All our best holiday wishes,

BeatNik and friends

PS: Here is a beautiful holiday greeting from Jake Shimabukuro – no one “says” it better…

Wikipedia describes skiffle as:
Skiffle is a type of popular music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, usually using homemade or improvised instruments. Originating as a term in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, it became popular again in the UK in the 1950s, where it was mainly associated with musician Lonnie Donegan and played a major part in beginning the careers of later eminent jazz, pop, blues, folk and rock musicians.

Now, one of my favorite bands, The Jive Aces, have resurrected skiffle – or maybe I’ll coin a term for them, “skiffle-lele”, since they’ve added the ukulele to the washboards and jugs so perfectly.

Enjoy these two videos with dancing shoes on… The second is the tutorial version, so get that uke out!

Meet Nick Peay!

Nick has recorded a new album of original, inspired ukulele songs, titled Life & Love & Us. I have to say, Nick’s music struck a chord with me upon first hearing it. His style is warm and relaxed, and the songs are optimistic and celebratory.

“The ukulele is just a happy little instrument,” says Peay. “You can’t help but be happy when you hear it or see someone playing it.”

This is true and may have had some influence in the positive direction of Peay’s songs. From the musically playful opening track, “Wild Dreams,” about impromptu vacations to the poignant and hauntingly beautiful, “The Great Green Room” in which Peay expresses his thankfulness for the beauty in the world and was inspired by the childrens book “Goodnight Moon,” Peay’s subject matter is universal enough for all, yet spoken so uniquely and elegantly.

An additional song on Life & Love & Us is titled “A Day In The Life (Of My Dog)” about how every day for his dog, “whatever the weather, it’s gonna be the best day ever!”

“I try to write music that people can sing along to,” says Peay, “and that makes them feel good. Music is supposed to make you feel good.” Armed with a ukulele and a positive message, Peay and his new EP, Life & Love & Us, delivers feel-good music you can sign along to.

Check out this title track to get an idea of what’s in store: Life & Love & Us by Nick Peay

You can preview the entire EP here and you can download a few mp3′s here.

Cheers,
BeatNik

According to Billboard, at least one song on the new album will be blessed by ukulele:

(Pat) Monahan adds, after the success of “Hey, Soul Sister,” the new batch of material already includes a ukulele part in the track “The Least I Can Do,” though he acknowledges a bit of a split in the Train camp over whether the group should return to that particular musical well.
“The truth is that everybody has basically warned us, ‘Please don’t put the ukulele on the record,’ but I struggle with that,” Monahan says. “That song is super island-y and I love it, and (ukulele) just feels right for it. So I don’t know what the rules are going to be with the ukulele, but you put on whatever feels right.”

Couldn’t agree more, Pat!

This is a true story, and although parts may sound like a plug for my product, please forgive me that – it is only in the context of the message I received that I include mentioning it.

A couple of days ago I was helping a gentleman who had emailed me to ask if he was allowed to install Speak Ukulele on more than one computer. I thought that was nice to ask
(The answer was “Yes, on all the computers you personally own.”)

The man, who wishes to be unnamed, sent me this thank you email:

I semi-retired a few years ago and like many retired people started getting bored with golf, cards etc. I began to drink more than I should, earlier than I should each day. Since I purchased your course it gave me an opportunity to learn something new and get good at it. My wife loves me playing and we get along better than ever. I play love songs and she dances the hula! My neighbors come over around 4 pm and we do a sing along! Neat–BeatNik!

I still sing like a frog but the uke overcomes this!

Thanks a lot. You can put this on your site if you delete my name.

I get lots of email from the 3000-or-so members on this site every day. Some need support, some have suggestions, and some just say “Hi”. Very few are mean-spirited, though it happens on occasion. I like to think that people who play the uke are just happier folks!

This email from my new friend not only reinforced that belief, but his story brought me even more happiness! I hope it does the same for all of you.

Happy Father’s Day to the dads… and remember to keep playing that ukulele. It makes everyone just a little bit happier, and there are few things these days that have such power.

Cheers,
BeatNik

In honor of our beloved instrument, please join Mike Upton, President of Kala Ukulele, as he discusses the history of the Ukulele.
Enjoy!!!

Ukulele Crazy

Ambitiously titled “Ukulele Songs” (how do they come up with these catchy titles?), the first single, “Longing To Belong”, is already available digitally.

Here is the track list for Eddie Vedder’s “Ukulele Songs”:

Can’t Keep

Sleeping by Myself

Without You

More Than You Know

Goodbye

Broken Heart

Satellite

Longing to Belong

Hey Fahkah

You’re True

Light Today

Sleepless Nights (featuring Glen Hansard)

Once in Awhile

Waving Palms

Tonight You Belong to Me (featuring Cat Power)

Dream a Little Dream

Here’s what you can expect from the new album…

And this classic will also be included, though featuring Cat Power – not Janet Weiss as in the video…

Ukulele Songs goes on sale May 31st, 2011. Sweet sassy molassy