wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Am hoping that NPR will air the interview/live session that Janaya Williams did a few months ago at the New York Ukulele School...wha happend?

I've seen "The Mighty Uke" a couple of times, and it's well worth seeing. Much better than the documentary of a half-decade ago called "Rock That Uke," which painted the ukulele community as some kind of freak scene.

Jerry from Queens (enough said) needs to get with it. Tiny Tim was a world authority on early 20th century American popular music and gained a world-wide, enduring reputation as an iconic figure associated with his instrument. Not a bad legacy to leave behind. And, his weirdo persona was a total come-on. What does one's children's aspirations have to do with it? Evoking Tiny Tim as a "bad influence" is like saying children shouldn't be exposed to the works of Michaelangelo, because the master was gay.

I met Tiny in 1979, when he was long out of the public attention. He was a very gracious person.

Best regards to Tony and Margaret, and to you, too, Greg...

Moose Karloff

correction: sorry miss vicky,miss peggy was god knows who.

i distinctly remember johnny carson referring to tiny tim,as the most guileless person he'd ever met. in retrospect,his weird and sweet innocense,did seem sincere to me...........miss peggy,oh miss peggy..........

My British brother-in-law recently introduced me to the delights of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (see their website). I see that they will be performing in Zankel Hall in November. At the Royal Albert Hall, many audience members brought their ukes and joined in a rendering of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." It has been immortalized on a DVD.

Agreed, Greg G in A2.
Also check out Bill Tapia.

This show has convinced me that the ukelele is an instrument better forgotten about after all...ugh...

John,

Love your show.

As a kid growing up in the UK I was gluded to radio listening to Geroge Formby, another great ukulele player. His songs along with his ukulele were pure joy.

Love the ukukele and today's show (I also agree that Tiny Tim should not be the poster boy for the instrument). But I would correct your guest, Tony, who said that virtuoso musicians never sit with beginners and make music. Is he kidding? You should clue him in that the greats of American music...whether jazz or classical or bluegrass and country ......are usually so committed to sitting with students and beginners of all ages to share the passion of their music/art. I know this personally on the jazz scene ....people like Christian McBride or Pat Metheny and others never turn down a chance to reach students and real beginners when they can. Set him straight! No back to the ukes.
M.

If we accept that the cavaquinho is the same instrument as the ukelele (and we should), then Bau of Cape Verde should be regarded as one of the instrument's great artists.

Tony you should come down to Florida and present to the Hukilau this year - that would be a perfect topic. We usually have King Kukelele as MC for this annual polynesian pop weekend celebration; it's a blast. Contact Tiki Kiliki... http://www.thehukilau.com/2011/

Jerry, I'm glad you appreciate your dad's uke, but I think you missed the point of the original post. It wasn't so much defending Tiny Tim as suggesting that TT shouldn't be the reference point for the ukulele, some forty years after his heyday.

Love "Mighty Uke". Great informative, funny, and quirky film. Saw it at the NY Uke Fest earlier this year. Thanks for giving it more exposure. Yay for the uke!

Where is this movie being screened in NYC?

Hi John
First, Greg needs to get a life,Tiny Tim albeit a good ukulele musician was a weirdo, im sure not too many parents would want their children to aspire to be like Tiny Tim.. ( just stating the obvious)
Also Pop played the ukulele untill shortly before he died and made it fun to listen to.I actually have his ukulele hanging on the wall in my bedroom. Long live Pop and Tiny Tim.
Jerry Schaefer

John,
Exactly who is "ridiculing and associating the ukulele with Tiny Tim?" Maybe the (ahem) demographic that listens to radio. Tiny was a unique performer to be certain, but his heyday was the late '60s and he died 14 years ago, so your reference is about 40 years too late.

Today's ukulele player is more likely to associate the ukulele with Jake Shimabukuro or Julia Nunes. Or if you want to use a pop culture reference, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, etc. I like to hear about fellow ukulele players, but please, let's try to come up with a more original lede. The Times already used that one in 2004, and even they were a couple of years behind on the "revival" angle. As for the "eight ukulelists plucking their way through the Nirvana songbook" (another lazy description) the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is coming to Carnegie Hall in November. Go see them.
Greg Gattuso

when you can take something that is perceived as uncool or limited in sonic register,and make it interesting,fresh and new,there is never anything uncool about that.