(Please note: For any track that is accompanied by the 'Ukulele' icon, there is a sample sound file to listen to. Just click on the little uke. This opens a small 'player' window, which plays the sample and remains open to play others. It will close automatically when you navigate away from this 'Backing Tracks' page)
I have commisioned the
production of a number of George Formby backing tracks. The music
has been produced by professional musicians/arrangers working
with top notch equipment and the tracks laid down in a recording
studio. Every effort has been made to attempt to replicate the
accompaniment which George used on his records. So the different
instruments which are audible during George's performances appear
on the backing CD version.
I have acted as an advisor from the point of view of deciding on
the keys in which the music is played and the tempo, format of
the songs etc., (bearing in mind that few of us can match the
Great Man's playing and singing prowess!!). With the sole
exception of 'Windows' on Volume 1, there are two backing tracks
for every song (each in a different key).
The accompaniment does not compete with the singer as regards the
melody of the songs but comes in strongly with the melody during
the uke solo (so as to augment the audience's enjoyment of the
skills of the player!). I have also made every effort to ensure
that royalties are paid to the publishers of the original music.
I have done some artwork of George for the CD cover, which
hopefully adds to the fun, and the CD's are in Jewel cases.
Volumes 1, 2 and 3 are priced at £14 each. Volume 4 is £14. Volume 5 is £12. All prices are in Sterling and include postage and packaging to the UK
Discounts for multiple purchases.
Buy volumes 1 and 2 in one transaction for £25
Buy volumes 1, 2, and 3 in one transaction for £33
Buy Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4 in one transaction for £42
Buy Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in one transaction for £50
Again these prices include
post and packing to UK addresses.
If you would like any (or all) of these CD's, please send me a
cheque for the total amount made payable to "Andrew Little
Fine Art" to the following address:
Andrew Little Fine Art, PO BOX 1569, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST4
3SD
(I do respond to orders etc. as quickly as possible but you will appreciate that this website is not the only demand on my time - I have other commitments that prevent me from collecting mail from my Post Office Box every day. Sometimes there may be a short delay but, on the other hand, you may be lucky and get the response by return! Thank you for your patience if there is a delay.)
I am introducing a new
service for customers who purchase one of my Backing CD's.
(Sorry, but I cannot supply just the minidisc copies on their
own).
For an extra £8 per CD, I will include a minidisc copy of that
CD. Please note that this price reflects the fact that I have to
pay royalties on the minidisc copies as well as on the CD's.
For more information on the CD's & minidiscs, send me an e-mail..... andrew@andrewlittlefineart.fsnet.co.uk
(PLEASE NOTE - THE KEY OF THE SONG IS THE FIRST CHORD YOU PLAY WITH YOUR UKE ACCOMPANIMENT)
Volumes 1 and 2 contain all
the most popular Formby classics, e.g., 'Windows', 'Lampost', 'TT
Races', 'Chinese Laundry Blues' etc.. All (except 'Windows') are
in 2 keys suitable for a uke in "C" and "D".
'Windows' is only in the key of "C".
Volume 1 contains the following tracks:
1. When I'm Cleaning Windows
2. Leaning on a Lamp-post
3. Our Sgt. Major
4. Mr Wu's a Window Cleaner
5. Hitting the High Spots
6. With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock
Volume 2 contains the
following tracks (in the same keys as Volume 1):
1. Fanlight Fanny
2. T.T Races
3. Chinese Laundry Blues
4. Little Ukulele
5. Licence
6. Grandad's Flannelette Nightshirt
7. Auntie Maggie's Remedy
There are 6 songs on the this
CD.
The tracks are as follows:
1. Out In The Middle East - "Fm"
2. Out In The Middle East - "Gm"
3. Smile All The Time - "C"
4. Smile All The Time -"D"
5. The Lancashire Toreador - "Am"
6. The Lancashire Toreador - "Bm"
7. The Ukulele Man "F"
8. The Ukulele Man - "G"
9. Get Crackin'- "F"
10. Get Crackin' - "G"
11. I Blew A Little Blast On My Whistle - "C"
12. I Blew A LittleBlast On My Whistle - "D".
All the songs follow the
standard format apart from :
Out in the Middle East - This has the
audience participation Sand Dance "Lah Lah Lah"
singalong section at the end of each chorus/verse combination.
(If you have ever been to a George Formby Society meeting you
will know what I am driving at here. Believe me it is very good
fun!)
The Ukulele Man - The original of this is
complicated by lots of "answer backs " and key changes.
This is the version which I have performed with approval at GFS
meetings for a while now. It is simple but effective and puts the
solo virtually in the middle of the song whilst staying in the
same key throughout.
All the tracks on Volume 4
are in "C" and "D" except 'Andy The Handyman'
which is in the keys of "F" and "G".
The tracks are :
1. Andy The Handyman
2. The Blackpool Belle
3. Daring Young Man
4. Hindoo Man
5. Home Guard Blues
6. Pleasure Cruise
7. On The Wigan Boat Express
These are slower mixes for beginners or anyone who is not in too much of a hurry !
All the tracks on Volume 5 are in "C" and "D" except 'Our Sergeant Major' which is in the keys of "F" and "G".
The tracks are :
1. Chinese Laundry Blues.
2. Grandad's Flannelette Nightshirt.
3. Leaning On A Lamppost
4.Our Sergeant Major
5. When I'm Cleaning windows
Click here for details of 2 new backing track 'Singles'
NEW BACKING TRACK 'SINGLES'