tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650606296485800902012-02-16T07:58:33.716ZA Ukulele BlogNipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-27028842798606679352008-11-09T17:48:00.006Z2008-11-09T18:22:41.187Z

Ok... So I have been messing around trying to get a date for the next Ukulele Open Mic and not getting anywhere with it. Well the star man Mr Tony S. has stepped up and is organising an Open Mic on Monday 1st December at the Constitutional Club 7:30pm. We would like as many people getting up as possible, so get practicing! To get you in the mood here is a video of myself and Tony playing '

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-11471429931884036982008-10-25T11:22:00.002+01:002008-10-25T11:28:30.537+01:00

So my part in the ukulele safari is up. We played and sang '54-46 Was My Number' by Toots and the Maytals. Bosko and Honey were wonderful company and amazing performers and I feel most honored to have been part of their incredible journey.BSYNipper

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-58213688563786510152008-10-25T11:13:00.003+01:002008-10-25T11:20:52.338+01:00

The Night owls web site has undergone a little bit of updating with a slightly new look and lots of additional photos. There are more ukulele pictures, song arrangements and some live rehearsal recordings. I have also started blogging. So drop over to;http://nightowls.wordpress.com/BSYNipper

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-37891125207948589362008-08-11T12:46:00.008+01:002008-08-12T10:04:38.696+01:00

After Bosko and Honey's visit to Taunton I felt inspired to make a ukulele and melodica version of Bert Kaempfert's 'Swinging Safari'.The recording features my first attempt at playing upright bass, which is great fun. I used a number of ukuleles including, a regal baritone, a no name baritone, a Martin style 0, a Kepasa Hollywood Concert, a National Steel and a John Grey Banjo Uke.After making

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-24598010572267377342008-08-05T11:49:00.013+01:002008-08-06T18:16:35.926+01:00

Last weekend Steve and I attended Raystock 2008 in Suffolk. We had a marvelous time, meeting old friends and making new ones, strumming ukes and being eaten alive by the Suffolk midge population. Steve, John Colter and myself formed an impromptu band and called ourselves 'The Yellow Mahalo Trio', we took the open mic by storm with our rendition of 'I Wanna Be Like You'. The Saturday night

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-68938489720750690222008-07-17T00:13:00.007+01:002008-07-22T15:12:07.285+01:00

It is a little short notice but Bosko and Honey will be playing a gig in Taunton on Monday 28th July at the Constitutional Club, Bishop's Hull. As if this wasn't enough the comic superman Jeff Japers and retro band The Night Owls will also be performing.Ukulele duo Bosko and Honey are currently touring the world on a self styled ‘Ukulele Safari’. They have played to great acclaim at both the

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-35118851032270684202008-05-03T11:49:00.007+01:002008-05-03T12:38:14.595+01:00

I have been somewhat busy with numerous projects, so here is a catch up post including all the TUSC Diary dates.Monday 5th May - Pete Howlett to visit club, talk about making ukes and play a little blues.Monday 19th May - 'Mighty Uke' Film maker Tony Coleman to visit and film the club.Sunday 25th May - Ukulele workshop, 'Beginners and Beyond' 2:00pm in the skittle alley.Saturday 28th June - TUSC

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-30945784058717221982008-02-25T16:16:00.005Z2008-02-25T17:59:04.836Z

Here is the new TUSC ukulele song book. The list is again made up from suggestions and old favouritesShine On Harvest MoonAin’t She SweetMy Blue HeavenDream A Little Dream Of MeMinnie The Moocher Don’t Fence Me InIn The Mood Big Rock Candy MountainThat’s AmoreSinging the bluesBanana Boat SongShe’s Not There –The TurtlesLady Madonna – The BeatlesAll Right Now – FreeMisstra Know-It-All - Stevie

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-27393390103818705232008-02-04T14:25:00.000Z2008-02-04T15:15:44.001Z

I finally got round to updating the TUSC website for 2008. There are new links in the photo section, all four books are up and new members added to the gallery. Whilst making the updates I came across another ukulele club; they are a little like us but hail from Springfield in the US. The 'Springfield Ukulele Club' is based in the home town of the Simpson's and meet every Monday night at Mo's

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-15170884463404883022008-01-27T07:36:00.001Z2008-01-27T08:38:36.596Z

TUSC is proud to Present Ukulele Revolution with the UK's finest ukulele performer Steven Sproat.Steven first played ukulele at the age of 10 when his father gave him a John Grey banjo uke. He has since gone on to become one of the most respected ukulele performers in the UK. He has supported the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and played at many venues both large and small. Last year he

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-51997970019647023732008-01-26T23:22:00.000Z2008-01-26T23:33:58.815Z

A couple of weeks ago Sasha Herriman from CNN came down to Taunton to film the children at my school and later the same day visited TUSC. Here is the news report that went out on CNN.It was great fun playing for the cameras and both children and adults had a wonderful time. Sasha is also a singer of some note, look out for her in the Concert for George DVD, she is in the Ravi Shankar Choir; I

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-59011719311385267842008-01-26T21:51:00.001Z2008-01-26T22:04:19.686Z

It has been a while since I last posted so here is the first of a few updates...In December we presented the annual TUSC awards. Below are some of the proud winners .The awards were a follows; Ukulele Eddie - Most New Ukes And Holidays Whilst Singing SweetlyTony - The Harmony Doctor And The Ukulele Player Who Came Down A Hill But Went Back Up A

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-34570331913930378292007-11-22T21:47:00.000Z2007-11-24T10:18:43.834Z

On Monday the 19th November the ukulele revolution hit Taunton with the first TUSC ukulele open mic. The Constitutional club quickly filled up with an enthusiastic audience of ukulele players and locals and we kicked off proceedings with a number of classic club sing along songs. The audience included welcome guests from the latest UK club The Newton Abbot Ukulele Club.There was also much

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-40413318217403119792007-10-30T22:26:00.001Z2007-10-30T23:37:13.491Z

TUSC will be hosting a ukulele open mic at the Constitutional Club in Bishops Hull, Taunton on Monday 19th November. Proceedings kick off at 7:30pm with some club singing and follow with performances from TUSC members.We would like to welcome any guest ukulele players who would like to come along and perform or just listen in. To visit the Club guests need to be signed in, so if you would like

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-26879114379416903472007-10-30T22:13:00.000Z2007-10-30T23:37:38.844Z

Here is the TUSC ukulele arrangement of 'In The Mood' as sung by the Andrews Sisters. The song will be featuring in TUSC book 5 and is a blast to play. The TUSC arrangement is to feature boys on Kazoo and girls singing the lyric.CLICK HERE to download the Pdf of 'In The Mood'BSYNipper

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-67277523847276671272007-09-30T23:42:00.000+01:002007-10-01T14:17:40.625+01:00

Last weekend was a big one for TUSC with two gigs and an after party at Steve and Allison's house. It all began at Bishop's Hull Church with a village concert. I put on a small display of ukuleles and we ran through all our TUSC favourites. We also included our version of 'Spider Pig' from the Simpson's film. I videoed the gig and so here are a few of the songs.'King of the Swingers''Ukulele

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-51866387215796652922007-09-30T07:50:00.000+01:002007-09-30T08:47:08.935+01:00

The beer and ukuleles post on this blog has sparked much discussion and quite a few emails.Iso Herquist sent in this great picture.Ace uke builder and totally top chap, 'Mighty' John Colter sent this picture of his great friend and ukulele confidant, Cosmo Smallpiece. Cosmo is enjoying a beer while strumming one of John's fabulous cigar box ukes. (Picture also features a knee belonging to Ray

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-23643422475399346752007-09-09T22:00:00.000+01:002007-09-09T22:07:57.656+01:00

Last Friday evening TUSC played for an OAP dinner club in Wellington. Steve's daughter made some short video clips, which I have spliced together. The video quality is not great but it is interesting to see and hear what we are like. Also I just had to post the two ladies dancing to 'Sweet Georgia Brown', they were marvelous.Needless to say we ended the evening with a few beers in the

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-74673879197535796192007-09-09T08:58:00.000+01:002007-09-09T15:50:13.948+01:00

In the last couple of weeks Mrs Nipper and I have both become the proud owners of bespoke hand built ukuleles. They could not be more different from each other and so this really is a tale of two ukuleles.First up is Mrs Nipper's Kepasa Soprano made by Kevin Crossett. A few months back Mrs Nipper asked Kevin to make a small bodied soprano and after some deliberation decided she would like

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-65439718080180558912007-08-27T17:44:00.000+01:002007-09-09T16:11:40.004+01:00

There’s almost nothing better than sinking a fine real ale and strumming a fine ukulele. I spend much time in the pursuit of great ukuleles and the best beer to drink whilst strumming them. So here are some of my top beer and ukulele recommendations; the beers have been matched with each ukulele to reflect the characteristics of the instrument. Tastes: The finest beer is cask conditioned

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-4788113388688772482007-08-21T09:05:00.000+01:002007-08-21T12:40:36.523+01:00

Craig Robertson, song writer extraordinare, regularly posts demos of new songs he has just written. One which really caught my ear was 'Nicotine', so much so that I played it for Mrs Nipper. Those of you who know the great Mrs N. will be aware that she has an acute ear for any sort of ambiguity and found a great one in the song. Craig when singing about finding his deseased father's lighter

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-91659236921901865992007-08-17T07:27:00.000+01:002007-08-17T07:44:20.255+01:00

A few days ago I recived an email from Sophisoph and her dad; they took the TUSC ukulele song book 4 with them on holiday to Devon. On their return Sophie (aged 12) and dad (aged 53) recorded their version of 'Smile'........ Sophie sings it with great style and character, so get over to her My Space page and check it out.Click here for Sophisoph's My Space PageBSYNipper

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-66876334648775432922007-07-31T14:00:00.000+01:002007-08-17T07:46:23.195+01:00

Sunday evening saw brother Jon paying my studio a visit. He was there to record tracks for my ukulele CD for children. With the deadline looming I knew a visit from Jon would bring some of his musical magic to the project. He is a super-talented musician and has lent his keyboard skills to the 'Ukulele Revolution' song and will feature on one of Craig Robertson's forthcoming CDs. We of course

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-46435859718961923992007-07-31T08:58:00.000+01:002007-07-31T09:13:56.376+01:00

On Saturday TUSC played the Calway House summer garden party and although only five members were present we managed to entertain the residents and their guests. The classic songs of the 20s and 30s went down well with the audience, but they even enjoyed our rendition of the Israelites. This was the first gig since January where we felt the need for amplification and just placing a couple of

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-61657896216482058842007-07-25T15:39:00.000+01:002007-07-25T16:29:40.826+01:00

A few months ago I suggested to Moogly Moo she might paint a Josephine Baker design on a ukulele. She has been so busy with various commissions the idea remained on hold until last week when she painted this little beauty. The ukulele is a Bruko solid okoume soprano and the design is painted with acrylics and then gloss lacquered for a hard finish. The neck was originally painted and so

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-62958589254644496452007-07-22T07:24:00.000+01:002007-07-22T10:08:18.572+01:00

The complete TUSC book 4 is here! The book is a collection of songs requested by club members and so contains a very eclectic mix of songs. Some will work well in the club setting and others may not. Here is the contents of the completed book, with the artist who's version we have used, for reference.Banana Pancakes - Jack JohnsonThat’s All Right Mama – ElvisDizzy - Tommy

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-49451128410734061432007-07-18T00:07:00.000+01:002007-07-18T16:35:32.655+01:00

Last Saturday the TUSC tour bus once again took to the road. This time we were away to the annual Branscombe Beer Festival in Devon. After battling our way though the mean streets of Honiton we managed to get within spitting distance of the picturesque village of Branscombe, however the narrow Devonian roads became increasingly difficult and only with a police escort did we manage to make it

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-27052173259284400232007-07-13T21:00:00.000+01:002007-07-15T12:55:46.131+01:00

Tomorrow is the Branscombe Beer Festival gig and Mandy has made TUSC a fabulous banner. Steve is ready with the mini bus, Sarah has booked the lunches and all the ukes are warmed up and ready to go.Yesterday I received greetings from the super funky Iso Herquist. He has many ukulele projects including his band the 'Iso Herquist Experience', you can hear the track 'Boske Friske Fiske Rømpte

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-83403048699485667182007-07-08T12:34:00.001+01:002007-07-21T01:47:59.786+01:00

This morning I received an email from Jim D'Ville, from the band Caravan Gogh. He is a marvelous ukulele player and teacher from Portland Oregon. He has been researching his ancestry and discovered his great, great... great Grandfather was born in Broadway, Somerset in 1616. I of course immediately offered Jim honorary membership of TUSC and he graciously accepted. As well as performing and

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-54766562477950472932007-07-08T11:19:00.001+01:002007-07-08T12:33:45.745+01:00

Here is the poster for the Branscombe Beer Festival. As you can see TUSC will be in attendance, so join us next weekend for a ukeing good time.BSYNipper

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-9539816906234072322007-07-05T23:50:00.000+01:002007-07-06T06:33:10.115+01:00

TUSC met for the first time at the Constitutional Club last Monday. We sang our way through all our favourite songs and drank vast quantities of beer. After a little consideration we decided we like the new venue and the atmosphere seemed right for future TUSC meetings. Fortunately the members drinking on a Monday night also enjoyed our singing and playing, so we signed up and paid our

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-89640428852987365052007-07-01T14:13:00.000+01:002007-07-01T21:06:44.761+01:00

Moo and I are hard at work gathering together lots of songs and suggestions from TUSC members for the new song book. As way of a little preview here are the first three songs.I thought it might be fun to post 'You Tubes' of the songs so you can have a listen to the songs. You can even play along to the ones in the same key.'Banana Pancakes' (Song book version is in the same key)That's All Right

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-45135899759454500802007-07-01T07:55:00.000+01:002007-07-01T17:00:25.080+01:00

It's been a busy week in the world of ukulele revolution. I spent Monday night at TUSC, with good songs and some great ukeing. The Taunton Ukulele Strummers Club have always met at the Old Inn, but this week we felt it was time to change. So on Wednesday I went to the Constitutional Club next door to the Old Inn to see if it could serve as a new home for TUSC. After some funny looks from the

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865060629648580090.post-67739205631422942742007-06-24T18:00:00.000+01:002007-06-24T21:16:16.934+01:00

Well here I go......... it's a ukulele blog........ the diary of a ukulele revolutionary....... and news for TUSC members.I have loved the ukulele since I was a child and got my first one when I was 15 or 16 years old. It was that toothy northern chap that did it and my first songs involved lamp posts and window cleaning. Somehow over the years I have forgotten how to play them, age has it's

Nipperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01531519138870431157noreply@blogger.com0