Digital downloading is great for me. People get the tunes - and I hope enjoy them - I get money, and I don't even have to pay to get more CDs made. Here's the best place to download my stuff:

CDBaby

It's legal, its fairly cheap, and the artist (me!) gets to keep most of the money, so I can finish the next one. I'm starting to think about my fourth CD, and I haven't even finished the second.

If you're like me and don't have an MP3 player, or prefer being able to have the package and read the notes, by all means order the CD (it does look nice), either here on EZFolk or from CDBaby at the link above.

I love the uke. It was my first instrument, and it remains my main flame. It's a soprano guitar, it's an indoor banjo, it's the mandolin's politer cousin. It's its own sweet self.

I also think uke+guitar is the best string-band duo ever. Better than fiddle-guitar, better than two guitars, guitar-mandolin, anything.

Click on the "Songs" tab at left to hear samples, or on the "Merchandise" tab to order. If you have any comments, questions, or want to chat, email me at parlourukulele(at)gmail(dot)com. If you're keen for instrumental trivia, read on.

Well, the Vivaldi project isn't going as fast as I'd hoped. Craig, who produced my first CD, unexpectedly moved across the province, so it's not practical to record with him. I'm going with Ocean Sound Studios, then, and I'm happy with that - Carey Langille produced the first CD I was on in this area, when I played bass, gamba, and one uke track on John Tetrault's Mermaid Cafe.


Anyway, I've done the uke parts for three of the five pieces - that's nine tracks, since each has three movements. I'm going to record the guitar parts for those while I practise the two mandolin concertos, which are harder than the lute trios. I'm happy with what I've played, now that I'm finally recording, but it's not happening for the Ukulele Ceilidh, which is a shame. By Christmas? I hope so.



And I've got the tune list for the third project all ready. It will be more like Parlour Music - mostly ragtime, one or two classical pieces, and maybe some jazz. I'm thinking of playing bass on a few things, and maybe asking my son to play percussion.


(dull technical aside follows, about transcribing Vivaldi)

Okay, I've committed to a second project. The goal is to have it finished by the end of October, for the 2007 Ukulele Ceilidh. I've done the arrangements, I'm practising like a madman, and I start recording in May, when my producer friend finishes a tour he's on.

Now I had two warring notions here, but I had to do one first, and what it really feels right to play and record right now is... Vivaldi. Yep. surprised? Now I know a lot of people like the ragtime, I love it too, and I promise that the next CD will be ragtime and jazz, with some other instruments even, maybe. I've got the tunes, tunes are not a problem. But bear with me here - the Vivaldi is going to be big fun. Really, it'll sound great, you'll see. Was I right about Beethoven?

I think this is a good idea, my wife thinks it's a good idea, and James Hill thinks it's a good idea. What more do I need?

So, an all-Vivaldi disc of uke/guitar duets. All the lute and mandolin music, basically, if that says anything to you - five three-movement pieces. Charming stuff: great tunes, lots of variety, nice arrangements if I do say so myself, and Craig won't let me leave the studio until I've played as well as I can. Working title "Red Priest Plays Uke" - watch this space for samples.