Author Archives: Stu

Oct 2018 – Strum ‘n’ Sing

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This was an open theme for the Uke Mullum Community to choose songs they most like to play… There was quite a few suggestions that came in and the result was a nice eclectic mix. The one thing I learned from the exercise is that it’s not easy to make an all inclusive easy to play and sing-a-long songbook. Everyone has such varied music listening experiences. We also issued the turkey in the Straw challenge… some great lyrics written by Terry Flatley and Val Hodgson, though no one seemed to be up to speed with the melody… what a shame. Stu did however manage to create a solo version fo the piece and is still able to perform it at a moderate tempo. (Hoorah!)

Though the numbers were down (as they often are at this time of the year). all those in attendance had a fun time. Jason Caspen was ill and couldn’t make the evening so there were no drums and the ukes were ringing out.

Special guest Chris Aronsten supplied some wonderful fiddle and a little mandolin as well as some fine harmonies with our Roddy on bass (Rod Coe). Thanks to Erina Leech for lovely renditions of ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’ and Nora Jones ‘ Don’t Know Why’. The live stream was done with the old iPhone 7… sound is a bit muddy sorry. But here you go. SET 1 | SET 2

If you would like the songbook so you can strum along, click here. The Turkey in The Straw files are available on that link as well.

Sept 2018 – 90S

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Final Songbook Updated 28.09.18 18:30pm get access here

Hello dear Patrons. Heartfelt thanks for your support in keeping this  monthly community event alive. Thanks to those of you came along to Club Mullum on the night and those of you who tuned in to our youtube channel for the live stream:  SET 1 | SET 2

This month was 90S UKE NIGHT… we had a great night.  Big thanks to Kate Gittins on wind and squeezebox, Evan Sun on Guitar, Jason Caspen on drums and Julian Smith on bass.

It was great to have local and international Country Music Queen – Clelia Adams back as special guest vocalist. Ever resilient and versatile, ‘Clel’ has been recovering after a major operation and was excited to be performing some some non-country repertoire with us.

Sadly the amazing musical artist of Irish descent Áine Tyrrell (pronounced ‘Onya’) couldn’t make it on the night due to being hospitalized with medical complications. We hear she is OK just needs time to take it easy and recover. We’ll have to try again when she is back in good health.

The final songbook of what we performed is attached below. Hear the tunes by the original artist in our Spotify Playlist

August 2018 – 80’s

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Thanks to everyone whom came to 80’s UKE NIGHT. There were a lot of regulars away, though many new faces and even some welcome little people. It was a great night. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself: SET 1 | SET 2

June 2018 – Fun Beginner Tunes

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What a great night we had. Lot’s of new faces including our special guest for the evening Chris Cook who was a huge hit on the night with his roots/ country stylings, vocally and on the fiddle, banjo and guitar. A truley lovely gem of a man and a great performer. He’ll welcome back any time. It was a stripped back simple affair, I made sure every song was going to be OK for the newbies. It’s a balancing act for sure though in the end I think the more advanced regulars weren’t bored and the newbies dug in and really enjoyed themselves. There was many magic moments. Thanks as always to Rod Coe On the Bass, Jason Caspen on the drums. Miss Amber was in fine voice, even with two screws lose… and a nail– from her operation earlier in the week, (don’t think the drugs had worn off by then…. her wit was pretty sharp as I recall). Thanks to Luis on sound, Ash on the door and everyone for coming and creating such a lovely event.

Photos by Niche Pictures – Lyn McCarthy here >

May 2018 – Outlaws and Cosmic Cowboys

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Another very memorable evening. The size of the band was over the top. We had the collective know as Backwater Brethren as the band although Jason Caspen was drummer as Stu (that’s me) was busy playing uke of course. Keys and vocals – Justin Bannister (J.B. Fingers), harmonica and vocals – Steve (Six Guns) Gilbert, guitar and vocals – Phil (Longhorn) Levy, vocals and baritone uke – Ash (Buckshot) Bell, Rod Coe on Bass and lapsteel and vocal (Diego Zaragoza) + plus guest Sara Tindley. Wish you were there. It was just the best feeling to be on the floor playing with the ukesters and these great people and musicians. Every song was a highlight. It was also great to have Clelia Adams in the audience for the first time since here surgery. Lot’s of new face in the crowd as well. It was a great community feeling.

April 2018 – Lounge

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Thanks to all who came along to the LOUNGE UKE NIGHT. It was a well attended evening of cool tunes and amazing musicianship with Steve Russell on keys, Jaimie Pattgalin on drums Rod Coe on bass and Kate Gittins on all things wind and even the accordion.

Erina Leech from the Monday night crew nailed two Shirley Bassey inspired versions of Spinning Wheel and You are The Sunshine Of My Life. Daughter Rosie sang Mambo Italiano which was dedicated To Clelia Adams our Italian Country Music Queen who is recuperating after an operation here’s a little snippet

The Northern Rivers Uke Orchestra, played instrumental versions of The Girl From Ipanema, A Taste of Honey and The Munsters Theme which all went down a treat and I’m sure it was as big a thrill as it was for me to be backed by Steve Russell and Jaime on drums. Thanks to Luis for excellent sound, Ash on the door and Club Mullum for hosting our little community event.

Check out Niche Pics Lyn McCarthy’s Photos here

March 2018 – BLUES

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Some people in general can be a little uninspired by blues as a theme. I have to admit, it wasn’t until I started making blues songbooks and learning the songs that I really fell in love with the form. Once learned, anyone can easily join in with a blues Jam. The choice of songs in this book was more about finding actual songs that had been recorded back in the day on Ukulele. I discovered Hokum Blues was a good source of material. Here’s the Spotify Playlist if you’d like to listen to the tracks we performed.

Mullum Uke Club members worked on a little riff that was designed to unleash the power of the Hammer on, Pull off and slide. Here’s the video with charts and practice tracks for download. There is also the Cm pentatonic scale, otherwise know as the Blues scale as a pdf for you to practice.

It was so great to have another night with Kate Gittins on wind instruments and Dan Brown on Keys. Playing with amazing musicians and lovely people is what it is all about. Dan impressed us even further when he whipped out his pocket trumpet for ‘St. James Infirmary’. It was great to have Rex Carter back on drums and is always a joy to have Rod Coe on bass, keeping everything buoyant.

Each UKE NIGHT is a precious memory for me and lately more so that ever. Miss Amber sang beautifully and seemingly, no one cringed on the songs I lead, though the stand out memory for me will be when our guest Shelly Brown took the mic.

She began with Eva Cassidy’s version of ‘Wayfairing Stranger’. It was as though the roof had been ripped off and the stars where shining down upon us. Shelly belted that tune into the stratosphere. Shelly embodies the songs she sings and you are transported with her to somewhere else entirely. She stayed on stage with us for her next two songs then joined Miss Amber for some backing vocals. So great to have a humble, genuine, sweet – mind blowing singer at UKE NIGHT. We are blessed with talent in the Northern Rivers of NSW.

The numbers were down on last months gathering due to some pretty heavy rain and some folk being away, though those who made it had a great time. The book on the whole was very playable and an encore was beckoned at the end of the evening which is always a good sign.

This will be the last book that I offer to everyone through the mailing list. From now on in order to receive the songbooks you will need to be a Patron on my Patreon page. In this way I can continue to put as in as much time and love into the UKE NIGHTS as I have for the last 7 years. Please do sign up and enjoy the benefits of the higher tiers of Patronage.

Feb 2018 – Crooners

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This was one of most enjoyable nights I have ever done… I loved the set and the genre and I loved having Dan Brown on Keys and Kate Gittins on wind instruments and accordion. Kate is the answer to my dreams. I have been searching for a clarinet player for ever and a day. She also plays Sax, flute and she debuted her accordion skills on the night. Everyone loved her and she really enjoyed being in a combo that she can hear herself. To be honest I could play the evenings set for the rest of my life. Really enjoyable music.

Apart from Terry Flatley who did a fine version of Mona Lisa there were no special guests. Although we performed 23 songs and then repeated one at the end we finished the evening at 9 on the dot. Jan won the poster and I’m very happy for her as I know she loved the theme. Commiserations to Jan’s good friend Lizzy who was sitting right next to her and missed out even though she won the 3 free raffle tickets in the Name the Dancers Comp.

Miss Amber sang beautifully. Highlights for me were The Carpenters ‘Close To You’ and Amy Winehouse’s ‘Love Is A Losing Game’ I love singing ‘Far Away Places’ and ‘I Get Ideas’. The other notable difference out the evening was we set up on the floor and the sound was beautiful thanks to Luis Christia. Everyone in the room could hear themselves and the band blend together. Great work from Jason Caspen and Rod Coe on drums and Bass respectively. Thanks to Ashara on the door and the club for hosting us. Jolly good.

Photos by Lyn McCarthy from Niche Pics

Nov 2017 – PUNK

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This was one the most fun nights I can remember. My theory is that the music you listen to when you are around 13 years old becomes ingrained in your psyche so much that nearly 40 years later you can recall what it felt like when you were their the first time. I had a ball playing these songs. Special guests Vesudha Harte loved singing the Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated and of course fooled everyone that she is French with Ca Plane Pour Mois. Jono Hillman cut the image a dirty punk very well with his renditions of the Saints’ Stranded and Know Your Product and and even went bare top for his Iggy Pop number.

John Campbell from Brisbane dropped in to play Harmonica on ‘Another Girl Another Planet’, Erina Leach sang Patty Smith’s Because The Night and nailed Frenzal Rhomb’s Never Had So Much Fun. Most agree though that Val Hodgson’s Oh Bondage Up Yours was the highlight of the night. For me the the best fun was seeing all the old punks come out of the wood works and… was I surprised to see Monday night regulars Jan and Lizzy in there above and beyond punk outfits. Great work from Sam Sanders on Guitar who only had a few days to get his parts down. Thanks to Al Brooker on bass and Jason Caspen on drums who kept the energy up. Luis on Sound and Ashara on the door. Thanks To Lyn McCarthy from nichpix for these great pics of the night. OI!