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Sep. 11th, 2010 10:12 amWent to see the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain at Ferneham Hall last night. While having a pre-show drink in the Octagon Mrs Swire, my former music teacher, came over and said hello. She asked if I played the yuke myself; I replied unfortunately no. Moments later one of her colleagues joined us and asked me the same thing. I explained that keep meaning to do the beginners' course that runs at the local library every few months, but so far it's always been held over a period where I'm away for one of the four nights. They said they knew the tutor, and that he owns a Gosport music shop - which is where the yukes for the course come from - and added that he has a terrible singing voice.
The show was excellent. The eight members of the Orchestra, playing ukuleles of all different sizes, sit in a row and play an assortment of pop songs of all genres, with a different member singing each song, all sung in an easy listening style. You haven't lived until you've heard Anarchy In The UK sung easy-listening and played on ukuleles. Other numbers to get the treatment included Baccara's Yes Sir, I Can Boogie and Wheatus' Teenage Dirtbag, and a couple of pop medleys incorporating about a dozen songs. They finished with George Formby's Leaning on a Lamppost, but not in the Formby style - over their energetic playing, they all sang this number, barbershop style.
Between songs they gave us plenty of deadpan humour. At one point the chap who seemed to be leader produced a miniature yuke from Germany and challenged colleague George to play a jazz solo on it with "his big fat sausage fingers" - George pulled it off.
It's Sing Something Simple with ukuleles, with tongue firmly in cheek. I will definitely make a point of seeing them whenever they're in the area.
The show was excellent. The eight members of the Orchestra, playing ukuleles of all different sizes, sit in a row and play an assortment of pop songs of all genres, with a different member singing each song, all sung in an easy listening style. You haven't lived until you've heard Anarchy In The UK sung easy-listening and played on ukuleles. Other numbers to get the treatment included Baccara's Yes Sir, I Can Boogie and Wheatus' Teenage Dirtbag, and a couple of pop medleys incorporating about a dozen songs. They finished with George Formby's Leaning on a Lamppost, but not in the Formby style - over their energetic playing, they all sang this number, barbershop style.
Between songs they gave us plenty of deadpan humour. At one point the chap who seemed to be leader produced a miniature yuke from Germany and challenged colleague George to play a jazz solo on it with "his big fat sausage fingers" - George pulled it off.
It's Sing Something Simple with ukuleles, with tongue firmly in cheek. I will definitely make a point of seeing them whenever they're in the area.
