Tag Archives: Shelly Brown

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.

June 2017 – SOUL

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The 70th consecutive UKE NIGHT on Thursday 29 June was themed SOUL and was a true joy. Partly because of the great guests and musos in the band, partly because of the fantastic songs and partly because we had a great turnout and everyone was up for a bit of fun!!

Justin Bannister was back on keys with his excellent energy and optimism playing all the extra little horn lines and string parts. 13 year old Sam Sanders was as steady as a rock on soul guitar chops and pulled off a fantastic blues solo at the end of the set. Always consistent and fabulous Jason Caspen and Rod Coe – drums and bass and for his first ever jaunt, Peter Chown on Sax made one tight little combo.

Then the guests: First up ‘Man About Town’ Jono Hillman did a great job Sam ‘n Dave’s Hold On I’m Comin’ and his other 2 tunes. Brand new comer Soul Sister Number 1 – Shelly Brown raised eyebrows and put smiles on faces. She is a marvel, full of great soul chops and positive uplifting vibes. Of course Raku One O’Gaia (formerly known as Soulman) always brings it on home in a big big way. One of the more memorable nights we have had in a while. The numbers were good and there were more ukes in the audience than the previous few nights. Sharon Shostack who has filmed a few birthdays in the past won the SOUL poster and I was very chuffed for Ian Wickham who was beaming with delight when he won the lucky door prize.

Samb was there live streaming and a few folk tuned in – including Terry and Maddy from the NRUO all the way from Darwin. Thanks to Luis and Deb back on the door. Thanks for all who came along.