U-900 and a slice of heaven

I challenge anyone to watch these two videos and not have a little smile. These are absolutely wonderful, both musically and visually. I am officially U-900′s latest fan!

The Plastic Ukulele Revolution

Gus of gugug fame gives a rundown of his extensive collection of plastic ukuleles… both ‘proper’ ukuleles and toys. I really like plastic ukuleles, and I am sure a few of these will be on my ‘one more uke’ list soon enough! (Yes, it’s highly likely I have contracted Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome). This is a fun little video, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone hold quite so many ukuleles all at once!

Electric Uke Making Video

I came across this lovely video on youtube of someone making an electric ukulele… enjoy.

Around the World on a Ukulele Safari!

Bosko and Honey...

Right now my obsessive you tube viewing has a focus, and that focus is on the video’s of Bosko and Honey and their “Ukulele Safari 2008″, which involves them traveling the world to meet and play with many people involved with the International Ukulele Movement, as well as visiting many Ukulele Festivals and factories and other such things. They are some great video’s and the whole tour is highly addictive, once you start watching you want to see what they got up to next, who they met, and the fun that was had.

As well as their You Tube site, they have their own website that is well worth joining, and also you can keep up with them on twitter.

Their most recent announcement: conceiving and organising UKULELE SAFARI AUSTRALIA 2010…

For which they have invited two guest co-hosts along with them on a tour of Australia’s Ukulele World…
SEESO from Chicago…
and GENSBLUE from Tokyo!

Their latest newsletter had the following announcements about the Ukulele Scene in Australia, that I’ll share here with you:

* The Inaugural MELBOURNE UKULELE FESTIVAL has been announced, and will run from the 26th of February till the 2nd of March next year. The Ukulele Safari crew will be playing on the opening night! Visit the Melbourne Ukulele Kollective website for all the details:http://www.muk.com.au/gpage.html

* Ray Gurney of Sydney is putting together a CALENDAR of AUSTRALIAN UKE GATHERINGS, together with a blog and YouTube channel, under the banner of \”UkeOz\”…
Calendar, YouTube Channel, and Blog.

If you’re not already a fan check out their video’s and you soon will be…

Social Media and the Uke New-Wave

The recent trend in popularity of the Ukulele can be seen most prominently on the internet, now it seems no self respecting you-tube star is without a Ukulele!

It seems to me that there are two virtuosos who in a way kicked started this popularity: James Hill and Jake Shimabukuro.

Here’s a video by each of them to demonstrate the talent that launched a thousand ukes!