The early 1900's to late 30's was so rich with great music that we decided to devote a second night to it and honestly, we could easily do more. Accompanying me were Dan, Bill, Ken, Jen, WendySue, Anne, Patricia, Louise, Suzan, Jack, Larry, a new fellow named Danny, and a new gal named Amanda along with her father.

Danny requested that we start off with a 3 chord song but somehow Ringo's YOU'RE SIXTEEN was chosen which has 5. Whatever. We sounded good and I think everyone was pleased.

Now, on to the theme: Dan started us off with OH YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL. Ken and Jen and a few others claimed they didn't know it. "Before my time" they claimed. Well HELLO: this 1926 ragtime tune was before all our times! Anyway, I think once we got underway they must have recognized it. An easy fun tune and we sounded wonderful.

The next 2 were also from Dan: a popular 1911 hit, LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART covered by several artists over the years, and I DON'T WANT TO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE first recorded in 1941 by Harlen Lenard and His Rockets and was a big hit for the Ink Spots. We played both of these very well. And the latter is truly a lovely song. Play it slow and mellow rather than at the break neck speed of Dr. Uke.

The next 5 were from me. I think SWEET HOME CHICAGO, a 1936 blues number, was a crowd favorite. It plays just like a good ol' fashioned rock and roll number. MY BLUE HEAVEN sounded great too. Was it Larry that said "we aced it?"

I discovered SADIE GREEN while watching an old black and white movie, "This Could Be The Night". A fun one and Louise said she really liked it. BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON came out good and we had fun with it although WendySue pointed out that there was some incorrect wording in one or two spots. ABA DABA HONEYMOON was another fun number that Larry really enjoyed.

Back to Dan with I WONDER WHO'S KISSING HER NOW which is a lovely mournful song from the 1909 musical "The Prince of Tonight".

The next song was not familiar from the title but once we heard Ken do a solo of I'VE GOT MY LOVE TO KEEP ME WARM, most of us recognized it. According to Wikipedia, this bouncy number has been recorded on several Christmas albums even though there is no mention of the holiday. Maybe because it speaks of icicles, a storm, an overcoat and December. Ken played this very well (of course), Bill played his egg, and we all sang along.

Three more from me. HEART AND SOUL (1938). I swear I never knew this had words. One of the first tunes many of us figure out how to play on a piano. Well, at least years ago. ALL OF ME (1931) has a spot to add a nice walk down on the last line between once and heart: C CM7 C7 A7. I love walk downs! Ken also had us do a happy uky version. BILL BAILEY (1902) was a nice and fast piece. From Wikipedia: “Bill Bailey,” the most popular ragtime tune ever written, was a cruel song. It celebrated the real life tragedy of a country girl who couldn’t keep pace with her city sweetheart in Jackson, Mich. Yet, it’s a song that America loves."

I can't remember if we got to THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE (from the 1927 musical "Good News") but go ahead and give it a try. Short and easy.

We played Jen's A TISKIT A TASKIT. Yes a late 19th century nursery rhyme but a big 1938 hit for Ella Fitzgerald.

WHO'S SORRY NOW? Not Connie Francis. She had a big hit with this in 1958 but hold on. Don't call the Bureau of Theme Correction just yet. It was written in 1923. Another nice one. I don't think we had a bad song choice all night. Thanks for this one Dan.

Ken brought (I WISH I COULD SHIMMY LIKE MY) SISTER KATE, a nice jazzy 1919 number. Last year I used the music from this song to create a parody called CAUTIOUS FOR NAUSEOUS. Ken played while I sang. My version cautions children to recognize when they might have to vomit. Sorry. Anyway, this was a fun peppy number.

With time to spare we did 2 rounds of WITHOUT YOU by Harry Nilsson and had fun imitating a video Ken found where the singer belted out the last 2 lines of the chorus with all the emotion she could muster.

No matter what kind of day I have at work I am always guaranteed a fun evening of making music and learning something new in a friendly no judgment zone. Can't sing? No problem. Can't barre? No problem. Don't know all the chords, make mistakes, like chord cheats? Bring it on. No worries. I must learn something new every time we meet. Walk downs, chord variations and enhancements, etc.

Our next theme will be Novelty Songs. DEAD SKUNK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, PURPLE PEOPLE EATER, ALLY OOP, BARBIE GIRL, PINK SHOELACES to name a few.

Until then you keep strumming,

Arlene