Drunken Discovery: Tahitian 8-Stringed Ukulele

So, I had a few beers last night and it started out that I was going to be searching eBay to find a replacement/upgrade for my Danelectro Hodad Guitar.  I played an American Fender Stratocaster at band practice and, while I did enjoy it, I think I'm too used to my Hodad's whammy bar and I really like the thin sound it has (see, it's made of masonite).  Anyway, that's how the evening began.  I'm not totally sure how it ended but here is what I do know.

  1. I had to clear more than 4 beer cans off of my desk this morning
  2. I had about 30 eBay browser tabs open
  3. I had e-mail from eBay saying that I had made an offer on a Banjolele
  4. I discovered the Tahitian 8-Stringed Ukulele

I'm most excited about number 4.  You see, I never knew there was such a thing as a Tahitian Ukuelele.  What's awesome about them is that they are all carved into cool representations of sea creature.  So, some have pairs of dolphins on them and others look like gigantic manta rays!  The bad news about this discovery is that it's only a matter of time before I have to buy one of these.  Regarding the Banjolele offer I made, though, I heard from a guy today that's going to let me review a Banjolele soon.   If I like it, I'll probably buy it as well, so I'll make sure and show it off to you guys.



Ukulele Pichu, the ukulele-wielding pokemon

I'm not exactly sure how I stumbled upon this, but apparently there is going to be (or already is?) a new Pokemon game for the DS.  It's called Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs.  Anyway, your sidekick in this adventure is a little guy named Ukulele Pichu.  Yup, he's awesome.  Check out this picture.

Ukulele Pichu

How long do you think it will be before you can buy a ukulele that looks just like Ukulele Pichu's uke?  Let's hope it's not very long because that thing looks rad.  I don't know much more about the game, but here's the trailer if you are interested.

Video and Tabs: Livin’ Thing – ELO (Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra)

I got an e-mail from a "Joe" about 9:31 this morning. He turned me onto this video of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra doing "Livin' Thing" by ELO. Check it out, it's pretty damn great, plus it's got Bret from Flight of the Conchords in there!

Joe asked if I could post tabs for this song. I typically try not to disappoint, so here ya go. The chords repeat the same pattern on the 2nd and 3rd verses. Sorry I didn't write them out, but I'm technically supposed to be working right now. Shh.... don't tell my boss.

Livin' thing
Electric Light Orchestra
C   - 0003
Am  - 2000
Ab  - 5343
Fm  - 1013
Em  - 4432
Dm  - 2210
F   - 2010
G   - 0232
D7  - 2223
G+  - 0332
Bbm - 3111
   C	                                           Am
   Sailin' away on the crest of a wave, it's like magic
   Ab	                                            Fm
   Rollin' and ridin' and slippin' & slidin', it's magic
    Em	                    Dm
And you, and your sweet desire,
         Em     Dm  Em	       F	   G
You took me, oh-oh, higher and higher, baby   

 	C C C        Am           F 
 	      It's a livin' thing,
        D7      G+       C
It's a terrible thing to lose
       Am         F       
It's a given thing
       D7       G+       C 
What a terrible thing to lose.

 	Bbm             F              G
 	(Taking a dive) (halt the slide)  	 

Making believe this is what you've conceived
From your worst day,
Moving in line then you look back in time
To your first day

Takin' a dive 'cos you can't halt the slide
Floating downstream,
So let her go don't start spoiling the show
It's a bad dream

Video Cover: Bed Intruder – my perky interpretation

Alright, so I'm sure y'all have seen the Bed Intruder auto-tune song like a bajillion times (hell, you can buy it on freaking itunes), but just in case you haven't:

Ahh... damn, that's good stuff. I had to snap myself out of it just now because I was starting it for the 4th time. I think I have a problem. I've also been trying to seek out alternate versions and covers because there's loads of em out there. Here's two of my other favorites.

Bed Intruder Shamisen Cover:

Bed Intruder Mario Paint Cover:

Ok. I think I got enough of a fix to move on with the post now. Sorry, I can't stop myself. Anyway, I wanted to do a ukulele cover of Bed Intruder, but a quick search showed that like 10,000 people already had that idea. So... hmm... what does that leave? Well, how about a perky Edwardian-era interpretation? Imagine this version booming out of your Victrola. Oh hells yah!

If, for some crazy reason, you want to play my version, here's the chords:

Bed Intruder - a perky interpretation by Ukulele Guy
G - 0232
A7 - 0100
D - 2220
D7 - 2223
B7 -2322
B - 4322
Em - 4432

     G               A7
he's climbin in your windows
     D             B7
he's snatchin your people up
      E7-4445    A7
tryna rape em so y'all need to
D                         B
hide your kids, hide your wife
Em                        A7
hide your kids, hide your wife
B                         
hide your kids, hide your wife
       G             A7  D
and it wouldn't be a bad idea
             D
to hide your husband
     Em           A7          B7
cuz they're rapin errbody out here
     Em           A7          D
cuz they're rapin errbody out here
G                 A7       D
you don't have to come and confess
       B7
we're lookin for you
E7-4445         A7
we gon find you
D           B
we gon find you
Em                 A7
so you can run and tell that,
B
run and tell that
Em    A7    D
home, home, homeboy

            E7
we got your t-shirt
              A7               D-2225  C#-6544 B7
you done left fingerprints and all
           E7
you are so dumb
               A7          D-2225  C#-6544 B7
you are really dumb--for real
        G                       A7
the man got away leaving behind evidence
D-2225                     B7
i was attacked by some idiot in the projects
G           A7       D
so dumb, so dumb, so dumb, so
G           A7       D
so dumb, so dumb, so dumb, so

     G               A7
he's climbin in your windows
     D             B7
he's snatchin your people up
      E7-4445    A7
tryna rape em so y'all need to
D                         B
hide your kids, hide your wife
Em                        A7
hide your kids, hide your wife
B                         
hide your kids, hide your wife
       G             A7  D
and it wouldn't be a bad idea
             D
to hide your husband
     Em           A7          D7
cuz they're rapin errbody out here

ACK! Musician’s Friend is having a HUGE used sale!

Apparently the downside to being hungover for three days after your birthday is that you apparently are prone to missing out on important announcements.

Take this one as a fer instance.  Musician's Friend is having a HUGE sale on used items!  I just checked out the sale and I see 13, count em 13, ukuleles!  Quite a few Fender ukes and a Rogue ukulele for $10.50.  Holy smokes!

BUT, the sale ends tonight!  ACK!  I promise to not be so damned hungover next time.  Hopefully I can keep you guys better informed.