UK Christmas Number Ones – 2015

The Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir, from PLUC’s local NHS Trust, were responsible for 2015’s charity Xmas number one. Released after they were runners up in the BBC’s The Choir: Sing While You Work  and at a time of crisis for the NHS, A Bridge Over You combines two previous hits: the iconic Bridge Over Troubled Water (probably Simon & Garfunkel’s best-known hit) and Coldplay’s Fix You (used for various good causes, such as a tribute highlighting the aftermath of the 7/7 London Bombings in 2005).

Helmut Bickel gives one of his fingerstyle tutorials for Fix You.

Enjoy Paxukulele & Sunny performing Bridge Over Troubled Water:

More info on Wikipedia.

 

UK Christmas Number Ones – 1970

Dave Edmunds reached number one in 1970 with a cover of I Hear You Knocking, a Dave Bartholomew composition first recorded by Smiley Lewis in 1955.

Here’s the Secret Ukulele Band in full swing:

More info on Wikipedia.

 

UK Christmas Number Ones – 1979

Pink Floyd‘s only UK number one single, Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) came from their 1979 rock opera The Wall, with artwork from Gerald Scarfe (& Bob Geldof in the lead role when it went to cinema).

Dan Edwards interprets it here on his electric ukulele (& bass guitar):

More info on Wikipedia.

If you want any festive strumalongs, Cynthia Lin has her annual Holiday Aloha Livestream on Sat 14 Dec 2019  at 3pm PST (ie 11pm GMT) – recording available afterwards if the timing doesn’t suit you. And Taimane Gardner is holding a livestream party to celebrate reaching 100K YouTube subscribers at noon Sun 15 Dec 2019 HST (ie 10pm GMT) with a mini gig, playalongs and Q&A session – replay here.

 

UkeTubes

It’s Sir Ringo Starr’s 78th birthday today, so here’s Jim Boggia’s version of one of his most popular Beatles numbers With A Little Help From My Friends. Don’t forget to say “Peace & Love!” at midday.

 

Pratts Bottom Village Fete May 2018

This year’s fete saw the rain start just as we started performing! But we remained largely dry under the marquee, playing two sets of twelve songs in each half, each around forty-five minutes.

PLUC at Pratts Bottom Village Fete, Sat 12 May 2018

 

Hollesley 2016 – Farewell

It was that Hollesley time of year again, but sunny Suffolk was a mix of joy and sadness as it was to be the last year at this site. Still it didn’t dampen the spirits, the revelry or uke playing.

Hollesley 2016 – Phil Doleman, Rufus & others playing Enjoy Yourself (filmed by almuzo):

 

PLUC 2015 Top Ten – October

Steve H & Tina

Tina has picked three tunes that she always sings aloud, usually whilst hoovering or in the shower!

As before, we’ve put the versions of the songs we’ll be using in the PLUC Box for members. Have a go at playing them & be ready to perform them as a group on Tues 20 & 27 October, after which we’ll vote upon the one that works the best & to keep playing for the next few months.

 

UkeTubes

As it’s Father’s Day, here’s Ken Middleton & Alex Holmes with their arrangement of Father & Son by Cat Stevens:

 

PLUC 2015 Top Ten – March

Ed – Jan 2013

This month’s tunes have been chosen by Ed. He’s picked three songs that he thinks would work well in the group & says let’s give it a try & see what comes out the other end.

As before, the versions of the songs we’ll be using are in the PLUC Box for members (and have been emailed to our newer attendees). Do practice these at home & be ready to play them as a group on Tue 3 March. We’ll then vote upon the one that works the best so we can rehearse it more fully over the coming months.

 

PLUC 2015 Top Ten – February – The Winner

Voting for our new February song took place at this week’s club night. We were originally going to have an on-line vote afterwards but, once we heard Colin’s McCartney bass line & Chris’s soloing, Something was the clear winner. So we’ll be rehearsing it for the rest of the month to ensure it’s in our repertoire. Very fitting, as George Harrison’s birthday is this month.