Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra, William tell by John Shreeve

John Shreeve playing William tell on the banjo ukulele, sound city 2010, Liverpool

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Ukulele orchestra record

Ukulele orchestra record
A bunch of Kiwi high school students are out to prove the banjo isn’t just for ‘crusty old people’.

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The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

An 8-piece ensemble consisting almost only of ukuleles, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is an internationally-touring group that has achieved some fame for itself over the years. The group represents a good mix of serious ukulele playing and good fun. While all of the players are accomplished musicians who use their instruments to their fullest capabilities, the orchestra isn’t afraid to play up the frivolous image of the ukulele for a laugh. The playing may be impressive, but hearing the theme from the Good, The Bad and The Ugly performed by a ukulele octet is certainly enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has achieved some measure of fame. The group was formed in 1985 and, since that time, has travelled the world, recorded several albums and participated in some truly unique events. The orchestra participated in what is believed to be the largest ensemble performance by ukueleists ever. At this event, there were just fewer than 1,000 ukulele players all performing Ode to Joy by Beethoven together. This sort of absurdity is generally recognized as a characteristic—and beloved—element of British humor and certainly guides a great deal of what the orchestra does.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, in fact, seems to delight in playing serious music on their ukuleles. They also delight in covering popular songs, some of which are definitely not predisposed to ukulele renditions. The Sex Pistol’s “Anarchy in the UK”, for example, is not something someone would expect to hear on an instrument as mellow as is the ukulele. Those who attend one of the concerts given by the Orchestra, however, are likely to hear just that song, minus the thundering guitars and drums and Johnny Rotten’s trademark sneering vocals.

While the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain may have a lot of fun with their performance, they are most certainly an accomplished group of musicians. Their ensemble skills are very impressive and the majority of the group is also accomplished vocalists. Some of their arrangements are very complex and, overall, they do give their audiences a very good idea of what a ukulele can do in skilled hands. More than that, the open up audiences to the fact that a ukulele is a fine ensemble instrument and that the various voices available, together, can create a full and rich-sounding whole.

ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) – Mr. Blue Sky – Ukulele Cover

One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE songs – I may be a dork, but I’m a dork with good taste in music! Damn straight. Also, I guess I unintentionally made “spot the cat” game during this movie! I have no prizes…so don’t ask.

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