Fundraiser for Tangi

As we reported earlier, ukulele luthier Tangi Tully was savagely beaten. On December 6 from 5-10 pm at The Shack in Waikiki there will be a fundraiser to help Tangi with his medical costs. He's uninsured. If you're on Oahu on the 6th, drop by. Link

"Pass the Donuts"

Can't wait for Gerald Ross to deconstruct this one.

Link

UPDATE: Don't miss Gerald's Cold War history lesson in the comments!

Zac Efron Ukes in "Me and Orson Welles"

Six years ago (!) we wrote about Robert Kaplow's then-new novel about a young actor who performed in Orson Welles's legendary 1937 production of Julius Caesar. (The ukulele connnection? The kid played a ukulele that was tricked out to look like a lute.)

Now the film adaptation of "Me and Orson Welles" is hitting the theatres with Zac Ephron starring as the young uke-player (aged for the film to provide a heartthrob marketing angle, we suspect). Now all we need is a High School Musical ukulele to make this a trifecta. And, wonders of wonders, there is one.

My favorite angle to the story? Author Robert Kaplow is perhaps better known to NPR listeners (of a certain vintage) as Moe Moskowitz. Link

A Jake and Two Queens

Congratulations to Jake Shimabukuro on being invited team up with Bette Midler in a performance before Queen Elizabeth on December 7th.

"I was shocked to hear that Bette Midler knew my music. I've been a huge fan of hers for many years," said Jake. "She's like a queen of entertainment. And to be performing with her for the Queen of England... it's a bit too much for me. I'm just so honored."

Quite a line-up for the event. (But...wonder what HRH will make of Lady Gaga...) Link

Craig Robertson: Interview | Ukulele Hunt

Great. As if Craig needs his ego stoked any more. My only consolation is that he'll now have to go out and buy a half dozen new fedoras, 1/4" larger. Just for this, I'm going to post the Ukulelia Holiday Songbook again this year. Link

(Kidding, Craig.)

Cigar Box Ukulele Kit

Ukulelia founder and Boing Boing editor Mark Frauenfelder blogs about a cigar box ukulele kit he received from Papa's Boxes. Sez he plans to work on it over Thanksgiving. Link

Arthur Godfrey: Uke Tuning Advocate

Another historical tidbit from Billboard today. Arthur Godfrey off on a rant about non-standardized uke tunings in sheet music. Warns that the Second Wave will be just another fad unless everyone picks a tuning and just sticks with it. Also vilifies makers of junk ukuleles flooding the market. Don't cross Uncle Arthur. Link

Kaye Offers Uke Plan to MPPA; Pubbers Cool

Read about bandleader Sammy Kaye's 1950 plan to create a non-profit co-operative publishing venture devoted to developing tunes especially suited to the ukulele. It was an interesting idea aimed at ultimately generating business for sheet music publishers as apparently fewer people were playing the piano. The "Pubbers" were "cool" to the idea (in the pre-hipster meaning of "cool"). Link

The Curious Case of Benjamin Formby?

Here's an odd George Formby album cover from the 1970's that makes George look alive, well, and about 40 years younger than he would have been at the time. (He died in 1961.)

What is this? Some creepy cut and paste job, or a colorized photo of George in garb that coincidentally returned to style in the '70s? Or is Georgie now a babe in a cradle with his little ukulele in his hands a la Benjamin Button. Creepy. Link

More girls, more glasses, more ukuleles...

Ingrid Michaelson performs "Maybe" Live at WTMD

King/Tranquada Journal Article

A highly recommended download: a pdf of John King and Jim Tranquada's "New History of the Origins and Development of the 'Ukulele, 1838-1915" from vol. 37 of The Hawaiian Journal of History (2003). Link

Tangi Ukulele Owner Savagely Beaten

I will let the news article and accompanying video speak to the atrocity of all this. Blackford "Tangi" Tully, maker of Tangi ukuleles, was savagely beaten during an attempted robbery. He's in the hospital, and, also a victim of the economy. The downturn left him without enough money to pay his insurance. Some folks over on the Flea Market Music BB have posted information if you'd like to send aloha and a few dollars his way. (Go directly to the you to the BB post for the latest, just in case details change.) Link

Astro Boy Uke

If you're a fan of Mighty Atom, aka Astro Boy (and read Japanese), you'll love this themed uke made by Greco. (They have other manga themed ukes, too. The only other one I recognize is Kimba the White Lion.) Just in time, too. Link

Pink Elephant...

The Old Blind Mole Orkestra from France is led by an amazing ukulele player and songwriter named Steve...this is their new video. dig it.

Whahoo WIUO!

Cool. As a lone wolf, I’m not often attracted to groups of ukulele players all bashing along on the same song.

But…the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra from New Zealand is a marvelous example of how it should be done. Their enthusiasm for the music and excellent cover choices dovetail perfectly with their vocal arrangements. And they ARE arrangements. Different singers are singing harmonies and counterpoint and whatnot.

Check out their joyous, spot-on cover of Prince’s “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man”.

Their Website