Garden Party

Yet another familiar song from San Jose Ukulele Club’s suggested setlist. The club’s chart leaves out the instrumentals. Singing and playing along with the recording, I missed playing them back; they provided a meaningful chorus and verse separation and let me catch my breath. I pointed this out, and the instrumentals will be included in a later revision. I took it on zoom tour to:

South Bay Acoustic Music Meetup
The event had the usual 16 or so participants. I would expect more. Jay was the other ukulele player, otherwise all guitarists. “Mr. Bojangles” was covered by David. Peter covered the Stone’s “Wild Horses.” Ray sang a moving self-penned song about his mother’s Alzheimer’s condition. Pablito covered “Vincent ( Starry Starry Night ).” I recently watched the animated “Loving Vincent” drawn Van Gough style. Mike performed his own composition, “Dance With Thunder.” Jay covered “Stardust” and the Hawaiian “Morning Dew” (I missed the 1st part of the title). Craig performed an outstanding cover of “Early Morning Rain.” So good my wife joined in the applause. She does not do that for me.

Gilroy Ukulele Jam
They just love John Denver. Curt covered “Grandma’s Feather Bed” and “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream.” Linda covered “Sweet Surrender.” “For Baby (for Bobby)” and “I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” were covered by Karen. “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and “Farewell Andromeda” were covered by Gail. Curt covered “Marvelous Toy.” Florence covered “Country Roads.” Rudy covered “Calypso,” George covered “Today.” Round robin song was “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.”

Ukulele Rebellion / Bronco Billy
Many of the songs were inspired by a recent event. Mary covered “Happy Together” and “Get Together”. Mike and partner covered Skip James’ “I’m So Glad,” I think they used Cream’s arrangement, including a flute instrumental. Mary led the Beatles “Drive My Car.” “Violets of Dawn” was covered by Kathryn. Carla covered “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Kathy covered “Imagine.”

San Jose Ukulele Club
SJUC is the perennial songs per hour champ. All good performances; I’ll list the highlights. Brian covered a rollicking “Roll Over Beethoven” playing over a bass track by Gillian. Geoff and Veronica covered The Beatles “Honey Pie.” Dennis covered “A World of Our Own” with Bob on harmonica. Chris covered “Everyday.” Roy covered “Daydream Believer.” Gillian covered “Button Up Your Overcoat.” “Red River Valley” was covered as a duet by Brian with his niece Amy on a vocal track. The original Canadian verses were included. “Dark Hollow” was covered by Geoff and Veronica, complete with fingerpicked parts. Mike G. performed an outstanding cover of “Tickle My Heart.”