Those of you who know Radio Days well will know that we’ve a bit of a ‘thing’ about George Formby.  Those of you who know us really well will know we’re also huge fans of Formby’s mentor, Cliff Edwards (“Ukulele Ike”).  Do we have a soft spot for great uke players, then?

Yep, I think we have.

Lesser known is actor and musician Art Fowler, “The Wizard of the Ukulele”, whose No Wonder She’s a Blushing Bride was a novelty hit in 1927.  The ‘B’ side, with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Irving Kahal and Al Dubin, was to my mind equally memorable:

and was indeed recorded by several others, including Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians, Johnny Hamp’s Kentucky Serenaders, and the following year (1928) by the Devonshire Restaurant Dance Band.

But I must also share with you my favourite recording of recent years, that by Martin Carthy and the late, great Dave Swarbrick from 1967: