ClassicalCode

As part of the “Backyard Sessions” which I posted about earlier, we also recorded this take of my solo ukulele version of Never on Sunday.

I take my ukulele with me everywhere I go. One day when I was sitting in the back of a bus on Height street I struck up a conversation with a guy who apparently also played. I let him take my instrument for a spin and he played this tune (which I new from the Chordettes recording). I loved the way it sounded on ukulele so I went home and figured it out for myself.

Video credit: Beau Lambert

As I have been exploring what can be done on the ukulele, I have become more and more enamored with the sound of jazz chords on the ukulele. Listening to Lyle Ritz’ remarkable recordings with just ukulele and bass have inspired me. This is an arrangement of my own devising of a song that I have loved for a very long time.

Please excuse the synthesized drum and bass, they are the best I can do. For now…

Here is an audio only mp3 for you to listen to or download:

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On New Years Day my brother, Nate, and I spent the day relaxing with my girlfriend, Chelsea, and her room mate Joel. It was a lovely day and in the evening we decided to record a song. We decided to record (and film) The Beach Boys’ song “In My Room” by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher. We were quite lucky to find a transcription of the voice parts here.

The results:

Also available as a free mp3:

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Cast:

• Ukulele – Jordan Eldredge
• “Fat Congas” Cajón – Chelsea Hollow
• Tenor – Chelsea Hollow
• Tenor II – Joel Klein
• Baritone – Jordan Eldredge
• Electric Bass Guitar – Nate Eldredge
• Videographer – Nate Eldredge
• Millinery Supplier – Alison Sheehan

As of this week, Chelsea and I have been going out for three years and after countless barbershop tags, covers and miniature songs I have finally been able to write her an honest-to-goodness song song. I’ll admit it’s cheesy and trite and doesn’t properly rhyme, but it’s a song. A real song. Finally.

For Chelsea, after three years: “Driving”

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Alice n’ The Irving Street Kidz are back with another hit single. This time it’s ‘Colors of The Wind’ from the major motion picture Pocahontas. We believe that our rendition is a vast improvement on the original.

• Vocals – Alison
• Ukulele, chimes, backup vocals, egg shaker – Jordan
• Epic Howl – Noah

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I recorded this song as a surprise for my wonderful girlfriend Chelsea.

As far as I can tell, this song is originally by one of my very favorite musical groups: The Flamingos. I heard it on their album I Only Have Eyes For You and thought it would be the perfect one to try to record. After hours and hours of transcription, recording, rerecording and level-twiddling, it’s finally presentable.

For Chelsea: An a cappella version of “That’s Why I Love You” by the Flamingos:

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As well as turning 28, last month my brother graduated from UCSD with is PhD(!) in mathematics. So, as a combined gift, I got the family and Chelsea together to record a math themed song for him. We recorded “That’s Mathematics” by Tom Lehrer.

Happy birthday and congratulation Nathaniel. You are the best source of pride and inspiration a little brother cold ask for.

Tom Lehrer’s “That’s Mathematics” for Nathaniel:

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• Ukulele – Jordan
• Vocals – Jordan, Lisa, Chelsea, Gilbert

With Chelsea (my girlfriend) out of town, I decided to treat myself to a movie for the Fourth of July. After the movie, I sat in my car in the parking garage and decided to improvise/record a little song on my portable multitracking device. In my typical fashion it ended up being 5 tracks, only 16 seconds long, and about it’s self. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to write real songs. Hopefully.

For Chelsea: “Parking Garage”

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Yesterday, I was at Donut World drinking a coffee, eating a buttermilk-bar and missing my girlfriend, when this little love song popped into my head. I quickly scrawled it on the back of a piece of paper I found in my pocket, went home and recorded it.

For Chelsea: “Our Love Will Last As Long”

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Today my friend Alison, my room mate Noah and myself recorded a rendition of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles.

Ukulele – Jordan
Bass – Noah
Vocals – Alison

Listen to the result:

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