Music Tonight: The ukulele has led an interesting existence since first invented in pre-United State Hawaii in the late 1800s. A cornerstone of Hawaiian music, American Jazz musicians and vaudeville acts took to the instrument in the early ’20s, but it eventually became just a cheap toy in most Americans’ eyes. In the ’90s, artists like Hawaiian ukulele magician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole and old-timey ’20s Jazz revivalists Squirrel Nut Zippers showed a mostly younger fanbase that the uke was a legit instrument and a cult underground of die-hard ukulele enthusiasts has been building since. Rocker Eddie Vedder released an album of uke tunes, Paul McCartney plays one during his stadium concerts and a new breed of artists has reclaimed the instrument, including Cincinnati Folk act Shiny and the Spoon (which releases its new album this Saturday, coincidentally) and eclectic Urbana, Ill., ensemble The Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra, which comes to MOTR Pub for a free show tonight.
—-
The band numbers up to seven members who play everything from tuba and sax to violin and, of course, ukulele, masterfully wielded by founder/singer David “The Duke” King. Self-described as “lyrical ukulele jazz-funk-motown popssical,” the group often performs in flamboyant period costumes and has been widely praised for its playful, uplifting and ceaselessly energetic live shows. If you’re in a bummer mood, the ukulele can serve as an aural anti-depressant, especially in the context of TDOUAHNO’s shape-shifting, pimped-out Americana Funk.
Read more in Brian Baker’s preview from this week’s CityBeat ” target=”_blank”>here.
• Local singer/songwriter/guitarist Brain Keith Wallen made his Cincy Blues Fest debut last weekend, but tonight you can catch the young Blues/Roots artist in a more intimate setting when he plays a free, 8 p.m. show at Arnold’s. Wallen probably wasn’t nervous at all walking out on that big stage at Sawyer Point last weekend — though just 19, he’s already done many shows throughout the Midwest and claims to have released 16 CDs so far, making him an old hat by any standard. He’s also an old soul, if that gut-propelled voice is any indication. Here’s a music video for Wallen’s “Every Mile,” from his recent album of the same name.
(Leave your suggestions/promote yourself or your favorites by telling everyone about your favorite music event recommendations for the day in the comments below.)
Momentous Happenings in Music History for Aug. 10
On this day in 2002, Widespread Panic guitarist and songwriter Michael Houser died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The Southern Rock jam band kings soldiered on with friend George McConnell filling in on guitar for four years before Jimmy Herring, founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit and Jazz is Dead and onetime member of The Dead and Phil Lesh and Friends, took over the role, where he remains to this day.
Widespread Panic’s success has risen to even grander heights since Houser’s untimely passing (he was 40). The group’s frequent tours are always a long string of multi-night stands and sell-out shows, putting them and Phish in the Dead’s former role as kingpin pied-pipers of the U.S. tour circuit. This fall, the band’s latest tour brings them to Cincinnati for a late-in-the-season outdoor show in Cincinnati at Riverbend’s PNC Pavilion Oct. 16. Below is a clip from the group’s 2000 Austin City Limits performance (Houser is the seated guitarist).
Born This Day: Music movers-and-shakers with Aug. 10 birthdays include Country star/actor/host/sausage maker Jimmy Dean (1928); legendary Rock flutist and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson (1947); New Edition/Bel Biv Devoe member Michael “Biv” Bivins (1968); and Ronettes singer and Phil Spector survivor Ronnie Spector (1943).
Ronnie’s life would make a great movie, and not just the parts with Phil acting nuts. The legendary “Wall of Sound” producer and The Ronettes had major success in the ’60s and their recordings have become classics. One of Rock & Roll’s quintessential vocal groups got their due as such in 2007 when The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Ronettes’ impact and influence on Pop music can’t be overstated — besides working with one of the greatest music producers ever, Cher began her career as a backup singer on “Be My Baby,” the trio toured with The Beatles and their music inspired Brain Wilson to write “Don’t Worry Baby.” After The Ronettes split, Ronnie embarked on a solo career that showed how important she was to a multitude of Rock & Roll artists who likewise changed music in their own way. Her “comebacks” always seemed to involve a Top 10 all-time music legend. Beginning with The Beatles (she released a single on the group’s Apple Records, “Try Some, Buy Some,” which George Harrison penned), Ronnie went on to record tracks with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and made an album with Punk pioneer Joey Ramone in the ’90s. Oh, and she gave Eddie Money a bonus hit by guesting on “Take Me Home Tonight”
The influence is current, too — Ronnie’s 2009 album, Last of the Rock Stars, featured members of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Raconteurs and Raveonettes and she just recently released a cover of late disciple Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” (which she’d been performing live) as a benefit for an addiction treatment center. Have a listen below (it’s audio only).
This article appears in Aug 10-16, 2011.
