Poopy in closeup (click for video)

A couple of weeks ago, Ukulele Hunt included Poopy Lungstuffing’s “Dolly Got a Haircut” in the weekly roundup of uker vids.  It’s been playing in my head ever since.  I invite you to listen and see if you have the same reaction.  It sounds a lot like the song Tom Waits would have written if he’d spent his childhood as a young girl who was self-conscious about her mental health. 

If Poopy’s song does stick in your head and you’re looking for something to vie with it, you might stay on YouTube and switch to TorontoUkes.  They’ve posted a bunch of videos from this month’s Corktown Ukulele Jams.  I’d say five of the strongest entries include Marianne Girard’s cover of “What a Wonderful World,”  Paul Yedema’s of “Drinking EX and Asking Why,” and Sunny Widerman’s of “Levon.”   Of the originals, my favorites are Zoe Henderson’s “Cryin’ in My Sleep” and Eve Goldberg’s “Pineapple Sorbet.”  

Girard’s “What a Wonderful World” is radically simpler and more wistful than Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s iconic version.  Her version doesn’t compete with his, but has a quiet strength of its own.  Yedema and Henderson play gentle, sad, country-and-western style tunes; if you’re in the mood for a good cry, either one could help you get there.  Goldberg’s tune, a ukulele transcription of a guitar piece of hers, is light and chipper; if you’re in a good mood to start with, it’ll make you very happy.  If you are looking for a song to help you raise your spirits, Sunny Widerman’s mighty performance of Elton John’s  hit should help you gather your resolve. (more…)