Louise, Ann, Jack, Larry, Bill, Patricia and Arlene were here on this evening before the first snowfall of 2017 to play songs which have a musical instrument in the title or featured in the lyrics.

1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Beatles, 1968 (Dan)

George Harrison had an alternate verse for this song which didn't make it onto the album.

"I look from the wings at the play you are staging

While my guitar gently weeps

As I'm sitting here doing nothing but aging."

What a good line, if a little grim.

2. Alexander's Ragtime Band, Irving Berlin, 1911 (Bill)

How about this turn of phrase from the author of this song to say why everyone should come along to see Alexander's Ragtime Band. The reason is, "That's just the bestest band what am."

3. Different Drum, The Stone Poneys, featuring Linda Ronstadt, 1967 (Dan)

The famous piece of trivia regarding this song is that the writer was Mike Nesmith of the Monkees, making it the most famous song he wrote. Part B of the Mike Nesmith trivia is that his mother invented White Out. The chords changed quickly, but there was nothing hard, a C-Em-F-G7 most of the way through.

4. 76 Trombones, Meredith Willson, 1957 (Bill)

"Starting off with a big bang bong on a Chinese gong by a big bang bonger at the rear." This was from "The Music Man", featuring a late-twenties Shirley Jones, the future Mrs. Partridge.

5. Mama Don't Allow (Arlene)

You could play this very fast and not make a mistake because it's mainly C-F and G7.

6. Ukulele Rag (Arlene)

The melody was borrowed from The Old Pi Anna Rag (Dickie Valentine, 1955) with lyrics to make it appropriate for ukulele enthusiasts.

7. The Green Door, Jim Lowe, 1956 (Arlene)

We had this 45. It's one of my early childhood memories. Though it was a #1 record at the time, I don't remember ever hearing it played on the radio, bypassed by the endless repetitions of Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry hits.

8. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Andrew Sisters, 1941 (Arlene)

I first knew this when Bette Midler had a hit with it in 1973. It was so fast and exuberant. Everyone was talking about it since it was such a departure from the rock music being played at that time. I've come to prefer the Andrew Sisters' version, though Midler did a faithful rendition. The Andrew Sisters kick butt on this vocal.

9. Ukulele Lady, Paul Whiteman, 1925 (Ken)

Though it may be blasphemous to say in the company of ukulele people, I can't stand Hawaiian music or songs that were done to highlight the ukulele. I shouldn't pick on Ukulele Lady particularly, because it's not an awful song, but the Ukulele Police EXPECT you to know it. (This is the feared and dreaded Ukulele Police of which I speak.) Thank God any style of music, especially rock and roll, can be played on the uke. Whenever I mention the ukulele at work, my foreman breaks into a falsetto and sings Tiptoe Through the Tulips. I cringe.

10. Bang the Drum All Day, Todd Rundgren, 1983 (Jen)

Ah, it's the underrated Rundgren, singer and composer, guitarist and pianist, record producer and recording engineer, writer of the great Hello It's Me (1972). I appreciate this anti-work song. There are so many productive things we could do if we didn't have jobs. We could sit in the backyard, drink tea and watch the birds. We could deadhead our marigolds, read novels, ride bikes and dine in modestly-priced Italian restaurants, all between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM. Work is so overrated. I'm in complete agreement with Todd Rundgren on this matter.

11. Christmas Island, Andrew Sisters, 1946 (Bill)

Louise ably led us through this number. Bill knew it from a 1996 recording by Jimmy Buffett. Here's the first song of the night which broke the theme of songs about musical instruments. Since Christmas is coming in a few weeks, we made an exception. Also, we had run out of material.

12. Don't You Want Me, Human League, 1982 (Dan)

It's another we did out-of-theme due to lack of material. We played this at Larry's house a few months back and it went better then. Tonight we were a little lackluster.

13. Alexander's Ragtime Band (again)

We played this a second time for Arlene's benefit. She missed it the first go-'round. This is how we wrapped up the evening.

Bill suggested we have an evening of Ringo Starr songs. That sounds good to me, if we have enough songs. Arlene suggested songs with place names in the title. But for next time, at Arlene's suggestion, we'll be doing songs from the early days, the days before the War, in the 20s and 30s, the turn of the century and the teens. Think of really old standards, but NOT the 40s or the pre-rock 1950s. We must have some boundaries, lest we run the risk of anarchy. No one wants anarchy at the ukulele club jams.

-- Dan.