Ukulele cake

Further to the post made by Chris on my post about the new Fluke Ukulele, I was intrigued by a ukulele cake.

He came to the rescue - and I give you - Ukulele cake!

I'm so jealous.  I want a ukulele cake...

Wowzers - great new uke site

I do like Ukulele Mike on YouTube

If you want uke video lessons, you would do a lot worse than visit here!  I love his glasses particularly, (but seriously, the lessons are great)

http://www.ukulelevids.com/

Enjoy.

Quite Frankly, (Mr Shankly), Johnny Marr should be ashamed...

I adore Johnny Marr, and I know he adores music, particularly in the folk tradition.  Well, Johnny, the folk tradition always nods its cap to those who impersonate, those who take music and make it there own, and those who are prepared to see the funny side.  This next story though is sad.. (courtesy of www.chortle.co.uk)

Harry Hill has been forced to drop a parody Smiths medley from his new album after guitarist Johnny Marr refused to give permission.

The TV Burp comic had recorded versions of the Smiths greatest hits in the ukulele style of George Formby as a hidden track on the forthcoming Funny Tunes. It was even advertised in the track listing.

But now, just over four weeks before release, the track – which mixed Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Girlfriend In A Coma and Panic – has had to be dropped.

Hill has previously been hit by problems with the CD’s title. The Beatles’ label Apple Records refused to allow him to call it Sgt Pepper's Vol 2., and Pink Floyd said no to Bright Side Of The Moon.

Read more: http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2010/10/05/11869/that_joke_isnt_funny_anymore#ixzz11W3zsfpM


Shame on you Johnny

I do hope this doesnt mean Eleuke's are hard to find in the UK

(article courtesy of mi-pro.co.uk)

Sutherland and Eleuke split by mutual agreement

Wales-based supplier and electric uke manufacturer go separate ways after Stringnet begins making acoustic ukuleles

Sutherland Trading has dropped the Eleuke brand, made by Stringnet (the manufacturer of Eleuke), following the diversification of the electric ukulele brand.

Eleuke, known primarily as a brand of solid-body electric ukuleles, recently began producing acoustic ukes, which left Sutherland feeling that this conflicted with its existing distribution agreements with Kala and Lanikai.

Stringnet and Sutherland have agreed not to hold each other to the existing distribution agreement.

Sutherland’s stockholding of the Eleuke brand is minimal and it has ceased to order new stock. Stringnet is now free to find another UK distributor for its Eleuke product.

“Our relationship with Philip Kwak of Stringnet has been excellent and we wish him all success in finding a new trading partner," said Alan Townsend, Sutherland's ukulele product manager. "Any distributor interested in discussing this with Philip should contact him directly."




Bazmaz says - they are great ukes - and I hope this doesnt make them tough to source..

So, pray tell, what is your new ukulele?

Since posting the sad news that I am selling the Bruko, the reason is I pulled the trigger on another ukulele...

What is it, I hear you cry - well, its not a huge step up, but its a uke I've been after for a while, but just seems to have disappeared from UK stockists..

Its another uke from the Fluke company - and it is an actual Fluke - concert scale in natural finish.

I so love my Flea Uke as you will have read on here, but have always wanted the bigger brother.  They are such great ukes, and perfect for taking to gigs or just down the pub as they are pretty much bombproof.  I found a deal on a used on on ebay, and it should be here very soon.

Its gonna look like this one:

Obviously, full review to follow - but I just know its gonna be good.  They are brilliant instruments.

Ukulele for sale

Sadly, needs must, but the Bruko Slim is up for sale.

I talked highly about it here CLICK and its in virtually unplayed condition.

Since that review I have toyed with string choices, and its now strung with KoAloha golds, which I think work very well - high quality strings!

It also comes with a Gator brand padded zippered gig bag.

Get in touch via email (DETAILS HERE) if interested.

Sorry - but UK ONLY, I can accept PayPal too.

Delivery would be about a fiver.

Gus & Fin - Police & Thieves

Another great one from GUGUG

Gotta love Junior Murvin, and you gotta love the Clash.  In fact, knowing that Joe Strummer was a ukulele player himself, I think he would approve of this.

And yes, Gus is playing a plastic uke - I think its a TV Pal!

Or how about.... oil can uke!

Very cool

Andy Warhol anyone?

One of the things I love about the uke, is because its such a simple instrument, people have found fun ways to make their own

I like this one in particular - and when you look at how its made, its really pretty simple.  May think about pulling my cheap Mahalo apart and making a biscuit tin uke soon!

So, what turned this blogger on to Ukulele?

A common question I get asked - particularly when out jamming or gigging with the uke.

Well I've always been musical.  Not accomplished, but adore music and (trying) to make it.  I've been playing guitars (self taught, acoustic and electric) for about 20 years now and love it.  Dont think I'm that great, but I can jam along and contribute.  I play a lot of jam sessions and impromptu gigs with friends on guitars.

About three years ago now I decided to bite the bullet and buy a ukulele ( the wife looked confused).  I had known about ukuleles for a long time, and a hero of mine in particular George Harrison was a huge fan.  I always loved the story about George that he always carried two ukuleles with him wherever he went.  This was so that if he started playing for a friend he could give them one too to join in!  George was often quoted as saying that he loved ukulele above all else, even guitars or his beloved sitar.

Anyway, I think what pushed me over the edge was seeing the Concert for George that was staged at the Albert Hall after he died.  It was a great and emotional show, but the absolute highlight was his old friend Joe Brown coming on at the end and playing "I'll See You In My Dreams" on ukulele, solo, whilst thousands of orange petals fell from the roof and scattered over the audience.  It was a real tear jerker moment - google the lyrics to see just how appropriate that song is.

Shortly thereafter, I (mistakenly) ordered the cheapest uke I could find - a dodgy Mahalo, but it was enough to get me hooked.  Within a month or two I had ordered myself a Flea on the basis that it took away the headaches associated with badly set up instruments - beginners don't need this hassle, and that is why I still say today that if you can afford it and you are serious - beginners should seriously consider these instruments.

Since the Flea arrived, the Ukulele bug bit hard, and I developed the terrible affliction of UAS (Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome....) and now own several more.

I now seem to play the uke more than my guitars - particularly as they are real play anywhere instruments.  I'm typing this in my living room on my netbook and I can see two ukuleles popping their heads up from the side of the sofa...

I've since gigged with them, jammed with them, and have them in most rooms in the house.

I still don't think I'm accomplished, but I play my ukes like I play my guitars - for pleasure.  I can bang out a load of tunes and entertain myself and others.

Its such an easy instrument to get in to, particularly if you come from a stringed instrument background.  Even if not, I guarantee I could teach an absolute beginner a song in 15 minutes.