Roz Wound Up

Thought Roz Forgot about the Ukulele?

My friend Marsha sent me this link to Eddie Vedder playing a uke and singing. Check it out. If the embedded video doesn't work, watch Eddie Vedder on YouTube. Have a musical Saturday!

OK Go— Yes, OK, Go Watch OK Go Videos, NOW!

Above: OK Go's video "White Knuckles." 

If the above embedded video doesn't work please view OK Go-White Knuckles - Official Video on Youtube.

I have a great computer guy, but every once in a while he finds something on the internet that he probably shouldn't tell me about because then I spend too much time watching it.

Today's video link is just such a video. OK Go is a band that evidently has been making these incredibly entertaining and complicated videos for ages. (I guess I live in a cave; I'm always the last to know.)

"White Knuckles" is a favorite of mine. All the dogs are amazing, but the black and white terrier mix, Popcorn (I think he's called), the jumpy one, and Bunny, what a cutie, are my favorites..

Through the magic of the internet we can enjoy the antics of this group (musicians and canines) at home.

Be sure to watch the outtakes from "White Knucles" video as well. 

And you need to watch Behind the Scenes videos about this too, starting here to see how the humans were trained!

Oh, and you have to see Popcorn vs. Hoops. 

(Yes, there's more! Especially Outtakes + 4 angles will make it all the more clear to you.) It is a great thing.

Other favorites of mine from this group include "This Too Shall Pass—Rube Goldberg Machine Version—Official," as well as the Notre Dame Marching Band This Too Shall Pass Version.

If you ever wondered what would happen if you turned a car into a musical instrument you can watch "Needing/Getting." (Spoiler alert—there's a ukulele.)

By now, if you've been watching along, you're just brimful of joy.

After you watch as many of their videos as you can, then and only then should you watch their Muppet collaboration. Don't watch it before you've logged the time!

All I can say about these young men is, "Your mothers must be very proud of you. Thank you."

Dog Studies, No Ukulele Music

Above: Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and gouache, in the 9 x 12 inch Fabriano Venezia journal. Click on the image to view an enlargement.

No more Ukulele music today. I've decided that the somewhat regular Saturday series on me focusing on ukuleles would end.

Frankly after yesterday's post I realize that I have too many journal pages to fill before December 31, 2011 to be spending any time on the internet searching out fun Ukulele music. 

If you find the tabs/chords for uke for "Have Gun Will Travel" send me a link. 

This Is Roz Focusing: The Ukulele Question—Part IV

Today's Ukulele post is about the amazing Taimane Gardner who has a flamenco style of playing. Now tell me you don't just adore her!

If the above embeded video doesn't work go to YouTube to See Taimane Gardner play "Eleanor Rigby."

(You'll find additional videos of her playing at the first link, her website.)

This Is Roz Focusing: The Ukulele Question—Part I

While there might be 1,000,000 reasons not to learn to play the ukulele surely this video by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain provides one of the strongest reasons FOR learning to play. (That's also primo whistling!)

Just as fun "Life on Mars" played by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain  manages to work in "My Way," "Once in My Life," and a couple other tunes.

And if you are in the listening mode check out the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain's rendition of "Misirlu" (known to many from the film "Pulp Fiction").

For information on the group, or to purchase recordings, go to the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain's web site.

The Mighty Uke: A Revolution

If the first few minutes of the documentary "The Mighty Uke" don't fill you full of joy and the next several minutes don't make you want to jump up, rush out, and learn the ukulele, then go to the doctor because there's something seriously wrong with you.

I found this delightful short film a couple weeks ago while channel flipping (I think it was on IFC or Sundance).

No, I'm not going to go out and learn the ukulele. I have to focus! But I did have to take several calming breaths to prevent myselve from seeking lessons.

Watching this film made me smile harder than I have in weeks, or months. And it also made me feel even more certain that we need to do everything we can to support music education in the schools.

So please check out the clips on their website, rent or buy the full documentary, and let a little joy into your life. (And if you take up the ukulele, drop me a line.)

OK, and if you are having trouble resisting the ukulele check out this short information page on the right ukulele to buy. (I said "I have to focus." I didn't comment on how successful I was going to be at focusing. Of course I had to look.)

Wet Paint Staff Art Exhibition

 
Above: the Wet Paint staff—the folks who help you when you go in for supplies and information. From left to right, back row: Jill, Darin (store manager), Paul, Kate, Virginia, Tim, Verra, Justin, and Greg. From left to right, front row: Ann, Beth (owner), Kristina, Anna, Allison, and Liz.

Mark your calendars for a special art opening. Join the staff of Wet Paint for an exhibition of their artwork on Friday, April 3 from 7–9 p.m. at Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince Street, St. Paul, MN. There will be live music also. (The show will be up until April 30.)

You see these folk all the time when you pick up your paints, paper, and brushes. They answer your questions about media and tools and supports. They listen patiently as you outline all the reasons you’re stuck in your own art, or as you explain jubilantly about your latest coup. Now celebrate their artistic expressions. Put some art to these helpful faces. Come and see what the artists at Wet Paint have been working on in their studio time.