Ukulele Serenade – Andy Eastwood
In the two years that this website as been on-line, we have always only featured items and
articles about George Formby. In a slight break with that tradition I would like to write about a
recently released Compact Disc by one of the members of the GFS.
I have always thought that Andy Eastwood was probably one of the best ukulele players within
the GFS. With the release of Ukulele Serenade, Andy rightfully claims the number one spot!
Not only does Andy feature his considerable ukulele skills here, but he also plays every other
instrument on 12 totally listenable tracks. From George Formby’s Leaning On A Lampost to the
closing track, Buddy Holly’s True Love Ways you will find something to suit virtually any listening
taste. This CD oozes quality and I can’t help thinking that if Beryl Formby had been around
today, she would have been working overtime to have these songs suppressed as she would
have probably felt that they would have been a threat to George’s livelihood!
There are in fact, six Formby numbers within the selection and each one features a stunning
ukulele solo pretty close to the Formby originals, but with Andy’s own style thrown in for good
measure. Whilst Andy is a dedicated Formby follower, his musical tastes go much further and he
shows ukulele players the way home with two beautiful instrumental classics, Misty and Glen
Miller’s all-time favourite Moonlight Serenade.
For those outside the GFS, Andy is a music student at Oxford University and the CD is a joint
production between Andy and his father. A totally professional production it is, with an 8-page CD
sleeve supplying all the recording details and photographs of the artist.
If you are looking for a nice stocking-filler in the run up to Christmas or, you just enjoy listening to
a talented artist performing an excellent choice of material you should make the effort and
purchase.
At £9-50 (including 50 pence for UK postage) the CD is a bargain, and can be obtained from: Andy Eastwood, 81 Glenville Road, Walkford,
Dorset, BH23 5PX. (Cheques payable to Andy Eastwood, in £ sterling please.)
Tracks on the CD are:
1. Leaning On A Lampost. 2. Here Comes The Sun. 3. Misty. 4. I Told My Baby With My Ukulele. 5. You Don't Need A Licence For That. 6.
When I'm Cleaning Windows. 7. We Have All The Time In The World. 8. They Laughed When I Started To Play. 9. I'd Like A Dream Like
That. 10. That'll Be The day. 11. Moonlight Serenade. 12. True Love Ways.
Please note that this is archived news.