Locked down with my Ukulele 12

These are strange times and I like many, many others have spent a lot of my time on the internet. My social media has been informing me of things I might want to look at. There’s been a couple of notable talents that you may have heard, watched and admired. If not I’d like to recommend them.

The first is Mat and Savanna Shaw. Savanna wanted something to put on her Instagram page so her dad obliged. The father and daughter harmonies are just magical. They did a version of “The Prayer”, which seems to have become a bit of a lockdown anthem (to some), the lyrics touch that place of uncertainty that lockdown has brought with it.

I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go.

And help us to be wise in times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way

Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace

To a place where we'll be safe

It was written for an animated film. Originally sung by Celine Dion and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli separately in English and Italian. Someone had the inspired idea of a duet in English and Italian. The contrast of the languages and the voices of Dion and Bocelli elevate this already touching tune to another level.

The mix of Savanna’s beautiful voice and Mat’s deeper male more mature tone lends a depth to the harmonies. It’s no coincidence they’ve risen to international popularity. They seem to have a great family dynamic, which adds to their likeability.

I’ve the face and body that’s perfect for night time radio and a quarantine hair style to boot! So a blog is ideal. You don’t have to see me, look at me, or listen to me, you don’t have to pay me any attention at all. Having started this blog I realise how deeply buried you are until you do get noticed. If enough people get to know where you are. It’s a bit of a “catch twenty two“. The blogs no good unless people see it, people won’t see it unless they know you’re there and have seen it.

There’s a whole planet of people trying to get noticed on the web. Especially, as there’s a whole creative industry that is shut down at the moment. Some people are trying to earn a living by getting noticed on Google or a social media platform. I wish them well because right now this blog is buried under half a dozen car transporters and a tank. Digitally speaking of course.

Dumb Ways To Die

So it would make sense to talk about the prayer a bit more. Where’s the fun in that.

Another group that’s been brought to my attention is the French family. They can be found as Camille and Stuie. During lock down they’ve been doing a show from their home in Nashville. Here’s a thing. They’re Country and western performers. Clearly with a love of the music genre that goes back years because they’re a walking dictionary of country music. She’s from New Zealand, he’s from Tasmania and they met in Australia. They have three children bass player Chet (16 and 6ft tall, good looking lad which I think his mum knows), Sonny (13 “foo foo” who does more than his fair share of lead vocals and a crazy set of skills on the guitar), and Manaia (almost 10) who, since lockdown, has started singing and playing ukulele with the family. Music must be in the DNA of this group , Manaia has spilled out a couple of picks on the ukulele that would make some members of the ukulele group proud and she’s only been playing a few weeks. Mum has a beautiful voice with great range, dad certainly knows his way around a fret board of a guitar.

What first drew my eye to this family was a rendition of Brand New Key, which is very cute. Manaia on vocals, mum on ukulele, with the rest doing their thing. Sung to a great rhythm. It’s out there and well worth watching. Particularly if your having a “down” day.

The tune that got me thinking was Dumb ways to Die. I thought this was a novelty record at first but a little research proved me wrong. It’s actually what we would call a public information film issued by Metro trains in Melbourne, Australia to promote railway safety. The idea, as a spokes man said “The aim of this campaign is to engage an audience that really doesn't want to hear any kind of safety message, and we think dumb ways to die will”. It did succeed. Dumb ways to die was released on 2012 and achieved a 30% reduction in near misses between November-January 2012 to November-January 2013.

I teach Health and Safety units. Having something with a bit of novelty to it always helps. I tend to stay away from blood and gore. It doesn’t do a teacher’s credibility any good in the classroom if you pass out in front of the class.

All three tunes are worth a look. Give them all a listen.

Stay safe.