Thanks MC - re your note on ukulele players, I would be fed up too if I believed this was the case. The instrument just makes you smile, & our monthly pub gigs are a recurring source of joy. On Saturday there were just 4 of us playing a carefully compiled setlist of pop classics from 6 decades. It was a “quiet gig” due to summer holidays, but despite this, all those present loved it. I just think it’s surreal & a little hilarious that you can mix songs like Psycho Killer by Talking Heads or Sweet Child of Mine by Guns & Roses in with the more obvious choices. Our village primary school kids have just enjoyed a term of ukulele tuition & we were invited in to play for them. You are so right, it is a hugely accessible instrument, a great way into playing & performing music for people of all ages (myself definitely included!) - and it certainly sounds a lot better than the recorder!

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

I find it depressing that those who play the ukelele might feel
alienated rather than linked by their "feel" for this modest little
instrument. Its simplicity makes it affordable, fun to use, and in the hands of expert players, a revelation.

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Thanks Stephen, coincidentally the raffle prize featured several items of signed Formby memorabilia. George’s banjolele style and legacy of Lancastrian chirpiness does seem to divide the uke community however. I loved him, especially in the horse racing film, “Come on George”

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

A great poem, RA. More power to your elbow, even if you need sharp ones to get out alive. I think I'd chicken out and do With Me Little Stick of Blackpool Rock.

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

As an ex professional pianist I can appreciate the multi layered frustration and lie beneath these exquisitely funny lines RA. A whole lifetime of suffering encapsulated in the apparently cosy strum of an instrument borne of humour , and for humour. If it had had any real potential apart from as a crowd gatherer Joe Brown would have featured it in his folk repertoire. I rest my case , and apologies to Greg in advance!

Ray

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

A lot of work has clearly gone into this enjoyable contribution.
Hearing a ukelele played well is a real ear-opener. I had one
years ago and never got beyond the basic strumming style
and the community song book(s) that showed the finger placings.
A certain well-known host of TV's "Room 101" is an enthusiast
and has done much to promote this particular musical instrument.

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Thanks all for the comments & likes. To be honest it shows you really can get away with murder. For the monthly pub gig we do a setlist of typically 30 songs - looking at the one for tomorrow I see we are doing Teenage Kicks, Bad Moon Rising, The Wild Rover, I’m a Believer & You are My Sunshine in the first half alone. All Right Now, mercifully is scheduled close to the end by which time the audience will be feeling no pain whatsoever & I might have learned how to sing - no sign of Rikki, Graham, but we’ll definitely be Reelin’ in the Years (again) - Go on Greg, read it to your wife, I dare you! (easy for me to say from here, mind)

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Brilliant poem, RA. But I don't think I dare show it to my wife ...

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

Nice one RA.
This Jerry Hattrick frequently enjoys the sound of Teenage Kicks etc. at my local's ukelele session.
Genuinely "live" music, as opposed to much lifeless "canned" crap.

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter

A veritable ’Tour de Force’ RAP. You don’t do “Ricky don’t lose that number” by any chance do you? 😂

Comment is about The UkeFest (blog)

Original item by R A Porter