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Songs For Isolation

Week 1. 'Don't Let Us Get Sick' by Warren Zevon

Don't Let Us Get Sick

Warren Zevon (1947 - 2003) wrote  'Don't let Us Get Sick'  and the song was released in the album

'Life'll Kill Ya' in 2000.

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I'm joined here by my friend Mike Baker on Keyboard.

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 Watch a video of a performance by Warren Zevon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_gC2vmm79U

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A wonderful ukulele version by Al Wood from Uke Hunt complete with TAB can be found here:

http://ukulelehunt.com/2020/03/19/warren-zevon-dont-let-us-get-sick-tab/

Week 2.'Pennies From Heaven' 

Originally recorded by Bing Crosby

Pennies From Heaven

A song of hope recorded in 1936 in-between the two world-wide disasters, the Great Depression & WWII, ‘Pennies from Heaven’ is an American popular song that was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 film of the same name. It was recorded in the same year by Billie Holiday

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Watch a great version by Count Basie featuring Frank Sinatra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_11BAZlrNUs

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A wonderful ukulele version by Mathew Wall with downloadable TAB can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24G1Sxsl1I4

Week 3.'A World Without Love' 

written: Lennon/McCartney. Performed Peter & Gordon

A World Without Love

With isolation many people unfortunately can possibly suffer loneliness and depression. Its a time to reach out and help keep in touch. This song was written 1963 by Paul McCartney and recorded by duo Peter and Gordon

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Here I'm joined by Mike Baker providing keyboard accompaniment.

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Watch Peter and Gordon's version here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdx6lLvvRyg

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A wonderful ukulele version can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_An-A9nftM

Week 4.'Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive' 

written: Arlen/Mercer. Performed by Bing Crosby

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

A song of positivity to keep our spirits up.

Written in 1944 by Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer and was nominated for an academy award after appearing in a film and being sung by Bing Crosby in 1945.

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Here I perform together with Mike Baker providing Covid safe distanced Keyboards.,

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Watch Bing's version with the Andrew sisters here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qk9o_ZeR7s

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Not a ukulele version but has a nice banjo mandolin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69q3dVQYqLw

Week 5.'We'll Meet Again' 

written: Words and music by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles.

Performed by Vera Lynn

WE'LL MEET AGAIN

Written in 1939 by Ross Parker & Hughie Charles and made popular by Vera Lynn , the song became one of the most popular songs of the WWII era.

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Listen to Vera Lynn's version here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsM_VmN6ytk

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A ukulele version by 'The Ukulele Nerd':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAeR3c9k508

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There are lots of good ukulele instrumental versions on the web. Here is one from Ukulele Hunt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJlT3KctzyA

Week 6.'The Old Dog's Song' 

written: Words and music by Eric Bogle (2020)

THE OLD DOG'S SONG

Written in early 2020 as Australia experienced the first effects of Coronavirus, this song written by Eric Bogle reminds us that the best cures for loneliness, depression, heartache and despair is to 'sing, sing sing'. 

In fact it's not a bad idea anytime to lift the spirits.

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Here is Eric performing the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC-9wRzDWQk

 

Please look up Eric and explore the many other brilliant songs written and performed by this wonderful musician.

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https://www.oldies.com/artist-songs/Eric-Bogle.html

Week 7.'Secret O' Life' 

written: Words and music by James Taylor (1977)

SECRET O' LIFE

We know that the answer to the ultimate question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, calculated by a supercomputer Deep Thought is 42. Monty Python also gave an in-depth analysis of 'The Meaning Of Life' back in 1983, but here James Taylor reveals the 'Secret O' Life' in this wonderful song

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Listen to James Taylor's version here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-7djjT5j2I

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Another ukulele version to listen to here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0faGY7_7q7w

Week 10.'Unstate Of The Art' 

written: by Mic Conway

UNSTATE OF THE ART

After 10 weeks in isolation some of us are starting to go loopy so I've gone a bit crazy with this song that celebrates getting old and out of date, no longer on top of all the new mod cons, fashions and technology. Definitely nothing about me here is state of the art   

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Mic Conway released this song with his band 'The National Junk Band' on his album 'Kitchen Sink Music' 

Check out his website

https://nationaljunkband.com

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Check out the insanity and great musicianship of Mic Conway and the National Junk Band. Listen out for ukulele playing in the band ("ukuleles- the missing link between noise and music")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqyL8P100uE

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Week 11.'Todd River Dreaming' 

written: by Ron Mclaughlin (2008)

TODD RIVER DREAMING

This week is National Reconciliation Week.

With a week highlighting race tensions in the U.S., mining companies destroying ancient sacred sites and Australia's reconciliation theme "In This Together", I have recorded a song I first wrote after travelling through the Northern Territory where I witnessed disadvantages amongst people in Alice Springs.

Hopefully change will come.

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National Reconciliation Week website:

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/

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Week 12.'Greensleeves' 

Traditional English Folk Tune

GREENSLEEVES

With over two months before the Goulburn Club reopens and GRUB can meet in person again, I will be looking at melodies that we can learn to pick.

This is a relatively easy tune that everyone should know - The Mr Whippy tune! Or 'Greensleeves' or 'What Child Is This' a folk tune from the 16th century.

I have played the chords and melody separately and then a version with chords and melody combined.

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Here is a nice arrangement by Michael Lynch played on ukulele in the same key - Am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byN82RQawXU

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Week 13.'Frankie & Johnny' 

Traditional American Folk Tune

FRANKIE & JOHNNY

The second melody picking tune. A repetitive phrase throughout the many verses

A popular American song inspired by one or more murders (also seemingly popular in the USA) Frankie Baker in 1889 shot her 17 yr old lover Albert Britt. The song Frankie killed Allen evolved into Frankie & Johnny in 1904 and credited to Hughie Cannon.

There are many versions and many recordings of the song including by Elvis Presly for his movie of the same name.

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Here is a nice ukulele jazz trio arrankement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7laKy4maZc

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Week 14.'Killing The Blues' 

Written by Roly Salley

Killing The Blues

The third melody picking tune. 

A popular song covered by many performers including Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, John Prine, Shawn Colvin, Chris Smither and others.

If you're feeling blue its always good to swing 'the world by the tail, bouncing over the white clouds'

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Here is a nice ukulele arrangement from Ukulele Underground with lovely harmonies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JulLRcbabg0

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Week 8.'Fishin' With You' 

written: by Carsie Blanton (& John Prine) - Tribute to John Prine (2020)

FISHIN' WITH YOU

John Prine made a huge impact on many people for the songs he wrote with insightful lyrics and easy singalong melodies for over 50 years.

Unfortunately he became an early victim of COVID-19 in the US in early April but has left us a legacy of many wonderful songs.

This song is a tribute written by Carsie Blanton on the day she heard of his death. 

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Listen to Carsie Blanton's version here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2-2pZFtBxoI

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Week 9.'I Shall Be Released' 

written: by Bob Dylan (1967)

I SHALL BE RELEASED

With restrictions being gradually lifted across Australia and this week being the 79th birthday of Bod Dylan, I thought an appropriate song would be his 1967 song 'I Shall Be Released', first recorded by the Band on their 1968 album 'Music From Big Pink'

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Listen to The Band's classic performance with Dylan and a few friends from The Last Waltz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjtPBjEz-BA

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Here's a rendition from the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cquBQJNCNQM

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Week 15.'The Tennessee Waltz' 

Written by Redd Stewart & Pee Wee King

Tennessee Waltz

The fourth melody picking tune. 

Written in 1946 this song became a top seller for Patti Page in 1950.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCvfy6Huyc

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Here are two beautiful ukulele renditions :

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Nice Harmonies from Bob Doyle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5G_IyqJmsQ

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A beautiful Patti Page copy on Uke here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ttswS9qtZ0

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Week 16.'Grub Springs' 

Traditional American Fiddle tune

GRUB SPRINGS

The fifth melody picking tune. 

A traditional American old time fiddle tune but also often played on mandolin, guitar and even ukulele.

The tune is normally played in key of Amaj , however I have transposed it to G for simplicity on the ukulele.

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Here are two of many renditions :

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A great fiddle version 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S911Fg31dP8&feature=emb_logo

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A ukulele version in key of A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=XSxb4dghNIM&feature=emb_logo

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Week 17.'The Territory' 

Written by Ron Mclaughlin 2008

The TERRITORY

Isolation song # 17. 

With the Northern Territory intending to open its borders to other states from July 17, my song from 2008 reminds me of my travels to N.T. in the past. One of my favourite places in the world.

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Link to N.T. tourism :

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https://northernterritory.com

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Week 18.'Ain't Misbehavin'(/Tiptoe' )

Written by Thomas "Fats" Waller 1929 

Ain't Misbehavin'

The sixth melody picking song ( one of many now available in the 2020 GRUB Melody picking tunes for Ukulele) with a brief nod to another popular song also from 1929 written by Al Dubin and Joe Bourke and revived in 1968 eventually setting  back the acceptance of ukulele playing for many decades.

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Here is the great Fats Waller from the 1943 movie ' Stormy Weather:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSNPpssruFY

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Week 19.'Blue Moon' 

Written by Rogers & Hart 1934 

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Blue Moon

The seventh melody picking song ( one of many now available in the 2020 GRUB Melody picking tunes for Ukulele) written by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart and it has been a standard for many performers ever since, including versions by Elvis Presley, Billie Holliday, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Rod Stewart amongst others.

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I love Bob's version from 1969

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNZNxcW80es

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There are many ukulele versions and tutorials online, here is just one I particularly like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7iRgTKGGL0

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Week 20.'It's Only A Paper Moon' 

Harold Arlen 1933 

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Paper Moon

The Eighth melody picking song ( one of many now available in the 2020 GRUB Melody picking tunes for Ukulele) written by Harold Arlen and another popular song from the 1930's

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Here is Liz Frencham with Mic Conway doing their version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MLp5KCekxY

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Love Mic's performance on the newspaper and Liz's scatting

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Week 21.'He'll Have To Go' 

Jim Reeves1959 

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He'll Have To Go

The ninth melody picking song ( one of many now available in the 2020 GRUB Melody picking tunes for Ukulele) written by Joe & Audrey Allison and recorded by Jim Reeves.

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Here is Jim Reeves version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpi8Bek6jdM

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A ukulele tutorial for the chords

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOcA8ulxio8

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Nobody Knows You

The tenth song from the  melody picking song book ( one of many now available in the 2020 GRUB Melody picking tunes for Ukulele) written by Jimmy Cox, becoming a blues standard  and made popular by the singing of Bessie Smith.

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Here is Bessie Smith's version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zea-1Fzi9JQ

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Here's a cool ukulele version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR5KMiQQxVg

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A tutorial here for those keen to learn it with guidance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVDZeNEfD1M

Week 23.'Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea' 

Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler (1931)

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BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA

Yet another song from the  melody picking song book (one of many now available in the 2020 GRUB Melody picking tunes for Ukulele) written by Harold Arlen & Ted Koehlerrecorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway and many others.

George Harrison recorded a ukulele version on his final album released in 2002

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Watch George & his band here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMJEtLjnO7E

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Here is a play-along video of George Harrison's version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgCF5XmzQ3M

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Here's Cab Calloway's version from 1931

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QI0EDNwGwY

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Week 24.'Here Comes The Sun' 

George Harrison -The Beatles (1969)

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HERE COMES THE SUN

Another song from the  melody picking song book (one of many now available in the 2020 GRUB Melody picking tunes for Ukulele) September 4 1962, the Beatles first recorded at Abbey road Studios. An album of the same name 'Abbey Road' was released September 1969.

So many great songs. This is a ukulele cover of one song from that album.

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Watch George play the song here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGKPHFrHVVY

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Here is a pleasant ukulele version with a very watchable video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcfXtcCr3uI

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