Jim Yates - Posted - 07/27/2012:  08:23:24

I've been messing with the uke this week, being left alone house/dog sitting in a city hours from home.  Some of the tunes I've been playing are:

Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone / Five Foot Two

Somebody Stole My Gal

I'm Satisfied With My Gal

Walkin' My Baby Back Home

I'll See You In My Dreams

My Ukulele Helps Me Beat The Blues

Overseas Stomp

Ain't She Sweet

Washington At Valley Forge

Cecilia ("Does your mother know you're out, Cecilia," not the Paul Simon one)

Anyone else have some good uke songs?  As you can see, I'm partial to old standards and jug band tunes, rather than 3 chord tunes.  I play lots of 3 chord (and 2 chord) tunes on guitar and banjo, but they don't seem to sound great on uke.

heyjude - Posted - 07/27/2012:  08:57:16

Google "The Daily Ukulele" by Jim Beloff. Lot's of good stuff in it.

dailyukulele.com/ukulele/ukule...list.html



Jude

Edited by - heyjude on 07/27/2012 08:58:57

trapdoor2 - Posted - 07/27/2012:  09:11:48

My favorite: "Crazy Words, Crazy Tune"

rendesvous1840 - Posted - 07/27/2012:  10:06:10

A number are Hawaiian songs, probably not familiar outside Hawai`i, but here's a few:
Maui, Hawaiian Suppa Man youtube.com/watch?v=6rTR3MGu_BM
Na Pua Lei Ilima
Ko`Ula
Georgia On My Mind
Ain't Misbehavin'
Paul

Jim Yates - Posted - 07/27/2012:  11:55:43

Great tune Trapdoor2.  It has a lot in common with Washington At Valley Forge.

Thanks Paul.  I'll start on Ain't Misbehavin' right away, but I won't ignore the Hawaiian tunes either, after all...

I'm about to head on over to The Daily Ukulele, Jude.

maryzcox - Posted - 07/27/2012:  13:12:32

Hello Jim,

Hey--the local uke group sends me uke music and words all the time--but I only have limited time to play--so only choose the ones that really appeal to me :) So far--only know a few tunes as don't want to overload.

These are my tunes of the moment

Blue skies

Ukelele Lady

Somewhere over the rainbow/its a wonderful world

Spooky

The next tune that I've begun is Jamaica Farewell

and after that, I'll try

Lets Talk Dirty in Hawaiin

That should take me to the end of the year .

I don't always go out to the uke group and while gone out of town this summer--a new guy showed up and sent an email around that he was highly offended for the Hawaiin people at the group's choice of tunes. Ukelele Lady and Lets Talk Dirty in Hawaiin were immediately removed from the group song book by the leader of the group as well as most of the tunes with Hawaiin words so this man would not be offended.

Unfortunately, we had not been out to the group enough to get the music to the offensive tunes, but the man that introduced them may possibly send them out by separate email.  I think the tunes in question were the ones about Princess Poo and her Papaya's that she gives away for free, and the one about King Kameameah )spell?) son that has a penis like an eel.

Probably won't be going back to the uke group that much since they seem to be banning all the good tunes--but think I'd like to learn some of the banned tunes after the first of the year :)

mzc

Jim Yates - Posted - 07/27/2012:  15:00:38

Hi Mary, Thanks for the suggestion of Blue Skies.  I love that tune.

Our jug band, The Maple Leaf Champions Jug Band, does Ukulele Lady at every show.  We put on leis just for that tune.  It's the first tune I ever performed for an audience on ukulele.  I learned this from an Arlo Guthrie record.  These are the chords I use:

Bart Veerman - Posted - 07/27/2012:  15:36:24

It's probably the "Dueling Banjos" of the uke world but how about Tiptoe through the tulips. I enjoy hearing Somewhere over the rainbow played on a uke (wasn't that played like that in Scrubs or some commercial?).

Edited by - Bart Veerman on 07/27/2012 15:38:47

SWCooper - Posted - 07/27/2012:  16:29:38

On my 78, the B side of Crumit's Ukulele Lady is a song called My Sweetie Turned Me Down, which I love to bits. It includes the line "I'll eat potatoes and I'll get fat" -- in case you thought Atkins was a new idea.

Sadly, it's not a uke tune, so I'm officially off topic.

chickenwing - Posted - 07/27/2012:  17:59:25

youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I    IZ    this guy is good

Jim Yates - Posted - 07/27/2012:  18:18:49

SWCooper

It's not played on the uke on the 78, but it would make a good uke tune.  The Em in the bridge might not be right, but I'll keep working on it.  Any suggestions?  Guess you can see it doesn't take much to amuse a guy who's all alone in someone else's house.

Jim Yates - Posted - 07/27/2012:  18:23:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by chickenwing

youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I    IZ    this guy is good

---

 He had a lovely voice and a neat uke style.  I only wish he'd taken the time to learn the words.  I've heard many ukers copy his version, mistakes and all.

Edited by - Jim Yates on 07/27/2012 18:24:52

tom robarts - Posted - 07/27/2012:  23:49:01

Here's a great ukulele song, there's a bit of preamble but it's worth it .

youtube.com/watch?v=A_RjBL9m23A

maryzcox - Posted - 07/28/2012:  05:35:18

Jim,
We just played a concert at the Cradle of Forestry & wouldn't you know it ? Played and sang Ukelele Lady as my first public uke piece :) however, I'm doing it in F. Also do Blue Skies & Somewhere over the rainbow in F ( Iz does it in C -- but he has a different voice than me)
My vocal teacher listened to his version and felt I should sing it in E -- but the chords in the F chord family are so much prettier than E, and it's close enough that it works well vocally too. :)
It has been worth every penny to work with a good vocal teacher -- she really has shown me how to look at music and lyrics in a whole new way. The combination of voice & uke has really opened up new music in chord families that are quite enjoyable :)
Mzc

Banjo - Posted - 07/28/2012:  07:47:59

I like hearing the OLD COLLEGE TUNES from the twenties and thirties. 

Plus Hawaiian Tunes.

Frailinaway - Posted - 07/28/2012:  08:09:36

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain can play almost any style and type of music on their instruments plus they put on a real entertaining show.  In their hands, ukes are not limited to Hawaiian or 'old college songs' or any other genre. If you haven't already done so, check them out.

AllanJ - Posted - 07/28/2012:  15:27:45

So many songs sound great on the 'uke.  Playing 'uke has introduced me to musical genres that I'd never appreciated before; old 20s and 30s songs, wartime hits (We'll meet again), Buddy Holly, through to contemporary pop - all kinds of stuff.



Not a song normally associated with 'ukulele but great to play and makes a nice change of pace at a gig after lots of upbeat, sing-along songs.

pompeypluckers.webs.com/apps/v.../15798841



Given my love of Irish music, it was inevitable that some of that would find its way onto my little four-string guitar..

youtube.com/watch?v=_-uJdPOHB0k



I've just started to learn some the beautiful Hawaiian songs..

youtube.com/watch?v=KhW4gScueis



Allan

Jim Yates - Posted - 07/29/2012:  14:52:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by AllanJ

So many songs sound great on the 'uke.  Playing 'uke has introduced me to musical genres that I'd never appreciated before; old 20s and 30s songs, wartime hits (We'll meet again), Buddy Holly, through to contemporary pop - all kinds of stuff.



Not a song normally associated with 'ukulele but great to play and makes a nice change of pace at a gig after lots of upbeat, sing-along songs.

pompeypluckers.webs.com/apps/v.../15798841



Given my love of Irish music, it was inevitable that some of that would find its way onto my little four-string guitar..

youtube.com/watch?v=_-uJdPOHB0k



I've just started to learn some the beautiful Hawaiian songs..

youtube.com/watch?v=KhW4gScueis



Allan

---

We'll Meet Again was the last song of the weekend the first year of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival.  We, the performers, led the audience in singing it during the closing ceremonies.  I`ve never tried it on the uke till I saw your suggestion.

AllanJ - Posted - 07/29/2012:  15:28:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jim Yates

quote:

---

Originally posted by AllanJ

So many songs sound great on the 'uke.  Playing 'uke has introduced me to musical genres that I'd never appreciated before; old 20s and 30s songs, wartime hits (We'll meet again), Buddy Holly, through to contemporary pop - all kinds of stuff.



Not a song normally associated with 'ukulele but great to play and makes a nice change of pace at a gig after lots of upbeat, sing-along songs.

pompeypluckers.webs.com/apps/v.../15798841



Given my love of Irish music, it was inevitable that some of that would find its way onto my little four-string guitar..

youtube.com/watch?v=_-uJdPOHB0k



I've just started to learn some the beautiful Hawaiian songs..

youtube.com/watch?v=KhW4gScueis



Allan

---

We'll Meet Again was the last song of the weekend the first year of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival.  We, the performers, led the audience in singing it during the closing ceremonies.  I`ve never tried it on the uke till I saw your suggestion.

 

---

We end pretty much every gig with either We'll Meet Again or Bring Me Sunshine .  Both go down great with all ages - you only need to sing the first line - the audience take over after that..

Allan

inniepie - Posted - 07/29/2012:  16:35:55

Ralph Shaw, who lives in Vancouver, is a wonderful ukulele source and has a few songbooks, videos, etc., plus he hosts a monthly jam here. He's just written a book as well. I highly recommend that you check out his website. Ukulele Lady is a wonderful one.

Jim Yates - Posted - 07/29/2012:  20:09:28

Thanks Inniepie (May I call you Lyndsay?)  There's some good stuff on his page and he's coming to Ontario in September.

inniepie - Posted - 07/29/2012:  21:44:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jim Yates

Thanks Inniepie (May I call you Lyndsay?)  There's some good stuff on his page and he's coming to Ontario in September.

---

Yes of course you can call me whatever  :O)  He's a character, Ralph, and very talented. You will enjoy him!

Ian_banjo - Posted - 07/31/2012:  12:39:12

There's an old song that Peter Sellers used to play on the uke, called "I haven't told her, she hasn't told me."  He once played it on the Michael Parkinson chat show.  It's one of my favourites and I play it occasionally..

Here is my nephew Jeremy doing a much better job with it than I can.

.

Edited by - Ian_banjo on 07/31/2012 12:42:46

Kevin B - Posted - 08/01/2012:  13:17:24

Frankie and Johnny

Never Let Your Deal Go Down

Shortin' Bread

Maryanne (Down by the seaside . . .etc.)

Sloop John B

I Know You Rider (Rider) , seriously, try it.

Edited by - Kevin B on 08/01/2012 13:17:52

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/08/2012:  05:48:25

Many thanks to all who made suggestions.  My ukulele repertoire is growing thanks to you.

John Allison - Posted - 08/08/2012:  06:06:02

Who can ever forget Tiny Tim and "Tip Toe Through the Tulips".

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/08/2012:  13:38:03

Here's a 1955 publicity photo.  Note the right handed ukulele.

api.ning.com:80/files/IwBzPctt..._1952.jpg" alt="Who's the handsome guy in this 1955 publicity photo?" height="593" id="xj_photo_img_tag" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/IwBzPcttymCDqmzRgSuN2IV5btWsA9Fi2x2E3j44s4amHMFOw3Gqgqk71yY2Eaov6tdn4WB7vdwd5b5v5ri7Ccq-as7IUWdT/TinyTimpromo_1952.jpg?width=480&height=593" width="480" />

cframe - Posted - 08/08/2012:  17:28:54

Try this, James Hill playing Billie Jean

m.youtube.com/watch?v=u778gSi94N4

rendesvous1840 - Posted - 08/08/2012:  18:03:48

youtube.com/watch?v=afqiUw1ghtw Hawaiian ukulele legend Eddie Kamae. Eddie composed the music to E Ku`u Morning Dew, lyrics by Larry Kimura. When his wife, Myrna, is in the audience, he sings this with a special twinkle in his eyes. Actually, that jumbo uke he uses these days might be a tenor guitar. He did use a baritone uke for a long time, that looks a bit bigger than a baritone.
Paul