Thanks to everyone whom came to 80’s UKE NIGHT. There were a lot of regulars away, though many new faces and even some welcome little people. It was a great night. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself: SET 1 | SET 2
Tag Archives: Sam Sanders
Nov 2017 – PUNK
This was one the most fun nights I can remember. My theory is that the music you listen to when you are around 13 years old becomes ingrained in your psyche so much that nearly 40 years later you can recall what it felt like when you were their the first time. I had a ball playing these songs. Special guests Vesudha Harte loved singing the Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated and of course fooled everyone that she is French with Ca Plane Pour Mois. Jono Hillman cut the image a dirty punk very well with his renditions of the Saints’ Stranded and Know Your Product and and even went bare top for his Iggy Pop number.
John Campbell from Brisbane dropped in to play Harmonica on ‘Another Girl Another Planet’, Erina Leach sang Patty Smith’s Because The Night and nailed Frenzal Rhomb’s Never Had So Much Fun. Most agree though that Val Hodgson’s Oh Bondage Up Yours was the highlight of the night. For me the the best fun was seeing all the old punks come out of the wood works and… was I surprised to see Monday night regulars Jan and Lizzy in there above and beyond punk outfits. Great work from Sam Sanders on Guitar who only had a few days to get his parts down. Thanks to Al Brooker on bass and Jason Caspen on drums who kept the energy up. Luis on Sound and Ashara on the door. Thanks To Lyn McCarthy from nichpix for these great pics of the night. OI!
June 2017 – SOUL
The 70th consecutive UKE NIGHT on Thursday 29 June was themed SOUL and was a true joy. Partly because of the great guests and musos in the band, partly because of the fantastic songs and partly because we had a great turnout and everyone was up for a bit of fun!!
Justin Bannister was back on keys with his excellent energy and optimism playing all the extra little horn lines and string parts. 13 year old Sam Sanders was as steady as a rock on soul guitar chops and pulled off a fantastic blues solo at the end of the set. Always consistent and fabulous Jason Caspen and Rod Coe – drums and bass and for his first ever jaunt, Peter Chown on Sax made one tight little combo.
Then the guests: First up ‘Man About Town’ Jono Hillman did a great job Sam ‘n Dave’s Hold On I’m Comin’ and his other 2 tunes. Brand new comer Soul Sister Number 1 – Shelly Brown raised eyebrows and put smiles on faces. She is a marvel, full of great soul chops and positive uplifting vibes. Of course Raku One O’Gaia (formerly known as Soulman) always brings it on home in a big big way. One of the more memorable nights we have had in a while. The numbers were good and there were more ukes in the audience than the previous few nights. Sharon Shostack who has filmed a few birthdays in the past won the SOUL poster and I was very chuffed for Ian Wickham who was beaming with delight when he won the lucky door prize.
Samb was there live streaming and a few folk tuned in – including Terry and Maddy from the NRUO all the way from Darwin. Thanks to Luis and Deb back on the door. Thanks for all who came along.
November 2016 – The Best Of the 2016
This was one of the best fun Uke Nights as it was spontaneous and loose though still very musical and entertaining. Traditionally, November is all about looking back on the songbooks we have presented and choosing the favourites. The result was a very eclectic mix. Sharny Russell was roped in at the last minute. She was coming over to do a guest spot though Stu quickly put her to work on keys, at times playing songs she hadn’t heard before. Of course Sharny (sister of Steve Russell) is one of the Austrailia’s most accomplished Jazz pianists and vocalists. What a touch of class. (we are blessed with the most wonderfully talented musicians).
The band were great as usual – Al Brooker on bass, Jason Caspen on Drums and Evan Landers on Guitars. It was so great to have Misty Henderson back with us. She is such a star in the making. The NRUO backed her during ‘Summertime’ and also performed ‘Lullaby Of Birdland’ which was beautifully garnished with Sharny’s piano.
A great highlight was ‘100 Words’, a band consisting of local 12 year old, Mila Stuart-Long, Sam Sanders and Jack Edmonds who played their 3 original songs during the break. We hope to see more of the group next year. Straight after you could have heard a pin drop during Sharny’s version of Carole Kings ‘You Got A Friend’…. simply stunning. Jono Hillman sang a few tunes with us from the British Invasion book of last month and then did a fine John Kay from Steppenwolf in ‘Born To be Wild’. Val and Erina did a fine ‘She’s Not There’ by the Zombies. We finished the night with Time After Time which Miss Amber always slays especially with the addition of beautiful harmonies from Sharny and Misty.
Val and Barry won the door prize – free tickets and somehow convinced Stu that a free bottle of wine was part of the prize. Pete Brosnan took home the poster with the winning number 16. Doesn’t get more fortuitous that. Smiles all round for another fun event in Club Mullum with a bunch of new and familiar faces.