Solo album from a member of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

Will Grove-White has released a solo album, Will Grove-White and the Others.  From an interview with ukulelehunt:

What was the impetus for your solo project?

In recent years, the Ukes has become more of a full-time job, making it harder for all of us to do other work, as the Orchestra’s demands grow and grow. I now find myself, at 35, a full-time Ukulele player – not something I ever thought I’d say, of course – I used to have a proper job. This album was really about seeing what it would sound like if I did something on my own, that could sit happily alongside the Ukes. The impetus was really from my wife, who kept telling me to get on with it.

What can we expect from your solo stuff?

Well, of course there are Ukuleles, but also plenty of other much maligned and overlooked instruments – the Musical Saw, Tuba, Melodica, Clarinet and Cardboard Boxes. I wish more mainstream musicians would cast their nets a bit wider in their choices of instruments. Bass, guitar and drums is a pretty tired formula. I think I can say it’s a good-time album, upbeat and optimistic – sort of Sid James meets Hoagy Carmichael and Tom Waits at a bluegrass concert.

New Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Fansite

The UoGB recommended this new fansite in their September mass email.  It’s also available in English.

Jem Cooke Misses You

This was the featured link on ukulelehunt early in July, it’s been playing in my head more or less constantly ever since. 

She has some other really great performances posted on youtube, unfortunately in most of them she doesn’t play the ukulele.  Even so, she sings her song “Revolution” with such force I have to post a link to it here.

Victoria Vox Again

Her video for C’est noye

SoKo Will Never Love You More

This is something else I was sure I’d posted here about six months ago, but apparently I didn’t. 

Anna van Riel

Ukulele Hunt’s latest video of the day showcases New Zealand’s Anna van Riel playing a nifty little tune of her own composition. 

She’s also on youtube as half of the acoustic duo Bellebird; here they play their song “Too Strong Daddy,” apparently in their living room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEzCkncyI-Q

Of course she’s on myspace; the videos are registration-only, but there’s music available on the home page. 

http://www.myspace.com/annavanriel

And the band’s myspace page has several free songs.

http://www.myspace.com/bellebirds

http://ukulelehunt.com/

The Rise of Big Ukulele

Tuesday the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain was interviewed on BBC Radio 4.  Here’s the link. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/musicfeature/pip/3jtve/

Sunday they were the topic of a piece in The Express

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/49393/Why-it-s-hip-to-strum-a-cute-ukulele

Victoria Vox Loves You

That’s the new title of her website, and listening to her new album (posted there for free!) you’ll find it hard not to love her back. http://www.victoriavox.com/

Her myspace page is good too- http://www.myspace.com/VICTORIAVOX

And she’s got some terrific performances up on youtube- here’s one example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAN96aOIs8Q

The greatest thing ever made for youtube

Some free music from a member of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

If you’ve followed my advice and looked up the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, you’ll have noticed Hester Goodman, the attractive brunette with the haunting voice.  Here’s her myspace page, complete with two free songs I defy you to get out of your head. 

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=300075013