Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Newt Gingrich is Running for Pres
This just in: Loudon Wainwright III with a seasonal, satirical, political ditty.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
West Coast 'Ukulele Retreat
Jingle Bells - Rob Bourassa
Friday, December 16, 2011
Silent Night
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
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
Here's Danielle Ate the Sandwich with a lovely version of The Christmas Song. I love her effortless singing. Enjoy!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
1916 Uke Ad
From the Archive of Archaic Advertisments of codehappy.net, a newspaper ad from 1916 featuring Nunes ukuleles. Link
Monday, December 05, 2011
Bill Tapia's Advice
Lil Rev was kind enough to give us permission to publish his poem and tribute to Bill Tapia.
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!
Bill Tapia’s Advice
© Lil Rev/Patchwork Poems 2011
© 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)
The Fretboard Journal has posted a 2002 interview with Tappy. It originally appeared in The Ukulele Occasional. Link
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Dave Talsma's License Plate Uke
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
Friday, December 02, 2011
Tappy is Strumming With the Angels
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
