June 7, 2019
Songs of the Sea
We had quite a full house for this jam for all things related to the sea. Newcomer Jason, Frank for his second visit, Ken’s brother Bill with his bass, Geoffrey, Frank & Betty, Ken & Jen, Anne, PJ, Dawn, Sally, Dave, Bill, Dan, Wendy Sue, Louise, Jean, and Irene.
SIDE BY SIDE, our usual starter. Today’s effort had Ken slapping his head because after almost a year we still can’t nail the ending. Maybe we should move on to something else? We can’t have you hurting yourself Ken.
BEYOND THE SEA (Ken) scared me at first after Ken’s warning that it was challenging. But after he picked it apart it wasn’t all that bad and it’s a nice song.
SEA CRUISE (Betty) is always fun to do and we did an excellent job. If it’s not on the list it should be.
PEARLY SHELLS (Betty) – Someone got us playing it at warp speed. Slow it down friends. It’s a pretty song and we nailed the ending.
UNDER THE SEA (me) from "The Little Mermaid" is such a fun song to play. I left some verses out of this chord sheet because it does go on and on.
BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA (me) A short and easy one. From 1914, it has appeared in many musicals, films and TV shows.
I didn’t think I would enjoy SLOOP JOHN B (Irene) because I always felt it was slow and boring but thanks to some good harmonizing and Bill’s bass sounds it was quite entertaining and we all did an excellent job. Certainly list worthy.
The next one was fun and maybe one day I’ll get the hang of striking the cow bell I brought along. ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI (Irene) - I remember the summer this was a big hit. I was 12 and it was very popular at the bungalow colony we stayed at in Monticello NY. I think this one belongs on the list. And if you enjoy The Muppets, here’s Kermit and Miss Piggy singing it.
THE LOVE BOAT (Irene) from the 1970’s hit show was fun to learn. But again speed (or in this case – lack of it) was an issue for me. We played it so draggy while it should have been peppier.
MOON RIVER (Irene) is a pretty song but the ending was a problem for Ken. Better luck next time.
LOVE LETTERS IN THE SAND (Bill) was (is still?) Pat Boone’s signature song. We were perfect. List!
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL (Sally) It went great until the last 3 chords. It even had my favorite [C] to [Cmaj7] to [C7] walkdown. What the…? Leave it to Dr. Uke to throw a wrench into an easy song.
We have played UNDER THE BOARDWALK (Sally) million times. I don’t really enjoy it but we did a good job.
MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN (Sally) is a popular Scottish folk song. We had fun playing it faster and faster and still, we nailed the end.
RIDE CAPTAIN RIDE (Bill) – a nice easy one. Great chord sheet Bill.
BLUE BAYOU (Jean) Nice job by all.
OCTOPUS’S GARDEN (PJ) was great and another one where we all ended together. I am sure it’s on the list.
RIPTIDE (Jen) I wasn’t sure of the tune so I just played along. Jen sits way up front and we can’t hear her sing. A few of us were not familiar with the song although I know I have heard it often.
LAVA (Jeffery) always fun to do especially when Ken does his volcanic eruption sound effects.
FOR MY LADY (Dan) by The Moody Blues. I listened to this group a lot back in the day but I was not familiar with it. Dan pretty much sang alone and many of us followed along with chords. A nice one.
Some that we did not get to:
What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor
When the Boat Comes In (traditional English Folk song)
We concluded the evening with YELLOW SUBMARINE (Wendy).
The next theme will be "People’s Names." Room for all sorts of genres. It should be interesting.
Until then you keep strumming,
-- Arlene.
