Archive for the 'Ukuleles' Category
“The Joy of Ukulele”
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/2365326786_620e7f6656.jpg?v=0
OK, so its not strictly speaking a robot playing a uke, but its pretty close 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cmbLF4STJc
More of this kind of thing, i say!
Wahay - look at me going all anti-folk!
This track is one of the many by Kiyma Dawson to appear on the ‘Juno’ soundtrack, and its ideal for beginners because it only has three chords - C, G, and D. Yay!!
On the recording its played once, then repeated up to the line “Appreciate the effort”
(So do that if you want)
As films go, I thought Juno was OK, but perhaps not worth all the hype. (Maybe im getting old?)
But, I really enjoyed the soundtrack. I have a couple more tracks i will be sticking on here over the next few days/weeks/months/when i get round to it - so watch this space.
Granted it wasnt as good as ‘Gentle Ben’, but as a kid i used to love ‘The Littlest Hobo’.
Wiki informs us that..
The Canadian television series running from 1979-1985 featured many famous stars at the time including the young Mike Myers as the character Tommy before he later found fame in the movies Wayne’s World and Austin Powers. The song that plays during the credits, “Maybe Tomorrow”, is composed and sung by Terry Bush.
I reckon that husky/wolf/German Shepard thing could have taken Lassie in a fight - no problem!
I was talking to my mate about ukuleles the other day, and convinced him he should get himself one. After looking on various forums I noticed that a few people were rating ‘Makalas’ ukes over Mahalos’ for being pretty good for the money, and after a brief google, i found this place selling them for £9 + £1.80 p&p!! (They are normally £15-£20)
So it ordered it last week, and it came today - yay!!!
Look at the rather cute bridge 
And the geared tuners - Definately a selling point - I think they make a BIG difference
Ive taken off those horrible black ’strings’ you get with new ukes,(i use the word strings in the loosest possible sense) and put a set of Aquila Concert Strings on. It INSTANTLY sounds about 1000 times better.
On the whole im rather impressed by it. I was worried that the action would be a bit mental, but actually is OK, and the build quality in seems pretty good too. You also get a free bag, which will not stop it from getting damaged, but will at least keep the dust off.
If you fancy giving the uke a go but dont want to spend much money, I would definately recommed buying one. My only caveat would be that you NEED to buy a decent set of strings (like Aquilas) for it. (If you’re in the UK, you can get these from www.theukuleleshop.co.uk/ )
And heres me giving it a quick demo - I apologise for the singing 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv7GuV8K5v0
monkey & ukuleles - together at last
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I87_areoJkI
hahahahahaah - how ace is this?
I love Portishead.Their first Album was pretty much the soundtrack to my first year of university.
After a break of 10 years, their third album ‘Third’ is due for release next month. Yay!!
As much as i love them, the thing about Portishead is that once you start discovering the source of their samples, you realise that their music isnt quite a special as you first thought. For example ‘Glory Box’ off ‘Dummy’ is basically ‘Ike’s Rap’ by Isaac Hayes with some words and a bit of scratching over the top of it.
In the case of the much reported ‘Ukulele Track’ on the new album, im not necessarily accusing it of being a rip off, but it is, well, er… similar, to a certain famous ukulele track
But i’ll let you make up your own mind:)
First, listen to Lyle Ritz’s ‘Tonight you belong to me’ from the film ‘The Jerk’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y7v8dLSdzw
then take a listen to this…
Deep Water - Portishead
Its still a cracking track!! Now im just waiting for someone with alot more talent than me to work out the chords for it. 
Continuing in my role as the self proclaimed Sweary Ukulele Troubadour, I bring you…
This track was number 1 in 2005, and amazingly spawned the No 1 ‘response’ hit - ‘(F.U.R.B) Fuck you right back’ by ‘Frankie’…
Fuck What I did, was your fault somehow
Fuck the presents, I threw all that shit out
Fuvk all the cryin’ it didn’t mean jack
Well guess what yo, fuck you right back
Charming!
I dare say if you played it in C you would get a nice ‘Am’ instead of the ‘Bm’ - but still, its all practice
I hate Amy Winehouse. Her and her rich boyfriend can go fuck off and die for all i care. In fact, I do care, and I hope they do die.
I almost hate them as much as I hate that worthless twat with the hat.
BUT…
I have to admit that THIS is a cracking tune, and i DO like it.
Also…
a) It is easy to play on the Uke,
b) Its a track people recognise, and will have a little sing along with.
c) Everytime you play it, Amy Winehouse dies a little bit inside (hopefully)