Neil Innes – How Sweet To Be An Idiot

Sad news today that musician, comedian and writer Neil Innes has died. A local Goldsmiths College alumni, he’s known for being a member of the avant-pop Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band; dubbed the ‘Seventh Python‘; part of Rutland Weekend Television, most notably in the Pre-fab Four spin-off The Rutles; and in other comedy bands, as well as being a successful solo performer.

I’ve seen him live a handful of times – at the BBC; playing in various London pubs (once with Mitch Benn and another with The Idiot Bastard Band, which included Ade Edmondson, Phill Jupitus, Simon Brint and Rowland Rivron) and also solo in a tiny village hall down windy country lanes out near Southwold.

A lover of the ukulele, there’s a nice interview with him speaking to John Tribe from Ukulele Tutorial. Chords for almost two hundred of his songs are on his website.

Here’s Linda Louden‘s cover of My Little Ukulele:

 

 

PLUC Member’s Choice 2013 – Richard

Richard T explains:

There are lots of songs I have enjoyed but I think Dr Jazz is the one that shows off Chris’s instrumental skills and the vocal impact of Rufus.

It’s certainly one of my favourites & always makes me smile to hear it! Here’s an excerpt of us performing it at a recent gig:

 

Talk Like A Pirate Day – September 19th

International Talk Like A Pirate Day – Sep 19th

Ahoy me hearties! Blisterin’ barnacles, it be International Talk Like A Pirate Day again!  Here be Captain Flint’s favourite shanty from Three Bonzos & A Piano – Mr Slater’s Parrot. Pieces of eight.

 

Pratts Bottom Village Fete May 2013 – Part 3

Here is the second extract from our performance at the fete. This time you’ll find us on ukes, banjos & bass, with Rufus in fine voice, playing another of our favourites – Joe ‘King’ Oliver’s 1926 composition, Doctor Jazz:

 

Gigs With Ukes 1

Gonzo ‘Dog-Do’ Bar Band – bonzo2012 (Photo credit: catmachine)

Sunday 15th July at the 100 Club saw a double bill of Martin White and the Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra plus, headlining, the Gonzo ‘Dog-Do’ Bar Band (the world’s first – and only – Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band tribute act).

The Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra is a 24-piece pop baroque orchestra, who play humorous and over-the-top arrangements of original compositions led by Martin, who swaps between merely conducting, wielding his accordion or playing the uke.

Martin is also known for running the regular Karaoke Circus nights, where comedians do battle against members of the public in a singing competition.