Beatles Uke Night – Repeat Performance

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Betles Night Repeat Performance

 

Amazingly, we had a great turn out and most of the audience were newbies… (they didn’t come to the first night). The band were on fire with the luxury of having performed the songs once before. Fiona Knight again rocked the house… she found her special growl that she doesn’t know how to reproduce in any other circumstance other than singing ‘Twist and Shout’.

Clelia Adams came along and sang harmonies and lead on ‘Yesterday’…. It was a show stopper. Guy Kaychel and Raku O’Gaia again excelled and most notably was the applause Evan Sun received for his solo in ‘Something’. We even pulled out ‘Birthday’ for an audience member who was celebrating his birthday, (Happy Birthday Mason!)…

A great night and well worth repeating. As one of the happy throng commented.. “It was gear!”

April 2015 – Beatles Night

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Beatles Uke Night

We have always wanted to do a Beatles Night. The reasons we put it off for so long were:  (A) It’s a massive amount of work learning all the harmonies and iconic guitar lines… and (B) What do we follow it with? The vibe at the Courthouse last Thursday 30th was so great. Every one knew all the words to all the songs. We began with all the 64 era tunes.. Hard Days Night, Can’t Buy Me Love, I Should Have Known Better  – Beatlemania was building then Fiona Knight ignited the room with her rendition of Twist and Shout – spontaneous dance erupted and this was before the break. Guy Kachel (pronounced Kay- Chull) battled the flu and delivered and Raku O’gaia as always took us higher than we though imaginable. In fact it was so much fun, we are going to do it all again on Wednesday 30th May. Hope you can make it.

Uke Mullum Beatles

See slide show from Niche Pictures here | Photo Gallery

March 2015 – Gospel

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Uke Mullum Gospel Night

The Monday night Mullum crew were horrified… Had Stu been saved? Has he lost his mind? What are all these God Bothering songs? ‘Gospel’ is a musical genre like any other and has specific themes. In these sensitive times of ‘PC non religious gatherings’ words like ‘The Lord’ and ‘Heaven’ can ruffle some feathers. It was one of the biggest and many many people have said it was one of the best Uke Nights at The Courthouse ever.

Thanks to Jessie Vintilla who brought along her 50+ piece choir who really did raise the roof! It was great to have Jason Caspen back behind the drums (called in at the last minute),  Evan Sun for Mandolin, Guitar and Slide Guitar and the ever dependable and solid Rod Coe on Double Bass. Gareth Baajland of The Barker Vale Brothers played some blistering Banjo, Renee Searles sang like a beautiful Song Bird and Miss Amber and Stukulele were imbued with the holy spirit. There were impromptu repeat choruses and unexpected Violin solos – a great night was had by all.

Gospel Night

Nice, easy, repetitive chord changes go down well with the newer players and also the singing comes naturally as these songs are designed to bring a community together. We will definitely be doing more Gospel again. Thanks as always Deb on the door and Luis on sound who really had his job cut out for him and did an outstanding job. See some wonderful pics From Niche Pics here

February 2015 Miss Amber’s Birthday

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UM_Feb2015_web

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS AMBER – HIP HIP HOORAY!!!. By some weird coincidence, UKE NIGHT happened to land on Miss Amber’s birthday (Thu 26 Feb), so we  prepared an amazing tribute book that included all Miss Amber’s favourites and pivotal songs from her life… and, like Miss Amber, it was at times complex… yet thrilling and rewarding!! We went from Red Robin to Smells Like Teen Spirit. Talk about eclectic.

Our lovely local Country Music Queen – Clelia Adams dropped in to help out with our A-Team UKE NIGHT band – Rod Coe on basses… Rex Carter on drums and Evan Sun on other strings things and percussion. Fiona Dell (with ego a-blazing after her record launch) helped out with some ABBA tunes…. she couldn’t help her self and had to jump up un-invited for the finale tune.
It was a great night with lots of funny moments. Rosie sang Paris Unicorn beautifully.

See photos here and a little video from Lyn McCarthy of Niche Pictures

Australia Day Jan 2015

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January 2015 Uke Night - Australia Day Songs

Terry’s highlights

Pete doing Gundagai!
‘Reckless’. Bloody ambitious! Amber slayed it!
‘Shadow of a Boomerang’. So well placed in the set. Such a solo song.
Evan’s solo in ‘Boys in Town’.
Rex’s performance in ‘Land Down Under’. This song probably got the best audience reaction of the night.
Harmonies in ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’. (orchestra song?)
Reuben’s whistling number!

I thought Ash’s version of True Blue was great and everything Sara Tindley does is superb. Wicked evening. Loads of fun with lots of laughs.

Christmas Uke-Tacular 2014

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Christmas Uke Tacular 2014

What a great night. Daughter Rose did a dandy version of ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ and Stu’s favourite Warren Earl on guitar gave us just the right 50’s tone. Rockin’ Rod Coe and Rex Carter were a swingin’ and boppin’ rhythm section. We welcomed back the uber-talented Misty Henderson, who at the age of 14 has an amazing voice which keeps getting stronger and stronger. Her take on Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ (with singin’ buddy Chloe) raised the roof.

Being Christmas… of course it was hot. Max Strong was our Santa… he wasn’t too sure which way to wear the costume… and his joke about bringing the wrong bag (he brought his washing instead of the toys) didn’t go down so well with the kids.  The bubbly Kathryn Jones and Miss Amber were in fine voice, sweet harmonies abounding… (though we did do Meli Kaliki Maka again to get it right just once). Bede Cooney offered up some new Uke night lyrics for the 12 days of Christmas… phew!

A really fun, relaxed and happy time was had by all… ‘cept poor ol’ Santa who had to ride of on his bike early to aid his ill-feeling teenage son.

 

November 2014 The Best Of

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UM_November14_A3

November is now traditionally our time to reminisce over the past 10 months and put together our favourite tunes from the year. The band rocked yet again as we had the ‘A-Team’: Warren Earl on guitar, Al Park on Keys, Rex Carter on Drums and Rod Coe on Bass (‘The Kiwi’s’… It became apparent that nearly one third of the room was from NZ on the night – thanks to Rex turning 60 and inviting his family along). Guest vocalist were Fiona Knight who smashed her tunes and Chris Mallory who may need surgery after taking on the Bee Gees Stayin’ Alive again. Rose Eadie made a special appearance with the Lennon & Maisy song.. A life That’s Good. Val Hodgson delivered another mighty version of White Rabbit. Brad Green sadly couldn’t make it as his lady had to go into hospital. Mac did a fine job of leading Brad’s ode to ‘Randy the Rooster’ done to the tune of ‘Take A Walk on The Wild Side’.

The songs that made the list in order were:

Big Rock Candy Mountain – Harry ‘Haywire’ McClintock
Singin’ The Blues – Marty Robbins
A Kind Of Hush – Hermans Hermits
Bird Dog – Everly Brothers
A Life That’s Goood – Lennon & Maisy
Randy The Rooster – Brad Green
All Of Me – Willie Neslon
Where Did Our Love Go – Supremes
Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad – Meatloaf
Can’t Take My Eyes Of You  – The Four Seasons
White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane
Stupid Cupid – Connie Francis
I Love The Night Life – Alicia Bridges
Better Be Home – Crowded House
Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
Echo Beach – Martha and the Muffins
Queen of Hearts – Juice Newton
On The Road Again – Willie Nelson
Joy To The World – 3 Dog Night
You Shook Me All Night Long – AC DC
Kiss – Prince

with and encore of Johnny Be Goode – Chuck Berry

Thanks for great sound by Luis Christia, Deb on the door and the staff at the Courthouse Hotel.

Soul Motown Disco October 2014

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Soul Motown Disco

I know it’s hard to believe… every night we have done this year has been better than the last. They have all been amazing though last night was so big on energy and the performances were stunning It’s going to be hard to top.

Great work to Val and Brad for leading us in Stand By Me and Mustang Sally respectively… Brad found his mojo very early into song and cherished being backed by such a great sounding band.

Special guests Soulman O’Gaia who always raises the roof was out-fro’d by Miss Amber though no one can can outshine this great performers bright soul. We are so blessed to have such talent in our home town. Fiona Dell is a great singer as is Fiona Knight, completely different styles and yet bring them together with Miss Amber and you have a whole lotta magic sista harmony action. Eyes were sparkling!

Big thanks to Chris Mallory who popped up for falsetto duties on Stayin’ Alive and nailed it… the song and the look. Al Park (Sir Cliff Richard’s M.D.) graced the stage with his oh so wonderful keyboards. What a gem of a man and to have the ‘glue’ of organ piano and even marimba and horns made for some sweet sounds. Al commented that he loved playing at the volume the uke night band do. You’re welcome back anytime Mr. Park.

Together Rex Carter on Drums and Rod Coe on bass are an unbeatable rhythm section… there was beautiful solid grooves from woe to go. Thanks to Luis for great sound as usual and the lovely Deb on the door. Big thanks to The Courthouse Hotel for hosting the event every month and for donating a lovely bottle of organic red wine for the raffle.

Most of all thanks to the fans in the audience who turned up in droves… all our old friends and lots of new faces. It would mean nothing without you and we love you for all your support.

50s Night September 2014

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50s Night Mullumbimby

This was a very popular theme (no surprises there). The 50s was a great era for music and we had an interesting selection of hits and classics. Rod Coe back on the double bass and the wonderful John Proud laying into his custom made Capricorn Drums made for the perfect motor. Warren Earl, now a local Mullum lad was amazing as usual on guitar with a fine version of lefty Frizell’s Long Black Veil exciting the female ukers in the room. For the second month in a row there was dancing at the bar and in the isles. Clelia Adams took us home (also in her element) with her favs from the era. We rocked around the clock. Fantastic!!!

80’s Night August 2014

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80s Uke Night

Despite a relatively small turn out for August (everyone seemed to have the flu), this was a great night, Rod Coe on the P Bass and Rex carter on drums were an amazing rhythm section.  For the first time ever we have a mosh of dancers at the bar. It really went off. Special guests Kathryn Jones and Chris Mallory were on fire as was Miss Amber who is really in here element with 80s tunes. It was also the welcome return of Kim Moxham on wind things.
The whole book was well received to the surprise of some of our punters who find the 80s stuff bogus. There was some great moments… thanks to all concerned.