Ukulele Orchestra

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
The Blackheath Concert Halls
September 23- 24, 2011

It is small, unprepossessing and has only 4 strings. Popularised by George Fornby in the 1930s, this "poor relation" of the guitar family is without artifice and generally looked down upon by classical musicians. But take the four different sizes, soprano, concert tenor and baritone and put them in the hands of them to the 8 members of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and you have an excellent night out.

Together, more or less, since 1985, the band has its origins in the "Republic of South Yorkshire" to quote nominal leader, George Hinchcliffe, when his father first bought him the instrument. "Could we have strings”, he is said to have asked. The orchestra have been touring ever since and have somehow today turned into a world renowned band. “We're thinking of launching a perfume”, Dave "pony-tail" Suich quipped last night.

If the instrument lacks gravitas, then so too does the group, full of self-deprecating humour and refusing to be taken or indeed take themselves, too seriously. "This poxy instrument can’t do much...and it forces us to think imaginatively about how to make sounds", Mr Grove-White added refreshingly. But make no mistake these are skilled musicians all and what they do with the instrument is quite astonishing to behold. In addition to the finger speed, versatility and control, their voices are compelling and the harmonies strong. There was even a whistling solo by baritone player Jonty Bankes, whose rendition of Bowie's Life on Mars was as unusual but as melodious as the unaccompanied Pin Ball Wizard to the rhythm of a sea-shanty.

While part two of the show lacked the impact of the first, renditions of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Slave to the Rhythm and Teenage Dirtbag kept the crowd happy as did some quite spectacular solos by Hinchcliffe and Richie Hall. But their 25 years together has taught them one thing above all; that you rise and you fall as a team. Nothing worked better than their final encore; seven different songs somehow sung simultaneously to one single tune.

Thanks to a much improved programme, the Halls were once again packed and the audience loved what they saw. "I absolutely no idea that a Ukulele Orchestra could possibly be quite so good", an elderly gentlemen remarked to his wife. Frankly, neither did I. Book early so as not miss out on next year. 8/10

September 2011

Richard Smith-Morgan