UUOGB in 1988

h/t to Hester Goodman for this one from the vault. Here's the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain on the BBC from 1988.

CNC Milled Ukuleles

At Maker Faire this weekend, the CNC Router Parts team was demonstrating their equipment and technology by crafting ukuleles. The bodies were milled out of solid blocks of maple. The faces were plate steel. Fingerboards milled aluminum. Kind of a National meets the Dixie Banjolele Akulele. 

I've put out feelers to see if anyone played one. Or scored one. Let me know if you did. 

http://makezine.com/2016/05/22/cnc-router-parts/

Jerk Organist Trolls Uke-Playing Bishop

In Uke-umenical news (Crisis in the Church Edition), Roman Catholic Bishop Donald Hanchon found himself shut down by an organist who didn't appreciate his performance of This Little Light of Mine from the pulpit during a Confirmation Mass in Detroit on Tuesday.

Video at the link. Link

William H. Macy Self-Soothes With the Uke

If you read Ukulelia, you probably know that William H. Macy plays the uke. Here's an interview in which he talks about the importance of music and the ukulele in his life. His wife, Felicity Huffman, says he uses it to "self-soothe".



A little bittersweet anecdote about Randy Newman and Harry Nilsson, too.

Link

BBC Arts - How the Ukulele Conquered the World

We somehow forgot to blog this terrific feature on the history of the ukulele from the BBC from 2015. What's nice is that the timelines feature the 80s and early 90s when ukulele was decidedly alt.music. We owe a lot to the geniuses and oddballs who kept the garden watered and ready for the current spring.



BBC - BBC Arts - How the Ukulele Conquered the World

Perry Botkin Plays Lover

Some time ago, we wrote about Perry Botkin, legendary orchestral guitarist--and uker.

Check out this post for some great background and videos.

One commenter on the post asked if anyone could find a copy of Botkin playing Richard Rogers's Lover.

Courtesy of the mysterious "Lightnin'", here is the recording from the original Decca 78. Botkin absolutely kills it.

Little Dancing Girl - Gerald Ross

Here's a terrific rendition of the Hal Roach soundtrack classic Little Dancing Girl played by Gerald Ross. If you've ever watched Laurel & Hardy or The Little Rascals, you'll recognize it instantly!

Link

Most Influential Ukulele Players

This list should really include Jim Beloff. 

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/05/12/5-most-influential-ukulele-players/84236790/

Kala Profile

Nice profile of Kala yesterday in the North Bay Business Times. 

http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/northbay/sonomacounty/5608314-181/petaluma-ukulele-kala-brand-music

Songs From a Random House on NPR

A little reminiscing about when the 3rd Wave hadn't quite hit the mainstream. 

Here's Songs From a Random House on Weekend Edition from 2005. 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4668018

New Ukulele Exhibit at Polynesian Cultural Center

If you're headed to Oahu, this might make a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center worthwhile. 

http://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Ukulele-exhibit-opens-at-Polynesian-Cultural-Center

National Elephant Seal Ukulele Association

Check out Bloom County, in honor of World Penguin Day

https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybreathed/posts/1190120341018717:0

Steven Colbert's Ukulele Version of Enter Sandman

Ukulelia exclusive! (Curse you, Tim Cook!)

http://youtu.be/R7SYxx5_chY

TyDe Ukuleles

Don't know these guys, but I'd like to hang with them. They sound like good folks. Anyone play their instruments? Link



Here's a profile in the Reno Gazette Journal.

Play Ukulele by Ear Workshop with Jim D'Ville at Lamorinda Music

Come join Jim D'Ville for a special ukulele workshop in the Big Room at Lamorinda Music in Lafayette, CA, on January 27th. He will be offering a tailored program for us combining two of his most popular workshops: 

• Strumming Ukulele By Ear: Free yourself from memorizing Down-Up patterns! Starting with the basic index finger strum Jim will start you on the road to strumming what you hear.
• Play Ukulele By Ear Vol. 2: Chord Progressions & The Circle of 5ths Being able to hear and identify chord progressions will go a long way toward demystifying music. Before you know it you'll be hearing and recognizing dominant seven and diatonic chord progressions. This exciting workshop will open your ears to the way all songs work around the Circle of 5ths. Knowledge of chords C F G7 A7 D7 E7 Am Dm Em is helpful.

When: Wednesday, January 27 7PM - 8:30PM

Where: Big Room, Lamorinda Music

Who: Open to Advanced Beginners and up

Cost: $25

Lamorinda Music website.