Joe Brown has been called many things - star, legend, MBE, rock icon, guitar hero, cheeky chappy...but now he can add an extra title to his extensive list: King of the Ukulele.
Joe has been playing the uke since he was a teenager. Indeed in 1963 it even got him into big trouble. Joe was one of the very first artists to have a record banned by the BBC - his recording of the old George Formby song 'With My Little Ukulele In My Hand' performed on the ukulele was deemed far too risqué...
Joe has been cited by some of the world's biggest rock performers as a world class player; anyone who saw him close the George Harrison Tribute concert with 'I'll See You In My Dreams' will be in no doubt as to his skill and feel for a song. In fact he has been performing this particular song for over 20 years. (He may have even introduced the uke to his good friend George and used to buy them for him when in Nashville.)
The Ukulele Album Deluxe Edition, already being called the definitive ukulele album, celebrates just what a great exponent of the instrument Joe is.
As its name suggests it features the ukulele on every track, but not as a novelty. It is given its full weight alongside raunchy electric and acoustic guitars, mandolins, banjo, lap steel and slide guitars and surprises galore. It features not only Joe's band, including producer son Pete, but also daughter Sam and 35 of her ukulele club pupils.
Released through Universal Music Group on October 21st, the De Luxe Edition features new studio recordings not found on the original album and comes with a special live CD.
Its release coincides with a major 40 date UK tour which kicks off on August 26th and runs through to December 15th. Tickets for the tour are on sale now priced £22 - £25 depending on venue.
Joe Brown was brought up in the music hall tradition, segueing into Skiffle and then fully embracing rock 'n' roll. He spans the musical divides and is possibly the last British artist to do so.
His career has embraced all aspects of entertainment - TV and radio broadcast, film, musicals, concerts - and his music is still contemporary. Awarded an MBE and a Mojo Award for services to music, Joe tours regularly playing sell-out dates across the country; this Autumn sees him on the road again in support of the new De Luxe Edition.
Joe makes the perfect world ambassador for the Ukulele. He has his own signature series of ukuleles and he has long expounded that it should replace the recorder as the starter instrument of choice in schools.
'I'll See You In My Dreams' is one of the two most played ukulele songs ever (because of Joe) and recently Joe's version featured world-wide in the hit TV series CSI. The song is now the unofficial anthem for this humble, globally appealing instrument. www.joebrown.co.uk
JOE BROWN AUTUMN TOUR
August
Monday 26th Bilston The Robin 2
Tuesday 27th Liverpool The Cavern (2 shows) 7:30pm
September
Thursday 26th Leamington Spa The Royal Spa Centre 7:30pm
Saturday 28th Camberley Camberley Theatre 7:30pm
Sunday 29th Hayes The Beck Theatre 7:30pm
October
Tuesday 1st Crawley The Hawth 7:30pm
Wednesday 2nd Stevenage Gordon Craig Centre 7:45pm
Thursday 3rd Potters Bar Wyllyots Centre
Wednesday 9th Newbury Corn Exchange 7:45pm
Friday 11th Shrewsbury The Severn Theatre 7:30pm
Saturday 12th Southport The Atkinson 7:30pm
Sunday 13th Lichfield The Garrick Theatre 7:30pm
Friday 18th Runcorn The Brindley 7:30pm
Saturday 19th Consett The Empire Theatre 7:30pm
Sunday 20th Billingham The Forum 7:30pm
Monday 21st Durham The Gala Theatre 7:30pm
Tuesday 22nd Workington The Carnegie Theatre 7:30pm
Friday 25th Wavendon The Stables 8:00pm
Saturday 26th Wavendon The Stables 8:00pm
Sunday 27th Clacton West Cliff Theatre 7:30pm
Monday 28th Chelmsford Civic Theatre 7:45pm
Wednesday 30th Worcester The Swan Theatre 8:00pm
Thursday 31st Worcester The Swan Theatre 8:00pm
November
Friday 1st Spalding South Holland Theatre 8:00pm
Saturday 2nd Spalding South Holland Theatre 8:00pm
Sunday 3rd Lowestoft The Marina Theatre 7:30pm
Wednesday 6th New Brighton The Floral Pavilion 7:30pm
Thursday 7th Kings Lynn The Corn Exchange 7:30pm
Friday 8th Cromer The Pier Pavilion 7:30pm
Saturday 9th Cromer The Pier Pavilion 7:30pm
Friday 15th Swindon The Wyvern Theatre 7:30pm
Saturday 16th Isle of Wight Shanklin Theatre 7:30pm
Thursday 21st Harlow The Playhouse Theatre 7:30pm
Friday 22nd Fareham Ferneham Hall 7:30pm
Saturday 23rd Wimborne The Tivoli Theatre 7:30pm
Wednesday 27th Epsom The Playhouse Theatre 8:00pm
Saturday 30th Burgess Hill Martlets Hall 8:00pm
December
Wednesday 11th Bury St Edmunds The Apex 7:30pm
Friday 13th Henley On Thames The Kenton Theatre
Saturday 14th Henley On Thames The Kenton Theatre
Sunday 15th Henley On Thames The Kenton Theatre
photo credit/copyright Judy Totton
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