The Ukulele Revolution in Taunton

On Monday the 19th November the ukulele revolution hit Taunton with the first TUSC ukulele open mic. The Constitutional club quickly filled up with an enthusiastic audience of ukulele players and locals and we kicked off proceedings with a number of classic club sing along songs. The audience included welcome guests from the latest UK club The Newton Abbot Ukulele Club.

There was also much excitement as four members of Swindon Ukulele band 'Ukebox Jury' were in attendance.

'Ukebox Jury'

At 8:30 Nipper kicked things off with the Craig Robertson classic The Leopard.

Tony entertained with his usual great taste in comic songs

Steve and Ali sang the song 'Barfly' by Ray LaMontagne

Pat led a sing along.

Jim had everyone in stitches with his ukulele stylings.

And he played kazoo.

Garold from Brisbane, Australia travelled a long way and entertained with some classic tunes.

The world famous Ukulele Eddie sang 'White Sandy Beaches' and 'It's Not Unusual'

At this point we took a little beer break and really got stuck into the Christmas special beer Cotleigh 'Raindeer' a tasty dark beer. The stage was soon set for a wonderful set from 'Ukebox Jury' led by Richard Bending playing his John Colter ukulele.

Jim, Pat, Nipper and Tom otherwise known as 'The Fabulous Night Owls' performed a rather drunken rendition of the Cliff Edwards classic 'Night Owl'

One of the many highlights of the evening was Tom and Tony playing their rendition of 'Walk On The Wildside'

Despite alcohol fatigue Nipper and Tony managed to play 'Something' and 'Life on Mars'

Bass supremo Tom proved he has a great voice and ukulele strumming style with a number of modern classics.

Unfortunately there are no photos of the star of the evening Jodie who took the stage by storm and performed a killer version of 'Paint it Black'. She wooed the audience with great strumming and singing, demonstrating she is a top performer. The show continued with a one night only lifting of the TUSC banjo ban, for Ukulele Eddie to sing us a couple of Formby classics.

In what seemed like no time at all, it was time to close the show with the usual massed rendition of 'Sweet Georgia Brown'

Thanks to Jodie for the photos and to Ron for the sound. Also a huge thanks to Garold and 'Ukebox Jury' for joining in with such great enthusiasm.

Here's to the next time!

BSY
Nipper