~*Day 21 of 365*~

All I Want For Christmas Is You

All I Want For Christmas Is You. CLICK HERE FOR SONG LINK!!

Happy Christmas! Happy Krampus!

I almost changed around the words to "All I want for Krampus is you".

The Krampus is slightly different than St. Nick. But, important, nonetheless! 

I figured out about The Krampus a few years ago, it is more of an Eastern European tradition/ figure.

I always try and bring about awareness of this fun figure every year. This is actually a Krampus/ Christmas postcard, pictured above. Hopefully it makes you smile as much as it makes me smile!

I am so full of Cold/ flu medicine right now, but I really wanted to record a XMas blog entry.

Hopefully it's passable! 

I wish everyone a day full of love and laughter.  

Of reflections on the previous year and plans/ hopes for the coming year.

Merry Krampus to all, and to all...

A good night. :)

 ~*Day 20 of 365*~

Walkin' My Baby Back Home

Walkin' My Baby Back Home (CLICK HERE FOR SONG LINK!)

This is my take on an old standard... surprise!!...

One of my favorite versions of this tune is performed by Nat King Cole.

Nat King Cole on the Ed Sullivan Show

He had such a smooth voice, and great diction and control. :)

I utilized some tapshoe "tap tap tapping" for the instrumental break in this one, instead of the usual scatting, singing or whistling. I think it gets the point across. 

I also, utilized some "night sound" recordings taken one evening 

in Michigan a while ago...

This is a fun little tune with the ukulele really holding down the rhythm

 (Thanks for the advice, Rob Bourassa)! 

Hope you enjoy it! :)

~*Day 19 of 365*~
"Little Boxes"

"Little Boxes" CLICK HERE FOR SONG LINK!! :)

Okay, so it's been a little minute since I've posted anything on this here blog...  4 Months worth of little minutes, to be exact.  I fully plan on having 365 days worth of blog entries.  It might take me 4 years, but IT SHALL BE DONE!! :)
So, I was listening to the trusty internet radio last night and was delighted to hear Pete Seeger's "Little Boxes" begin to play.  Sometimes we can forget the efficiency of simplicity and a solid observation.
This song has 2 chords, and a pretty awesome statement. I find the repetitive nature of life can get us down sometimes.  We are not all the same. And that's okay. Seriously.  Maybe that was what was wanted in the 50s, but we are so past that. I am grateful to be living in this time period, no matter what political, economical issues are happening.  Be different. Get out of the box.  Don't let predetermined notions of what you "SHOULD do," completely shape you... Be a Cone on the Hillside, or a sphere...
Whatever it is, love it.
Hearts to you all and Happy Green Friday.
Shop local. It's less stressful.
And you feel better about yourself afterwards.
:)

~*Day 18 of 365*~

"Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue"

"Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue" (CLICK HERE FOR SONG LINK!)

This is the front cover of a Life magazine featuring "flappers"... Great imagery! 

...I was taught this song last week by a wonderful gentleman downtown. 

His mother played the ukulele and taught him this song when he was young. 

It was the 2nd song he ever learned...and I am honored that he shared it with me. :) 

He even taught me some different lyrics than the original.

Instead of:

 "Turned up nose, turned down hose, never had no other beaus.."

I sing:

"Turned up nose, turned down hose, FLAPPER, YES SIR, ONE OF THOSE"

Those are the lyrics his momma taught him way back when.

Makes it different.

 Makes the whole experience more personal. What a neat tune!

~*Day 17 out of 365*~

"Hi-Lilli, Hi-Lilli, Hi-Lillo"

Hi-Lilli, Hi-Lilli, Hi-Lillo (Song link here!!)

"A Song Of Love Is A Sad Song..."
...Featured in the 1953 film "Lili" starring Leslie Caron.
Beautiful Sad Sweet song.
Melodica, Ukulele & vocals-Kira Frabotta

~*Day 16 of 365!*~

"What A Wonderful World"

What A Wonderful World (Song link here!!)

I took this photo about a week before I left for Nashville, to begin a new chapter

in my journey book of life. :)  It is overlooking this lovely pond right at sunset 

in Dearborn, MI.

My friends just got married yesterday, and they asked me to record this song 

for them, for their wedding. I was, of course, honored to record this on ukulele.

Everything in this song speaks to me... This is truly a wonderful world.

I experience it everyday... from the 3am chirping of birds outside my window(despite the interruption of my slumber!) to the way the sky looks when it can't decide whether it's going to storm 

or let the sun shine out... How sitting and talking to someone for just a moment could make their week... It's especially present when a great tragedy occurs. There is tremendous support from the community, even those not directly affected by it...amazing.

We are all connected.

We are all living. 

We are all full of wonder. :)

~*Day 15 of 365!*~

"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?"

"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" CLICK HERE FOR SONG LINK!!

I'm currently reading Carole King's Memoir: "Carole King-A Natural Woman". She has been such an

inspiration to me growing up.  Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and my Mom were like superheroes. They still are to me, even as an adult. Being such strong, independent, women of the earth, what else could I ask for in a role model, eh?  I found this picture on-line and thought it fitting for the time-period of the writing of this song. late 1950s.  What a perfect anthem.

  I added a few of my own little parts to this song. I hope you like them!

Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and originally recorded by The Shirelles. It has been recorded by many artists and was ranked among Rolling Stone 's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at #126. The song is notable for being the first song by an all-girl group to reach #1 in the United States. The song is in AABA form.

**Using the name Bertell Dache, Tony Orlando recorded an answer song: "Not just Tomorrow, But Always"**

~*Day 14 of 365!*~

'Dancing With Myself' 

~Billy Idol~

"Dancing With Myself" (SONG LINK HERE!!!)

Thank you Billy Idol, for this song...

THE dance anthem for me growing up. I always danced, as if no one was watching... I probably looked like an idiot most of the time, limbs flailing around, Butt length brown hair flying in peoples faces (if there were even people on the dance floor).

Growing up in a radio studio, (my mom was a DJ/ Station Manager at local radio station for a good portion of my childhood) exposed me to so much music... especially that of the alternative/punk rock genre.

I remember going to Daddy Daughter dances with my dad and making up the craaaaziest footwork/ dance moves when I was 7 or 8. This song reminds me of all of those times.

Don't be afraid to dance with yourself/ be free spirited and enjoy each moment to the absolute Fullest!! I have to remember that more as an adult, sometimes... I think we all do. :)

PS-I always thought the lyrics were:

"If I had the Chance, I'd TEACH THE WORLD TO DANCE"

It wasn't until TODAY that I realized the real words, which are...:

"If I had the chance I'd ASK THE ONE TO DANCE"

Sometimes you like your version better, eh? hahah

ENJOY! :)

~Day 13 of 365~

"You've Really Got A Hold On Me"

You've Really Got A Hold On Me (SONG LINK HERE!!!)

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles killed this in the 50s:

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Also, one of my favs of all time includes the awesome

Muppet Show featuring The letter "U" & Smokey Robinson

This song is the anthem for human life on this planet. 

The End.

Day 12 of 365!

'Everything You Can Think Of Is True'

By Tom Waits

Everything You Can Think Of Is True (SONG LINK-CLICK HERE!)

So, this is a song that I worked out a different arrangement to about 2 years ago.

Peter Jurich came over my house after entering himself into a on-line singing contest,

(as a joke), with this song by Tom Waits- Everything You Can Think Of is True(original).

Peter pretty much yelled the words in rhythm (with a completely straight face, I must add) 

to the camera and submitted it. It was pretty hilarious...

I decided, "Hey, I could totally do a cover of this!,"and brought out my Geetarrr...

After a couple minutes, I figured something out and looked up the lyrics... BAM.

It's pretty cool to see the progression of things. So here is the first attempt of it

that fateful August night... first edition- (EYCTOIT)...

I hope you enjoy the journey of this song and it's many incarnations. 

:)  Sooo creepy. hehe.

Day 11 of 365!

'Tell Me Why'

'Tell Me Why' (Click HERE for SONG LINK!)

This is an old American folk song, that was actually arranged into a 

Barbershop harmony by a friend of mine.

Really beautiful piece. Not sure why I was reminded of it today...

I kind of changed up the 2nd verse a little.

"Because 'YOU' made 'MY' stars to shine"...etc...

I feel like this is something identifiable to loving someone. 

They make your world different. It changes when you're with them and instead of 

going with the original 2nd verse of "Because 'God' made the stars to shine," I changed it to

the aforementioned quote, instead. Go with it... :)

Also, added some pretty wicked echo to this track.  Felt right.

Lemme know if it hit you the right or wrong way!...

Feedback of ANY sort is ALWAYS appreciated!

Thanks! :)

Day 10 of 365.

Memorial Day.

'The Star Spangled Banner" 

The Star Spangled Banner (Song Link HERE!)

It's Memorial Day, and I normally sing for the Memorial Day Parade in my Hometown.
Seeing as I am in Nashville, and no where near my hometown, I thought it fitting to sing it anyway... 

Only with Ukulele. :)
For all the Men and Women who have ever served our country...Thank you.

It is not something to be taken lightly... 

Your courage and bravery is reflected upon today and everyday, in one way or another.

:)

Day 9 of 365!

'I Don't Wanna Grow Up' 

from Peter Pan

I Don't Wanna Grow Up (SONG LINK HERE!)

This song popped in my brain when I woke up this morning

Such a wonderful testament to keeping a youthful perspective.

GO BE A KID TODAY!! :)

~*Day 8 of 365!*~

'With A Little Help From My Friends'

Words & Music By: John Lennon and Paul McCartney... uh, duh. :)

'With A Little Help From My Friends' (CLICK HERE FOR SONG LINK!)

(Here is different arrangement with less uke in the mix)

This is a very strange picture, I know. Thanksgiving 2010!

This is Peter Jurich and John Scaramucci...

They are my bestest friends in the world.  We each live at least 10 hours from each other, 

but thanks to modern technology, we can keep up with each others lives.

I may sound like a big cliche, but... my friends are so important to me

and I feel like no matter what happens in my life, my friends are there for me.

I feel extremely lucky to have them and especially so today...

This song makes me happy and Multi-track harmonies make me happy... 

My friends make me happy and playing my Ukulele make me happy...

To all my friends near and far, Thank you for the happiness you bring into my life,

you know who you are. :) Pass on the love. Pay it forward...

*~Day 7 of 365~*

'Makin' Whoopee!'

Written 1928 by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn

"Makin' Whoopee" (Click here for Song Link!!)

Finally catching up on songs after being in Chicago this past week!

Had a blast!... And now I'm ready to get back to work!

So, I had this song stuck in my head since wednesday night, and

figured I should give it a try...

I've always listened to the version sung by Ella Fitzgerald. LOVE her SO much.

This song was written in 1928 for the Musical 'Whoopee', which Florenz Ziegfeld 

(Ziegfelds Follies) produced...until money ran tight and he had to sell the rights to a certain film studio...

 Eddie Cantor starred in the  film version as well. Good stuff. :)

There is a version of Cookie Monster from Sesame Street singing a parody of 

"Makin' Whoopee" SOMEWHERE on the world wide webs... 

But, alas, I cannot find it.

It's called "Eatin' Cookie" and 'it would be awesome & hilarious if I found it.

Maybe someone else can... (Good luck!!)

Enjoy.

Day 6 of 365!

'My Blue Heaven'

Words by George Whiting with Music by Walter Donaldson

My Blue Heaven (Song Link HERE!)

I LOVE this picture. What a cute mixing of styles. Impressionism meets The Cartoon.

Cute... Kind of like this song. It's one of those "me and my best gal" kinda songs.

You don't find too many of those out there today. Keeping these old standards alive

is definitely one of my missions as a singer/ musician.  There are so many different versions 

out there, but for some reason these songs can keep being re-invented. It's amazing, really.

Day 5 of 365!

'Dream A Little Dream Of Me' 

Written in 1931 by Wilbur Schwandt & Fabian Andree. Words by Gus Kahn.

dream-a-little-dream-of-me (Click here for song link!)

This song was written a long time before it's popularity was renewed in 1968

with a recording by the band 'The Mamas & The Papas'... But it especially became 

popular after The band broke up and Mama Cass was signed to a 3 album deal with 

Dunhill Records. Thie became the title of her first solo album. "Dream A Little Dream Of Me"

was more of a concept album and  Elliot was also keen to try some experimental things such as adding sound effects to most of the songs... Sounds very much in the same vein as a good deal of my

personal recordings. I LOVE collecting sounds; 

Rain, thunder, laughter, faraway ocean, night chirps,etc...

   Anyway, I saw this musical/play at The Ringwald Theatre in Ferndale, Michigan about a year ago,                           chronicling the life and times of Mama Cass... It was very simply put... life-changing.
 I think it should be on Broadway.  I'll have to ask the playwright if I can post her name for reference, because I can't find reference to the play anywhere on the internet...
    Ah well... The B section of this particular version needs more spicy chords than the ones I am playing,
      but it's simple and it works for now.   I'm also experimenting with different effects, speaking of                      
                    "spicing" things up with the recording. hehe.
  ;)

Day 4 of 365: Edelweiss. "Bloom and Grow, Forever..."

Written and composed by: Rodgers & Hammerstein

Edelweiss:Flower of Snow (SONG LINK HERE)

Edelweiss- 'Snow Star'

This was always my favorite song from "The Sound Of Music".

So sad, yet sweet like a lullaby.

Rogers & Hammerstein. Great songwriting team. :)

This song was the last song that Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote together; Hammerstein was suffering from stomach cancer,^[1] which would take his life nine months 

after The Sound of Music opened on Broadway.

Wonderful undertones/ meaning of staying alive, together as a people. Surviving against the odds. Beautiful song.

"Bloom and Grow forever..."

The Dm chord that substitutes for the D7 chord during the 

last "Edelweiss" refrain, is so wonderfully haunting.

I found myself playing that section over and over again.

Listen for it at 58 seconds, 1:55, and in case you miss those two times check 

out the last time it comes around at 2:52.

Such a simple chord substitution, but so beautiful.

Music is a marvel. I shall always be entranced and delighted by it...

Day 3: By The Light Of The Silvery Moon. Not quite June.

 A tad too soon...But oh, what a moon

                       By The Light Of The Silvery Moon (old time radio edition:CLICK HERE)
           
                  This is another great tune that I was given during my time at Greenfield Village in Dearborn.
                   I was lucky enough to be exposed to such a wonderful grouping of music from this time
                   period... Thanks to my dear friend and mentor, Rob Bourassa Check him out here! :)
                   Here's a link to one of my favorite arrangements of his:
                    Village Trio:'My Heart Stood Still'
                  The harmonies that he arranged were not easy, but they were absolutely worth the work              
                  involved! Check out more youtube vids and you will be amazed. :) That's all for tonight!
                  Check back tomorrow!

Day 2 of 365 Days of Ukulele!!

'After You've Gone':

 Composed in 1918 by Turner Layton, with lyrics written by Henry Creamer.

'After You've Gone' (click here for sound clip!)

This song has been performed by so many of the

 great songsters and songstresses of our time. 

Marion Harris(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Harris), 

however, was the first to record this song, in 1918...

It amazes me how many fantastic tunes came out of this era.

Every time I find a new tune from the early 20th century, I feel 

as if I've won a prize, or discovered a rare reel from one of 

those 'Viewmasters', or stereoscopic toys that you hold up 

to the light for a secret picture story for your eyes only.  

Awesome-sauce. :)

Day 1- New start. new city. Appropriate title for first song...

'Are You Lonesome Tonight?'
words and music by: Roy Turk and Lou Handman

'Are You Lonesome Tonight?'     
(Click on Song Title for link to the song itself)












Day 1 of 365:
Here is a tune that I've heard sung by Elvis more times than by anyone else.
His voice carried such a pained passion behind it...
I tried a more up-tempo version with the ukulele, tonight.
Being lonesome, missing someone, having these memories are all so human...
Something we all face during our lives.

A very appropriate song for me, so far from home...