Maria Alejandra Plata // Palamino (VIAJERO Producciones)

Thanks to Ron Hale for waking up the Humble Uker with a nice production.

Smile Orchestra || Säkkijärven Polkka

Here's a jewel from Ron Hale's research...



Great name for a joyful band. For my Finnish step-father Carl Edwin Lindroos of Finnlayson, Minnesota in his younger days. Minä rakastan sinua!

Hula Hi-Fi || Head Over Heels

A Ron Hale superior find!

Aaron & Nicole Keim || A Ukulele Handbook

I have been following and learning music from Aaron for several years. I first met him at Mike DaSilva's Ukulele workshop in Berkeley, California when he had a concert and class with his bandmates from the Boulder Acoustic Society. Aaron has a way of teaching music like a problem solver. If one way doesn't work, then he'll communicate it in another. I have one of his books from that early class in my ukulele library.

In recent year's I have made sure to see Aaron and Nicole as they play and teach either in Santa Cruz or Berkeley. I follow Aaron on his site called The Quiet American and enjoy the songs that Aaron and Nicole create in a beautiful handy-arsty fashion. There is something about a hand-drawn book that draws me in and feels like an old friend.

Now Aaron has let me know the they're about to release their next book "A Ukulele Handbook." The book aims to be indispensable to all ukulele players, with lessons on melodies, songs, strumming, tab, picking, chords, music theory, general ukulele info and more. All of it is hand copied and illustrated by Nicole, printed on recycled paper with covers by Stumptown Printers in Portland.

I have taken a look through the first 30 or so pages, and it comes at a good time, since I think it will be a great tool for teaching many aspects of the ukulele to my son Kyle and his girlfriend Elizabeth. There are also videos that go along with the book. Here is a playlist for the 24 videos that accompany the book: http://tinyurl.com/HandbookPlaylist

Aaron and Nicole play Americana or Old-Time Music which is simple, rich, beautiful, and really fun. Here's one of his video lessons as a sampler...



...And here's a link, to beautiful merchandise site, where you may obtain a copy of "A Ukulele Handbook" or another musical treat.

http://quietamericanmusic.com/storestore/

Something I truly enjoy and value,

Jeff / Humble Uker / Humble Baritonics

Glen Rose || Jazzy Uke Upcoming Workshops

Glen asked me to put out the word about his upcoming workshops...

Feb 1 -- Penang, Malaysia, Manuel Uke Shop

Feb 8 -- Singapore, Ukulele Movement

March 6 -- Seoul, Korea for GGUM Ukulele Co. (contact: uke@ggum2.com)

March 7 -- Seoul, Korea, Master Class (contact: uke@ggum2.com)

March 23-27 -- Ukulele Band Camp-Columbia Gorge, Oregon (contact:mabrogan@gmail.com)

April 4 -- Seattle, for Dusty Strings Music

April 5 -- Seattle, WA for Dusty Strings Music, Master Class

April ?? -- Whidbye Island, Washington

RedBand Porch Songs || LONG BLACK VEIL HD

My buddy, Ron Hale, finds another special delivery...

Eleluku || Stray Cat Strut

From one cat to another...

Ukulollo || Routine

Clement Reboul || Is This Love?

Excellent Video

Linda Louden || Sea of Love

Do you remember...?

Let's Make It Easy Peazy

Bliss Blood || New Music

Bliss Blood stopped by the Humble Uker blog and left a comment about her new album. So I thought I would check out some of her recent videos. It is a definite change from the Moonlighter days. Here is sound like a blend into Spanish style guitar. She has added a great vintage black and white silent film. I believe this is Harold Lloyd.

Bliss wrote, "Hi Jeff, just thought I would let everyone know they can buy my music at my website on mp3 for $10 per album."

http://www.blissblood.com

Danielle, Victor & Penny + Brook Adams + Ronnie O || Dream a Little Dream of Me

Uytae Lee || Mr Roger's Neighborhood Theme Song

Very well done classic of kindness...

Skidmore Bluffs || Scrub Jay

La Familia de Ukeleles || Nosotros

from Buenos Aires, Argentina...

Debbie Reynolds & Bobby Van || All I Do Is Dream Of You

Lennon & Maisy || Ring of Fire

One of my favorites! Now I like it even more.

The perfect solution for the small house entertainment center

I work in construction, designed and built my own house addition, and love the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the Small House movement. (Hint, advance the video to the 6:00 minute mark.)

Helmut Bickel || Vivaldi