Today was a rough day, so I’d forgotten my goal of uploading a new song each day until an hour ago.
This is another selection from the Great American Songbook: “Button Up Your Overcoat” by Ray Henderson. The lyrics are adorable and somewhat cheesy, but the sentiment expressed is extremely charming.
Here’s my version:
And here’s the recording that America became familiar with in 1929:
I had the bright idea this morning of posting one song each day for a week. Today’s offering is “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” a written by Fred E. Ahlert with lyrics by Joe Young.
After noodling around for a few years with the baritone uke, I’ve found that tunes of a certain era truly lend themselves to this instrument. Songs like this one from the Great American Songbook are generally in the sweet spot; must be all those maj7 chords.
As an exemplar, here’s Nat King Cole’s version:
And here’s mine:
I’ve only taken two ukelele lessons in the two years and change I’ve been playing this thing. I like the way I sound more than I used to, but I feel like it’s time to get back into instruction so I can develop better technique.
No regrets; playing the uke has provided me with some truly sublime moments. When I find myself playing a familiar song moderately well, it can be exhilarating.
I’m not shy when it comes to karaoke, but I am intimidated by the idea of uploading an MP3 where I’m singing and playing. Karaoke is only as permanent as your friends are sober, but MPEG-2 Audio Layer III is forever. Confidence is overcoming my temerity, since I liked the way “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” sounded with this morning’s coffee and decided to share. Here’s Louis Armstrong’s version:
And here’s mine:
Thanks for listening.
More Gaudy Patter 