MUSIC REVIEW: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Philharmonic Hall

Feb 25 2008 by Peter Grant, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Ukulele Orchestra, a group of all-singing, all-strumming ukulele players, came together in 1985.

They (all eight of them) believe all genres of music are available for reinterpretation, as long as they are played on the ukulele.

This two-hour show was Vaudeville meets present day – a magnificent musical mixture.

No drums, no pianos, no backing tracks. But plenty of strings attached.

A tribute to George Formby in Leaning on A Lamppost, but delivered in a Russian context, could have been a load of old cossacks.

It wasn’t.

I won’t think about music in the same way after this gloriously uplifting concert and all credit to the Phil’s adventurous Simon Glinn in bringing world music, like this, here.

From Handel to Nirvana; The Sex Pistols Anarchy in the Uk (ulele) to Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights sung in a Yorkshire accent, the Ukulele Orchestra offer sheer fun.

They have enjoyed sold-out gigs in America, Canada and throughout Europe, with their rhythm, bass, baritone, tenor, and soprano ukes creating a magical sound appealing to all ages.

Dressed in formal evening wear, they respect their audience – just like any symphony orchestra.

Re-working classics of rock ’n’ roll, punk, jazz, folk and classical music from the Bee Gees to Cat Stevens, they are simply a class act. Serious and light-hearted in equal measure – the NUGB are endearing.

Their tribute to the Goons alongside J’Taime illustrated their vision.

This is up there as one my all-time favourite concerts.

I am learning to play the uke and this was a masterclass.

This Orchestra has to be seen and heard: one of the best-kept musical secrets ever.

Catch them if you can – you won’t regret it.