Stairway to Heaven

When I was in my late teens to early twenties, playing Stairway to Heaven in a guitar store was guaranteed to result in a swift invitation to vacate the premises. Now Curt Sheller provides an opportunity for ukulelists to learn the quick way to the door. For low-G ukes.
Link

(Kidding. Thanks, Curt!)

Uke Jam at Lamorinda Music

I'll be leading a Uke Jam at Lamorinda Music in Lafayette, CA Saturday, March 12 from 2-4. We focus on newbie skills from 2-3 and beginner to intermediate stuff in from 2-4. Hope to see you there. Link

Aloha, Kahauanu Lake

Hawaiian mele and ukulele master Kahauanu Lake died last Sunday at the age of 79. John Berger has a nice tribute here in the Star-Advertiser. Here's an earlier profile of Uncle K, also by Berger.

Uncle K was a man of many accomplishments, and will be remembered by many as the composer (with Mary Kawena Pukui) of Pua Lililehua for his wife Ma'iki.

"The lililehua is the red sage brush flower (salvia coccinea). It is also the name of the wind and rain in Palolo Valley, and the name of a maiden who resided in the valley that was courted by a mo`o." Link

An excellent and simple ukulele arrangement of Pua Lililehua was recently tabbed and posted by Al Wood on Uke Hunt. You'll want to also watch this video of John King performing his version, which has been tabbed by whetu and posted on the Ukulele Underground forum.

Mahalo and aloha, Kahauana Lake.

Ha`ina mai ka puana

E ka pua lili lehua

A he `ipo ho`ohenoheno

E ho`ohihi ai no ka mana`o


This story is told for you

O sage blossom

A cherished sweetheart

That attracts the mind

Ian Whitcomb & Harry Warren - Home in Pasadena

Ron Hale stumbled across this. Ian Whitcomb and Harry Warren (yes, the Harry Warren) singing Warren's Home in Pasadena in 1972. Link

Oscars Wrap-up

In case you need more Oscars coverage, click on over to The Fretboard Journal for a look at some memorable uke moments in film. Link

(Thanks, Michael Simmons!)

Good News from Christchurch

We are happy to report that our good friend and author/illustrator of the most excellent Kiwi Ukulele, Mike Dickison, is doing fine after the recent earthquake in New Zealand. Both Mike and his ukuleles came through unscratched, and water and power was recently restored. He's hinted that he may be doing some fundraising work in the near future, so stay tuned. We'll report more as we hear more.

Say Aloha to My Little Friend

First a T-shirt. Now this. Brilliant.

An Open Letter to Stephen Fry

Molly Lewis wrote this plaintive song in which she offers to do humanity--and Stephen Fry--a huge favor. Link

After you've watched the above video, check out this video of Molly serenading Mr. Fry himself at a ceremony during which he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism from Harvard on February 22, 2011. (Begins at the 3:00 mark).

(Yet another h/t to Woodshed)

UPDATE: Here's a higher quality video of Molly's performance: Link

Me or Uke Blues - Dominator with Lil' Rev

Having this much fun on the uke should be illegal. Link

Orquestra Caracteristica Madeirense, 1890

Roberto Moniz, a contemporary Madeiran musician and blogger, has posted this photograph of Madeiran musicians from 1890. That's 11 years after the Ravenscrag arrived in Hawaii. Wonder if news of the machete/ukulele's popularity had reached these guys. If so, I bet a couple of them regret not getting on the ship. Also wonder if any of them eventually ended up in Hawaii ... Link

(Thanks to TW for the chronological correction.)

Uke Hunt: Madeiran Music Special

Woodshed has put together a spectacular post featuring a collection of videos from Madeira. Because you know your ukulele history, you know that the uke derives from the Madeiran machete. Enjoy this other branch of the family. (h/t to Woodshed). Link

Hello, Hawaii, It's Elton!

What Elton John might wear, should he get bit by the jumping flea. Link

Ukin', Banana Republic Style

Tikimeister and Head of Ukulelia Expeditionary Forces Col. Otto Von Stroheim reported in from the field that he had spotted this image from Banana Republic's spring campaign "Journey in Style." Today, Otto sent us a hastily captured picture from a San Francisco bus shelter. Battling with wild buses and dodging rushing pedestrians, Otto completed his mission, later apologizing for the quality of his snap (no apology necessary, OVS), noting that

"...you can see a lovely new Banana Republic ad featuring a uke and a common companion - a beautiful girl."

The Ukulelia Research Department was immediately on the job, turning up the higher resolution image displayed here. (Observant readers will note that the model was captured while playing the modern ukulele classic Elephant Town.) Research was also able to locate this video from the BR campaign. The video contains only fleeting images of the elusive uke, but enjoy the scenery, nonetheless.

That's a G, as in Garbo

Greta Garbo displaying her unique method of playing a G chord. (via The Silent Movie Blog, with a h/t to Amy Crehore!)

Going Strong: Kamaka Ukulele

KHON has a nice video profile of Kamaka Ukulele today. Link