Warren Buffett, Ukulele Apostle

Thanks to ukulelehunt for linking to this story about a pair of ukuleleists who played all 185 Beatles songs as a benefit performance for Warren Buffett, the world’s richest man.  An ardent uke player himself, Buffett donated the money to Girls, Inc., a group that offers services to at-risk girls in and around Omaha.  They are to use it to buy ukuleles, of course. 

Here’s an interview in which Buffett explains the importance of the ukulele in his own life, in Bill Gates’ development as a parent, and in the potential salvation of the American economic system.  “The miracles of the ukulele are spread all over,” the Sage of Omaha explains: 

Here’s Warren Buffett playing ukulele, accompanied by his son Peter.  He may not exhibit a tremendous amount of virtuosity, but he does have a winning way about him.  It reminds me of what B. B. King said at the National Press Club in 1995 when he was asked what he thought of Bill Clinton as a musician.  He quoted his father’s favorite saying, “The boss may not always be right, but he’s always the boss.”  “So, in that spirit, the president, as the president, is a good musician.”  So, in the spirit of B. B. King, I can say that the world’s richest man, as the world’s richest man, is a good ukuleleist. 

Oh, and one more thing.  Since I’m always posting about the writings of various “paleoconservative” pundits, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Warren Buffett’s father, Congressman Howard Buffett, is one of the patron saints of America’s antiwar Right.

Ukulelehunt Announces Video Contest Winner

I posted earlier about Ukulelehunt’s “Ukulele Video of the Year 2008 Contest.”  Now, the results are in.  Here’s the winner.   It wasn’t my choice, but I must admit it is brilliant.

Ukulele Video of the Year 2008

Ukulelehunt, the great and powerful, is running a contest for Ukulele Video of the Year.  My vote goes to “It’s a Heartache,” from the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra. 

Ukuleles for Peace

ukes-for-peace

Al Wood of the mighty ukulelehunt has been doing his bit to promote Ukuleles for Peace.  Ukuleles for Peace is one of many groups that aim to bring Israeli and Palestinian children together in a fun and peaceful environment.  Sometimes I suspect half the population of the West Bank is there to set up such groups, but this is the best one, since it’s with ukuleles.

UOGB’s latest

aaaorangehowfi_m

Teamwork

Last month, I mentioned that  the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain was releasing two new albums.  Our copies arrived last week, and Mrs Acilius and I can give them enthusiastically positive reviews. 

fidicula-inter-angelosThe Christmas album, referred to on their website as “Christmas with the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain” but labeled as Fiducula inter Angelos (“Miniature Lyres among the Angels,”)  does not after all include the performances they issued last year as a virtual album called “Never Mind the Reindeer.”  Those performances are still available on iTunes.   I do miss the rendition of “The Holly and the Ivy” from last year, but new tracks like the “Wenceslas Canticle” and a vocalese version of  “Winter Wonderland” more than make up for its absence.  Their “Jingle Bells Canticle” gets us (Mr & Mrs Acilius and the dogs) dancing every time we hear it.  Here’s ukulelehunt‘s review of the album. 

live-in-londonIn a comment on last month’s post, ukulelehunt’s proprietor Al Wood, a.k.a. Woodshed, gave it as his opinion that Live in London #1 is the UOGB’s best album yet.   I agree, though Mrs Acilius still leans toward Precious Little.  She plans to walk down the aisle to that album’s recording of “Finlandia” when we make the “Mrs” part official in May, so it has a sentimental importance to her.  Though when we listened to Live in London #1 and heard Hester Goodman’s rendering of “Teenage Dirtbag” as a ballad of adolescent lesbian angst, Mrs Acilius was so enthusiastic I wondered if she was about to suggest using that instead.  She assured me that her enthusiasm was strictly political, stemming from a conviction that sexual minorities need representation in music.  That she has a crush on Hester is purely by the way.  Here is an unflattering picture of Hester sitting next to George Hinchliffe that I could look at if I were in a jealous mood, which of course I never am.    

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A Thanksgiving Song

Happy belated Thanksgiving and thanks to ukulelehunt for this song that proves the jumping flea’s ability to make any subject matter sound cheerful.  The artist calls herself “Ukebucket.”

Convergence

Thanks to ukulelehunt for this video of “Hot for Words” on the origin of the word “ukulele.”

New albums from the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

Many thanks to the world’s greatest website, ukulelehunt, for announcing that UoGB is releasing two new albums.  The Christmas album includes several terrific tracks they’ve made available for free as MP3s in the past as well as a good deal of new material, the other album is live.  They offer free samples as well as an opportunity to pre-order the CDs at the link I’ve given. 

At the same time you buy these two albums, you can also buy Will Grove-White and the Others.  We bought our copy of it some time ago and it’s lived in our CD player ever since.  Highest recommendation!

Ukuleleists for Obama

Ukulele enthusiasts may wonder what it means for us that so prominent a figure as Mr. O grew up in Hawai’i, the homeland of the instrument.  Did he play it when he was young?  No- but this very year, he was seen taking a ukulele lesson from virtuoso Abe Lagrimas, Junior

According to ukulelehunt, the web is now crawling with people strumming the ukulele to show their support for his campaign.  Ukelilli is an example. 

From ukulelia, a short film about “Ukes for Obama” with a couple of songs, including their anthem, “Aloha Mama, I’m Voting for Obama.”

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UkeToob

Ukulele Sam

Ukulele Sam

Ukulelehunt links to this new blog that features a selction of ukulele videos. 

(picture from http://www.myspace.com/trippinglily)