One of the joys (and dangers) of t’Internet is following links and ending up someplace totally unexpected. For certain types of unexpected there’s always content filters, for others there’s generally a lot of time spent when you least can afford it. Oh well, that’s progress folks…

So anyway I was on LinkedIn looking for potential Links and came across a guy I knew from back in the Big Smoke who was apparently now oop t’North. (I seem to recall I knew that, but age, memory, etc.) He always was a good photographer, but I have to say I hadn’t realised quite how good. If you have a deadline to hit and no time to spare, use some of it taking a look at his site http://www.hansonphoto.co.uk you won’t be disappointed.

Good as Richard’s photos are, they weren’t what inspired these latest burblings. No, following a link from his blog post through another website I came across http://www.anythinggoesorchestra.com who purport to be The World’s Greatest Ukulele Feel Good Big Band! Obviously not lacking in confidence then. What initially caught my eye was that they had a live version of Tainted Love played on ukulele. Now I don’t recall having heard the Gloria Jones version, but anyone of my age will remember the Soft Cell song with clarity. If you are one of those or can find it on YouTube then you’ll realise a ukulele version is not the first thing you would think of. Fortunately the AGO did and I am very glad they did too! This is the kind of music that will change the world, or at least put a wry smile on your face. Search iTunes for them and you’ll come up with stuff from them including a version of Should I Stay or Should I Go with kazoo. Now why didn’t the Clash think of that? To be perfectly truthful the very first thing I noticed about them was they have a Resonator ukulele, well at least in the style of, and that just plain appeals to me. A baby brother for my Resonator, how sweet!

The AGO haven’t been the only ukulele focused entertainment on my horizon. I suppose because it was the first instrument my parents ever purchased for me I have a bit of a soft spot for the uke, but when I first came across the Jive Aces version of Bring Me Sunshine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXvJ8UquYoo I had to play it back to back several times. They are making some waves right now and of course have their own website http://www.jiveaces.com and though I like their slick presentation, I’m not quite so enamoured of the bright yellow uke. Still each to their own.

And since I still have my original instrument, I think I’m off to hunt online for new ukulele strings…