NOHOBANJO OF NORTHAMPTON, AND NOW EASTHAMPTON, "MUSICAL MUSINGS"

We live in what is known as the “Five College Area” of Western Massachusetts. And, in these pandemic days as we approach the beginning of the academic year, many of us are having dark thoughts about the impact of twenty or thirty thousand students from all over the world descending on our “Happy Valley.”

Or, conversely, having even darker thoughts about the impact of twenty or thirty thousand young folks NOT coming back to campuses and our communities until who knows when. 

The cultural and economic impact of either scenario is hard to fathom, to say nothing of the impact on the health of students, staff, and us in this academic/pandemic year. We wait and see and, yes, we STAY TUNED.

Meanwhile, in our masked sequestration in proximity to many halls of ivy, I find myself musing from time to time on college life both as I knew it way back in the mid-years of the last century (that sounds scary!) and how it affected music and our favorite little musical instrument—the ukulele—in those and earlier years.

Singing was popular in those days and many, many songbooks were readily available and well used.

And, here’s a really early songbook from 1891 and another dated 1915, both from Smith College here in Northampton, one of our five colleges.

Many popular songs were written ABOUT college life but, other than the good old “alma mater” tunes, were seldom written BY those actually experiencing it.  Ah, yes.  A form of cultural stereotype! 

So, as a musical kickoff in this football season with no football games, here is a parody of so many college songs of the day: “Oh How We Love Our Alma Mater!” Click or tap on the next image to listen and laugh at this one from the 1920s.

There were many ukuleles that had a somewhat “collegiate” theme. Here are a few from my collection. Let’s start with a banjo uke from the 1920s autographed by fraternity brothers.

Alas, I played a tenor banjo (a 1928 Gretsch tuned like a baritone ukulele, DGBE) way, way back when I was in college. Not quite a ukulele but close enough in those days.

So much for the instruments themselves.

Now, gentle readers, bear with me as I muse and dip into the devious world of statistics albeit in my mid-century way! Remember these gadgets?

For example, in 1920, fewer than 1% of Americans had college degrees.  By 1940, it jumped to around 6% while today it’s nearly 40%!  Going “off to college”during the pre-World War II, non GI Bill days, was viewed by many as a luxury few could afford and, in fact, more than a few found unnecessary and, in fact, pretentious. If the public image of college wasn’t tarnished, it sure wasn’t polished in the early days!

But above all, college was seen by many to be fun–a formulative interval in one’s path through life, so to speak–and the “collegiate mythology” was born!   Here is one of the most popular tunes of the era, one that typifies the myth both in content and language!

Click or tap on the next image to give a listen to this quintessential image of college life in the 1920s.

The musical myths continued to spin!

And, of course, ukuleles were a big part of college learning and loving.

Most songwriters of the era—with the notable exceptions of Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael—had never set foot on a college campus.  To give them an A+ for that good old college try, however, here are a couple of (quite forgettable I would think) tunes by Porter, a Yale “Eli.” You would have to be a one to appreciate, let alone understand, these two.

Here’s a delightful presentation of this tune from the biopic “Night and Day.” Tap or click on the next image to, shall we say, bark along!

On the other hand, it’s a bit easier to pay homage to Carmichael, that good old “Hoosier” from the University of Indiana.

Tap or click on the next image for a look and listen to this song within its film context–snappy lyrics by Carmichael, no less.

But, to be a “college man” (or boy) in those days was still something special and worthy of note, many notes in fact!

Tap or click on the next image for this ragtime era tune from 1910.

And then there were the “college women” (or girls). There were more and more on campuses as the decades rolled along.

Needless to say, these and their college lifestyle became cemented in songwriters’ minds. 

But, a lot of the the songs endure and many were made for the ukulele!       

You can still strum a few of these today.

In the 1920s or 1930s—whether or not you went to “State,”

one of the “Ivies,”

or an “Ag” school,

or one of the “Sisters,”

college students wanted to fit in. 

Of course there were classes. Some stylishly serious.

And some not so. Also, professors, of differing descriptions!

I’ll spare you a YouTube of this one made somewhat famous by the bandleader Kay Kyser and his “Kollege of Musical Knowledge.”

They went to football games on their own or nearby campuses and on (unchaperoned!) dates.

They joined sororities and fraternities.

Tap or click on the next image for a listen to this venerable fraternity “sweetheart” song that has become an American songbook standard.

And they spent their weekends being and laughing with friends.

College men and women in those days often were more worried about the present Prohibition than the coming Great Depression.

Tap or click on the next image for a rowdy 1940s take on this oldie from the University of Maine, one of the most popular (and parodied) college drinking songs of the 1930s.

And, football was king!

Tap or click on the next image to hear this one.

Now here’s a genre of ukuleles from my collection that make the point (point after?)!

Here’s a rather strange interpretation of this old chestnut of a college song–with some rather interesting, not-quite-football moves! Tap or click on the next image for a look see.

There’s even a ukulele version of this one. Tap or click on the next image for a listen.

Still, a big part of campus time was spent meeting future partners—business and romance—and to have the best of times with their peers and cohorts. 

Needless to say, music—particularly rousing songs and wild dancing—were a big part of all this

Tap or click on the next image for a jazzy performance of this campus favorite!

The outfit that was the thing in the stadium.

In the 1920s and 1930s, women attending school—co-ed or their own, was becoming more and more the norm.  Prior to World War I, most women were expected not to pursue more higher education “than necessary” and to devote their lives to homes and husbands instead. 

However, after the war was over, both young men and women looked to their futures with newly opened eyes and enrolled in college for a more meaningful education. 

Tap or click on the next image to hear a Rudy Vallee interpretation of this oldie but goody!

Studies in colleges and universities in the 1920s mostly focused on the so-called “generals”—math, English, science, languages, and history.  Often both Greek and Latin were requirements.  Law and medical curricula were common and professional degrees in engineering, business, and architecture were offered. 

Despite Prohibition, hip flasks were often flouted and beer flowed freely in most fraternities.  Romance was in the air and, needless to say, opportunities were everywhere!   

Give a listen to this oldie by clicking or tapping on the next image.

But, to an outsider, social life seemed to be everything to college students in those days.  Alas, good grades and academics too often were not the reasons for attending college. Instead, it seemed to be all about the social life and, of course, football.

So, it looks like we are about to enter an academic year without football. Strange! Nothing to do but go to class, study, write those papers, and stay masked and socially distanced. And, lets not forget the parents!

At least we can have some sort of music to remember those sweet old college days when we could be closer than six feet from friends! Click or tap on the next image to here a delightful group of singers from Alison’s Alma Mater–Smith College.

Now, click or tap on the next image for a song from my old school, Illinois

So, stay well, stay distanced, stay close to your Alma Mater, and STAY TUNED!

And don’t forget your mask, especially you Smithies!

Thanks for college moms and dads!

My mother, with her wisdom honed during the Great Depression, often said to me that: “Poor folks have poor ways.” and: “Make do with what you have.”  These words describe not just household chores (When is the last time you darned socks?) but what inventive, often impecunious, musicians have been doing for a long, long time.  That’s why we see all those examples of so-called “folk” fiddles, banjos, guitars and—yes—ukuleles made by poor folks with what they have at hand.  

Discarded cigar boxes, ham or coffee tins, mixing bowls, motor oil cans, old wood hoops, or even hospital bed pans (sanitized!) have all been used to make the sound boxes of various stringed instruments including ukuleles. 

While these cobbled-together instruments made of man-made materials function, sound decent, and—often—look pretty good (?), there is another category of “found” materials I’m going to muse on today—those found in (or wrested from) nature.

Natural materials, such as bone, skin, and shell, have been used for various bits and bobs of lutherie for generations. They have been used both functionally like bone or ivory nuts and saddles, as well as skin banjo heads, or decoratively like tortoise shell and mother-of-pearl. 

Next, here’s my very own, mother-of-pearl decorated “Snowshoe” Art Deco tenor!

Now let me dig into another and broader category of natural materials used in luthiery—sound boxes made of “shells,” of one sort or another.  Here’s one in my collection that I built a few years ago.

While renewable plant materials, such as dried gourds and coconut shells are easy to find and work with, there is yet another category of shells I must touch on (albeit with trepidation) as an essential part of this topic—the shells (unlived in, of course) of turtles and even armadillos. 

Now, my intentions are not to offend any of you gentle readers who are vegans, vegetarians, animal rights-ers, or who simply might be squeamish with the thought of using large and recognizable parts of no-longer-living creatures to form our favorite little instruments.  Suffice it to say that what I am about to muse on is in the form of acknowledgement rather than advocacy!  Be that as it may, now is the time to opt out if you must. Otherwise, soldier on!

And, by the way, I have no idea where—short coming upon some road kill down Texas way—one could find an armadillo shell that could be put to luthier use today. I have not, of course, asked our good friends at Google about sources for these, but turtle shells are a tad easier to locate and can be found from time to time on eBay. But, who knows what’s out there in the dark corners of the internet! Anyway, more about these so-called “critter shells” further along in this musing.

But first, lets look at coconut shells and hollow gourds which, by the way, are totally different animals, so to speak.  These are readily available, renewable resources to say nothing of being a lot easier to scrape out, clean up, and prepare for luthiery! 

A dried gourd is, by far, the easiest type of “shell” to work with.  Simply find a good, solid one and trim it off, add a skin or wood head, fix a neck to the whole thing, string it up and—Bob’s your uncle!—you’re ready to strum.

I don’t know if these “double headers” sound better but they sure look craftier!

Now, here’s a pretty good tutorial on banjo ukes made from gourds. Click or tap on the next image to learn a bit and, perhaps to become inspired!

Click or tap on the next image for some good fingerpicking on a gourd uke.

Now here’s some really sweet clawhammer picking on a fretless gourd banjo. Click or tap on the next image for a look and listen.

Coconut shells are a much harder substance than a gourd and thus a bit trickier to work. Also, sometimes two or even three need to be fitted together to make a decent sized sound chamber. They clean up pretty well, however.

As an aside, here’s a bit of a coconut shell mystery that I stumbled across in my internet searches. After pondering a bit, my uneducated guess is that the next image must be of some sort of coco-coronavidian “face mask for two” or something like that. Needless to say, your thoughts will be appreciated. Alas, I digress. 

Quickly moving on, coconuts work quite nicely for a ukulele and can be polished up to a really glossy, deep brown finish.  These are usually topped with a thin wood head like our usual ukes. Here’s a nice antique coconut uke and some fancy strumming. Click or tap on the next image for a look.

Here’s some nice strumming on a double coconut uke, amplified, no less! Click or tap on the next image for this one.

How about an old chestnut of a coconut song from England, strummed on a uke. Click or tap on the next image for this carnival treat.

Leaving our thoughts of coconut shells and icy pina coladas behind, let’s drill more deeply into our topic of the day starting with the shells of an Armadillo (Spanish for “little armor-plated critter” or something like that). These have been used for generations in Mexico and South America for crafts and, more particularly to us, luthiery.

While armadillo shell ukes can be found, armadillo shells have been used traditionally for those South American cousins of the ukulele, the “charango”–a small, ten-stringed instrument similar in configuration to the “tiple” that was a popular cousin of the ukulele back in the 1920s.

The cleaned and dried Armadillo shell is formed into a bowl-like chamber and the rest of the process is much like the gourd or coconut examples.  Many YouTubes exist but, alas, mostly in Spanish—except for the music!

Tap or click on the next image for some strumming on an armadillo shell charango.

Next is a rather fast-charging charango piece from Bolivia. Click or tap on the next image for a listen. Lucky for us, the music doesn’t need a translation!

Now for those of you gentle readers who have stuck with me so far into this musicological exploration, we shall move on to turtles! Turtle, or tortoise, shells can be worked in just about the same way as the armadillo. Plus, turtle shells are readily available even on eBay! Take your pick and bid away.

I think that these look a bit less gruesome than armadillo shells but, it’s all a matter of taste and, I am sure, sound quality. As an aside, and if you can find or make some, turtle soup is traditional and quite tasty. I don’t know about armadillo soup or stew, however. Again, I digress.

It might be a bit easier making a uke out of a discarded turtle soup can but, moving on, here’s a nicely crafted example of a turtle-shell uke. In my aesthetic opinion, the heavily grained oak compliments the texture of the shell quite nicely. As to tone and playability, who knows!

Now, here’s a bit of strumming on a turtle-shell uke. Click or tap on the next image to hear what this sounds like.

Here is a nice, soprano sized turtle-shell uke nicely played. Click or tap on the next image for this one.

Needless to say, the so-called “critter” and natural shell instruments are a rare breed in the world of ukuleles, but they can be found in most collections of folk instruments and, as we have seen in the various YouTubes, are used by some performers today. 

So, if you are adventurous, and not the least bit squeamish, keep your eye out for road kill and see what you can make do. 

On the other hand, seek out a good looking gourd or a couple of sturdy coconut shells and craft a little nature into your strumming.

As a final treat, here’s a uke of wood made to look like a shell.  A whole different critter! Click or tap on the next image to see this facsimile critter in action.

Now there are not that many songs out there in music land on the topic of gourds, armadillos, and turtles that ukulele players have espoused or covered.

Sadly, no ukulele version of this Texas favorite but here is a “turtle tune” with Northampton connections! Click or tap on the next image for a ukulele version of this local “folk song.”

 

Stay safe (particularly when walking across highways), stay sequestered in your shells, and STAY TUNED! Oh yes, and wear an appropriate mask!

Note: A couple of things about the YouTube videos that I include in my postings.  First, I don’t want to spend the money to purchase access to YouTube without ads.  So, from time to time you may see an ad for a few seconds before the intended content clicks in.  Alas, in these days of political scrums, its hard to tell just whose face will pop up. Sorry.  A penny saved is a penny earned.  And, from time to time a particular YouTube video might seem a bit too long for you busy folks out there.  Feel free to click it off when you want, hopefully after you have enjoyed the point I was trying to make by including it.  Sometimes less is really more! 

Also, I don’t mean to make light of the pandemic facing our world, nation, state, community, friends, and family. Sometimes, however, we need a bit more lightness than darkness and so, gentle readers, I muse on.

Now, on to this week’s posting . . .

With our days of sequestration now extending into months rather than weeks, I found myself looking for appropriate songs in our good old Yellow Book (“The Daily Ukulele,” by Liz and Jim Beloff) that would touch on the main topic of today.  Sitting at home, songbook on the stand in front of me and gazing out the window, it came to me: the song for these trying times, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”—a fact, not fake news! 

Talk about an easy choice for a musical musing!  Written as a lover’s lament, the song takes on a whole new meaning as we sit home by ourselves these days.

Anyway, this jazz standard was composed and recorded by Duke Ellington in 1940 and first titled “Never No Lament.”  The song was just one among many similar, moody, bluesy songs of the Ellington orchestra’s Harlem repertoire.  When songwriter Bob Russell added lyrics for the song in 1942, the name was changed and it soon became a national hit. In those days of loose copyrights and tiny royalties, it was played and recorded by just about everyone in the music business. 

It really became a “standard”—orchestral as well as male or female singers.

Let’s start with the 1942 Ellington version.  Tap or click on the next image for this. 

The other chart-topping rendition of the song, recorded in 1943, was by the widely listened to quartet, The Ink Spots.  Click or tap on the next image for a listen to their close harmony and distinctive style. 

Another great interpretation of the song—with some good illustrations for us—was recorded by the blues harmonica virtuoso “Big Walter” Horton in 1961.  Tap or click on the next image for this one.    

And, of course, for a song that has been around for nearly eighty years, many performers—both instrumental and vocal—have worked their own magic with this tune.  You don’t need to listen to the whole YouTube recording unless, like me, you get carried away.  But, here are a few of my good-for-being-sequestered favorites!

Stephane Grapelli on Gypsy Jazz Violin, tap or click: 

 A 1940s film version on some artificial beach, no less. Tap or click:

Willie Nelson Country/Western Version with his beat up guitar, tap or click:  

And, of course, a jazz ukulele instrumental, tap or click: 

So, stay safe, stay sequestered, and STAY TUNED!  But, as a bit of a sendoff, here are a couple of parody versions—as we might expect—of our song.  Stay smiling!

Let’s start with an up to the minute parody version, tap or click: 

 And, of course, a close harmony Zoom version, tap or click:    

Now if you would like to give this a try at home, hopefully not too much by yourself, here is a chord melody TAB version I put together a couple of years ago. It’s set up for a DGBE-tuned baritone (or sopranino) uke but you GCEA folks can simply follow the TAB numbers and it will be in the Key of C.

Oh yes, stay appropriately masked when tabbing or strumming!

And shirted!

More lightness than darkness, I hope!

This musical musing of mine, gentle readers, will probably leave you with the earworm of all earworms because I’m only going to focus on ONE song. It’s that choice bit of so called “catchy music”—“Puttin’ On The Ritz.” 

This song was written by Irving Berlin in 1927 and published a couple of years later.  It was performed in the movie by the same name in 1930 . . .

. . . and is said to be the first song and dance routine in film to be performed by an interracial ensemble. Who knew?  The title is a slang expression meaning “to dress very fashionably” and the term was inspired by the opulent London hotel, The Ritz.  

The original version of Berlin’s song references the then-popular fad of fashionably dressed Black residents of New York’s Harlem parading up and down Lenox Avenue. 

Here is the original production–with the Harlem lyrics–from the movie “Puttin’ On the Ritz.”  Tap or click on the triangle in the next image to take a peek: 

Cinema and vaudeville heart throb Harry Richman sang the song in the movie and his recording became the number-one selling record in America at the time.  Alas, his career faded soon after.

Aside from the witty lyrics, the danceable melody is both complex and provocative. According to music critics of the time, the A-section of the song used a “delayed rhythmic resolution: a staggering, off-balance passage, emphasized by the unorthodox stresses in the lyric, suddenly resolved satisfyingly on a held note, followed by the forceful assertion of the title phrase.  The B-section is a contrasting march rhythm.” Whew!

The whole song is considered by many to be one of the most complex and provocative rhythmic patterns ever written and has been loved by hoofers ever since. As a surprising sample (to me, at least) of all this, the original Harlem homage lyrics were used again in the 1939 movie “Idiot’s Delight . . .

. . . featuring a song and dance routine by none other than Clark Gable, of all people!    Click or tap on the triangle in the next image for a surprisingly good performance.  Again, who knew? 

By 1945 Berlin had become increasingly aware that stereotypical portrayals of Blacks were losing favor with audiences. He then rewrote the original Lenox-based lyrics to apply to affluent Whites strutting up and down Manhattan’s famed fashion center, Park Avenue.  Musical times go on . . .

Needless to say, the quintessential song and dance performance of “Puttin’ On the Ritz” is, of course, the Fred Astaire version–with Berlin’s revised Park Avenue lyrics– in the 1946 movie “Blue Skies.” 

Click or tap on the triangle in the next image to take a look at this classic:  

And, we mustn’t  forget that great film parody of our song by Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle in the movie “Young Frankenstein.”  Click or tap on the triangle in the next image for this unforgettable bit of comedic film/music history where the young Dr. Frankenstein’s noble intentions are thwarted as he shows off his cobbled together creation:

To end our “ritzy earworm journey” with an international note, how about a Russian (of all places!) flash mob doing a take on this.  Small world!  Click or tap on the triangle in the next image for this Moscow moment from back in the days when Russia was a happier place: 

Now, there are probably well over a hundred covers and interpretations of “Puttin’ On the Ritz” out there in the internet world ranging from homages to parodies, and both the Lenox and Park Avenue versions live on today.   Needless to say, you can explore these at your leisure.  I’ve only attached a few of my favorites to this musing so, put on your “Ritz earworm” facemask . . .

. . . and explore these yourself from the safety of your own home. Good luck with that earworm, however!

So, gentle readers, stay in rhythm, stay safe, STAY TUNED,and have a crack at this bite of topical humor.

Did you get it? If not, have a nibble and try again!

Note: If this pic needs an explanation, you are not a ukulele strummer. If still puzzled, go ask a strummer. If no strummer is available, you are missing out on one of the best things of life!

Well, here we are half way through my weekly musings of 2020 (number 26 of 52!) and the calendar has rolled around to another Father’s Day as of this Sunday. All of us who have or have had fathers can muse on their influence on our lives, at least our musical lives. So, as my annual musical homage to my father, click or tap on the next image to hear a ukulele version of the first song he ever taught me.

 My father, despite his pride in the fact that he was a Field Artillery officer, could only sort of hum this tune and he readily admitted that, when it came to music, the “only thing he could play was the radio.” 

And, play the radio he did.  He built a crystal set for himself in his teens and, in the 1920s (high school), 1930s (college and first jobs), and 1940s (army) listened t0 and knew all the bands and songs played on the air. We sat around the radio at home and, of course, in the car–AM, of course.

 To say that I grew up absorbing the big band/bouncy/bluesy sounds of these musical eras on the omnipresent home and car radio is an understatement. Needless to say, my musical listening proclivities were formed as my little ears grew into bigger ones. 

This was his gift to me so bear with me, gentle readers, if my musings focus on those “oldies” (to you) but “goodies” (to me.) After all, it is Fathers’ Day and, like many of you, I am a father and, like a few of you, a grandparent. So, indulge me.

Now, back to the ukulele theme! Fathers (not mine, alas) often eased their offspring into musical directions by strumming on—or at least giving a child—a ukulele and “showing them which end to blow into!”  Kidding, of course.

Some kids embraced our favorite little instrument and kept their fascination through teenage years and adulthood.  Look around you!  Alas, others moved on to screaming heavy metal electric guitar sounds.  (With apologies to our friends at Northampton’s own Downtown Sounds!)

But, fatherly influence is all important, including from the “Father of Our Country!”

Moving on. Not much in the way of “father” or “dad” ukuleles out there but, still . . .

Continuing on to tunes. Needless to say there is a plethora of “Daddy” music out there from the sweet to the maudlin . . .

Give a listen to this old tearjerker by that “singing cowboy” himself, Gene Autry. Click or tap on the next image for a treat.

Here is the Ultimate World War I “Daddy song.” Click or tap on the next image to hear an original recording.

I wish I could find the suggestive lyrics to this one. Alas, I must search on!

. . .  and then there’s that perversion of the word “Daddy” into the torchy, tinted (but not really off-color) slang of the day.

Here’s this one by Marilyn herself. Click or tap on the next image to hear (and see) her in action!

Here’s a torchy version of this “daddy song” from the 1920s. Click or tap on the next image to give a listen.

Tap or click on the next image to hear a gentle, jazzy version of this tune from 1929.

Oh yes, we can’t for get the “Papa” songs either.

Here’s this childish novelty tune of the 1920s. Click or tap on the next image to sing along.

Here’s an early recording of this bluesy song performed by Bessie Smith. Click or tap on the next image to hear her voice.

And, of course, the novelty songs about fathers or even grandfathers.  Don’t we have fun!

Seek and ye shall find! Click or tap on the next image for this one.

Believe it or not but I actually found a ukulele version of this one! Click or tap on the next image to hear that great ukulele interpreter of old tunes, Janet Klein.

Here are a few more rather curious sheet music covers of the day. Alas, again, no lyrics for these yet!

And then there’s this golden oldie.

Here’s a ukulele version of this country/western chestnut of a song. Tap or click on the next image to listen in and try to follow the convoluted lyrics.

I have to digress from my wanderings among those many “Daddy” songs of yesteryear to a more contemporary one. Alas, I must admit that I do this from time to time, but I do believe it’s important (ahem) from a musicological as well as historical perspective. Pardon the language, but this is a great homage to a fascinating father and worth a listen on this special day. Click or tap on the next image for a good ole country music look at a real “Daddy!“

So, to all you fathers out there–good or bad ***– and to all of you who have or have had fathers, grandfathers, dads, papas, and—in various interpretations—”Daddies,” a happy, safe, sequestered Fathers’ Day this year for you and yours!

So, remember dear old Dad, keep that mask on, keep your distance, keep on strumming, and STAY TUNED!

And, if you can, give dear old dad, grandpa, “Daddy” or whatever a great big kiss!

During our stay-indoors Springtime, a lot of folks are dreaming about heading out and social distancing on a beach, any beach.  Blankets, umbrellas, and coolers in tow and sand, sun, and waterish frolic to be shared (responsibly) and enjoyed. 

I’m not a salt-water person, however.  I grew up in the so-called “Heartland” of America where we could visit a nearby lake or river, and I lived and worked for many years in sight of one of the Great Lakes.

So, needless to say, I have an aversion to water that is full of predators and impossible to drink! But others, of course, may have other thoughts.

Beaches, to say the least, have been a staple of ukuleledom since Portuguese sailors brought the ancestors of the ukulele to the sandy shores of Hawaii. 

Hordes of tourists flowed to the sand and sea and sipped their mai tais from coconut cups in the shade of palm trees, strove to learn the “wiki-waki”culture, and strummed—sort of—on their souvenir ukuleles.

I can’t believe I found a ukulele version of this oldie, played on a “Ludwig Professional” banjolele no less! Tap or click on the next image to hear some weird lyrics and really good strumming.

As with “O’Brien,” most of the tunes the tourists strummed were written and published on New York’s Tin Pan Alley but, for many, these evoked the ukulele culture that became the so-called “essence of Hawaii.” Native girls with their ukuleles and tourist men in their suits, neckties, and hats were the standard.

Needless to say, there were other beaches around the world almost, I presume, as attractive.

Of course, there were discomforts, of a sort, with beach adventures. Here’s a version of that 1930s tune, “I’ve Got Sand in My Shoes.” Tap or click on the next image for this one played on that cousin of the four-string ukulele, the six-string “guitalele.”

Needless to say, ukulele makers and sellers on the so-called “Mainland” also jumped on the ukulele beach wagon. These folks made and sold the grandparents of our favorite little instruments many of which, of course, perpetuated the beachy aura of the islands . . .

. . . even if they were purchased in Manhattan or Dubuque and never got closer to the water or a real beach than the old “’swimmin’ hole.” 

Others did, however, make it to a seriously sandy and sunny beach.

There are also some contemporary versions of ukuleles decorated with scenes of sand and sea. I’m sure they help evoke the sound of waves pounding on beaches or the like. Maybe not, but isn’t it pretty to think so?

While there are scores of sheets of more recent “beach music,” my wont–as should by now be expected by you, my gentle readers–is to focus on some of the earlier stuff out there in music land.  Not surprisingly, there are many tunes to choose from.  Here are just a few of the really old ones–way, WAY before my time!

And, of course, that perennial musical chestnut:

Now here’s an early rendition of this song with some great illustrations. Tap or click on the next image for a salty treat.

And, then, there were the novelty songs–some OK for dancing but mostly for the vaudeville stage. Ah, the simple humor of the day.

If you can put up with a scratchy old shellac record of this one, click or tap on the next image. It’s a mother’s lesson for her daughter, so to speak–about the dangers that may be lurking “in the water.”

So, now, the big question.  What kind of ukulele do you take to the beach?  Certainly not a vintage mahogany Martin or brand-new solid koa wood Snowshoe or, for that matter, anything made of wood. Bad idea!

There are, however, a few nifty ukuleles that could be considered—provided the bonfire on the beach is not too high or hot. Think plastic! Here is an appropriately decorated oldie and a couple of newer, high-tech ones that that play well and sound surprisingly good–when not filled with water or sand!

Here’s the oldie, from the 1950s.

Then there’s the newer Kala “Waterman,” a nifty little piece of modern plastic engineering. Quite waterproof, I understand.

I’m not sure of the tone and tuning when put to the ultimate test, however.

And, then, there’s the appropriately named newer “Outdoor” ukulele from Oregon. I keep one of these (a bottle-green tenor) on our screened porch here in Northampton–both handy and weatherproof!

They even make an “Outdoor” banjolele!

The classic “beach ukulele,” however, has to be that mid-century modern ukulele type specifically designed for sand and surf. You could simply jab the extended pointy neck into the sand when it was time to stop strumming and roast hot dogs, pop a cone-top, or do whatever else folks did on the beach sixty or seventy years ago. (That far back? Oh my . . .)

Needless to say, this nifty number came in all sorts of fun colors and included a double-neck!

Believe it or not, there’s a YouTube of a guy playing one of these. A bit more recent tune than my usual but, the uke’s the thing! Tap or click on the next image and you can play along even if you are sitting on your carpet not a beach.

Since we’ve swum over to mid-century in this posting, I thought I’d look up a more recent song (1950s) that is more Massachusetts “beachy.” Having found nothing musical about Musante Beach here in Northampton, or Puffer’s Pond in nearby Amherst, however, I guess the beaches of “Old Cape Cod” will have to do. Sand and fried clams. Hooray for the clams!

Here’s a ukulele version of this oldie but goody. Tap or click on the next image for a musical whiff of lobster stew with, of course, an ocean view. And clams.

So, go find your beach wherever you can, even if only in your memory or imagination. Grab those face masks. Eeeew, perhaps not these . . .

. . . maybe one of these.

Stay safe, stay socially distanced, stay away from too much sand and undrinkable salty water, keep your ukulele dry, and STAY TUNED!

As we approach a third month of sequestration and social distancing, I—and I am sure that many of you fellow strummers—have a craving for what is universally recognized as “comfort food.”  Never mind thoughts of “excess avoirdupois,” I want THAT NOW!  And lots of it.  So it is with the world of ukuleles.

It is a well known fact that high on the list of comfort foods is good old bacon, either straight or as a condiment.  And, it is also a well known fact that the UKULELE is the BACON of music!  Having said that, here we go  .  .  .

First, lets take a look at a few, shall we say, bacon-ed up ukuleles.  None here from my collection but worth a look nonetheless.

A strap instead of a strip, I think.

Then, of course, we have the classic banjo ukuleles made by the BACON Banjo Company of Groton, Connecticut–later Bacon & Day or plain old B&D.  These range from simple models to the super tootsed-up, mother of pearled, gold plated numbers that sell today in the thousands of dollars—or pounds in the UK.  A pound of bacon banjo uke? Hmmm  . . .  

Just to give you a sense of the sound, here is some strumming on a BACON banjo uke. Even though this is a low-end instrument of their line, it sounds pretty good for its age! Tap or click on the next image for a listen.

And then there are the tunes.  Alas, not much in the way of BACONish sheet music out there.

How about a newer “BACON” song, just in time for breakfast! Click or tap on the next image for a taste treat.

And how about an unheralded, but appropriately named, ukulele player: Kevin BACON.  Admittedly, a bit of a stretch here but that’s what musings are all about

Click or tap on the next image to hear him in action.

Or, how about the BACON Brothers with one of our old island favorites, “Ukulele Lady.”

So stay sequestered, stay safe, find your comfort food, disremember calories, and STAY TUNED!

Oh, yes. Wear your mask!

In these days of pandemic a lot of us—even if we are not personally infected with the virus swirling around the globe—offer hearty thanks to those health-care workers on the front lines, particularly nurses, nurses aides, and all those who care for us by caring. 

While we stay as safe as we can with facemasks and social distancing, these dedicated professionals find themselves in harm’s way every day yet carry on and do the jobs they were called to and trained to do. 

As a humble tribute, but still in keeping with my theme of music of the past and our favorite little instrument of today, lets see how I can muse about all this and bring a smile (or tear) or two to you gentle readers out there.

Alas, there are not that many modern musical references to nurses and their caring during these stay-safe times. I’ll end this musing with a couple of those but, first, there is a trove of “nurse related” songs from the Tin Pan Alley days that touch that base, particularly from the World War I era.  I could only find one vintage photo of a nurse with a ukulele, however, but it’s a good one and helps to meld this muse together.

And then, there were the songs—some heartfelt,

Some heavenly maudlin,

Tap or click on the next image to take a listen to this one.

And, of course, there were some comic music hall or vaudeville songs related to both nurses and swirling viruses–particularly during the 1919 influenza epidemic. These gave a bit of needed respite to the tensions of the day.

Click or tap on the next image for a bouncy, Bing Crosby rendition of this old chestnut. There are original recordings of this song but, sadly, they are way too scratchy for modern ears.

Now, as promised at the top of this posting, here are a couple of tunes by the British “Ukulele Nurse” who is working on the front lines of today’s pandemic.

Click or tap on the next couple of images for her take on her work and thoughts of survival and hope in these difficult times.

I don’t mean to gloss over the other dedicated healthcare professionals out there, men as well as women, from physicians to aides to the maintenance crews that keep our hospitals, group living facilities, medical offices, and emergency vehicles safe and ready. Nor do I mean to make light of the world-changing public health, social, and economic situations we all must learn to live with. My simple goal is to offer a smile or two for this too smile-less time.

We may be isolating in our Happy Valley, but we are not alone! Stay safe, stay on guard, stay smiling, and STAY TUNED!

Well, another week has gone by and sequestration is the norm. Alison and I manage to keep busy with all those household tasks, face mask making, reading, hobbies, online streaming, family Zoom, and–of course–ukulele stuff. A bit more research and restoration work on ukes rather than strumming for me, but this too shall pass. Needless to say, we make our own kind of fun here at what we call “The Inn at Ice Pond.”

Last week my theme wafted into “cigarette music” and I promised that I would move on to cigars and smoking pipes “anon.” I guess that anon is now. Why not!

Let’s start with “stogie stuff I have found.” Probably the best thing about cigars vis-a-vis our favorite little musical instrument is what can be done with those old-fashioned cedar wood cigar boxes. I’ve built a couple of ukes and banjos out of them over the years. My favorite boxes are “Old Virginia Cheroots,” 5 for 10 cents! I can’t speak for their smoking qualities, probably pretty dreadful at that price, but the boxes are good wood and a perfect size.

A ready-made “body” for a uke, banjo, guitar, or fiddle got a lot of music into the hands of folks who couldn’t afford “store bought,”

and there are a lot of folks today who simply enjoy the challenge of craftsmanship coupled with recycling. These are not mine, but here is a nice selection.

It’s not a Martin, Kamaka, or Snowshoe but the price is right for a cigar box uke, providing you don’t mind a bit of retained cigar odor! But, how does one sound? Click or tap on the next image for the answer.

And, we shouldn’t forget those long ago, sweet old days when kids collected “cigar bands” from their fathers’ stogies. Here was a way to put these to good, colorful use. This beauty IS mine.

Oh well, we might as well listen to a cigar-themed tune while we’re at it. Click or tap on the next image but keep the room well ventilated.

And then, of course, the good old smoking pipe–briar, clay, calabash, meerschaum, hookah, corn cob–a sophisticated favorite.

And, yes, there are even some hookah musical references to be found. Seek and ye shall find!

There is even a hookah reference in our Leap Year (blue) songbook!

There is even a style of tobacco pipe called a “Ukulele.”  Who knew?

Now for a fun novelty song of the early 1900s about a wife tugging on the leash of a potentially straying, but nontheless pipe smoking, husband.

Tap or click on the next image to listen to this scold of a song!

And, let’s not overlook the pipe-smoking youth of America, with their ukuleles, of course.

So, without inhaling, or endorsing bad old habits, let’s end our musical muse on the subject of tobacco smoke with a song.

And, as usual, here’s a nice little going away tune on the ukulele. Click or tap on the next image for an introspective look at smoke not getting into our eyes!

So, stay safe, stay home, stay busy, stay viceless (sort of), and STAY TUNED!

This musing is being sent out a few days ahead of schedule because of this year’s calendar. Passover is this Wednesday and it’s going to be a strange one with the social distancing “plague” we are forced to live in these trying days, weeks, and months. But, living must go on and, hopefully, your Seder table won’t be empty this year.

I am dipping, once again, into my trove of musings I have posted over the past few years to serve as the foundation of this latest one. So, here we go!

 I am not Jewish but I have many friends and family who are.  As a result, I have attended many Passover Seders over the years.  I have always found the marriage of faith, tradition, history, and continuity both meaningful and moving. 

Unlike the musical secularization of Easter—with bunnies, egg rolls, and parades—Passover seems to have retained its focus and its dignity.  Even the fidgety children who make faces over the bitter herbs will come to cherish the tradition with their own children. 

I am old enough to have seen this happen more than once!

So, no funny ukulele thoughts today.  Just a reminder that there is beautiful music out there for a beautiful life moment and, yes, your ukulele can be part of this.

Here is a ukulele tutorial for a traditional Passover song. Tap or click on the next image to give it a try.

And, while it’s not particular to Passover, here is an easy ukulele TAB for the national anthem of Israel—“Hatikvah.”  This solo version for ukulele works really well and has a haunting Levantine melodic line.  Give it a try.

  So, I hope your Passover Seder–no matter what form it must take this year–brings you and yours together in your own ways. Meanwhile, STAY TUNED!