23 February 2021

    Another socially-distant collaboration, this is Never Too Late, an original
   song written by Colin.

Mid-afternoon on Sunday, 24th February, the intrepid trio took to the stage before an audience whose numbers included competition judges Phil Doleman and Tricity Vogue.  The Hearts had bravely (foolishly?) chosen to perform a song that nobody in the audience would have heard, a Colin Webb original called ‘The Puzzle of Love’.  Presenting a new song in a competitive environment is risky, because audiences tend to relate better to familiar material.  However, the gamble paid off, because the judges loved the song and awarded Hearts of Uke nineteen points out of a possible twenty to win first place ahead of strong competition.

After the performance, judge Phil Doleman told a very proud Lylee…

“First of all it was not only an original song, but a really good one at that. The arrangement worked well, not only with it having a bass line, but the fact that the two ukes were doing different things. You sounded like a 'band', rather than a 'uke group'. Performance-wise, not only do you have a great voice, but you weren't reading the words so you were able to properly 'perform' the song, and you all had a great 'groove', which for me is really, really important- it's not just solid timing (which you had) but a rhythm that made you tap your foot, that drove the song along.”

Part of the winning performance was captured for posterity on video. (Thanks Bob Eggington).  You can hear a full version of the song recorded at the band’s practice the following day by clicking here.

Home

Sadly, not much news to report due to the Covid-19 lockdown.  We can’t get together to practice and, of course, all gigs have been cancelled. We’ve not been completely idle though; we’re attempting to create music by recording our parts individually and subsequently mixing them together.  

It’s no substitute for playing in the same room at the same time, but it’s the best we can do for now.

Until these Frankenstein creations are ready, we hope you’ll enjoy a song about these strange times that Lylee has written and recorded during her self-isolation.

Hearts of Uke win the open mic competition at the Big House in the North Ukulele Variety Weekend.

We’re back!

Strictly observing social distancing and hygiene regulations, we gathered in Lylee’s garden this afternoon for our first practice since Covid-19 interrupted proceedings.  We were a bit rusty at first, but soon got back into the swing of things and managed to play some new songs that Colin had written during the lockdown.  

(The Frankenstein creations mentioned below never quite came together and there should be no need for them now, unless the virus kicks off again. Fingers crossed!)   

Another al fresco practice, with good progress on Colin’s three new songs.

A Whole Mess Of Blues, Another Spring and The Devil Made Me Do It are coming along nicely and will be ready for performance at our next gig (whenever that may be).

Don’t be fooled by the expressions of stern seriousness; our rehearsals are jolly, happy occasions with lots of laughter.  Honestly.

13 February 2021

   

To relieve the boredom of the Covid lockdown, we thought we’d have a go at recording a song with each of us playing our parts separately and subsequently joining them together.  You can hear it by clicking here.

We’re quite pleased with the result; not bad for a first attempt!

07 March 2021

We’re counting the days until we’re able to practice in Lylee’s garden again and hoping for a long period of good weather after the lockdown restrictions are eased at the end of the month.  In the meantime, here are the latest isolation creations: one from the group and two from Colin.  All the pieces are composed by Colin.

Written In My Heart      Snowdrops      Hay Fever Shuffle

30 March 2021

Relaxed Covid 19 restrictions and an upturn in the weather mean that we can meet in Lylee’s garden for a practice session today for the first time in several months.  For now though, here’s what we hope will be our final isolation collaboration, Another Time.

25 June 2021

With our appearance at Cockermouth LIVE! approaching, we assembled at Lylee’s yesterday for a lengthy practice and a technical rehearsal.  The challenge was to set up our equipment in less than the ten minutes that the Cockermouth LIVE! schedule allows.  (We did it in six.  Phew!)

16 June 2022

It’s that time again!  After a lengthy spell of inactivity due to family commitments, we reconvened yesterday to prepare for our appearance at Cockermouth LIVE! on Saturday 2 July.  Ring rust?  No - not at all - we hit the ground running and were pretty pleased with how we played. It’s going to be a great gig!

18 September 2022

We’ve been invited to play at Hutton-in-the Forest’s Apple Day on Sunday 2 October.  The event runs from 10am to 4pm and we’ll be playing a number of sets throughout the day.  Fingers crossed for fine weather!