Humble Uker Ramblings

Sundodgers || Name That Vintage Tune

2012-01-25T16:01:00.000-08:00

This is Kathy Sparling with a little quiz for you...

#1

#2

Sinfonico Honolulu LIVE || Africa (Toto cover)

2012-01-25T15:54:00.000-08:00

Clips from Stanley's Gig with Faye Dunaway

2012-01-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

The ukulele soundtrack starts at about 5:40.
Fred Sokolov makes an appearance at about 6:50...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pn2oYMdHy0

NAMM 2012 || Lag Ukuleles

2012-01-23T08:50:00.001-08:00

Here's a new brand to me. Some beautiful designs...

The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) || What a Wonderful World

2012-01-23T08:47:00.001-08:00

New York's Underground Ukulele Scene [CNN 1-11-2012]

2012-01-20T07:25:00.000-08:00

Ukisociety || Let's Get Plastic...

2012-01-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

Petey and the White Girl || You're Fifty-Three, You're Beautiful and You're Mine!

2012-01-18T08:13:00.001-08:00

Jonathan Mann || Every Sunset, Every Full Moon

2012-01-17T22:07:00.000-08:00

Lisa Hannigan || Ocean and a Rock & Knots

2012-01-17T11:01:00.000-08:00

Some unusual instruments, sans ukulele...

Knots Ukulele Solo

Taj Mahal || The Calypsonians

2012-01-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

I really like Taj Mahal and this song is from his Hula Blues album. Notice the uke players?

From Santa Cruz...

PBS NEWSHOUR || Shimabukuro Leading a Ukulele Renaissance

2012-01-13T16:25:00.000-08:00

PBS Newshour + Jake = Good stuff!

Gnomie Lullaby || Sleepy Barnyard Town

2012-01-13T16:18:00.000-08:00

"Come sing-along with sleepy farm animals in this lovely ukulele lullaby by SF band Lucky Cloud. This is from Gnomie Farmland Adventure, the new application for iPhone and iPad. With Gnomie's "Read Me a Story" feature, parents have the option to record their own voices for a personalized and engaging storytelling experience. Kids can learn the names of different farm animals in seven languages, the kinds of sounds each animal makes, and the roles each animal plays on a farm. Designed with young attention spans and active fingers in mind, the story can be started at any point. Best of all, easy interactivity allows kids to explore the farm with adults or independently, making learning a fun adventure, and making this an ideal choice for young readers! Visit Gnomie at www.gnomiekids.com"

Julie Courtney Music|| Maybe Uke

2012-01-11T17:07:00.001-08:00

We Were Evergreen ||

2012-01-11T16:22:00.000-08:00

Live from Our Backyard

Vintage Car -- Very interesting video, but no ukes.

Casey Abrams || 6th Place American Idol in 2011

2012-01-10T16:55:00.000-08:00

Casey had imagination, personality, character and musicality. He was the person, along with a few other great talents from last season that I eagerly awaited seeing what they would do nest. Was it his "Kiss" that broke up J.Lo's marraige, No! Apparently, Casey has now been signed to a Jazz record label and he put out this video with a very short ukulele cameo...

Baby, It's Cold Outside (Duet with Haley)

Valery Sauvage || Freight Train (Archtop Ukulele)

2012-01-09T23:14:00.001-08:00

Valery Sauvage || Haele (Ernest Ka'ai)

2012-01-09T23:12:00.001-08:00

Vaudeville Ukulele & Burlesque?

2012-01-09T23:09:00.000-08:00

This is a bit of ADULT silliness.
(You'd be surprised how the ukulele seems to be popular with burlesque.)

Victoria Vox || Peeping Tomette

2012-01-09T23:06:00.001-08:00

Melissa Nkonda || Africa (Sur la grande scène de L'Olympia)

2012-01-09T23:00:00.000-08:00

Mandalele || Snowflake (Ukulele & Hang Drum)

2012-01-09T22:55:00.001-08:00

I love the sounds made by these hang drums.

PlanetTegan || Lottis Schottis

2012-01-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

The Corner Laughers || Performing at the Goose Pub

2012-01-08T21:31:00.000-08:00

At the Fox & Goose Pub in Sacramento, California 12-30-2011...

How to Learn the Ukulele Well Enough to (Almost) Get A DATE

2012-01-07T23:12:00.000-08:00

Well, I had to clean up the title...

Mandy & Olivia || Small (JJ Heller cover)

2012-01-06T17:02:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while we get an exceptional treat from some wee little ones. These sisters are both adorable and talented. The nice thing about playing music is the great smiles you get when you sing & play. Even if there is a mess-up, or perhaps especially when there's a mess-up it can be even more fun! Great job Mandy & Olivia this is one of my favorite recent posts!

Mandi doing Bruno Mars solo...

SMOLDERING UKE || WINTER UKULELE RETREAT

2012-01-06T08:44:00.001-08:00

The Uke Club of Santa Cruz

presents

Smoldering Uke 2012

So... you just can’t wait until September for Burning Uke X

... or don’t like to camp ...

then join us at

A Winter Ukulele Retreat

held at

Hidden Valley Music Seminars

88 West Carmel Road

in beautiful

Carmel Valley California

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Friday March 23 at 4:00 PM

thru Sunday March 25 at 2:00 PM

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Play-a-longs Friday and Saturday nights plus workshops and impromptu jams Saturday and Sunday

There are great gathering places to play indoors... and outdoors if weather permits

Meet other Ukers, learn some new songs, and some new techniques, have fun

& feel the joy of a Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz event!!

• This is not a campout, we will sleep (and play) indoors, and includes prepared meals •

(Dinner on Friday night, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Saturday, Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday)

Lodging options include your room choice, all meals and all workshops

• Single Room at Hidden Valley Inn (right next door) $377 •

• Double Room at Hidden Valley Inn (right next door) $261 per person •

• Single Room at Wright Hall (on campus) (limited number) $295 •

• Shared Double Room at Wright Hall (on campus) $235 per person •

Shared Triple Room at Wright Hall (on campus) $225 per person

• RV Camping $50 per RV + $145 Meal Package per person •

Meal Package ONLY (Commuter, NO sleeping accommodations) $145 per person

To register and reserve your space send a check

• payable to •

Marty Carlson

(the Ukulele Club has no bank account)

225 Mount Hermon Rd. Space 176 • Scotts Valley, Ca 95066

for more info call (831) 440-9382

The King Blues || Set the World on Fire

2012-01-02T22:52:00.000-08:00

This is a punk band music video. The band has a ukulele player but it is blasting punk and has some harsh images in the video -- so consider yourself warned.

Quincy Newton || Love and a Park

2012-01-02T22:36:00.000-08:00

Judy Marshak || Island Paradise

2012-01-02T22:31:00.000-08:00

January 2012 Newbie Month || Raggy Ragsdale

2012-01-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

Friends From Santa Cruz || Tailgater

2011-12-31T13:44:00.000-08:00

I snatched this photo off of Facebook. These are my close friends from the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz. Jay, Robbie and Sheila were in the Uke U class put on by Rhan Wilson a couple of years ago. Now they've regrouped with some more talented singers and players Wendy, Rick and Jerry. They sparkled as the opening group a couple of months back for the club meeting.

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

Tailgaters - 6:30 - 8:30pm
Pono Hawaiian Grille @ Cypress Lounge120 Union Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-426-7666

Please join us and help celebrate the arrival of 2012 with good friends, good food, good drink, and good music !! Hope to see you there. Happy New Year from the Tailgaters,

Robbie Barbour, Sheila Cliff, Wendy Treat, Jay Holiday, Jerry Whitney and Rick Zeek

Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt || What are You Doing New Year's Eve

2011-12-30T16:59:00.000-08:00

The Haunted Windchimes

2011-12-28T09:07:00.001-08:00

Uke Cutie || Hand in Hand

2011-12-27T15:16:00.001-08:00

NO UKE ZONE || Street Musician plays a Hang Drum in Norway

2011-12-26T19:05:00.000-08:00

The-Ukulele-Orchestra-of-Great-Britain-Konzert 2001

2011-12-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S-!-!

Vintage Hawaiian Yesteryear Series || Pua Carnation

2011-12-26T08:44:00.001-08:00

Ukulele Chuck || I Tried to Walk on Air (Vintage Charlie Chaplin to ukulele)

2011-12-26T08:42:00.000-08:00

Yukulele Tragedy (Short Film)

2011-12-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

Slapstick Yukulele

Eva Walsh || Still I'll Get Over You (original)

2011-12-23T08:14:00.000-08:00

Down Town (Petula Clark cover)

The Lawrence Welk Show (The Lennon Sisters) || Tonight You Belong to Me

2011-12-21T23:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, I watched some Lawrence Welk way back...

Asiah Mehok and Rusty Clanton || Tonight You Belong to Me (2)

2011-12-21T23:12:00.000-08:00

Angel Snow and Korby Lenker || Tonight You Belong to Me

2011-12-21T23:03:00.000-08:00

He-Heee-Hee It's IZ Again

2011-12-21T07:12:00.001-08:00

Any Captain & Tennille Fans? Howabout Makaha Sons?

2011-12-21T07:08:00.000-08:00

The Wizard of IZ...

Lew Dite || Will the Circle be Unbroken?

2011-12-20T22:30:00.000-08:00

Check out the GUITARO

Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz || 2011 Christmas Club Meeting "White Christmas"

2011-12-18T22:04:00.001-08:00

Dimitri Boil at the Hill Billy Hoot

2011-12-18T22:01:00.000-08:00

I wanted to stop watching but he was too much fun...

Mollycules || "Izzy's Ukulele Adventure"

2011-12-18T21:53:00.000-08:00

Ron Hargrave || Raccoon Solo

2011-12-18T21:51:00.001-08:00

the West cork Ukulele Orchestra || Ra Ra Rasputin

2011-12-18T21:47:00.001-08:00

Ariel Rubin || Big Spoon (Music Video)

2011-12-18T04:12:00.001-08:00

Sol Hoopii and His Novelty Quartet || Flower LeiI

2011-12-17T14:13:00.001-08:00

Suekulele Lessons || Let's Pretend There's a Moon Above (Tutorial)

2011-12-16T22:18:00.000-08:00

Don't Blame Me

Scrubs || State Songs

2011-12-16T22:14:00.001-08:00

Ukulazy Susan (Uke Stand)

2011-12-16T22:12:00.001-08:00

Klara Kjellen || If Something Went Very Wrong (Background Uke)

2011-12-16T18:55:00.001-08:00

Janet Lenore || Open Mic Performance at the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz

2011-12-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

My buddy Janet from the Berkeley Ukulele Club has a masterful performance of White Rabbit at the UCSC November 2011 Open Mic. She enlists the help of the regents: Patti Maxine, Rhan Wilson, as well as Topher Gail, Jeff Davis and Jody Healy. Janet also teaches ukulele classes in Alameda, CA.

Here's another performance with Rhan Wilson, Patti Maxine & Pipa Pinon to highlight Rhan's cult Christmas classic, An Altared Christmas...

And draggin' tail is some Redneck Hick, Cornbread Charlotte, Peter & Donna...

Fozzy Bear

2011-12-15T20:36:00.001-08:00

Douglas Frink || Ladybug Philosophy

2011-12-15T07:32:00.000-08:00

Scat Man Crothers || Opening Credits to a 1975 Movie.

2011-12-15T07:25:00.000-08:00

I as, Humble Uker, try to stay on the topic of music and musicians. This comes from 1975 and uses the "N" Word in a dramatic representation of hurt and racism in America. The use of The Word is in a context of suffering and is masterfully done by Scat Man Crothers. I know that this word is commonly used in some music but it still makes me uncomfortable. So I request that you and your personal sensibilities make a choice to watch or not because of the lyrics. You never see a ukulele but it is a fine performance.

"One of my early childhood heroes [ie: Scatman Crothers] playing the ukulele while singing 'Nigger Man.' The movie that this song was featured in was titled "Coonskin" and was directed By screen god/animation guru Ralph Bakshi [the director of such cool flicks as Wizards, Cool World, and the original animated versions of both the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings]. Coonskin debuted in the spring of 1975, but only lasted in the theaters in New York City for less than a week before it was taken out of the cinemas and banned for its unabashed view and unflinching view on racism and the violence perpetuated behind stereotypes of people of a certain race/creed/nationality.

Since its banning, Coonskin was re-released in the late 80's/early 90's as VHS only and marketed under the new title 'Street Fight.' If you ever run across this movie, I urge you to get a copy. Yes, it is blatantly and unabashedly racist, but it was a testament of its time [the 70s in New York City - where race relations then were at an all time low]. And for all of the ugly contained within it and the propensity for violence in this half live-action/half animated movie, it was a vehemently ANTI-racist (film)."

Cheryl Beer || Views of Paris avec L'ukulele

2011-12-14T10:22:00.001-08:00

Summer Underground || "Balance Beamer" (live in the park)

2011-12-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

Chrissy & Grant Washington Square Park, NYC.

Vintage Ukulele || 1950's Johnny Ukulele

2011-12-14T06:46:00.000-08:00

He says a person from San Leandro, California calls in... (Lived there for 12 years.)

Johnny Ukulele Hawaiian Cowboy!

The Mobby McGees || Balcony TV Performance

2011-12-13T12:34:00.001-08:00

Gigantevskij || Una Di Quelle

2011-12-13T12:27:00.000-08:00

Jive Aces & Satin Dolls || Mr. Santa

2011-12-13T12:14:00.000-08:00

Always a treat...

Oakland's Art Deco Society hosts its 27th Gatsby Summer Afternoon

2011-12-13T12:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a nice video of an era gone by. Looks likes a good time. There is a uke at the very end.

Martin Mull || Straight Talk About The Blues/Ukulele Blues (1973 LIVE)

2011-12-09T09:35:00.000-08:00

Zee Avi || Live in Borneo

2011-12-09T09:29:00.001-08:00

Check out his "Guitar"

Retro Eclectic Karaoke Nº 1 || Turkeys On The Spit

2011-12-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

Danielle Grabianowski || Single Ladies

2011-12-08T08:42:00.001-08:00

Otterbeone || Dylan & a Lightning Bug Custom Resonator Ukulele

2011-12-08T08:40:00.000-08:00

That's a beauty Otter!

Pipa, Rhan & Patti || Preview of An Altared Christmas

2011-12-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

There still may be tickets available (link).

An Altared Christmas
Rio Theater, Santa Cruz, California, U.S.A.
SATURDAY, December 10, 2011

Michael Wagner || Spooky Uku

2011-12-03T13:34:00.001-08:00

Posted 2-1/2 years ago: Spooky Uke

Baron & Jordon || Banana (Lotso Fun!)

2011-12-03T13:31:00.001-08:00

Weegingayin || Jock o' Hazeldean

2011-12-02T21:51:00.001-08:00

Careless Love

Ness Rock || Forget You

2011-12-02T21:13:00.001-08:00

Nicely done, good bathroom acoustics...

Russ Buss Rocks! || Ready for Love

2011-12-01T15:16:00.001-08:00

I know Russ and he's got a hot little Dominator Uke!

JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOUR BOYS (CICADA CLUB)

2011-11-29T06:49:00.000-08:00

Vintage Music and Dance. Janet sings but her ukulele is a no show. Where's that Ian Whitcomb and his left handed uke Janet? Recorded live at Maxwell DeMille's Cicada in Los Angeles. Janet Klein and her Parlor Boys: Benedict Brydern, Corey Gemme, Ian Whitcomb, Billy Steele, Marquis Howell, Randy Woltz plus special guest Richard Halpern.

http://CicadaClub.com

Harmonious Blue Moon

2011-11-28T16:34:00.001-08:00

Lisa Hannigan || Knots (Late, Late Show)

2011-11-28T16:02:00.000-08:00

Mayan Fox || Balcony TV Brisbane

2011-11-28T15:58:00.000-08:00

"Sizzling Hot and Fresh from the Grill, Mayan Fox cook up some Tasty Tunes for all to enjoy. A little bit rock, a little bit pop and a little bit reggae.   The Mayan Fox live show is noted for it's high energy and good-time vibes which bounce between them and the audience."

Aaron's Ukulele Lessons || Christmas Don't Be Late (Chipmunks)

2011-11-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

@ 0:43 Aaron's Introduction
@ 1:11 Aaron plays the song (first part only in thisvideo)
@ 2:08 Chords (partial chords used) (melody + base note)
Etc.

GOOD STUFFS BRO!

Viajar nos Sons da Memoria

2011-11-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

Raymond Penfield || Addicted to Love

2011-11-26T09:30:00.001-08:00

Luthea Salom || Tomorrow on COM Radio

2011-11-26T09:28:00.000-08:00

And there's the Video Official...

Cliff Edwards || Sidewalks of New York (1931)

2011-11-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

No Ukes

George Hinchliffe || Ironing my Goldfish Flat

2011-11-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

Stay to the end to see the best ukin' church hat.

Suits & Ukes || Episode 13: The Way You Look Tonight

2011-11-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

Suits & Ukes || Episode 12: Runaway

2011-11-11T05:57:00.000-08:00

I cannot pass up the opportunity to post a man playing uke in a cockroach costume. Note: the is some under the frig language used in this song.

Bruce Emery || Baritone Ukulele from Scratch

2011-11-09T16:38:00.001-08:00

Here is the first Baritone Ukulele Book that I have been teasing for the last couple of months. Bruce Emery has written several Guitar books and I have seen them at my favorite music stores. His titles include:

Guitar from Scratch
Guitar from Scratch: The Sequel
Fingerstyle Guitar from Scratch
Blues Guitar from Scratch
Travis-Style Guitar from Scratch
Musical Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist -- Vol 1: The Big Picture
Musical Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist -- Vol 2: The Fretboard
Musical Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist -- Jazz
Christmas Strumalong Guitar
Christmas Fingerstyle Guitar

I purchased the Travis-Picking book to see how I might apply this style to bari-uke playing. After reworking a song from the book I contacted Bruce and sent him a copy of my rough adjustments. We had a couple of e-conversations and he said that he had been considering doing a ukulele book and that he had played the bari as a youngster.

Bruce has a very comfortable writing style and I am excited to get the book in my hands. His other books are all spiral bound and I expect this one will too. I have seen the table of contents and I think that it's going to be quite an interesting guide and have already ordered three copies. One for me, one for a Christmas Gift and another to send to my son Joshua in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Inside the Travis-Style book I purchased there are some short reviews...

Elderly Instruments wrote, "Emery is a teacher who apparently has ESP when it comes to learning guitar. Things are broken down into sensible pieces that you'll wonder why everyone doesn't teach this way."

David McCarty, Acoustic Guitar Magazine wrote, "Focused and vastly readable... Conversational approach is warm and engaging... Humor, insight and patience."

Thanks Bruce!

Jeff / Humble Uker

UkeJon || Sweet Child O' Mine

2011-11-08T06:43:00.000-08:00

I am normally not a big fan of loop machines for listening to others play. But it seems to be a great alternate to a stinkin' "metro-gnome." Enjoy...

Cliff Edwards || The Voice of Hollywood

2011-11-07T06:04:00.001-08:00

Short appearance... 7:44 to 8:12.

WS64 || Claire De Lune

2011-11-07T05:57:00.001-08:00

Spectacular...

AGONY AUNTS || Sorting Out The Rules

2011-11-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

Nellie McKay || "Caribbean Time" || Late Late Show w/ Craig Ferguson

2011-11-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

"It's a Pose"

Ukulele Dick || The Ukulele Dick Primer

2011-11-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

The Ukulele Dick Primer is a short video by Tom Ellison. Here's a link to learn more about Ukulele Dick. UD is a spectacular player and another treasure to the Santa Cruz Uke and Music scene. He has several albums available and has Vaudeville quality talent. Personally, I move to the front of my seat whenever I see him play because his music skills are spectacular and he makes it all seem so simple.

Ukulele Dick and Mona Lotts are the stage names for Rick McKee and Jayme Kelly Curtis, here they lead off the showing of "The Mighty Ukes" at the Castro Theater in San Francisco.

The Beatles Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do (Live At Friar's Park, 1994)

2011-11-05T22:11:00.001-07:00