BONUS - How Ukulele Changed our Lives in 2019

This episode is a celebration of all those people I talked to in 2019.  Every one of them told me how ukulele had changed their life, and I’ve put all those reasons together in one place. 

I’ve scored this episode with a lot of music featuring ukulele.  Most of it was recorded specifically for this episode with the help of my friends, but there are a few songs which I recorded during 2019, including one live performance.

Thank you so much to all the guests who appeared in this episode:

  • Paul Marsh

  • Khristina Joy

  • Sandra Shaw

  • Guido Heistek

  • Molly Lewis

  • Jim Boggia

  • Nissa Ludwig

  • Alan and Paul from Ko’Aloha Ukuleles

  • Peter, Rita, Patsi and Jeff from Flat Foot Floozy

  • John, Pete, Cathy, Uncle Rod, Steve & Chantelle, From STRUM (Seattle’s Totally Relaxed Ukulele Musicians)

  • Dave Parker

  • Tom Harding

  • Dennis Aubrey & Pete Purton

  • Adam and Lea from OHANA

  • Cathy and Angie, The Wild Women of Anywhere Beach

  • David Megarrity

  • Ruth Allen

  • Ian Porter

  • Jenny Parenteau

  • Snapper

I hope you like the music in this episode – we had a great time recording it!  Details of all the songs are below.

“Perfect” (Mark E. Nevin, 1988)

  • Vocals: Meredith Harper & Jasmine Fellows

  • Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams

  • Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft

  • Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams

  • U-Bass: Paul Marsh

“The Weight” (Robbie Robertson, 1968)

  • Vocals: Meredith Harper, Paul Marsh, Jasmine Fellows

  • Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams

  • Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft

  • Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams

  • U-Bass: Paul Marsh

  • Cajón: Sandra Shaw

 “Catch My Disease” (Ben Lee & McGowan Southworth, 2004)

  • Vocals: Meredith Harper

  • Glockenspiel: Jasmine Fellows

  • Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams

  • Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft

  • Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams

  • U-Bass: Paul Marsh

  • Cajón: Sandra Shaw

“Sister Golden Hair” (Gerry Beckley, 1975)

  • Vocals: Meredith Harper

  • Shaker: Jasmine Fellows

  • Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams

  • Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft

  • Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams

  • U-Bass: Paul Marsh

  • Cajón: Sandra Shaw

“With A Little Help From My Friends” (Lennon & McCartney, 1967)

  • Vocals: Meredith Harper

  • Ukulele: Jasmine Fellows

“Brand New Day” (Adam & Lea Johnson)

  • Vocals: Meredith Harper

  • Cello: Jasmine Fellows

  • Ukulele: Chris Williams

“Livin’ Thing” (Jeff Lynne, 1976)

  • Vocals, Keyboard: Meredith Harper

  • Ukulele, Guitar, Vocals: Kevin Griffin

“Heroes” (David Bowie & Brian Eno, 1977)

  • Vocals, Keyboard: Meredith Harper

  • Cello: Jasmine Fellows

  • Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams

  • Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft

  • Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams

  • U-Bass: Paul Marsh

  • Shaker: Sandra Shaw

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by Meredith Harper.  The theme tune was written by Meredith Harper and performed by Meredith Harper, Jasmine Fellows, Geoff Skellams, Jim Croft, Chris Williams, Paul Marsh and Sandra Shaw.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

If you enjoyed this podcast please tell your friends!  If you have friends who don’t play ukulele, this is the perfect episode to get them inspired.  You can also support me on Patreon, buy some merch at ukuleleisthenewblack.com, or give the podcast a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.  You can also get in touch and tell me what you thought of it – I love to hear from listeners!  You can email me at podcast@ukuleleisthenewblack.com, or send me a message on social media or through the website.

I’ll be releasing a short bonus episode in February, and then I’ll start the 2020 season some time in March.  I hope 2020 is your best ukulele year ever!

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.

Season 2Meredith Harper