For the Ukulele Lover in Your Life...

...and I am in your life...right?

OK, there are a couple of items burning up the uke-world right now.  The first is the increasing popularity of  current rock-stars releasing uke albums.  Yeah...it's a fad.  However, the folks who are doing it are still cool.  It will reach the point of ridiculousness if NKOTB (kids...ask your parents) jumps on the bandwagon.  Anyway, Amanda Palmer and Eddie Vedder do not need their alt-cred burnished, yet there they are banging away on the ultimate DIY instrument.

The more exciting development, however, comes from the makers of the "Flea" and "Fluke" ukuleles.  As many of you know I purchased a Fluke online (excellent customer service, by the way) and love it!  I used it in church on Maundy Thursday (a rather contemplative service) and on Easter Morning (not contemplative at all!) and it fit well in both places.  The quality of sound and ease of play exceeds the price, which is a nice trick. 

Well, they have added a new item to their line.  That's right, they now are making a banjo-uke (also known by the classier name "banjolele")!  The Banjo-uke is pretty much just what the name implies.  It is a ukulele with a banjo body.  My sense of them has always been that they are more uke than banjo in how they play. However, the sound they create is novel and different.  I want one.  Actually, what I really would like is for the folks who make it to give me one so I can write a review.  How many uke-playing ministers can their be out there...other than Li'l Rev?  A uke makes people happy the minute they see it.  Banjos do the same thing.  From a pastoral perspective, what could be better than the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of folk instruments?

OK...Links...

Here is a link to a blog post I meant to add to my previous Uke post.  It is about being a permanent beginner.  This is what I am when it comes to music...

Here is Amanda Palmer's album.  Yes...Radiohead covers...too cool...

Eddie Vedder's album isn't out yet...but it will be...

Recent NKOTB news.  No, this has nothing to do with the uke (thank God) but Donnie helped a fan get a new kidney which is actually kinda classy...


And (Drum Roll!)  The link to the Flea banjolele!  The price is rather steep, but eventually they will re-tool their plastic fretboard and that will bring the price down quite a bit.  Until that magical day, here is a video of the Beloffs, the first family of hip uke production talking about their new product.  Their interviewer, (Aldrine Guererro) by the way, is a bit of an internet sensation himself and the face of the Ukulele Underground web page.

...oh...and Li'l Rev...