I'm finally a winner!

After about a year of trying to win....i finally won! Check out my Jaymar 25 key toy piano. It's about 45cm high and 40cm wide and it is sweet y'all! Oh, and i practically stole it. They usually sell anywhere between 60 and 125 dollars. I got it for 31 bucks! Of course, it will probably cost me about three times that much to get it to Holland, but i ain't complainin'. SWEEET!... And hopefully, it will sound like this!

Marlene Dietrich

Last week i was looking at old photographs of the 1930's and 40's in preparation of sewing some clothes for the winter. I especially wanted some really beautiful slacks. Marlene Dietrich was especially known for wearing 'mens wear' when it was still considered shocking so i typed her name into google images. Imagine my surprise when i found out that she played the singing saw. Marlene, you were my kind of gal!



Here's Marlene with Paul Laval & his Band on July the 16th 1944...

Happy Birthday To Uke

It was upon this day in 1879 that the Ravenscrag, after a long four month journey, finally landed in Honolulu carrying Portuguese immigrants from the island of Madeira.

In celebration of their arrival, Joao Fernandes borrowed his friend's braguinha, jumped off the ship, and started playing folk songs from his native land on the wharf. The Hawaiians who came down to the dock were very impressed at the speed of this musicians' fingers as they danced across the fingerboard and they called the instrument "ukulele", which translates into English as "jumping flea". Thus, the birth of the ukulele. Visit Brudda Bu's website for the rest of the story...

It's Only A Paper Moon

This adorable artwork called 'Paper Moon' is made by the wonderful Matt Hawking. It's available at 'Custom Paper Toy Company'. It comes as a kit with which you can build this cute little ukulele playin' monkey yourself.

And here is a video from The Vermont Ukulele Society. Grab your ukulele and learn how to play "It's Only A Paper Moon"

Mussehl & Westphal Novelty Musical Instruments

Mussehl & Westphal was a wacky company established in 1921 which sold novelty musical instruments. Here you see a tin advertising ashtray that is marked "The Musical Saw, It's easy to play... The Glass-O-Phone The Jazz-O-Nette, Musical Pitchfork , Flute-O-phone, Mussehl & Westphal est. 1921".

Of course you are all probably familiar with the 'Singing Saw' but you may be wondering what the hell the other instruments are. I was too. I assumed when they said 'Musical Pitchfork' they meant a tuning fork but they actually meant 'pitchfork' in the farming sense of the word. Check out this ad in which all of the instruments mentioned above (except for the Flute-O-Phone which remains a mystery) are shown. I wonder if anyone actually still has a 'Jazz o Nette'. Actually, i wonder if they ever sold one. Look at it...It's a crazy damn thing. Apparently it was played like a trombone and the ad claims that as a Jazz-O-Nette player you will 'be popular every where you go'. I'm not so sure about that. Click on the image to enlarge and read the rest. The copy is fantastic.

Although not owned by the original family, the Mussehl & Westphal Company still exists. They sell musical saws and i just love mine. Unfortunately, they don't sell the Musical Pitch Fork anymore. I might have to build me one of those suckers. Bet you if i had a Musical Pitchfork 'Woodcutter' would let me work on his farm for sure (even though i'm a heathen).

By the way, it just isn't true that "if you can whistle or hum a tune" that you can play a saw. It really isn't that easy. Okay, it's not brain surgery either but you do have to have a really good ear and the biceps of a lumberjack. And, most importantly, incredibly understanding neighbors. Bless you Marion & Ruud.

Harm Goslink Kuiper - 'Stil Leven'

My friend and great inspiration, Harm Goslink Kuiper, has a new album just out called 'Stil Leven' and it is an incredibly special piece of work. Harm has been building his own instruments for years and has been into 'roots' music long before it was 'in'. He is truly an original and i deeply admire him.

This album, which he has worked on for about two years, is really a culmination of everything Harm is about. The cover of the album is one of his paintings, on the back there is a hook so that you can hang it on the wall. (Neat-O!) Many of the instruments played on the album he built himself. In the beautiful CD packaging there is a booklet included in which his instruments are pictured among other wonderful creations.

The themes considered in his work are primarily loneliness, love and longing and the lyrics are nothing less than textual art. They are however all in Dutch with the exception of one which is in French. But, this shouldn't hinder non dutch-speaking music fans from loving this album.. The melodies and atmosphere of the music are breathtaking in themselves. On a personal note, i'm very proud to say that my singing saw is to be heard on two of the songs on the album, "Open Book" and "Ma P'tite Gazelle".

Click here to hear samples of each song. Or better yet, Click Here to order 'Stil Leven'. If you're real fast you can get one of the 250 editions which Harm has hand signed and numbered. Want to know more?... In this video Harm tells his story about 'Stil Leven' (in dutch) and demonstrates many of the instruments which he has built. One of them is a ukulele... Bonus!

Band le Bel

One of the things that i truly love to do is to sit in with other bands. It's very liberating to just hang out in the back of the group and play the washtub bass or the singing saw. Last friday Marko and i joined Band le Bel. This band was put together by Romano who hosts the most amazing jam sessions in Cafe de Bel here in Rotterdam every Sunday night. Actually, i'd be real surprised if there is a better jam session anywhere to be found in all of the lowlands.

Romano formed this group for a project called Twisted Folk, a four day series of concerts in four different venues featuring Folk Music with a twist. Here are a couple of numbers from our set last friday. Not bad for just one afternoon of rehearsing. They are both original tunes. 'Nasty Whore' was written by the four of us. (I'm responsible for the dirtiest lyrics..heeheehee.) More video's to be seen on our YouTube Channel.

Tom (Big Damn Drum)
Romano (Lead vocals, guitar & fiddle)
Marko (Guitar, Mandolin & Banjo
Shelley (Washtub Bass & Singing Saw

Free Tunes In A Box!

If you're into the blues or handmade cigar box instruments i've got a humdinger for ya. Shane Speal's 'Cigar Box Nation' is an online community of Cigar Box Guitar enthusiasts and a great wealth of information. There you can find building plans, music, video... you name it.

FESTIVAL
At this time, the Cigar Box Nation is gearing up for one hell of a festival in Pennsylvania. It will be held in Downtown York outside the York Emporium Bookstore on August 28 from 10am-5pm and it is all FREE. The event features eight performing acts on the CBGitty.com Main Stage and the Mr. Suit. Records indoor acoustic stage. In addition to the Saturday concert, a pre-fest concert with Shane Speal and 7 Hills Stomp will be held at the First Capital Dispensing Co. in downtown York on Friday, August 27 at 10pm. There will also be vendors & plenty of chances for you to jam out on your own box.

FREE DOWNLOAD
If you're like me and can't make it to the fest, or if you can and need some tunes to get you in the mood for the occasion, Shane is offering his album called 'The Jug Fusion Sessions' (24 tracks!) as a FREE DOWNLOAD. And we love FREE don't we. So skedaddle on over to the site and check it out.

Tiny instruments attract a tiny audience

Marko and I played at the Van der Pek Buurt Markt in Amsterdam today. Even though it rained most of the day we had a really great time. And, we have new fans...2 Gnomes! Gnomes, of course, adore the ukulele!

Even bad-asses dig Ukuleles!

Just to prove it, there's an article about Ukuleles in this months edition of 'Gitarist' magazine.

Balloon Bass

Being a HUGE fan of low-tech instruments like The Washtub Bass and The Singing Saw, when i saw this video below, well, i was knocked out. I'll just let the video speak for itself. I give you Episode #4 of Addi's Inflatable Minute, "Balloon Bass/Juicy Brunette". Kick It, Addi!

Toy Pianos

I adore Toy Pianos. Unfortunately, i don't have a really good one yet. The best ones were made by Michelsonne, Jaymar, & Schoenhut. They are very collectable. It's been quite a challenge to find a vintage piano which is still in good condition and affordable...but i haven't given up yet. If only i could go back in time and order one from the Sears and Roebucks catalogue. Until i find one, i'll just have to do with this lovely little online Michelsonne.

Barry Whiteside tears it up on my Diddley Bow!

Barry Whiteside, whom i adore, bought one of my homemade Diddley Bows, 'The Sour Apple Serenader'. I'm so glad he did. Look what he does with it! (Thanks Barry, you're a doll!)