Enjoy these videos of the performances at the Ukastle Ukestra and Ukestral Voices at SPRUKE 2017. In addition, Mark, Jane and Ruth McCrae performed as Jack n Jel. The Newcastle ukulele community was amazingly well represented by around 60 ukestrans and spouses with additional performances by Threepence, the Ukeboxes and Ukenjamit.

We also facilitated one of the final jams at the closing ceremony, just before Chair of the 2018 Newkulele Festival received the baton changeover for next year.

Thanks to Sue Stenning (from The Loveys) and Jan Roche for these videos. And thanks to all those who made the effort (and expense!) to come up to Brisbane to have a great time!

Videos of the Ukastle Ukestra Performance

How Bizarre

Graham Trow does a superb rap job on this world-wide classic hit from OMC. The wonderful thing in this song is that the rest of us play three chords, and do a descending harmonised C scale.

Exes and Ohs

Robyn Bore leads the all important finger-clicks on this Elle King song about playing with the hearts of men. Ruth McCrae on lead vocals.

All I Want is You

Caroline Traill and Cassia Lindsay do some beautiful harmonies on this classic U2 song. Us ukers try to tread lightly on the song.

You Never Can Tell

Sometimes you have to pay homage to a dead rockstar. Vale Chuck Berry, Hello Carol McCaskie!

Spanish Harlem

Jack Broekman leads us in this classic song made famous by….just about everyone. But this is not the Aretha version.

My Old Friend the Blues

David Hawthorne leads our rendition of a pearler of a Steve Earle tune. Made famous by The Proclaimers in 1988.

Heavy Heart

A sensitive and heartfelt rendition of the Tim Rodger’s song, with just a little mashing with Creep by Radiohead. Lead vocals by Bronwyn Sartori who almost seems to take the maudlin lyrics to heart.

Videos of Ukestral Voices

As always, Ukestral Voices thrilled and impressed the audience with our focus upon mass harmony singing,  accompanied by some uke. It is a great opportunity for us to explore and celebrate music and languages from other cultures, for non-ukers to perform, but also for ukers to just focus upon their singing. Jane arranges and leads these performances which are comprised of people from her two choirs held each week.

Under the Milky Way

A long time favourite of Ukestral Voices, this is our version of the Aussie classic by The Church. Much of this arrangement came out of our efforts for our first One Song Sing.

Naranjitay

We love the vibrancy of this song and John Christie’s wonderful solo-ing. We hope we do justice to this beautiful Argentinian folk song by Sergio Villar (1914-1955).

Shosholoza

From Wikipedia: A Ndebele folk song that originated in Zimbabwe, Shosholoza was popularised in South Africa. It was sung by Ndebele all-male migrant workers that were working in the South African mines in a call and response style. The song is so popular in South African culture that it is often referred to as South Africa’s second national anthem.

In this heart

You could be forgiven for thinking this is a traditional tune, but Sinead O’Connor released this in 1994. Just beautiful.

 

Chandelier

Another result of our very popular One Song Sing in Newcastle. A worldwide hit by Sia, a ukulele festival hit by The Loveys. Translates quite well to choir!

Tonight You Belong To Me

A classic in the kingdom of the ukulele. Here we reclaim it as a choral piece.