(Photos below)
The Flea was searching for uke acts in Boston recently. As it happens, the fifth Ukulele Noir was held at the Sky Bar in Somerville, MA on Saturday night, July 30th.
Host Craig Robertson and his young daughter, Zoe, doing a very cute rendition of Tonight You
Belong to Me, kicked off the night.
Next, Davis Sweet (ukulele) and Marshall Racowsky(guitar) did the
first set. They thrilled everyone with a beautiful tango. Davis also exhibited some music he learned from old Guy Lombardo
records.
Greg Hawkes and Tim Mann did a set that was highlighted by several Cars songs. The audience
sat dead quiet and mesmerized during the jukebox favorite, “Drive,” that translated beautifully to the ukulele.
“Moving in Stereo” was equally nostalgic and thrilling.
Rick Russo was next. He began with his signature song, Beyond the Reef. Rick’s beautiful
tenor voice again brought down the house. He was also joined by Sob Sister, Renee, a nice addition to the mix.
Then Craig Robertson and the Sob Sisters took the stage. Craig, sporting his trademark fedora,
and his three lovely flappers really looked the part without overdoing it. I’ve been searching for a bar with flapper
girls for 45 years and finally things have come my way. Craig, of course, is on uke and the Sob Sisters play cellos, ukulele,saw,
and various. Craig’s “The Hypnotist” came off especially well.
The crowd was treated to a special surprise guest. Robert Founder stepped up to the stage. I
have seen Founder at many Uke Expos and other events but have never seen him perform in public. He treated us to a
sweet version of "Ukulele Lady," which included a little “crying” and “sighing” on Founder’s
part. Technical difficulties struck when his G string (of the uke) popped off. He had it back on and tuned in no time and
finished in his own melodic style. He was very well received by the audience with some of the loudest applause of the night.
After The Founder, the special guests of the night, Les Chaud Lapins sang some very pretty traditional
songs.......all in French. It appears there is a whole new (old) world of songs to draw upon out there that work well on the
uke if you are willing to learn French. The “Lapins” play banjo ukes and ...since I don’t know her name
“lady Lapin” also plays guitar. Not surprisingly, no one else at the show covered any of the “Lapins’”
songs.....although Rick Russo did do a song in Spanish (La Pistola).
And, in the final position, was Marko “Jazz Ukes” Occhionero. Marko always seems
to get good crowd sing-alongs going. He had the crowd singing “Hey Jude” so loud they almost drowned him out.
Marko also made the unusual decision to cover Craig Robertson’s song....The Hypnotist, which Craig had done previously
the same night. The Flea cringed when he saw it on Marko’s set list before the show but he
was dead wrong. The crowd loved the humor of doing someone else’s song right in front of him, shortly after he had just
performed it. It turned out to be the funniest moment of the night. Mark did several Beatle songs and although Beatle Buffs
may sharply disagree, they sound much prettier on the ukulele. The beauty of the melody is really brought out. The Flea
would have enjoyed Beatles music if they only would have cut those two extra strings off their big electric ukes.
After Marko, Craig led a uke noir tradition.....the end of night jam. Craig, the Sob Sisters,
Greg (this time on keyboard) and Tim, Marko, and the lady who won the door prize Koaloha did Mr. Sandman to send us on our
way home to bed. Can't wait until Ukulele Noir Sixq.
-The Flea
