This evening we were downstairs in the room A for an abbreviated meeting and hosted a rather small group. And would you believe someone, ahem, distracted with a task just before getting in her car, left her ukulele in the garage! But Ken, Jen, Charlie, Bill, Marianne and 2 new guests: Emory and Melanie all had theirs.

Before I continue I must correct an omission in the notes from our last jam. Dan brought chord sheets for Neil Young's COMES A TIME. Very easy basic chords G, Bm, D,F, Dm7, and C. Sorry about that Dan. I was not familiar with it but it was easy enough to follow along and we played it well.

NEWS FLASH: Thanks to Jen, we have our regular room (C/D) for all of next year. No more subterranean jams for us. She arrived to stand on line 2 hours before the library opened and still she was #8. 1-7 must have camped out. Sheesh, you'd think they were giving away Paul McCartney tickets. And make a note of our new time starting in July: 7pm - 9pm. They want everyone out by 9 from then on.

The theme this evening was anything wet: water, moisture, tears, surf, etc.

The first selection of the night was mine: The Rolling Stones AS TEARS GO BY. Written by Mick, Keith and their manager Andrew Loog Oldham for Marianne Faithful in 1964. The Stones recorded it one year later. It sounded good and although Bill does not like the song he said we played it well.

Next from Bill was RIPPLE by the Grateful Dead (1970). A difficult key for my voice but it's a pretty song and the gang played it well. I want to learn this one but maybe with other chords.

Jen submitted SITTIN' ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY written and recorded by Otis Redding and covered by many others. Do you ever wonder where artists find their inspiration? I found this tidbit so interesting:

Otis Redding had never seen anything so peaceful. The California sunlight sprinkling diamonds on the calm water of the bay, the seagulls circling overhead in an azure sky, the old fishermen hauling in their nets near the docks. While on the West Coast for an engagement at the Fillmore in June 1967, Redding and his road manager “Speedo” Sims escaped for a few days of R&R on a rented houseboat near Sausalito. In that idyllic setting, Redding relaxed, gently strumming his acoustic guitar and singing two lines over and over:

Sittin’ in the morning sun

I’ll be sittin’ when the evening comes

Pretty song but the bridge caused a stumble and the end came rather abruptly so Bill and Ken whistled. In case you wondered, A# in the bridge is the same as Bb.

Ken shared MOON RIVER. This was a hit from the 1961 movie, "Breakfast at Tiffany's", sung by Audrey Hepburn but really made famous by Andy Williams. We watched a little of the Ukulele Mike tutorial. Check it out. We played this very well.

The next few were my suggestions: Billy Joel's YOU MAY BE RIGHT sounded great, Bill played kazoo and Ken said he really liked it. Friends, when Ken says he likes it it's a glowing approval! Maybe it will make it to a future playlist.

Next was RHYTHM OF THE RAIN, then SINGING IN THE RAIN and finally ending the rain songs was HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN. Here's the breakdown: The first was great and sounded nice, the second was too hard so Ken did a happy uke version. The 3rd we've done a few times before and we always play it well. Bill even slammed his EASY button at the end.

My last entry was HARBOR LIGHTS. The tune is a little tricky in spots but just play along with Dr Uke and you'll be fine. The chords are easy and they are a great sounding combination. I think it's really worth the effort. A real oldie from 1937. Slow and easy.

With time left to spare we played last session's Cat Stevens' MOONSHADOW and Ringo's YOUR SIXTEEN.

And we convinced our new visitor Melanie to play a song she told us she did in her school's talent show, MOVING ON by Paramore. Wow you're a brave gal and you did a fantastic job both playing and singing. I applaud you.

Our next meeting will be in the regular room: C/D on June 9. The theme is anything that mentions kiss or lips in the title, lyrics or even work from the group KISS.

I have an idea for a future jam (but not July since I can't make any of the dates). We should do an evening of songs we've played really really well or enjoyed enough to practice it some more.

Until then, you keep strumming,

Arlene