The Return Of Music

Since returning to work after my extended absence I've struggled to balance writing with the demands of family and work life. Consequently my passion for music has taken a back seat - until now. The other Sunday our band had its first gig for a while which meant practising (what?... you didn't know about our band... oh, you do know... and yes, I know it's only the music group in church, but it's still rock and roll to me, OK?). Picking up my guitar I couldn't quite believe I'd left it so long; just the act of making music felt so good, it was almost therapy as all other cares drifted away with the fading of each chord and note (gosh, I must be good!).

But music is far more than that; and yesterday I picked up my other instrument, the source of endless hours of fun that can't fail to cheer up the dourest of countenances. I don't know what it is about the ukulele that gives it the power to transform fantastic classics into witty ditties at the strum of a four stringed chord. I love choosing the most unlikely song, as I sit playing with myself alone in the bedroom, and making into a cheesy creation fit to compete with Agadoo or the Birdy Song. Yesterday I took the rock standard Down Down, by Status Quo, added a swing rhythm and converted into something fit only for elevators; it was great. I'm currently working on the chords for Nessun Dorma - I bet Pavarotti has ditched his ethereal harp in favour of a ukulele and is having a whale/wail (you choose) of a time up there, taking the mick out of Puccini and Verdi.

Incidentally, while we are on the subject of ukuleles, my insertion of George Formby's Leaning on a Lampost into a CD selection of motivational music for an awards ceremony disappointingly passed without incident - not even a ticking off. I wish I'd added something off my Best of Billy Bragg CD now; hey ho perhaps next time.

Oh, and I know that George Formby played a banjulele, not a ukulele just to save you the trouble of telling me!