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Artist: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
Genre: Ukulele Rock
Performing: 17th July 2004 / BBC Radio 2 Main Stage
Website Address: [www.ukuleleorchestra.com]
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain started in 1985. The Orchestra believe that all genres of music are available for reinterpretation, as long as they are played on the ukulele.
The Ukes wear black tuxedos like any Symphony Orchestra, reworking classics of rock 'n' roll, punk, jazz and classical music. In many instances this reworking reveals the vacuity of the original versions, the triviality of pop music and the self-reverential state of musical taste. Audiences like to have a good time with the Ukes, which shows that musical intelligence and a light-hearted approach are not incompatible with acoustic versions of heavy metal, performance art techniques and the homage of a live karaoke. The music of the Ukes often reveals unsuspected insights into popular music.
The Ukulele Orchestra have played in England, Scotland, Wales, America, Canada, Belgium and Japan, in venues as diverse as Ronnie Scott's world famous London jazz club and the Dog and Dumpling pub, from The Savoy Theatre and Sadlers Wells Opera House to Olympia Stadium, The Whitstable Oyster Festival and the Soho Jazz Festival.
Reviews
"Virtuosic" Classical Guitar Magazine
"It has to be heard to be believed: a plywood serenade so benign, babies could float on it's Not a twang incongruous" The Mail on Sunday
"Iconoclastic. Unabashed genre crashing antics. Nothing is spoof proof" Toronto Star
"Subversive, rare and very precious. Catch them before the Government slaps an injunction on them in the name of anti-terrorism. Frighteningly talented and awesome: classics of the genre" Time Out
"Most people have to die before they become immortal. The ukulele superstars have no such worries." New Musical Express
"Much more than the PDQ Bach of new music" Chamber Music Chicago
"They are HOT!" Richard Madeley, presenter "This Morning" show
"They are anarcho-syndicalists of the ukulele world" The Independent
"I'll see you never work on this show again" Chris Evans
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