Update: Apparently the hotlink blocking was causing problems for people going directly to the main page of the blog. Sorry about that. I’ve turned the feature off at least until I can figure out how to get it to work correctly.

And you crazy kids with the flash-based audio players please don’t add songs from my site to your playlists. Thanks.

Moving right along…

The humble ukelele is often the butt of jokes or at least dirision. But in the hands of a talented player it is a wonderful instrument. Don’t believe me? Check this out:

Petty Booka “Singin’ In The Rain” (Gene Kelly)
The girls of Petty Booka are so cute I just want to pinch their cheeks.

And before anybody writes in, I know that this song was first recorded by Cliff Edwards. Gene Kelly’s version is the one most people think of when they think of this song.

Pauline Easy “Billie Jean” (Michael Jackson)
Is it possible to moonwalk in the sand?

Magnetic Fields “If I Were A Rich Man” (From Fiddler On The Roof)
Steve Martin had a bit when he was doing standup comedy about how you just can’t sing a sad song while playing the banjo. I used to think the same thing was true about the ukelele before I heard this. Somebody get this man some Prozac!

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole “Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World” (Judy Garland/Louis Armstrong)
You might have heard this before since it’s been used in serveral movies and television programs. It’s still quite lovely.

Jake Shimabukuro “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (The Beatles)
Apparently George Harrison was very interested in the ukelele toward the end of his life. He allegedly used to travel with two ukes so that he could always play with somebody else.

This is really amazing stuff. George would be proud.