R.I.P. A.C.C.

It is a sad day for Science Fiction. Sir Arthur C. Clarke, author of 2001: A Space Odyssey among others, has passed away at the age of 90.

Sir Arthur Charles Clarke
(1917-2008)

"Life is just one big banana. Science fiction allows us all to peel open the reality and discover the yellow truth inside."

"Somewhere in me is a curiosity sensor. I want to know what's over the next hill. You know, people can live longer without food than without information. Without information, you'd go crazy."

Match it for Pratchett

I found out about this via Neil Gaiman's blog. Author Terry Pratchett has donated Half a Million Pounds to Alzheimer's research. A fan campaign has been initiated to match Terry's very generous donation:

Leonard Cohen

On 10 March 08 Leonard Cohen, one of the most talented poets and lyricists of our time, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Lou Reed:

Wedding Song

I just posted my ukulele arrangement of Bob Dylan's 'Wedding Song' to UkerTabs. Check it out:

Wedding Song

Make it Official!

Guinness Stout is fronting a campaign to make St Patrick's Day and official U.S. holiday to honor America's Irish roots and Irish-Americans. From the propositions website:

With nine times more Irish-Americans in this country than there are people in all of Ireland, never before has the Irish Spirit been so alive. Come St. Patrick’s Day, that spirit is even more pronounced as everyone reveals a little bit of their Irish side. From the camaraderie in the streets to the joy pulsating in their hearts, people from all nationalities and backgrounds bask in the glory that is Irish.
That is why Guinness and the undersigned, present Proposition 3-17 which hereby requests that St. Patrick’s Day be made an official holiday not only to officially commemorate the spirit of this day, but to celebrate and honor St. Patrick himself. A man once known for driving snakes out of Ireland, St. Patrick now embodies the pride and strength in all who are Irish and in Irish enthusiasts alike. March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, is a widely celebrated holiday in the US. Not only Irish Americans, but an ever-growing community of people in America from all races, creeds and weltanschauungs partake in the day’s festivities.
Guinness and Proposition 3-17 supporters believe that a regulated, official holiday would not only reduce the amount of employees missing work in order to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but officially allow people to express their Irishness. Guinness and Proposition 3-17 believers strongly urge you to consider making this day official so that it can be observed and celebrated annually by all Americans for generations to come, when not only our nation, but nation's around the world, will join together to enjoy the parades and fellowship and a pint of Guinness stout or two.

Sign the Petition!

Uker Tabs

Al Wood of Uke Hunt has recently created Uker Tabs, a blog where people can sign up to post their own ukulele tabs and chords. Things are off to a great start with a wide variety of songs. I myself have contributed a couple of arrangements. Go check it and and get strummin'!

Singing the Blues

I just posted a couple new Elijah Wilbury songs to my EZFolk page. The first is my version of the St James Infirmary Blues:



The second is an original blues song based on St James, which I call The Lost Love Blues:



The Lost Love Blues
Lyrics by John W. Leys, Music by Elijah K. Wilbury

Intro: Dm-A7-Dm-Gm-A7-

Dm-A7-Dm-A7-Dm

Dm A7 Dm
I went down to the station
Gm A7
Headed for I don't know where
Dm A7 Dm
I saw an old man layin by the dustbin
A7 Dm
With a pain he couldn't help but share

I asked him what the matter was
And what path to this place had led
He looked up with bleary eyes
And these were the words he said:

“I was looking for my lady
In the house where her parents dwelt
Not suspecting what I'd find there
And the hand that I'd been dealt.

Her parents sat on cushionless stools
The mirrors were covered and blind
And no sign there was of my true love
Who in this world I would never again find

Oh my sweet Lord, please bless her
Wherever she may be
I could search the whole world over
And never find one as sweet as she

I rent my shirt o'er my blood-pump
And dropped down to my knees
Asking the Lord of Hosts above me
'Save me if you please!'

It was raining when they buried her
In a plain box five feet long
Six Rabbis were her pallbearers
With Six Cantors to sing her songs

Not a flower colored the garden
Her family tree dressed in black
18 traveled to the graveyard
Only 17 came walking back”

His eyes rent open my breastbone
My soul for his love did cry
To hear of that wicked day
That he saw his future die.

And as he finished his sad story
He drew one last ragged breath
I pray he finds that lost love
Out there on the other side of death.

Outro: Dm-A7-Dm-Gm-A7-Dm-A7-Dm-A7-Dm

Heaven on Earth

"What is love? As far as I can tell, is is passion, admiration, and respect. If you have two, you have enough. If you have all three, you dont have to die to go to heaven."

- William Wharton

Free Book From Neil Gaiman

Over at Neil's blog he has announced that he is giving away FREE downloadable copies of his book American Gods for the next month. You can get your copy here.

For some odd reason people seem to think this is wrong.