Kirabelle's 365 days of Ukulele

Friday, November 23, 2012

~*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.
:)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

~*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!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

~*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. :)

Friday, June 15, 2012

~*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"**

Sunday, June 10, 2012

~*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! :)