Missing a big one in Ukulele Land

Allen Salkin's New York Time's article about the growing interest in the ukulele is a great Sunday morning reading...

Suddenly there’s something irresistible again about ukuleles. What Ms. Kwok stumbled into is an international voraciousness for all things having to do with the tiny four-string instrument. From wildly popular Web videos to car commercials and concert stages, the ukulele, born in Hawaii more than a century ago, is gently plunking heartstrings everywhere.

Yes, Jake Shimabukuru is freakin' amazing. But Salkin's overview of the uke scene makes a glaring, unforgivable mistake in overlooking the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

My wife Kathy found the UOGB on YouTube several months ago while searching for a performance of the theme from "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. " These people are serious musicians, great uke players, and wildly, hysterically entertaining. I'm amazed that they haven't shown up on American TV. (But then, who needs TV?) Their performance of that old movie theme still makes me laugh, and I must have watched it a hundred times. But see for yourself...

 

 

The ukulele is indeed, as Salkin observes, a smile-inducing instrument, and the members of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain wield that power to wonderful effect. If they ever come to the Cleveland area, I'll be first in line for tickets.

 

Technorati Tags: New York Times,Allen Salkin,ukulele,music,Jake Shimabukuru,Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

The B-52s B-Almost-60

Last Sunday's New York Times article about the resurrected B-52s included a great quote from 54 year-old guitarist Keith Strickland:

“We’ve entered the phase in our life,” Mr. Strickland said sarcastically, “where we’re talking about our knees.” There was a moment of quiet group contemplation, followed, as usual, by peals of laughter.

Amen, brother.

Read the article: The B-52s - Band - Dance-Rock - New York Times

 

Technorati Tags: B-52s,Keith Strickland,New York Times,music,knees,aging

Big Head Todd and the Monsters - bigheadtodd.com

Big Head Todd is being interviewed right now on Sirius Spectrum. He's talking about the band's business model. There's more detail on the band's site: 

Why free? The BHTM family believes that the music industry is changing. We are a touring-based band, and we want to get our new music out to as many people as possible. We decided to mail the new album to the first 25,000 people who signed up on our website. Then we sent it out to almost half a million people through radio station mailing lists. Now we are offering as a free download on the website and giving the CD to anyone who purchases $15 or more of merchandise from our store.

Check it out: Big Head Todd and the Monsters - bigheadtodd.com

41st Annual Kent Folk Festival

The schedule for this year's Kent Folk Festival has been announced:

For the 41st KSFF, there will be two big shows at the KSU Ballroom - Rosanne Cash (with Susan Werner) on Nov. 10 and the finale show on Nov. 17, featuring legends Dr. John and David Bromberg & the Angel Band. The free performances for Folk Alley `Round Town have expanded to 30 venues throughout the city on Nov. 16 (there will also be a special pay-at-the-door concert by Steppin' In It at the Kent Stage). The beloved workshops return as well, featuring a variety of artists and styles in the KSU Student Center on Nov. 17 from Noon to 5 p.m.

The workshop day in particular is big fun, and free. Check it out!