Fans of Ukulele Ike

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Comment by Boz on February 17, 2009 at 1:00am

Long time fan. I remember as a kid realizing Ukulele Ike and Jiminy Cricket was one in the same. It was a little like finding out that Santa's beard was not real. I still had to love the voice and his cheer all the same.

Comment by Nancy Eaton on December 4, 2008 at 11:41pm

I've been really remiss about checking in to this forum for a while because of work but I'm so glad to have some time to do so now. Ann, you said such great things about Ike and I share your feelings about his voice. When I was in elementary school, they used to play movies for us on rain days in the auditorium instead of going out for recess, and often they'd play the "I'm No Fool" series, which Cliff did as Jiminy Cricket. Later in my career, I had the chance to briefly work with the Disney animator who worked on this very series and it really meant a lot to me. Cliff's voice was so soothing and such a familiar and welcome sound to me. Today I can't really get enough of hearing him, but I'm also very touched and sad about how tragic his life turned out. I guess we fall in love with people's voices and talent and sometimes forget that underneath it all, there are humans who are vulnerable to all kinds of temptations and circumstances both good and bad. He had the highest highs and the lowest lows. I just wish that when he passed, he realized the amazing creative legacy he left behind.

Comment by Alan Johnson on November 17, 2008 at 11:01pm

Hi Annie and welcome! I listened to a few of your songs and really enjoyed them. You have an "effortless" style about you as well.

Comment by Ann Mayo Muir on November 17, 2008 at 7:56pm

Hello to you all, I spent sometime today listening to Ukulele Ike on You Tube soon after reading what Nancy had said. I was so impressed. I remembered when I was a child, falling in love the the voice if Jiminy Cricket. I never forgot that voice and I often sang that song throughout my life. I had forgotten who the voice belonged to and I had such a pleasure to hear it again and know that it was Ike. I was so touched by the range of emotion he conveyed in the many different kinds of song he sang. He was much more then a great Uke player. He was a master entertainer. I am so glad that I decided to join your group or I might never have learned more about this great man. I believe I am older then many on the site. 62 years ago I began to play and my love of the instrument never left me. I play half a dozen other instruments but it is always the uke that is the first instrument I run to when I want to be creating a tune or writing a song. It allows me to think musically and invent what I want.
Arthur Godfrey was the the first person I remember listening to on the radio to hear what he would play each week. After that I was pretty much alone in my uke playing for most of my days. That is till now. I am amazed at how many people share my passion.
Well, enough about me. I write about me in order to coax other to share more about themselves, other wise, what is the purpose?
I intend to hear all of his songs on You Tube. I am a true fan now.
Annie

Comment by Alan Johnson on November 17, 2008 at 12:29am

Wonderful tune, Nancy! Shows off some of Cliff's favorite moves such as the easy glissando as he slides up from one chord to another, his easy sounding pick and strum and that effortless strum that makes him one of my favs. Put up an MP3 or video when you get a chance, Nancy. I'll bet you do a sublime version.

Comment by Nancy Eaton on November 16, 2008 at 9:02pm

This is Ike doing a song I've been working on for a while now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF7x_VLXy78

Comment by Alan Johnson on November 15, 2008 at 3:17pm

Agreed HH. They way his right hand index finger lazily drifts across the strings while his thumb rests on the soundboard is darn hard to duplicate. His playing is unique and well worth watching, particular when he picks a note, strums and repeats. "Night Owl" is always a wonderful selection. "Six Women (Me and Henry the VIII)" is not only fun but probably conveys his exact feelings due to his own troubles with women.

Comment by Tony Boland on November 14, 2008 at 4:23am

Only discovered properly last year and realised I had been listening to him without realising who he was, since my childhood. I just love his singing and uke playing.

Comment by Nipper on November 13, 2008 at 8:55pm

I adore his music and uke playing, like Nancy I like playing 'Night Owl' and also 'Paper Moon'

Comment by Nancy Eaton on November 13, 2008 at 2:17pm

I just love him. My current favorites of his to play are "Night Owl" and "If I Had You" (which is on YouTube, if you haven't heard it, it's gorgeous.) I don't know if I love his playing or his voice better, and together they're just magnificent.

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