A uke dare, steel next? – new tune Gerald Ross

Gerald Ross · From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

A few weeks ago I attended a local performance of the musical ‘Oklahoma’. It was staged beautifully, wonderfully acted and the fifteen piece orchestra swung. A friend of mine had a lead role in the production. After the show I went backstage and commented to him that many of the tunes from the show would work great on the uke. He said”yeah, right” and laughed it off.

The gauntlet was thrown.

Last night I recorded this medley of ‘Oh What a Beautiful Morning’ and ‘The Surrey with the Fringe on Top’. Hope you like it.

Click on the ukulele music page. Oklahoma Medley

I played the cut for my son David and my wife Margaret. David said “you’re getting into weird sh*t Dad”. Margaret said “David’s right, you’re getting weird. Maybe you should sit in with a blues band for a few nights”.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 11 July 2006 at 06:27 AM.]

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Weird? No way! That's very pretty and ...ahem ...musical. As a tune, I always thought "surrey" swings.

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 11 July 2006 at 11:06 AM.]

Billy Wilson · From: El Cerrito, California, USA

It doesn't mean you're a bad person, Gerald

Stephan Miller · From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

Well, obviously you won the bet fair and square, the uke carrying the harmonic weight with some cool chord choices. I liked it, which is saying something since both tunes have been done into the ground IMO. You get a great sound on that uke.

Nothing "weird" about it-- send those two off for counseling somewhere while you stay home and work up more show tune medleys.

[This message was edited by Stephan Miller on 11 July 2006 at 12:49 PM.]

Chuck S. Lettes · From: Denver, Colorado

Good job, Gerald. I love how you keep the melody up front.
Chuck

Gerald Ross · From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Thanks all.

Yeah, the melodies are cool but what I think really makes these two tunes work are the chord progressions. Very cool, moving, interesting lines within a relatively simple set of changes. 'Beautiful Morning' really milks the diminished chords. 'Surrey' has a field day with the II, V, I's in the bridge.

The chords really enhance the melody and they work beautifully together. The composers of the 30's and 40's understood how to make chords, melodies and lyrics all work together musically and rhythmically.

Now don't get me started on the downfall of popular music with the "Folk Scare of the 1960's" or the current crop of singer songwriters.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 11 July 2006 at 12:00 PM.]

Scott Thomas · Posted 11 Jul 2006 4:01 pm

It always seems to bring a smile to people's faces when someone uses the ukulele to play songs not normally associated with it. As though it's only good for "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" or gently strumming along to dreamy Hawaiian tunes.

Listening to Lyle Ritz or Gerald Ross should change anyone's mind that doesn't believe that the ukulele is capable of serious music and complex arrangements!

Now and then, you see players exploiting people's preconceived ideas about the instrument as cute, and light-hearted by playing ukulele versions of Black Sabbath and the like to get a laugh. How about "Uke Shook Me All Night Long", an album of AC/DC hits played on the ukulele? (O.K. , I made that one up myself. Gerald, you are welcome to use it, royalty free.)

Oh yeah, buy "Ukulele Stomp" everyone! And it has some steel on it too. --- Just to make this post applicable to the No Peddler's Forum.

Gerald Ross · From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

I remixed the tune last night and re-posted.

I cut the reverb considerably on both instruments and boosted the low end EQ on the guitar as well as it's volume.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 12 July 2006 at 05:30 AM.]

Mitch Druckman · From: Arizona, USA

Gerald, that is some sweet music. I love the sound of your new uke. Thanks for posting it.

Gerald Ross · From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Thanks Mitch & all.

I'm off to the Winchester convention. Talk to you all on Sunday night!

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

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