More Cliff Edwards

Cliff Edwards || A Pair of Recent Video Postings

Terry C (BeareTube) || With Another Cliff Edwards Video

Cliff Edwards || Ukulele Ike || 30 Minute Interview 1969

Terry C., from Australia, has come thru with more Cliff Edwards / Ukulele Ike information to share. Here's a copy of his e-mail thanking Alex for his contribution in the previous Humble Uker post and introducing his new video link...

Hi Jeff,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to you and your family! I see on your blog that Alex has uploaded a remastered Cliff Edwards video. That's great! The more 'Ukulele Ike' videos the better. Thanks Alex! And I have uploaded a 30 minute interview with Cliff Edwards below.

This interview was recorded in 1969, two years before his death. Cliff chats about a range of things, including which ukulele was his very favourite during his life. I encourage your subscribers to get a coffee, sit back and listen to one of the all time great ukulele players and singers talking about his career. Very rare recording indeed.

Regards - Terry C.

P.S. I uploaded it to Vimeo because YouTube will not allow videos of 30 minutes in length.

The FULL Cliff Edwards Interview from Uketeecee on Vimeo.

Cliff Edwards || Ukulele Ike Remastered Masterpiece

Here's a first response to our desire to find recently deleted Cliff Edwards / Ukulele Ike songs. Alex has taken my favorite YT video, enhanced it and added a little extra ending that I hadn't seen before.

Hi Jeff,

I checked Youtube for what is there, and could download a dozen or so. I don't know how much has been there before... Anyway, your message was an impulse to me remastering my most favorite download. Now, last night, I uploaded a version of "Hang on to me" as a result of mixing best possible video and audio quality...

Merry Christmas

Alex

http://www.youtube.com/user/DermitderUkulele

PHOTO: Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike)

My Australian ukulele lovin' friend Terry C. has submitted several detailed articles to this humble Humble Uker blog and has received great attention each time. Terry has been a great fan of Cliff Edwards and the music which he masterfully sang while playing the ukulele. YouTube has provided a platform for videos where we can get to know a little about the masters of the past but for a variety of reasons some of the videos are disappearing.

Terry generously shares another rare photo of Ukulele Ike

"Hi Jeff, You may have seen this image before but... It shows Cliff Edwards playing his Martin tenor uke aboard the yacht 'Ukulele Lady' in June, 1947 on the Hudson river N.Y. Perhaps Ike was paid to come along and sing at the maiden voyage? Or maybe it was a publicity stunt for some Hudson River event at the time? Maybe one of your readers can shed some light? Feel free to use on your blog. Regards - Terry"

"Cliff Edwards mentions in an interview here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bngnoZZSQ40 ...that he once owned a 'Stutz Bearcat' - the image above shows the car. It was an expensive machine in its day, for the wealthy only. 'In 1914 it was priced at $2000, about two to three times the cost of the 'T' Model Ford, which cost $550.'" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stutz_Bearcat

Terry has also made a request of Humble Uker and you the saviest of uke historians and ukulele memorabilia collectors...

You're aware there are many Ukulele Ike clips on YouTube. Well, one of the most prolific YouTube channels which promotes Ike videos is called 'Good Old Days'. This 'Good Old Days' channel has many Ike videos (among others), probably 50% of the Cliff Edwards videos on YT. Anyway, whoever ran this channel has suddenly and abruptly closed their YouTube account and all those wonderful videos have disappeared overnight! What can I do? Is there any chance any of your readers/subscribers has downloaded any of these Ike videos? -- Terry C.

So I intend to broadcast out to other bloggers, readers, friends to see if we can reinstate the wonderful Ukulele Ike / Cliff Edwards memorabilia back to the www. You can contact me thru humbleuker@gmail.com or Terry C. at his YT Channel, called BeareTube.

More on How Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike) Played the Ukulele

Here's another treat, this is another article from Terry C. in Australia. Terry is the Cliff Edwards and Martin Ukulele afficianado. I had asked him about Cliff Edward's strum before. Now he gives us some detailed reasearch on Cliff Edwards Rolled Strum technique. Enjoy, HU.

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The roll stroke is an effective stroke to use on ukulele. Most people play the four finger roll starting with the pinky or little finger and ending with the index finger or thumb.

Here's a demonstration of the standard roll stroke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgK0GfsDS8A

Here's another demonstration of how to play the roll stroke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qiI_tHVJLc

But Cliff Edwards played it differently, he started with the index finger followed by the other fingers with the pinky last. In his only instruction booklet 'Ukulele Ike's Complete Ukulele Method' published in 1927 he describes his technique.

http://ukulelearchive.smugmug.com/History/Cliff-Edwards/Method01/996208676_g3Sty-X3.jpg

Edwards explains in his book how he played the stroke:

"If you were to make a series of six consecutive strokes, in strict cadence, all down, in this order: index finger, second finger, third finger, fourth finger followed by the thumb then return up by the thumb, you will have laid the foundation for the very flashy roll stroke which very few amateurs know how to use."

http://ukulelearchive.smugmug.com/History/Cliff-Edwards/Method03/996208804_pqp8c-X3.jpg

He shows finger numbering here:

http://ukulelearchive.smugmug.com/History/Cliff-Edwards/Method05/996253368_s6hKH-X3.jpg

Watch him play his roll stroke here:

A very effective strum you'll agree! It seems easy to do until you try it. But practise makes perfect!

Terry C.
Australia

UKULELE IKE STRUMMING (By Terry C. from The Land Down Under)

I have watched numerous videos of Ukulele Ike over the last few years. He had such an effortless, sweet sound but his motions had me pondering how he strummed. So I ask my Cliff Edwards afficianado friend Terry C. his opinion and I get a detailed answer. Asked him if he would be okay sharing. So here it is...

HOW UKULELE IKE LEARNED TO PLAY UKULELE

Ukulele Ike (Cliff Edwards) had a unique way of playing ukulele.

Songs of the 1920's often had lengthy introductions. During these intro sections, Edwards would use the thumb to pick out a note here and there as a sparse accompaniment but once the tune itself had started his thumb rested and was rarely used. From that point on, his fingers, particularly his index finger did most of the work. As the thumb rested, he would flick his index finger and perform a series of intermittent rolls. He played ukulele with a light, deft touch. His technique was designed to accompany his singing not to draw attention away from it. This approach showed off his beautiful singing voice to best effect, especially on the ballads. He had a three octave range and could hit the high notes effortlessly.

This video in particular demonstrates his technique:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K3C-of7N0Y

Ike taught himself to play ukulele at a time when there were few instruction books or videos. He developed his own technique through trial and error. He had no option but to become self-taught. He had learned to play the piano as a child, so he had some musical theory. But in transferring that knowledge to ukulele he incorporated some technically incorrect idiosyncrasies when developing his style. Yet, with years of practice, he was able to perfect his odd way of playing, which finally led to his signature sound.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to meet him today at a Ukulele Festival and attend one of his ukulele workshops?

Ah, we can but dream.

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Here's a pic of him in his heyday in 1929, signing a deal to promote ukuleles. As part of the deal, he was given a free Martin style 3 ukulele, which he is holding. Edwards only ever played Martin ukuleles, although he did promote the unsuccessful 'Tenortrope' ukulele banjo at one time. during his career. (back to work... check back later for some photos.)

Spare A Thought for Ukulele Ike

Here's a short article on Cliff Edwards/Ukulele Ike by my Australian uke historian, martin uke playing friend, Terry C. He has composed a few wonderful articles for HU over the past two years and he has compiled some photo/audio slide shows for YouTube and you will see one in the YT video below. HU

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By Terry C. July 26, 2010

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Spare a thought for the great Cliff Edwards, known as 'Ukulele Ike'. A huge talent from the 1920's. In his heyday he had it all, a successful recording career, his own radio show and the lifestyle of a movie star.

Sadly, he died penniless and alone in a small, sparely furnished apartment in Hollywood.

The photo above was taken in 1969 by Richard Lamparski, who was putting together a 'Whatever Became Of' book at the time. If you look carefully, you can see that there are no strings on Ike's uke; his index finger is inside the soundhole. By the time this photo was taken he had long sold all his expensive Martin ukuleles except for this one, his last Martin Tenor uke. Lamparski says that the ukulele was in a closet and had to be dusted off for the photo. It was obvious from his arthritis that Edwards no longer played it.

The interview he gives is possibly the last before his death. Listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bngnoZZSQ40

Ike's tenor uke is loosely tuned on many recordings. Not exactly what you'd call 'slack-key' tuning but some felt it gave his ukulele playing too 'wet' a tone, too fish-like a quality, not bright enough. Yet, if you listen carefully to Ike's playing you can hear a master at work. He uses rhythm and syncopation to great effect with consummate ease. He seems to drop exactly on the right note at just the right time. Many of his songs contain his signature single-note slide, a simple and effective technique he developed over the years. Many enthusiasts believe that Ike's playing was quintessential ukulele; essence of pure uke; the ultimate in ukulele perfection.

Listen to his sublime singing and playing here:

Lamparski, writing at the time, stated: 'After his roles in the Disney pictures concluded in the mid 1940's, Edwards began his real decline. For many years after this time he has had little or no work. He has suffered the restrictions of being a pensioner. His health has been especially poor these past few years. He lives alone in a partly-furnished flat above Hollywood Boulevard. It is difficult for him to walk and he seldom leaves his house. Many years ago he was married, briefly, to a girl named Nancy Dover but he has nothing to say about her, other than that she was very pretty. A few years ago (in the 1960's) Disney Records released on the Vista Label a record called 'Ukulele Ike Happens Again'. But the voice that once sold over 74 million single records could not even sell out the first pressing.'

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For those who want to hear from a large Ukulele Ike recording collection, check out UKULELE IKE Red Hot Jazz. You will find it in the sidebar titled MUSIC.

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Also Terry C. sent me YT videos of Ukulele Ike playing in Western Movies in the 1940's. There he's playing 4 string tenor guitars but his singing and playing are much the same sublime and comedic quality that we admire in this ukulele master...

http://humblebaritonics.blogspot.com/2010/07/cliff-edwards-ukulele-ike-western.html

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The voice of Jiminy Cricket.

Cliff Edwards / Ukulele Ike (The man with two names)

The famous voice of Jiminy Cricket was the prolific singer and ukulele player, Cliff Edwards, and who was also known as Ukulele Ike. Cliff was also a character actor in a hundred old B&W movies. This photo comes from an early Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film called "Lord Byron of Broadway."

This morning I received an e-mail from an occassional contributor, Terry C. from Australia. He sent me several YouTube video links to 1940's Spaghetti Westerns. Terry has provided articles on Martin Ukuleles, his eBay Martin Ukulele Buying Adventure, and Martin Ukulele History. Since many of these videos Cliff is playing the (4-string) Tenor Guitar I have placed these videos on http://humblebaritonics.blogspot.com/ You can go directly to the post by clicking here...

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http://humblebaritonics.blogspot.com/2010/07/cliff-edwards-ukulele-ike-western.html

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Terry C. from Australia shares the Ukulele Ike and Martin Ukulele Love!

Terry C. has offered another gift to the Humble Uker Ramblings blog. Here is the beloved Cliff Edwards / Ukulele Ike posed with a cap and a Martin Style 2 ukulele circa 1929. This is an outstanding photo that comes in that so-hard-to-find category. Terry's previous stories have attracted many readers:

http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2010/03/bearetube-video-ukulele-mistakes.html

http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2010/02/vintage-photo-donated-by-terry-c.html

http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2009/10/terry-c-shares-uke-ike-on-bike.html

http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2009/08/terry-c-wininboy-interview-in-belgium.html

http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2009/08/confessions.html

And there are a few others, just search "Terry C." Here's Terry's YT Channel...

http://www.youtube.com/user/BeareTube

TERRY C. Shares UKE IKE on BIKE

Many of you have read Terry C. from Australia's articles on his eBay Martin ukulele quest. He and I met on eBay as competitors for ukulele player photos. Then I e-mailed him and suggested we share photos instead of bidding each other into oblivion, having originals is nice - but it can get too expensive. We have been in contact for I would guess 3 years now sharing photos and receiving pictures of Terry's vacations with his wife and his trusty ukulele.

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Terry has posted some great videos with ukulele players 'slide shows' with ukulele player musicians, primarily his favorite Cliff Edwards (also known as Ukulele Ike). Here's a link to Terry's BEARETUBE youtube page...

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http://www.youtube.com/user/BeareTube

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Terry has also sent me a few 'articles' which I have posted...

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WININBOY

http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2009/08/terry-c-wininboy-interview-in-belgium.html

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CONFESSIONS

http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2009/08/confessions.html

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BALI

http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2009/07/ukulele-connoisseur-terry-c-writes-from.html

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Terry also combined a pre-1906 San Francisco Earthquake video with Cliff Edwards Music

http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2008/12/terry-c-cliff-edwards-music-vintage.html

PHOTO: Cliff Edwards + Benny Ruben

CLIFF EDWARDS VIDEO: BARITONE

Here's another really fun video of Cliff Edwards. He had such command and character. Here he's in a Western Movie and playing a baritone ukulele perhaps to make it look like a guitar. I am always fascinated with his strumming hand. He gets such great sound from the simplest movements.

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1) Thumb strum

2) Thumb arpeggio (G - C - E - A slowly)

3) 4 finger brush strum with pads of fingers

4) Finger roll (pinky first, ring, middle, index last)

Minnie the Moocher, http://www.wikifonia.org/node/2025

Cliff Edwards - Hang on to me 1931

I have a collection of ukulele player photos and I like to post them on this blog. I'm open to anyone that has vintage or current photos of ukulele players that would like to share a scan. Cliff Edwards is a favorite and I've always got my eye out for a great shot of him playing an ukulele.

I love and keep coming back to this video...

HENRY'S VAUDEVILLE (Cliff Edwards / Ukulele Ike)

Buster Keaton / / Cliff Edwards

Here's a site that has more Cliff Edwards Information and links other CE related web pages
http://www.henrysvaudeville.com/HBWCliffEdwards.htm

This link shows the many movies he was in. Did you know he was in Gone with the Wind?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0249893/

It's amazing what a music and movie career he had.

I have the 1940's film His Girl Friday where he is a reporter. He's got several seens as a supporting actor but alas, no uke.

He played characters named: Harmony Haines, Harmony Hobbs, Harmony Bumpas, Harmony Stubbs, and Minstrel Joe, Aloysius Fingers.

Terry C. / Cliff Edwards Music / Vintage 1900's Video

Terry C from Australia has posted more Cliff Edwards songs on YouTube Bearetube. For us S.F. Bay Area Residents this video shows amazing footage from a cable car travelling down Market St. to Pier 1. This was filmed between 1900 and 1905, before the historic 1906 Earthquake and Fires. And we think traffic is unruly now, you gotta see this...

A Paper Doll to Call my Own and Hang on to Me

RED HOT JAZZ / Cliff Edwards

Cliff Edwards & Bessie Love

For those of you that can't get enough of listening to Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike) there is a website that has chronologically categorized his work. There are many recordings to listen to from old scratchy records. http://www.redhotjazz.com/cliffedwards.html

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My good Australian efriend Terry C. has made several slide show presentations to go with CE great old time music, see his page at... http://www.youtube.com/user/BeareTube And if you have a ukulele that you know used to belong to CE Terry would love to have a picture of it. Terry collects pictures of CE for future pictorial compilations for songs. He particularly likes photos with CE holding a ukulele like the one above with Bessie Love.

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Another local friend and music teacher, Alan Bond, has a site called the UkeCat Ukulele Method, http://home.comcast.net/~ukecat/catflat/bookcover.html, and he has some photos of CE in there too, http://home.comcast.net/~ukecat/catflat/ukepic6.html.

CLIFF EDWARDS / UKULELE IKE / YOU TUBE

Here's a sampling of the work of Cliff Edwards, also known as, Ukulele Ike. I like to review these old-time videos to see how effortlessly he played and sang. Cliff was a vaudeville performer and later in his career he performed in numerous movies. Cliff was the voice of Jiminy Cricket in Disney's Pinnocchio.

1928 Anything You Say http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1aeTZWaOPc

1929 Hang On To Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXK7kX6fsE8&feature=related

1929 When I See My Sugar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyKZszjxGSs&feature=related

1930 Sing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O46Sd-V_03Y

1930 I Feel Pessimistic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNsLTB1vmm8&feature=related

1930 (2 songs) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PSO68Ha5vU&feature=related

1930 (Singing) I’ll See You In My Dreams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MqTqhPEq_I&feature=related

1933 Blame it on a Ukulele


1933 Theme Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSuSK0RoS8s&feature=related

1933 It’s only a Paper Moon {watch a real record spin} http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXf753ONVaY&feature=related

19__ Remember
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7XS9UdHTOk

19__ Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa5anFKqk5Y

19__ With Buster Keaton (drumsticks on the ukulele)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4uffTO-68I&feature=related

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HERE'S A PERSONAL FAVORITE,

1935 Starlit Days “Hang on to me” (Don’t miss this!)


1943 Singing in the Rain (On Arthur Godfrey’s Show)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec6GuQPCENM

UKULELE BARTT || ANOTHER FAVORITE CLASSIC

I love watching the way Ukulele Bartt plays this song so effortlessly.