Tuesday, October 6, 2009

1000 Ukuleles and One Banjo at the BBC Proms


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvKOFOlNBag

(alas, they took down the "official" BBC video so this one is from the audience's perspective)

Or for those of you who prefer to walk on the wild side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLuFqPhnFMA&feature=related

10 comments:

Gary and Susan Mullen said...

This begs the inevitable question....WHY?

Rand Launer said...

When Britain was discovered by Australia in 1732 it uninhabited by civilized people. The island was quickly turned into an asylum island of exile for persons
too nutty to be Australians.
They were told they were going to Hawaii for
a little vacation, hence the ukes.

Gary and Susan Mullen said...

Having known some of those native Hawaiians,that explains allot of things.

Diane Smith said...

Or, as the person who took the video and posted it wrote, "This could only happen in the UK because we are all slightly crackers."

But this only goes to prove Rand's theory which, having lived there for two years, makes sense to me!

Rik Elswit said...

To be fair, the "banjo" is actually a banjo ukulele. I know this because that was my first stringed instrument.

There was a Brit in the 30s, named George Formby, who got quite popular playing one. Couldn't sing worth a damn, and made it on personality. Lo and behold, there's footage of him on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYo7a0GZlZQ

Check out his solos.

Diane Smith said...

That's fantastic!

I wrote that "and one banjo" because I thought I spotted a banjo in the crowd. It must have been a ukulele like his.

Rik Elswit said...

Not only did you spot the banjo uke, but towards the end of the piece you can't avoid hearing the damned thing. The player is no George Formby. He, or she, is out of tune and has no rhythm.

Diane Smith said...

I love that random plunking in the background while they show the other one with the electronic tuner on his ukulele reading the music and strumming away. It takes a village to put together a 1000 member ukulele band.

Rik Elswit said...

I meant to mention that I really appreciate Rand's flair for history.

Rand Launer said...

My historical knowledge is part of
my use of the philosophical attitude
called
"Create your own reality."