Here’s a Little One- Nicholas Abersold mctrmt 2020-11-23 | A quick cover while I wait for my soup to cool off.
Drink- TMBG ukulele cover mctrmt 2020-05-20 | Drink! Drink! This town is SO GREAT.They Might Be Giants
Your Own Worst Enemy- TMBG cover mctrmt 2019-02-17 | From deep beneath the earth, in the bunker once again, before my shift started on a Saturday morning. Sorry about the dutching; that was the only way my camera would sit. I am not actually a villain from the Batman franchise.I have been spending a fair bit of time with my own worst enemy this week. The song is pretty accurate. *sad trombone*Is my ukulele "in tune" (440)? I don't know- so, sorry about that- but it's in tune with itself anyway. As for chords- I went almost all the way around the transposing wheel before I hit a key that worked with my vocal range on this one; oh boy. You will find the original chords and craploads of other stuff on tmbw.net.You can get one of these "no art for fascists" t-shirts on tee public; it is designed by delesslin, who says "Make art for people, not defunct totalitarian philosophies." Aw hell yeah!
Spiraling Shape- They Might Be Giants cover mctrmt 2019-01-06 | This was recorded in my studio, also known at the moment as the dumpster of unfinished projects (at least 7 of which appear in this shot, not to mention the ungodly mess that's on the other side of the room).The ukulele is my Ohana SK-28; it's modeled after the vintage design of the old Nunes style. It's got all the punch and spunk that I am lacking. Don't bother looking at my hands to decipher the chords- I am tuned to approximately 100 years in the past. Instead, visit tmbw.net.If all goes well, you will hear this cover on "This Might Be a Podcast" sometime in the spring!
Shes an Angel- TMBG cover mctrmt 2018-11-24 | So here I am again on a Saturday morning before my shift starts, recording from deep beneath the surface of the earth.My ukulele is a home-made deal, from a DIY kit I was given by a friend a few years ago. It's pretty rough, but it sounds okay. I keep it in my office in case of emergencies. I can't sing anything in the original key, so I transposed the chords. Don't look at my fingers because I am tuned to 100 years ago.
My Happy Place mctrmt 2015-03-22 | For Benton (YouTube user beeejums). May your happy place ever be free of danishes.
Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai mctrmt 2014-07-29 | About a year ago I finally started to learn some Hawaiian songs. This is a song about sea weed. Delicious, delightful sea weed. I also learned a dance that goes along with it. Don't bother asking. I am a very awkward dancer.The chords:intro: A7 D7 G D7the rest: G C and D7
Cruel Summer- ukulele mctrmt 2014-03-30 | Recorded deep beneath the surface of the earth before my Saturday morning shift.Is it summer yet? Is it the 80s again?This song is the property of its copyright holders; I am merely playing it for fun.
Wake Up Matilda(original) mctrmt 2013-02-24 | Matilda is a very popular gal right now, despite the fact that all we have seen her do, FOR, LIKE, 2 YEARS, is just lay there; first in a still photo and now in a not-quite-marginally-better video. Dammit, Matilda, is it too much to ask for you to just get up and walk around a little bit? If you aren't up on the news, bigfootevidence.blogspot.com is quite good. UPDATE: Feb 25, 2012- Phil Poling from ParaBreakdown has made a remix of my song, and it is way better than the original. I suggest you check it out, post haste:youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i9hwajS-Xz4Wake up Matilda, everybody wants to see you, yeahBut we don't want to payto read the story of your DNAWake up Matilda, show us you're not just a rugOr a cheap Chewbacca costumepurchased for a Star Wars PartyThe doctor says we won't believe our eyesWell our eyes don't know what to tell us anywayWe've waited days and weeks and months and years, our friends have all made fun of usMatilda you don't look so goodand certainly not unequivocalYou're so equivocalWake up Matilda and please give us some good newsPlease tell us you're not just a carrotyou're not just another carrotThe doctor says please wait a little longerMatilda we don't believe much of what she says anymoreWake up Matilda, why don't you stretch your legs a bitAnd have a look around and while you're at itplease dispel our fearsWake up Matilda, you are our only hope andEverybody wants to see youeverybody wants to see youFor pity's sake Matilda, just get up and look aroundEverybody wants to see youeverybody wants to see youWake up MatildaEverybody wants to see you
Jacko the Whats-It (original) mctrmt 2013-02-17 | "Yale & the Strange Story of Jacko the Ape-Boy", Christopher L. Murphy & Barry G. Blount, 2011; published by Hancock House"In July 1884 a major newspaper in British Columbia, Canada, featured a detailed article about the capture of a creature resembling both an ape and a young human boy along the railway line between the towns of Boston Bar and Yale, B.C. Nicknamed "Jacko", the creature was taken to Yale and thereafter simply disappeared."The part of Jacko is played by a young 'squatch from Nikki Rossignol's Puca Bestiary. facebook.com/PucaBestiary
UWC Traveling Uke/ Around the World in 80 Plays- I Love a Ukulele mctrmt 2013-01-16 | The traveling Eddy Finn made it safely to Lethbridge! You can get a practice sheet for this song, and many other awesome old-timey songs at ukesterbrown.com. And check out youtube.com/ukesterbrown, too.
Now it Can Be Told (ukulele original) mctrmt 2013-01-01 | Based on the Kilgore Trout story of the same name.
Expectations- cover (The Ballet) mctrmt 2012-08-05 | If I was a 14 year old girl I would be doodling "THE BALLET" in the back of my math scribbler, with hearts and rainbows and tear drops and all that. But I am not, so here you go instead.It is from their 2nd album, "Bear Life", the cover of which is illustrated by Daniel Barrow, who would also appear at the back of my math scribbler, along with his cat Marlon.There is a pun which you will discover if you are watching the video and listening at the same time, and it was unintentional. I just found this old video from my descent beneath the sea in Victoria, British Columbia a couple of years ago and thought it would look cool in slow motion. Cooler than the video that was supposed to go here, even though it had an Alf doll in it. Sorry.Go here: http://www.thepirateship.org
All the Motels in San Diego (cover) mctrmt 2012-08-03 | Oh my god, the original is so much better than my cover:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaelf62WIxkTakin' a break from recording some tracks for The Cedar Tavern Singers. Yes, I do my recording in a dark woodshop.The chords as I play them are:B E G#m F#E G#m F# E B G#m (F#) B G#m (F#) BPlaying along with the original I would put a capo on the first fret and goC F Am GF Am G F C Am (G) C Am (G) CThe ones in brackets I don't think are actually in the song- it just goes between Am and C. But they sound okay so I play them. That is my unofficial motto.As usual I am tuned in D, because I am Canadian and also old-timey.
At Sundown mctrmt 2012-07-21 | Well, here I am in my new living room with a Bocarina!The song is "At Sundown". The version I know is by Harry Reser's Cliquot Club Eskimos, 1927.
Oingo Boingo- Running on a Treadmill ukulele cover mctrmt 2011-11-06 | Recorded in a secret bunker deep beneath the surface of the Earth, before my shift started on Saturday morning.If you want to play along, here are the chords I am using. I don't think they are accurate as far as the original is concerned, but they work for me:Intro: F#m E A Verse: F#m A E A E F#m F#m E A E F#m E AChorus: F#m E A E F#m E ANaturally I don't own the rights to this song and post it for educational purposes.
Andrew Jackson Jihad- Little Prince (el Principito) mctrmt 2011-08-07 | This song makes me think of Eva Hesse. Thanks to AdelletheGreat for turning me on to this tune! (In case you are wondering, my job is not actually a "mountain of death", although I am in charge of a significant quantity of toxic chemicals.)
Tonight You Belong to Me (Pono concert mango pineapple - SOLD!) mctrmt 2011-06-07 | SOLD to a good home with stable relative humidity- one spalted mango concert pineapple ukulele.Here's the link to the auction on ebay:http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280693163894Ships free in Canada and to the States!
Fast Fish and Loose Fish (sad version) mctrmt 2011-05-23 | (On the event of my finally finishing an audio book version of Moby Dick, this song is based on chapter 89, "Fast Fish & Loose Fish".) I'm a fast fish You're a loose fish I belong to whom I'm fast You're fair game to anyone You're a fast fish I'm a loose fish You belong to whom you're fast I'm fair game to anyone Tow the line Mind the line Read the line
Institute of the Yeti (original) mctrmt 2011-04-13 | Sometimes a Yeti reads something on the internet and gets really excited about it.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/24/yeti-research-institute-_n_839692.htmlDid you hear the news? They're starting a special schoolAnd institute- a scientific centreIn Siberia- the first of its kind in the worldAnd as soon as I can sign up I'm goingMy friends all think it's weird; they say it's a mistakeThey point out all the things going against me. They sayYou live in a cave way out in the snowAnd whether you're even real or not nobody seems to knowAnd that's not gonna change just cause you've got some degreeFrom the Institute of the YetiI know my footprints never seem to convinceIt doesn't matter how many branches I break or how many signs I leavePhotographs and videos are never good enoughAnd witnesses- nobody believesBut that doesn't get me down; I'll pass every testAnd when I give the valedictory address I'll sayI lived in a cave, way out in the snowAnd whether I was even real or not nobody seemed to knowI'm gonna make it after all now that I've got my degreeFrom the Institute of the YetiSo listen up you homo sylvestrusSasquatch, Yowie, Yeren, WendigoAlmasti, Skunk ape, Woodwose, and Orang PedekThere isn't any reason not to goJust follow my example; you'll be myths no moreThey can't deny you exist when you're certifiedWhether you live in a swamp or in a cave out in the snowAnd how many of you there really are nobody seems to knowNo, that's all gonna change when you've got your degreesFrom the institute of the YetiYes, finally a school that's made just for you and meIt's the Institute of the Yeti
Call Me (a slave for new wave) mctrmt 2011-01-22 | This is for HanktheTank's "Slave for New Wave" video contest. If there is one thing you need to know about me, it is that I am a slave for new wave. I am also a slave to 3/4 or 6/8 time.Hank's channel: http://www.youtube.com/henrinessAnd no, that is not an artifact from a fight with a giant squid. It is a scarf I made and which is for sale, as a matter of fact, on my Etsy shop:http://www.popcornwaffle.etsy.comDon't call me after 10pm; I'll be asleep.
Distress (32b) mctrmt 2011-01-19 | The Secret Works Progress Administration do a much sadder version of this song, but I decided to stick with the original verses.
Dick Higgins- B.B. Finally Dreams About Life (cover/remix, for Arts Birthday) mctrmt 2011-01-16 | January 17th is Art's Birthday.B.B. Finally Dreams About Life/B.B's You Play it; 1962:http://ubu.artmob.ca/sound/fluxus_anthology/Fluxus-Anthology_13_Dick-Higgins.mp3Art's Birthday: http://www.artsbirthday.net
The Secret Works Progress Administration- Love Song of an Elderly Man at a Garden Party mctrmt 2011-01-08 | Love Song of An Elderly Man at a Garden Party*warning- Dan gets a little out of hand at the beginning of this oneThe Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Elliot Wishes of an Elderly Man at a Garden Party by Sir Walter Raleigh arranged by The Secret Works Progress Administration Recorded Jan 7, 2011 at the Tongue & Groove, Lethbridge, ABThe Secret Works Progress Administration is a secret band. Under the covert employ of zombie ex-president Roosevelt (FDR) and the New New Deal, they make secret music to fight "the Great Depression".
The Secret Works Progress Administration- Missing Link mctrmt 2011-01-08 | Missing Link"All branches of absent treatment through the mental airways in the abstract with applied phenomena must be checked upon irrespective of what name or alibi the process operate under for the real danger lies in the abstract with applied phenomena because the process itself is an invisible contact with reality in the effects only are seen which leaves individual liberty of mentality and fought at the mercy of applied phenomena..."- telegram from Frederick Rees Williams to The Observers at Mount Wilson, 1931Recorded Jan 7, 2011 at the Tongue & Groove, Lethbridge, ABThe Secret Works Progress Administration is a secret band. Under the covert employ of zombie ex-president Roosevelt (FDR) and the New New Deal, they make secret music to fight "the Great Depression".
The Secret Works Progress Administration- Jack-Knife mctrmt 2011-01-08 | I SAILED I SAILED I SAILED I SAILED TO THE COAST THE COAST THE COAST THE COASTRecorded Jan 7, 2011 at the Tongue & Groove, Lethbridge, ABThe Secret Works Progress Administration is a secret band. Under the covert employ of zombie ex-president Roosevelt (FDR) and the New New Deal, they make secret music to fight "the Great Depression".
Chicken in a Can (for Kenny & the Captains) mctrmt 2010-11-20 | I recorded this last week and posted it to facebook; I figured it deserved a wider release.Chicken in a can might be pretty great, but it's nothing compared to Kenny & the Captains:http://www.youtube.com/kennymelodicaHere is a recipe for Country Captain Chicken, a 30 Minute Southern Classic:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/30-minute-southern-classic-country-captain-chicken-recipe/index.htmlLive the dream, Captains. Live the dream.
Windham 38b (in anticipation of Banjo Friday) mctrmt 2010-11-12 | I am playing my banjolele in anticipation of Banjo Friday! (http://www.youtube.com/yoppykyabetsu)I am only singing the tenor and treble parts!There is a much better version on banjoape's channel! Even though it technically doesn't have any banjo in it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uLGz-TfZ7k
Dec Rant 2 (original) mctrmt 2010-11-07 | The song I meant to write was going to be really upbeat and fun, but instead I ended up with this. I am tuned down (or up, depending on your perspective) half a step. You can find the full Francis E. Dec rants here: http://www.bentoandstarchky.com/dec/rants.htm or at the Kooks Museum: http://web.archive.org/web/20080215015348/http://www.pacifier.com/~dkossy/kooksmus.html I am playing Dave's concert Kanile'a. It shore is purdy. Dec Rant 2 C#m A E B a real brain in the brain bank cities on the far side of the moon we'll never see this is the Worldwide Computer God Secret Containment Policy you are the highest, most intelligent electrical machine in the Universe inevitability of gradualness for your only hope for a future, do you know one word of pray for me
Fantastic & Spectacular (Mark Robinson) mctrmt 2010-11-04 | The song is by Mark Robinson, from the 2009 music issue of The Believer Magazine. I am fairly certain that I am not playing the right chords.The ukulele is my new Martin 2M, ca. 1918 (tuners ca. 1950s?). It is fantastic and spectacular, as is the husband who bought it for me.
Knucklehead- End in Sight mctrmt 2010-10-10 | Knucklehead is a 5-piece punk band from Calgary, Alberta that just celebrated their 15th anniversary; they rock. You should check them out on myspace (they do a totally awesome cover of Stompin' Tom's "The Canadian Lumberjack").http://www.myspace.com/khThis is my cover of the song "End in Sight", from their 2010 CD "Hearts on Fire".My apologies to Knucklehead's fans.
Banjo Friday response- Dark Island (with haircut!) mctrmt 2010-09-11 | Just as Yopp hoped a fancy jacket and a hat would augment his fiddle playing, so too do I hope that my fresh new haircut will distract from my rustiness. See the inimitable Yopps' version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne-zdLSL_mg I haven't played in a long time, but I was pleasantly surprised at my semi-success at occasionally throwing D. My apologies to HaileISela and my bagpipe instructor Mr. Gilchrist. Dark Island is a good song. Good banjo: http://www.youtube.com/YoppyKyabetsu Good pipes: http://www.youtube.com/HaileSela
Trilogy for Kenny and the Captains mctrmt 2010-09-04 | I. D.E.F.A.C.E.D.II. D.E.A.F.III. F.Am.E.D.find the Captains: http://www.youtube.com/kennymelodica
Until the End of Rabbits- Martian Horses cover mctrmt 2010-08-25 | The band is Martian Horses. You can find them and the lyrics on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/martianhorses Last week I found an old artist statement from 2001, in which I referred to a series of paintings: "The self portraits are based on my own experiences and states of mind, real and imagined. The rabbit, as me, is free to do things I cannot and helpless to avoid the situations into which I place it. I first began to refer to myself as the rabbit when I started feeling sorry for and identifying with an imaginary rabbit-shaped aspic." And that, folks, is how I got myself an M.F.A.
Kids- MGMT mctrmt 2010-08-24 | This is a bridgeless 3/4 time melodica ukulele cover; you can just add it to the big internet pile of Kids covers. So many tracks, so many takes. billypauly and ianc2674 did a pretty neat intervention: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3byrhV_RuzM
Less is More Than This mctrmt 2010-08-08 | I really don't know if Mies Van Der Rohe would approve of this at all.Go 80s?Here is the first video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ1iIALzEUA
ukulele in my kayak- Whistling in the Dark mctrmt 2010-07-20 | Anglin Lake, Saskatchewan! This is one of my favourite songs to play. I first heard it as performed by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians. Chords: (intro) A F7 A B7 E7 A F7 A B7 E7 (verse) A Bm E7 Bm E7 A D7 A E7 A Bm E7 Bm E7 A D7 A E7 (bridge) C#m E B7 E7 A Bm E7 Bm E7 A D7 A E7 A Bm E7 Bm E7 A D7 A E7 A Bm E7 Bm E7 A D7 A D A D7 A E7 A
UWC 2010- fireflies fail & Beirut mctrmt 2010-07-01 | Trying to catch fireflies on video- fail. If you stare really close at your screen you might see one. Probably not.Brandon and Savannah in the background.
UWC 2010- Dominator and Degcon mctrmt 2010-07-01 | Dominator and degcon practicing up for Saturday night.
Paul Atkins & Friends @ PAVEDArts mctrmt 2010-06-26 | Ever wonder what you could do with a good horse and a chainsaw?Paul Atkins & Friends, June 19, 2010PAVEDArts, Saskatoon, SaskatchewanPaul is so awesome:http://www.youtube.com/billypaullyLater in the set he FOUGHT A ROBOT.Peter Stinson on tuba!
Theme from The Littlest Hobo (full version) mctrmt 2010-06-12 | Thanks to bobbyboffan for directing me to the full version of this sweet little song! UNTIL TOMORROW YOU KNOW I'M FREE TO ROAM! (Not really.) This is my mustachelele. Thanks for the awesome accessory, ukulelezo!!
Dear Medea mctrmt 2010-06-01 | My friend John wrote this and asked me if I would record it with him. Now a version of it is on The Record Holder's latest EP, "To Sea", released December 2011. http://therecordholder.bandcamp.com/album/dear-medea
Luba- Every Time I See Your Picture I Cry (Go 80s!) (Go Canada!) mctrmt 2010-04-26 | This is for Daniel Barrow. One day I'll see him again. Until then....Sorry; I messed up syncing (and playing?) the spoon parts.
Stripes- owlphanumeric mctrmt 2010-04-11 | You know when you really like something so you want to do it too but you know you can never do justice to the original but you want to try anyway?http://www.youtube.com/owlphanumeric
to my subscribers- Thank You (Im Sorry) mctrmt 2010-04-07 | To my subscribers, who today number 403.Thanks very much, and I really am sorry, But not sorry enough to try any harder. Good enough is good enough, as they say.
Be My (Go 90s!) Papel Molido mctrmt 2010-03-27 | This was originally recorded in 1997 (!) with only vocals and electric bass. Then Patricio spiffed it up 11 years later with some added synthetic goodness.Wouldn't be awesome if I could really tear a phone book in half? I'd be like, "Hi, I'm Mary-Anne, and I'll be your Drawing I instructor," RRRIIIIIIIPPPPPP! "any questions?"That's my new flea in the background.
