Learning new song "The Vampyre Of Time And Memory". My cat Paco decided he would like in on the jam too
Stinker

Practice: "The Vampyre Of TIme And Memory"

Gloria Estefan was one of my favorite pop-stars when I was a little girl. Paula Abdul might have had the dance movies and Madonna had the style, but Gloria could write her own hits and play guitar! 
I just learned this song because I thought it would be a good song to sing for the toddlers. It's also fun to play because there are so Maj7 chords.
Deirdre Egan is playing guitar on this version.

ding! 
www.unimusic.us

A song about Numbers in Maj7 key: 1,2,3,4 by Gloria Estefan (ukulele cover)

I always skipped over "Every Night" to get to "Maybe I'm Amazed" on the McCartney album. What a gem I've missed all these years.
Here is attempt on the piano.
Thanks to Roderick Fransham for helping me record it and let me be a bossypants.
ding!


"Every Night" (Paul McCartney Cover)

It's a beautiful day in Wellington, so I got the Motown Songbook out, sat in the garden and learned The Commodores hit "Easy". 
In doing so I stumbled upon a funky chord...Gb
Never played that one before. Love all the other flats. So glad Gb joined the team.
Feel free to sing the Ahhhhs on the chorus bits.

ding!
Uni and her Ukelele
www.unimusic.us

Easy (like Sunday morning) Ukulele Cover

All My Friends Are Dead are my dedications to all the music personalities that have passed. These folks will live on and continue to inspire my life.

"I Would Rather Go By" by Etta James

Record at practice with Hugh Nettar in his apartment, Auckland, New Zealand

All My Friends Are Dead: "I Would Rather Go Blind"

What an honor it is for me to have one of my songs covered by they wonderful kids! Such a Pro job they did on the recording! I'm so mushy and proud. I can't wait to share this version with my classes and show them how these kiwi kids Smashed It!

Thank U to Mt. Roskill Primary School Performers, Christine Dawson (their awesome music teacher) Play It Strange and Cheese On Toast.

I'm On My Way performed by Mt. Roskill Primary School
writen by Uni and her Ukelele

I'm On My Way performed by Mt. Roskill Primary School (Auckland, NZ)

The Paper Dolls are on tour in Portland from 11/12-11/16.  On Friday, the 16th we're going to play a show with our friend Justin Hays, a kick-ass bass player from the band Funbus.  We are so excited to have the sound of the double-bass on our songs - we're making Justin's Funbus into our own personal short bus, and riding it all the way to The Palace of Industry, where we will be rocking on the 16th.

Facebook Event Page for Show
http://www.facebook.com/events/112849805543448/

Like The Paper Dolls on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/thepaperdollsband

"Mama Don't Like My Man" is by Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings

The Paper Dolls sing "Mama Don't Like My Man" live in Portland

The Paper Dolls took a trip down the "Holiday Road" 
Actually, we were just hanging out in my living room.

If U would like to get a B-side quality X-mas Song from me everyday til Christmas, please let me know on FB. I will put U on the Nice-list!

http://www.facebook.com/heather.m.ellison

Like The Paper Dolls on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/thepaperdollsband

song by Lindsey Buckingham

"Holiday Road" by the Paper Dolls

The Yule Logs are my favorite Holiday Band!

"Wishlist" written by The Yule Logs

Hear The Yule Logs version here
http://youtu.be/2uHZNoAdcwY

Like The Yule Logs on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/theyulelogs

Book them next year for your Holiday Party!

ding!
unimusic.us

U can cover this song too!

Wishlist by The Yule Logs

Verse
Bb                       Gm            Cm                    F
I didn't ask for underwear, I didn't want a ball
Bb                        Gm             Cm                           F
I'm wondering if Santa read,  My Christmas List at all?
Bb                            Gm                               Cm                              F
Been working on it for weeks this year, it's over 300 pages long
Bb                              Gm          Cm                     F   
I alphabetized everything, so where did I go wrong?

Chorus
Eb                        F                    Bb                   Gm
He could have brought me anything on my list
Eb             F        Bb    Gm
From item 1 to 97, it's just 
Eb           F                  Gm                    Cm                            F
Another stop for the man in red, so why did I get this instead? 
Cm                           F             Bb
Why did I get this instead?

Verse
Bb                     Gm                          Cm                                     F
Maybe Santa doesn't have his facts straight on the futile incident
Bb                       Gm                       Cm                                F
See I've got this evidence that proves I'm completely innocent

Chorus:
Eb                   F                         Bb                     Gm
He could have brought me anything on my list
Eb            F            Bb   Gm
From atom bomb to grenade launcher
Eb           F                    Gm             Cm                               F
Another stop for the man in red, so why did I get this instead? 
Cm                            F
Why did I get this instead?

Instrumental

Verse
Bb                       Gm            Cm                    F
I didn't ask for underwear, I didn't , I didn't want a ball
Bb                        Gm             Cm                           F
I'm wondering if Santa read, my Christmas, My Christmas List at all?
Chorus
Eb                        F                    Bb                   Gm
He could have brought me anything on my list
Eb             F        Bb    Gm
From item 1 to 97, it's just 
Eb           F                  Gm                    Cm                            F
Another stop for the man in red, so why did I get this instead? 
Cm                           F             Bb
Why did I get this instead?

Tag



Uni and her Ukelele covers "Wishlist" by The Yule Logs

It's been over 2 years since I've written a song. Someone has got serious writer's block. This song is from the heart and I hope it brightens your day!

We are still coming up with the arrangement but here is the meat of the matter, recorded live in Emily's kitchen.

"Closer" written by Uni and her Ukelele
performed by The Paper Dolls
www.unimusic.us

"Closer" Original by The Paper Dolls

Had a little fun recording on the iPhone app called VocalLive (in the bedroom).
It's like the good ol' days recording to tape. U have to get it right the first time or start over or chalk it up to Jazz.
I'm on a Bruno Mars kick lately. Just yesterday I was in H&M, skipping around and singing along to "Marry You". I hope this phase subsides soon, but until then I will keep learning his hits!
Thank U Roderick Fransham!

"Young Wild Girls" recorded on VocalLive app

I love Records and Disney because of my dad (just look at him)

Here is one of my favorite Disney songs "Baby Of Mine" from Dumbo. I sprinkled in a bridge from the song "With Every Beat Of My Heart", a shout out to another hero of mine, Johnny Otis.

Talking about Disney, I will be performing at the Walt Disney Family Museum, June 21st for "Animate Your Night" series. For more info about this fun Tiki Themed Night, check out the website!

http://www.waltdisney.org/animate-your-night

p.s. Special thanks to Deirdre Egan for playing this song with me

Dumbo Cover "Baby Of Mine"

I was asked to cover this song for my friend's Lenny and Suzy's 15th Wedding Anniversary.

It was a fun song to learn. I like the structure's twists and turns

You're My Best Friend by Queen covered by Uni and her Ukelele
www.unimusic.us

You're My Best Friend: Queen cover by Uni and her Ukelele

I learned a handful of Classic Disney tunes for an event I'm performing at the Walt Disney Family Museum June 21st.

http://www.waltdisney.org/animate-your-night

Big Special thanks to Marty Parker for helping me learn these songs and being my Prince Charming Stand-In for this tune!

"He's A Tramp" from Lady and the Tramp

He's A Tramp: Uni and her Ukelele Disney Cover

Uni and her Ukelele began it’s life in 2004 as an outlet for an already accomplished singer to self publish and perform original work independently.

Since that time Uni has released three full albums, numerous E.P’s, collaborations and a covers album ranging from lo -fi indie pop to melodic strings to rock. Uni’s sound has been described as eclectic, infectious pop and not your usual Ukulele fare.

Recipient of the SF Weekly Music Award, Uni has toured all over the USA and Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and has been the subject of  celebrated festival Documentary  ”The Mighty Uke”

Often described as the love child of Rainbow Brite and Mr. T, Uni is possessed of the uncanny ability to stare wanly out the window and simultaneously kick you in the balls…. Ding!

Heather Marie Ellison began singing in nightclubs in a country band at the age of fifteen (grandpa chaperoned). Then later, during the Swing resurgence of the 90′s, sang in a Northern California swing band by the name of The Savoy Swingers.

She caught the eye of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Johnny Otis and was soon back up singing in the Johnny Otis R&B Revue, opening up for such legendary artists as Koko Taylor, Tower of Power, The Four Tops, Ray Charles and James Brown.

So confident was Johnny Otis of Ms Ellison’s potential, he produced a solo album with her entitled Heather Marie With The Johnny Otis Band,  Got My Mojo Workin‘

During the early 2000′s Heather Marie worked at all three locations of legendary independent record store Amoeba Music before hanging up her name tag to tour the world as Uni and Her Ukelele.

From 2007 to 2008, Heather hosted the wildly popular San Francisco variety night “Club Unicornbread”. In a similar vein, being a big fan of Christmas, Heather Marie has brought international acts such as Caga Tio and The Yule Logs to the bay area for six consecutive years with the most craptacular Christmas show in San Francisco Christmas Is The Best in collaboration with Dr Trucker and “friends”.

Having accomplished the impossible task of making New Zealanders Oil Wrestle, making cocktail hats for the rich and famous and making it through Canadian Customs, the future is wide open for Heather Marie as she travels the globe dancing with friends, eating increasingly exotic foods and writing music. New projects are on the horizon for the betterment of us all.

Uni and her Ukelele

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