Comments on: Science fiction grand master Jack Vance rockin' a uke and a kazoo

By: swlabr

swlabr — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 01:21:00 +0000

There’s a tavern just ahead on the road. I’m sure that we will find some hearty food, fine wine, interesting company, decent lodgings, and a change of clothes. Do we have any money? I only have a deck of cards with me…

By: Steve Taylor

Steve Taylor — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 21:20:00 +0000

When you’ve loved someone’s books for over thirty years and then you find out they also play a mean kazoo – well, it doesn’t happen every day.

By: James Penrose

James Penrose — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:50:00 +0000

One of Vance’s novels “The Killing Machine” was the first or second SF novel I ever bought. Took me two weeks to save up the 35 cents from my allowance (yes it *was* a while back) while hoping the book would still be on the spinner rack at the grocery store. I still have that copy.

It is good to see him hanging in there, I hope he lives a good dead longer.

By: Terry Doyle

Terry Doyle — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:07:00 +0000

Great sense of humor! Appreciated Vance for his literature and now another reason to bow in the direction of the Bay Area. Nice going, Cory & Boingboing!

By: Gruff Guano

Gruff Guano — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:07:00 +0000

I had read stories and books from Jack Vance before, but I bought ‘Tales of a dying earth’ rather recently. It’s brilliant. It took me by surprise how present-day and how fascinating the stories still were.

The irony with which he observes hypocrisy and immoral human traits, is very amusing. The worlds he describes are of an incredibly bizarre and colorful diversity.

His books simply must have been an inspiration for many modern movies and fantasy stories.

By: Tim H

Tim H — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:46:00 +0000

Next he needs to found a cult:

http://www.ronthemusicmaker.org/music/herit.htm

By: Mordicai

Mordicai — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Thank you, Boing Boing, that was exactly what I needed. Well, CLOSE, but not exactly– can Gene Wolfe play any instruments? A duet would be EXACTLY what I need.

By: Romeo Vitelli

Romeo Vitelli — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:24:00 +0000

I’m thinking a 96-year old SF god playing two instruments at once rates a squee…

By: mindysan33

mindysan33 — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Secondeded (?) like a million-billion times. I suck at it and it’s still a ton of fun!

OH, and this just came out!

http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/p-8729-9780824836344.aspx

I’ve been waiting for an academic work on the Uke for quite a while (done by independent scholars and published by an academic press). Reading it now, actually.

By: Pope Ratzo

Pope Ratzo — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:05:00 +0000

Ukuleles are crazy fun. If you don’t own a uke, you should absolutely go get one right now. They are easy to learn and there’s no limit to how good you can get if you practice a bit.

You can find a really decent uke for well under $100. Beginners should get either the concert size or tenor size (as Mr Vance is playing), because the soprano can be a little cramped for big ol’ hands like mine. There are tons of how-to videos online that will get you going. You’ll be watching the humuhumunukunukuapua`a go swimming by in no time.

You will be the life of any party and studies show chicks dig musicians.