I finally owned a ukulele!...

Hey I only remember 4 chords! Apparently that's nearly enough to perform one song. Can even play 'Making Love Out of Nothing At All - by Air Supply' with only 6! (Two I needed revision with...). When I first started learning at 18 years old -- which is a lifetime ago -- dad had this ukulele songbook, and one of the easy songs was 'Home on the Range'. Oh yeah, those were the days. Howling for the roaming buffaloes to come home...

This is a concert size ukulele... the smallest and sexiest among its siblings. Came with a canvas bag (bought separately) with back-carry-mode and enough pads to hold it safe and sound inside. My very own first ukulele which I bought with my own money. No matter that it was procured out of pure whim.

She's reddish in colour -- mahogany, I think. Look at the distinguished white linings... made it look pretty elegant and classy. Well it better be because it certainly didn't come cheap. Strings are soft and make really sweet twang. Not that I know how to twang it. I'm learning still. Daddy didn't teach me enough chords before somebody broke the old ukulele.

But it would go really well to compliment a guitar. My baby bought this acoustic for me last year as a pre-birthday present from Lepo Music Store. It's not a Taylor, but it may sound almost as good as a Taylor in my head because it's pretty special. <3 

So yeah... I got half a band at home and all we need now is to teach le hubby to play one of these. And a mini-amp, and a cajón, or a tambourine, and a bass. :)

By the way, bought the ukulele from a friend who sells uke and guitars via Facebook. I saw one on his page, enquired enough to state my interest, and 3 weeks later it was on my desk! Of course online shopping is the way to go these days. Completely safe and worry-free transaction, because I know this guy from a church in Alor Setar which is pastored by a family friend who solemnized my sister's wedding ....... okay long story. Well if you're interested, give him a message. I won't tell you how much I bought mine, because that is strictly between me and Shion. :) He can give you a good deal, right Shion?

But hey don't ask for public performance ya because I'm raw and this particularly stage-shy raw talent shall always be, like they say, hidden. :) ... unless a really special function calls for one.

Ahem. Ahem. *clears throat*

Home... home on the range.... where the dear and the antelopes play.... where seldom is heard a discouraging word... and the skies are not cloudy all day. <3

Movie Review: Pitch Perfect ... Aca-awesomeness

Had waited with hyped up anticipation for this movie since IMDB released the trailer last year. Anticipation fully justified. Haven't had this much fun since Sisters Act and Hairspray. I supposed it won't be fair to compare it with Glee, but then with the amount of voice matching, synchronised singing, and harmonious movement going on, it's inevitable not to.

"Making music with your mouth" aka A Cappella  is what Pitch Perfect is all about. Heyyyy!

Google pic

I bet you didn't know Anna Kendrick could sing, did you? She was actually nominated for Broadway's 1998 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for "High Society." She was the second youngest nominee in Tony history. Ok I Googled that part up, but the most important point is, she wasn't just a cute face who featured as Bella's first friendly-face classmate in Twilight. She is now in her best lead role ever and what better way to feature that vocal gift than to flaunt it on stage with one of the most colorful cast ensemble?

 

Google pic: Anna Kendrick now, a far cry from Twilight...

Here's how the story goes: Beca (Anna Kendrick), a seemingly rebellious but quiet teen, is forced to go to college where her father is the resident academician, despite her dream of becoming a radio DJ. By choice, her initial journey into college-hood wasn't smooth sailing, she didn't make any friends, in fact her roommate practically ignored her.

She accidentally joined an all-girls a capella group called The Bellas, after her vocal talent was discovered in the shower by senior Chloe (Brittany Snow). Coincidentally the song they were harmoniously singing to was Titanium by David Guetta, my all time one-hit favourite. Fire away fire away...

Anyway, The Bellas were determined to dethrone reigning champion all-boys The Treble Makers in an international competition, but first they have to win (or get at least second placing) the regional and the national to get to the international. With the juniors joining in as part of their college curricular activities, senior Bellas led by the controlling Aubrey and the supportive Chloe, quickly gather a group of unconventional but gifted bunch of girls (of all shapes and sizes and sexual orientation).

 

 Google pic: Signing up with the Bellas

Then there were the series of chemistry pull between Beca and the leading actor Jesse (Skylar Astin) which was seriously sweet to watch, and the series of unspoken anger aimed at her dad, and also the unhidden hostility between Beca and her Korean roomate. But then, this is Hollywood, you don't get pegged down for pulling a racist remark now and then.
 
Aside from Anna Kendrick who shines in her first few leading role, the other person to watch is Australian Rebel Wilson who plays Fat Amy, a confident alto singer who loathes cardio workouts. I didnt know she could sing too until I checked out her bio! She is both comical and natural, and carries a total couldnt-care-less attitude. Watch out for her witty one-liners, sugar coated sarcasm, and cute dramatic approach to everything. Ooo I love her!

Google pic: Fat Amy and Aubrey rehearsing the pout...

Remember her in Ghost Rider -- the gothic punk girl who witnessed the first soul-drenching drama and lived to tell the media?

 Google Pic: Remember this awkward pose? Ha ha ha.

The Treble Makers were actually the perfect match for the girls. There were some really good songs and hair-raising male pitch with the bass landing. At some point, I kept asking myself, did the High School Musical boys grew up and went to Barden University?

Google pic: The Treble Makers ... 

Check out the girls' version for rehearsal number, by Bruno Mars - Just the Way You Are. It was perfect. But then again, what isn't? Gave me goose bumps.

Pitch Perfect may not have the best storyline ever -- in fact, you could conclude it as another rebel teen vs college drama -- but they definitely score the highest where music arrangement and voice pitch are concerned. And even though the plot sometimes might be a little predictable if not non-existent, I totally enjoyed the whole ride. Aca-Totally.

Go catch Pitch Perfect in cinemas closest to you today. Bring a date, you won't regret it.

Fire away! Fire away!

All I want for my Birthday is ...

 

 

 Pics: Lepo Music Centre

A purty little Taylor Acoustic 114ce model with the sexy Grand Auditorium curve with pickup. I could play with it all night long. The sound it makes is hot and heavy. More erotic than any acoustic I've beheld.

And this baby is valued at over RM3000 ...

I hope I dont have to smash my piggy bank for this.

P/s: Are you reading this dad? Mom? Baby? Anybody?