convinced) You will be able to tune in to a LIVE (well, undead anyway) Noir Cabaret show at Passims in Harvard Square.

Here's the show poster, and this is the link to Passims Concert Window.
The show will start at 8pm, Boston time, and will have some cool performances from New England musicians. Lots of different instruments and a variety of approaches to live music.
Tune In, Turn On, and Drop What You're Doing.
more info

Jake Shimabukuro: Rolling Stone Live Videos

2011-08-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

"Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro stopped by the Rolling Stone studio recently to play a couple of his original compositions along with a gorgeous, delicate rendition of the Queen classic "Bohemian Rhapsody." After the set, Shimabukuro demonstrated how he developed his distinct ukulele style and talked about how thrilled he is that his instrument has enjoyed a recent resurgence in popularity."

Link

Strathmore Uke Fest World Record Attempt

2011-08-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

If you're in the Strathmore (MD) area on Wednesday, August 24, grab your uke and join Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer and a cast of the usual suspects as they attempt to break the world record for Largest Ukulele Ensemble. Info on the fest and the record attempt here.

Michihiro Matsuda's Experimental Ukulele

2011-08-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

Ukulelia's Commander of Expeditionary Lutherie Forces, Michael Simmons, points us to luthier Michihiro Matsuda's experimental ukulele, currently featured on the Fretboard Journal blog.

The top is made of a sandwich of Nomex® and spruce, bent into a bow shape. Nomex is a lightweight, ultra-strong high-tech material used in the manufacture of aircraft.

Read more and see a video of the uke in action here .

Jon Favreau Plays Ukulele on Jimmy Kimmel Live

2011-07-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

You can add Jon Favreau to your Hollywood celebrity uker list!
Link

(Via Uke Hunt)

Please Vote for CJ!

2011-07-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

Meet Caroline Joy Alegre. She's been selected by Rolling Stone to compete for a chance to appear at the Rolling Stone Rock Room in Austin, TX. She also happens to be one of my son Garrison's teachers at the amazing Via Center school in Berkeley, CA.

Please vote for Caroline Joy at this link.

CJ is also appearing this weekend in Chico, CA at Bustlino's along with the Fabu Uni and her Ukelele. Link

A-List Uker Ralph Shaw

2011-07-24T23:10:00.001-07:00

Just watched the movie remake of The A-Team tonight. Nice little ukulele cameo by none other than Ralph Shaw. Nice one, sir! (I hope you remembered to get a percentage of the gross rather than the net.) Link

‪Amanda Palmer "No Surprises"

2011-07-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

‪Beautiful and slightly disturbing. Link

Ukulele Blues

2011-07-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Ukulele Blues, written by May Singhi Breen, Samuel Kors, and Claude Lapham, performed by the International Novelty Orchestra in 1924. Miss Breen on uke. Link

The Utterly Butterly Ukulele Project

2011-07-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

The margarine tub uke held unconvincingly by Prince Charles (below) appears to be from the Utterly Butterly Ukulele Project. TUBUP puts on workshops in which kids (and adults) can make their own ukuleles. (Utterly Butterly is a British packaged foods brand. Years ago they had their own wing-walking team.)

A while back I corresponded with Steve Nutter (yes, that's his name) about the project:

"TUBUP is a bonkers project that seems to be taking on a life of it's own since we started it in May last year. It seems that it's not just about kids either...adults seem to have as much fun with the project as well! We're not directly connected with Utterly Butterly, although they provide us with their reject tubs, and let us use the name. Good marketing for them I suppose! They have contributed financially to a few "one off" gigs that we've done, like Children in need Cardiff. The great thing is that the ukes actually work really well and it's fab fun!"

More information, including sounds, video, and instructions for making your own margarine tub uke are at this link.

Speaking of Royalty

2011-07-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

Here's Prince Charles playing a margarine tub uke. Link

Her Majesty, Phoebe Davis

2011-07-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

Uker, educator, and luthier Geoff Davis's daugher Phoebe was recently crowned Hamilton County (Indiana) 4-H Fair Queen. Proud Papa Geoff sez that Phoebe didn't get to show off her ukulele playing to the judges because they eliminated the talent portion of the contest this year.

Here's a nice profile of Phoebe, which, befittingly, spotlights her uke playing. Link

Congratulations, Your Majesty!

"Tonight You Belong to Me"

2011-07-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled that Eddie Vedder covered (with Cat Powers) the old chestnut "Tonight You Belong to Me" on his Ukulele Songs CD. I'm hoping that its inclusion will help the latest generation of uke players discover the goldmine of early 20th Century music, rather than getting stuck on "Hey Soul Sister."

But I'm even more thrilled about this video of Ukulele Sweetheart Zooey Deschanel (and Ben Schwartz). I do believe this is the first video we've posted of Zooey actually playing. Her arrangement sounds much like the one Vedder plays. (Anyone have a copy?).

Also, here's a link to a post on TwentyFourBit with videos of versions by Steve Martin & Bernadette Peters (from The Jerk), and Fiona Apple & Jon Brion. Link

James Hill Makes "The Defamer"

2011-07-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Defamer today calls James Hill "The World's Greatest Ukulele Player." I'm not sure that we should bother debating who's the best player in the world, but it is refreshing to see someone other than Jake and EV being lauded by the outside world. Link

National Uke Event Calendar

2011-07-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

Play Uke has a great calendar covering US ukulele events. Contributions are encouraged, and they have a submission protocol to vet requests. Worth bookmarking and checking frequently. Link

Left-Handed Uke Chord Chart

2011-07-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

Attention Sinistral Strummers: Mel Bay now has a chart of left-handed chords. Link

Tofukulele Lego Uke

2011-07-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

I don't know why you'd want one, but if you do, Elderly has two fretless Tofukuleles constructed out of Lego. Link

And while we're on the subject, here's another.

Led Kaapana Receives NEA National Heritage Fellowships

2011-06-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Ledward Kaapana, who was just named a National Heritage Fellow by the NEA.

"Ledward "Led" Kaapana is a master of the two leading string instruments in Hawaii: the Hawaiian ukulele and ki ho'alu, the slack key guitar, a finger-style guitar art form that originated in Hawaii. This talent, combined with his vocal skills in the baritone and leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) range, have made him a legendary performer who has been entertaining audiences in Hawaii and abroad for more than 40 years."

Link

Eddie Vedder on David Letterman

2011-06-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

You can't cross the street these days without stumbling over some article about Eddie Vedder's new CD Ukulele Songs. So we haven't been too anxious to repost them all here. This, however, is pretty special. EV was on Letterman last night. He's playing a Mya-Moe uke made for him by Aaron Keim. E Street Band fans will notice something else about EV's uke. Sweet. Link

Dhani Harrison Playing Dad's Ukes

2011-06-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

George Harrison left his son Dhani some 40 ukuleles. Now Dhani and his band are recording with them. Link

This IS just a movie...right?

2011-06-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

Central Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts is a hub of bub most evenings. Weekend evenings there is a crowd of colorful club-goers ebbing and flowing all over the street.

I like the night there best right after a warm rain. But then, I would, wouldn't I?

come to the All Asia Cafe in Central Square on Sunday June 26th and see how dark swirls of color can be transformed into music...

‪BlueDeanCarcione: You've Got a Friend in Me‬‏

2011-06-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

I love Randy Newman's music. And I've always wondered if one could do justice to his unique chord structures on the uke. I wonder no more, and marvel at BlueDean Carcione's arrangement of "You've Got a Friend in Me." If anyone can help us out with a tab, you'd earn our undying gratitude. Link‬‏

ukulelia

Jake Shimabukuro Songbook

Mystery Uke from NAMM

Ben from U900

Kamaka at NAMM

Jake Plowing for Famers

Warren Buffett Plays Ukulele, Sings 'I've Been Working On The Railroad' For China's New Year Gala

NAMM 2012

Martin Ukulele Shirt

New Martins at NAMM

NAMM Show 2012

Knitted Ukulele Cases

Hot Girls with Ukuleles

Hawai'i 1948

Theme From Love Story

Folk Uke Down Under

Vintage Ukulele Photos

Make a $10 Ukulele Stand

What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

William H. Macy's Christmas Carol from Shameless

Joe Brown Inteview

Kala Ukulele Stand

Chord Master Update

Did You Get a Ukulele For Christmas?

Ukulelia Holiday Songbook

Jake on Prairie Home Companion, New Year's Eve

West Cork Ukulele Orchestra

Gary Oldman, Uker

Newt Gingrich is Running for Pres

Ukulele Hero!

West Coast 'Ukulele Retreat

Jingle Bells - Rob Bourassa

Silent Night

Amanda Palmer Uke

Danielle Ate the Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

Automated Ukulele Band Machine

1916 Uke Ad

Bill Tapia's Advice

Interview: Ukulele Legend Bill Tapia (1908-2011)

Dave Talsma's License Plate Uke

Tappy is Strumming With the Angels

St Louis Blues by Bob Armstrong on Baritone Uke

The Ukalope

I knew this

Besides all the other stuff at the Listening Party...

Craig Robertson to perform at Northridge Music

Hamlet's Soliloquy as a Song

High Praise from the Master

Uke Sales Hit $42Million

Amanda Palmer at Occupy Wall Street

Wolfelele Ukelele Kits

Tiki King Fluke Art

IKEA Thailand TV Commercial

Home of the Fluke

Honolulu World Record Attempt Falls Short

The Martin Tiple Blog

Felix the Cat Ukes

Ukulele Katie

The Happiest Way To Be Sad

for use with a folding chair and a folding umbrella while wearing your Borsalino roll up fedora

World Record Attempt, Honolulu

Tiki King's Coffin Uke

News of the Skewered

You May Be A Witch In Baton Rouge...new/old song

Hmmmm....

from the Apple App Store:"Description

Gerald Ross: Ukulele Swing

Irritation is the mother of invention

Fill Up The Ocean...new song demo

Mystery Instrument

...on the horizon...

Uke Firewood

Tippy Canoe & Melody Walker House Concert

Ferris Wheel by Shiny and the Spoon

Gilligan in Gotham by Gemma

Goodnight, Irene.

A Whole Host of Ukuleles at Strathmore

Dancing into September

Only 5 more days! My newest CD "Dancing on the Edge of the Knife" will be available on Bandcamp as a 'name your price' download. Starting in September, it will be $15 a download. Here is my song about imprisoned Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo from the album

Great Ukulele Instruction Book....!

from the Apple App Store:
"Description