Song Links

Image: Bruce Molsky (photo courtesy of Fiddlefreak)

Week 45 (#2007)
Music this week connects the British Isles and the Southern Appalachians, and artists include Bruce Molsky, Al Petteway, Jean Ritchie.

Shady Grove...by Al Petteway & Amy White from Land of the Sky (Maggie's
Music)
The Cuckoo...by Jean Ritchie from Song Links (Fellside)
The Cuckoo...by Al Petteway & Amy White from Land of the Sky (Maggie's
Music)
The Cuckoo...by The Devil's Interval from Song Links (Fellside)
The Devil's Nine Questions...by Bruce Molsky from Song Links (Fellside)
Cape Fear...by Ian Hardie from Westringing (IanHardie)
Wedding Dress...by T with the Maggies from T With the Maggies(Compass)
[ID excerpt] Craggy Pinnacle...Al Petteway from Mountain Guitar (Fairewood)
Barbrie Ellen...by Mary Humphries & Anahata from Song Links (Fellside)
Sligo Maid...by Kim Robertson from Shady Grove (Gourd)
Barbara Allen...by Cassie Franklin with Southern Brew from Song Links
(Fellside)
Draggle-tail Gypsies-O...by Benji Kirkpatrick from Song Links (Fellside)
Seven Yellow Gypsies...by Dolores Keane from There Was a Maid (Claddagh)
Clayton Boone...by Skip Gorman from Song Links (Fellside)
Red Haired Boy/Cold, Frosty Morn by Al Petteway from Mountain Guitar
(Fairewood)

Spectrum of Sound

Week 44 (#2006)
Settle in for a journey through longer compositions and musical concepts, including excerpts from The Spectrum Project, by Scottish composer, tutor and fiddle player Marie Fielding. Her self- penned compositions were never played before the actual recording process.

The Rose in the Gap…by The Chair from Orkney Monster (FGCD)
Spectrum…by Marie Fielding from The Spectrum Project (Rumford)
Mayo 2 Manchester…by Marie Fielding from The Spectrum Project (Rumford)
Aran Islands…by Marie Fielding from The Spectrum Project (Rumford)
The Lady of Shalott…by Loreena McKennitt from Troubadours on the Rhine (Quinlan Road)
E Pluribus Unum…by The Kruger Brothers from Appalachian Concerto (Double Time)
[ID excerpt] Between the Shadows…by Loreena McKennitt from Troubadours on the Rhine (Quinlan Road)
Gracie’s Lullaby…by Marie Fielding from The Spectrum Project (Rumford)
Queensferry Crossing…by Marie Fielding from The Spectrum Project (Rumford)
The Bonny Swans…by Loreena McKennitt from Troubadours on the Rhine (Quinlan Road)
Music Sacrée…by Alan Stivell from Harpes Du Nouvel Age (Rounder)
Festival Reels…by The Chair from Orkney Monster (FGCD)

All Hallow's Eve

Week 43 (#2005)
Ballads and tunes from the Celtic homes of Hallowe’en capture the mystery and enchantment of the season.

Swelkie/The Teran…by Jennifer & Hazel Wrigley from Mither o’ the Sea (Greentrax)    
The Loch Ness Monster…by The Whistlebinkies from Albannach (Greentrax) 
King Orfeo…by Malinky from The Unseen Hours (Greentrax) 
Les Elfes…by Jean-Michel Veillon from Er Pasker (Coop Breizh) 
The House Carpenter…by Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle from A Stroll Through the Park (Park) 
King of the Fairies/The Blackbird…by Sarah McQuaid from When Two Lovers Meet (Sarah McQuaid)  
[ID excerpt] A Traveler's Dream...by Maggie Sansone from A Traveler’s Dream (Maggie’s Music)
Brownie of the Black Hags….by Fiona Ritchie- narration, Margaret Kennedy, Janis Nilsen- music (not available)
Tam O’Shanter…by Fiona Ritchie - narration, Rab Handleigh- music (not available)
A Traveler's Dream...by Maggie Sansone from A Traveler’s Dream  (Maggie’s Music) 

Karine Polwart Live

photo: Karine Polwart by David Wilkinson from Scottish Songbook

Week 42 (#2004)
“One of our most lyrically striking and significant artists.” ~ The List
Spend an hour in the company of the much-decorated Scottish songwriter and musician, in this exclusive performance at the 2019 Birnam Book Festival.

Except where indicated, all songs composed by Karine Polwart and performed live at the Birnam Book Festival. To find out about Karine Polwart’s recorded music, visit her website

Behind Our Eyes (excerpt)…by Karine Polwart from This Earthly Spell (Hegri Music)
Follow the Heron
The Lark in the Clear Air (composed by Sir Samuel Ferguson)
The Salter’s Road
The Good Years (words by Edwin Morgan)
The Snow Hare (composed by Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart for Spell Songs)
[ID excerpt] King of Birds…by Karine Polwart from Traces (Hegri Music)
The Whole of the Moon (composed by Mike Scott with The Waterboys)
Dignity (composed by Ricky Ross with Deacon Blue)
Rivers Run
Bonnie, Bonnie Bee-o (traditional from the singing of Alison McMorland)
Lullaby: Bee-o
The Lost Words Blessing (composed by Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart, Seckou Keita, Kris Drever, Rachel Newton, Beth Porter, Jim Molyneux, Kerry Andrew for Lost Words: Spell Songs)

Biomimicry

Image: Nickel Creek (photo courtesy of Nonesuch Records)

Week 41 (#2003)
Nature often inspires scientists to create technologies that benefit humanity, with innovations known as “biomimicry”.  In a similar vein, we feature music that takes a leaf out of nature’s book, turning to the natural world for inspiration and sometimes even echoing the sounds of nature.

The Crows of Killimer/Box Reel #2/Boys off Malin/The Opera House…by Solas from The Turning Tide (Compass)
Little Sparrow…by John Doyle from Shadow and Light (Compass)
Ode to a Butterfly…by Nickel Creek from Nickel Creek (Sugar Hill)
Pretty Bird…by Kathy Mattea from Pretty Bird (Captain Potato)
The Blackbird…by Silly Wizard form Live Again (Birnam CD)
The Blackbird…by The Bothy Band from The Best of the Bothy Band (Green Linnet)
T|he Owl Waltz…by Brian McNeill from The Busker and the Devil’s ONly Daughter (Temple)
The Marching Gibbon…by Rachel Hair Trio from Trì (March Hair)
The Last Trip Home…by Battlefield Band from Leaving Friday Harbour (Temple)
At the Races…by Nightnoise from At the End of the Evening )Windham Hill)
Remember the Geese…by Karine Polwart from A Pocket of Wind Resistance (Hudson)
Inner Sound…by The Whistlebinkies from Inner Sound (Klub)
The Lobster…by The Gloaming from The Gloaming 3 (Real World)

NPR50: Celtic Voices 2

Week 40 (#2002)
For NPR’s 50th anniversary, Fiona Ritchie fondly remembers more of the musical voices, now silent, who have helped shape the sound of Thistle through NPR’s five decades, including Liam O’Flynn, Jean Ritchie, and Andy M. Stewart.

The Broom of the Cowdenknowes…by Silly Wizard from Live Wizardry (Green Linnet)
East at Glendart/Brian O’Lynn/Pay the Reckoning…by Planxty from After the Break (Tara)
Ripples in the Rockpools…by Shaun Davey from Granuaile (Tara)
The Gale…by Shaun Davey from The Brendan Voyage (Tara)
Lamentation for James Moray of Abercairnie…by Alison Kinnaird and Brian McNeill from A Celebration of Scottish Music (Temple)
Calum Sgaire…by Christine Primrose and Alison Kinnaird from A Celebration of Scottish Music (Temple)
[ID excerpt] Forest Flower...by The Boys of the Lough from Sweet Rural Shade (Lough)
The Rainy Day/First You Must Learn the Grip…by Seamus Ennis from Green Linnet Records - The Twentieth Anniversary Collection (Green Linnet)
My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose…by Davy Steele from Favourite Scottish Songs (Greentrax)
Master Crowley’s/The Jug of Punch…by Joe Burke with Charlie Lennon from Green Linnet Records - The Twentieth Anniversary Collection (Green Linnet)
Over the River to Feed My Sheep…by Jean Ritchie from The Most Dulcimer (Greenhays)
Young man Who Wouldn’t Raise Corn…by Jean Ritchie from Clear Waters Remembered (Greenhays)
Last Old Train’s A-Leaving…by Jean Ritchie from Clear Waters Remembered (Greenhays)
A Jig and Five Reels…by The Bothy Band from Green Linnet Records - The Twentieth Anniversary Collection (Green Linnet)

Banjo Roots and Branches

Laemouahuma Daniel Jatta plays the akonting, an African instrument that may be a precursor to the banjo. Image courtesy of Chuck Levy

Week 39 (#2001)
The ngoni, the xalam, and the akonting are just three of more than 60 plucked stringed instruments in West Africa that were predecessors of the modern banjo. We follow the migration of the banjo from its roots in Africa to America and onward to Ireland, a unique musical journey. Featuring Rhiannon Giddens, Mick Moloney and more.

I’m On My Way…by Rhainnon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi from There Is No Other (Nonesuch)
Ajula/Mbamba…by Béla Fleck and The Jatta Family from Throw Down Your Heart - the Complete Africa Sessions (Rounder)
Moon Meets the Sun…by Our Native Daughters from Songs of Our Native Daughters (Smithsonian Folkways)
The Rights of Man/Ya Fama…by Béla Fleck with Harouna Samake, Madou Sanogo and Habib Sangare from Throw Down Your Heart - the Complete Africa Sessions (Rounder)
Curly Tail…by Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones from Old Tin (Dittyville)
Music and Joy…by Our Native Daughters from Songs of Our Native Daughters (Smithsonian Folkways)
Up On Flat Top Mountain…by Al Petteway and Amy White from High in the Blue Ridge (AlandAmy.com)
[ID excerpt] There is No Other…by Rhainnon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi from There Is No Other (Nonesuch)
The New Irish Barn Dance/Paddy McGinty’s Goat…by The Greenfields of America from The Greenfields of America (Compass)
The Hamars o’ Syradale…by The Chair from The Road to Hammar Junkie (lovethechair.com)
Lumela Lesotho/Kilfenora Jig…by Gerry O’Connor from Time to Time (Mulligan)
Pressed for Time…by We Banjo 3 from Live in Galway (webanjo3.com)
Prettiest Girl in the County…by We Banjo 3 from Gather the Good (webanjo3.com)
The Song of the Banjo…by Alison Brown from The Song of the Banjo (Compass)
Throw Down Your Heart …by Béla Fleck and Toumani Diabaté from Throw Down Your Heart - the Complete Africa Sessions (Rounder)

2000 Hours Later

Image: The Thistle & Shamrock Host and Producer Fiona Ritchie, in Scotland

Week 38 (#2000)
What? Yes! 2000 episodes and Thistle is still going strong.

E Krez Hag Endro…by Alan Stivell from Back to Breizh (Dreyfus)
The Atlantic Reels…by Brian McNeill from Scotland the Real (Smithsonian Folkways)
The Silver Darlins…by Battlefield Band with Alison Kinnaird from Scotland the Real (Smithsonian Folkways)
Miss Wharton Duff/The Mare…by Tony Cuffe from Scotland the Real (Smithsonian Folkways)
The Fiddling Ladies…by The Chieftains from Tears of Stone (BMG)
Smaointe…by Enya from Shepherd Moons (Reprise)
[ID excerpt] Ebudæ…by Enya from Shepherd Moons (Reprise)
This Love Will Carry…by Dougie MacLean, with family and friends - private recording
Let No Man Steal Your Thyme…by Cassie & Maggie from The Willow Collection (cassieandmaggie.com)
Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies…by Rosanne Cash from Songcatcher (Vanguard)
Lady Finella…by Iona Fyfe from Sense of the Place (stonehavenfolkclub.co.uk)
There Was a Sang…by Scott Murray with Corrina Hewat from There Was a Love (scottmurraysongs.co.uk)
Hion Daila Horo Ri Ho Hion Daila Là…by Garefowl from…Cliffs (Penny Fiddle)

NPR50: Celtic Voices I

Image: Scottish singer Jean Redpath (1937-2014)

Week 35 (#1997)
For NPR’s 50th anniversary, Fiona Ritchie fondly remembers some of the musical voices, now silent, who have helped shape the sound of Thistle through NPR’s five decades.

Leitrim Fancy/Round the World for Sport/Rip the Calico/Martyn Wynn’s/The Enchanted Lady/The Holy Land…by the Bothy Band from The Best of the Bothy Band (Green Linnet)
The Death of Queen Jane…by the Bothy Band from The Best of the Bothy Band (Green Linnet)
The Green Groves of Erin/The Flowers of Red Hill…by the Bothy Band from The Best of the Bothy Band (Green Linnet)
Úr-Chill An Chreagáin…by Relativity from Relativity (Green Linnet)
Barbara Allen…by Pete Seeger from American Folk Anthology (Not Now Music)
One Percent Phosphorous Banjo Riff…by Pete Seeger from At 89 (Appleseed)
[ID excerpt] The Dark Island…by Celtic Fiddle Festival from Encore (Green Linnet)
Sheath and Knife…by Jean Redpath from Now & Then (Jean Redpath Records)
Sonny’s Dream…by Jean Redpath from Leaving the Land (Philo)
Johnny’s Big Set…by Celtic Fiddle Festival from Encore (Green Linnet)
Leaving Brittany/The Pernod Waltz…by Relativity from Relativity (Green Linnet)

Now on ThistleRadio

Image: The Unwanted with Cathy Jordan, Seamie O’Dowd, Rick Epping

Week 34 (#1996)
Hear some tracks added to the playlist on ThistleRadio, our popular music channel and winner of Best Music Show Country/Folk/Blues in the Online Radio Awards.

The Wave Sweeper…by John McSherry from Soma (Compass)
Whistle O-er the Lave O’t…by The Birnam Quartet from The Music of Burns (Shoogle)
Mirk Mirk is the Midnight Hour…by Bachué from The Butterfly (Big Bash)
Khazie/Trip to London/Cleveland Park…by Bachué from The Butterfly (Big Bash)
What Will We Do When We Have No Money?…by The Unwanted from Pay Day (Whirling Discs)
Donegal Reels…by De Dannan from Hibernian Rhapsody (Shanachie)
Weevily Wheat…by The Unwanted from Pay Day (Whirling Discs)
Bádaí na Scadán…by John McSherry from Soma (Compass)
Black is the Color…by Rhiannon Giddens from Tomorrow is My Turn (Nonesuch)
The Turning Tide…Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones from Old Tin (Dittyville Music)
O Love is Teasin’…by Rhiannon Giddens from Tomorrow is My Turn (Nonesuch)
Accokeep Shore…by Al Petteway and Amy White from Acoustic Journey (Maggie’s Music)
Wildwood Flower…by Al Petteway and Amy White from High in the Blue Ridge (Fairewood Studios)
Caledon Wood…by Al Petteway from Caledon Wood (Maggie’s Music)
The Maid of Murlough…by John McSherry from Soma (Compass)

Salm and Soul

Week 32 (#1994)
In January 2005, Scotland’s biggest cathedral was filled to capacity as Gaelic psalm singers met and sang with the Mount Zion CPCA Church Gospel Choir from Alabama to explore the connections and contrasts in the performance styles and traditions of African-American and Hebridean psalm singing. We revisit this unique musical gathering and the creative exchanges it still inspires.

Swallowtail…by Martyn Bennett from Martyn Bennett (Eclectic)
Oran Do Mhartainn…by Calum Martin with Isobel Ann Martin, Fraser Fifield and Malcolm Jones from Salm & Soul (Ridge)
Bethesda/Bangor…by Fraser Fifield and Malcolm Jones from Salm & Soul (Ridge)
Kilmarnock…by Calum Martin and the congregation of Back Free Church, Isle of Lewis from Salm: Volume 1 (Ridge)
Sing Halleluiah…by Mt. Zion CPCA Church Choir & Friends from Salm & Soul (Ridge)
Dundee. Salm 103…by The Gaelic Psalm Singers from Salm & Soul (Ridge)
It’s Gonna Rain…by Mt. Zion CPCA Church Choir & Friends from Salm & Soul (Ridge)
[ID excerpt] I Love to Praise His Name…by Irvin Anderson from Salm & Soul (Ridge)
Inexile…by Capercaillie with Sibeba (now Hijas Del Sol) from Beautiful Wasteland (Survival)
Co Ni Mire Rium…by Capercaillie with Sibeba (now Hijas Del Sol) from Beautiful Wasteland (Survival)
Oran nam Mogaisean…by Martyn Bennett and Margaret Bennet from Glen Lyon (Foot Stompin’)
Fhir a, Leadain Thlàth…by Martyn Bennett and Margaret Bennet from Glen Lyon (Foot Stompin’)
Medley: Loch Rannoch by Martyn Bennett / Amazing Grace and Stornoway excerpts by Mt. Zion CPCA Church Choir and The Gaelic Psalm Singers / The Kitchen Piper by Martyn Bennett from Salm & Soul (Ridge)

Carry the Torch

Image: the conservation village of Plockton, overlooking Loch Carron in the Highlands of Scotland, is the home of Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd (photo credit: visitplockton.com)

Week 32 (#1994)
Around the time of International Youth Day (Aug 12) we dedicate an hour to the next generation of music makers across the worlds of Celtic music.

Ahma…by The Shee from A Different Season (Shee Records)
Lady Margaret…by The Shee from A Different Season (Shee Records)
The Nightingale/The Rock on the Clyde/The Jig of Port Fleadh…by Caroline Keane from Shine (carolinakeanemusic.com)
Meal Do Bhrogan…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Boxed In (musicplockton.org)
A Blessing…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Boxed In (musicplockton.org)
[ID Excerpt] The Dubs of Altnacroich…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Boxed In (musicplockton.org)
Why We Built the Wall…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Brick by Brick (musicplockton.org)
Angus Rocks…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Brick by Brick (musicplockton.org)
No LIght…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Brick by Brick (musicplockton.org)
Hooked…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Hooked (musicplockton.org)
Thig Am Bàta…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Hooked (musicplockton.org)
Monk’s Popcorn…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Hooked (musicplockton.org)
Farewell to Nigg…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Hooked (musicplockton.org)

NPR50: Classic Celtic Tracks 2

Image: Julie Fowlis and band. (copyright 2021 Julie Fowlis)

Week 31 (#1993)
For NPR’s 50th anniversary, Fiona Ritchie hand-picks more classic Celtic songs and instrumentals by passionate performers from across the decades. Each one has played a part in defining the sound of Thistle through NPR’s five decades.

Sovay…by John Doyle from Evening Comes Early (Shanachie)
The Titanic…by Moving Hearts from Live In Dublin Compass)
Will Ye Gang, Love…by The Black Family from The Black Family (Dara)
Our Kate…by Kathryn Tickell from Debateable Lands (Park)
The Devil’s Courtship/An Dro…by Battlefield Band from Happy Daze (Temple)
Rugadh mi ‘n teis meadhan na mara…by Julie Fowlis from Uam (Shoeshine)
[ID excerpt] Lead the Knave…by Arty McGlynn and Nollaig Casey from Lead the Knave (Ringsend Road)
Turning Away…by Dougie MacLean from Caledonia Cantata (Dunkeld)
Caoineadh Eoghain Ruadh…by Arty McGlynn and Nollaig Casey from Lead the Knave (Ringsend Road)
The American Stranger…by The Tannahill Weavers from Land of Light (Green Linnet)
The Queen of Argyll…by Silly Wizard from ‘Live’ Again (Birnam CD)
Ride On…by Christy Moore from Ride On (Green Linnet)
Stór, A Stór, A Ghrá…by Altan from Blackwater (Virgin)
Shifting Sands…by Davy Spillane from The Best of The Thistle & Shamrock, Vol 1 (Hearts O’ Space)

New Summer Sounds

Week 28 (#1990)
Fiona handpicks some of the best sounds of the late summer season of new releases.

Éirigh ‘s Cuir Ort Do Chuid Éadaigh…by Altan from Local Ground (Compass)
Lockdown Gorroch Reel…by Afro Celt Sound System from Sounds Like Knockengorroch 2020 (knockengorroch.co.uk)
As I Roved Out…by Kaela Rowan from Sounds Like Knockengorroch 2020 (knockengorroch.co.uk)
Lost Hearts/The Orange Blossom…from Morag Brown and Lewis Powell-Reid from Sounds Like Knockengorroch 2020 (knockengorroch.co.uk)
Waltz to Forgotten Times…by Antoni O’Breskey from Blessed Sadness (nomadicpiano.com)
Who Knows Where the Time Goes…by Liz Simmons from Poets (lizsimmons.net)
[ID excerpt] The Blizzard at Donner Pass…by The Fire from Marigold (thefirescottishbband.com)
Embrace…by Ciara McElholm from Amergin Fire (copperplateconsultants.com)
Micky Ward’s/Portland McCann’s…by Carl Hession, Eimear Coughlan, Francis Cunningham from Úrnua (copperplateconsultants.com)
Party Dragon…by Holiday Club from Sounds Like Knockengorroch 2020 (knockengorroch.co.uk)
Rhythm…by Ceitidh Mac from Sounds Like Knockengorroch 2020 (knockengorroch.co.uk)
Black Dog…by Shooglenifty from Sounds Like Knockengorroch 2020 (knockengorroch.co.uk)
California Highway 1…by The Fire from Marigold (thefirescottishbband.com)

Americana Celtic

Image: JigJam, the multi-award winning quartet from Ireland, I-Grass - Irish influenced Bluegrass (photo courtesy of the artists).

Week 27 (#1989)
The Piedmont Blues and Old Time music of Americans Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and Aunt Samantha Bumgarner were all early influences on Scottish singers and guitarists including Archie Fisher, John Martyn, and Bert Jansch. The blended sound has evolved further in “Celtgrass” and “I-grass” Irish fusion bands like JigJam and We Banjo 3.

 Lass From the Low Country…by Archie Fisher from A Silent Song (Red House Records)
The Bunch of Green Rushes/Salt Creek…by We Banjo 3 from Live in Galway (www.webanjo3.com)
Star of Belle Isle…by Archie Fisher from Windward Away (Red House Records)
Nottamun Town...by Jean Ritchie from American Folklife Center Archive, Library of Congress 
Nottamun Town...by Bert Jansch from Jack Orion (Transatlantic)
Highlander's Farewell to Sicily..by Hamish Henderson from American Folklife Center Archive, Library of Congress
The Times They Are a-Changin'...by Bob Dylan from The Times They Are a-Changin' (Columbia)
[ID excerpt] Red Paddy on the Ridge…by JigJam from Phoenix (www.jigjam.ie)
Sweet Roseanne…by The Unwanted from Pay Day (Whirling Discs)
Wedding Dress/Kitchen Girl…by The Unwanted from Pay Day (Whirling Discs)
Selections from a recording made of Jean Ritchie and Norman Kennedy at the Newport Folk Festival, 1966: 
Hop Up My Ladies
Mrs. McLeod's Reel
Hop High Ladies/Dunsmore Lasses…by Mary Z Cox from Carolina Banjo (www.maryzcox.com)
Blue Diamond Mines…by John Doyle from Evening Comes Early (Shanachie)
Old Molly Oxford/The Three By Two-Step, Sawmill Backstep…by The Unwanted from Pay Day (Whirling Discs)

NPR50: Classic Celtic Tracks I

Week 26 (#1988)
For NPR’s 50th anniversary, Fiona Ritchie hand-picks some classic Celtic songs and instrumentals by passionate performers from across the decades. Each one has played a part in defining the sound of Thistle through NPR’s five decades.

Siún Ní Dhuíbur…by Relativity from The Best of The Thistle & Shamrock Volume 1 (Hearts O’ Space)
Brian Boru’s March…by The Chieftains from The Chieftains 2 (Claddagh)
Mary and the Soldier…by Paul Brady from The Liberty Tapes (Compass)
De Trilport/A Fublaines…by Pierre Bensusan from The Best of The Thistle & Shamrock Volume 1 (Hearts O’ Space)
Now Westlin’ Winds…by Dick Gaughan from The Best of The Thistle & Shamrock Volume 1 (Hearts O’ Space)
Slave’s Lament…by Chantan from Scotland the Real - Music from Contemporary Caledonia (Smithsonian Folkways)
Sevens/Michael Kennedy’s/The Cup of Tea…by Liz Carroll from A Thistle & Shamrock Christmas Ceilidh (Green Linnet)
[ID excerpt] Merrily Kissed the Quaker…by Pierre Bensusan from Encore Live (DADGAD)
Jimmy’s Gone to Flanders…by Jim Malcolm from Scotland the Real - Music from Contemporary Caledonia (Smithsonian Folkways)
Two Waulking Songs…by Maggie MacInnes from Scotland the Real - Music from Contemporary Caledonia (Smithsonian Folkways)
The Water is Wide….Maura O’Connell from The Best of The Thistle & Shamrock Volume 1 (Hearts O’ Space)
Ballavanich…by Wolfstone from A Thistle & Shamrock Christmas Ceilidh (Green Linnet)
Libertango…by Sharon Shannon from Each Little Thing (Grapevine)
The J.B. Reel/The Shepherdess/The J.B. Reel…by Alasdair Fraser & Paul Machlis from The Best of The Thistle & Shamrock Volume 1 (Hearts O’ Space)

The Gathering: Ed Miller

Week 24 (#1986)
Join Fiona Ritchie at the Swannanoa Gathering’s Traditional Song Week with her guest, Scottish folk singer Ed Miller. We’ll follow Ed’s journey from Edinburgh, Scotland to Austin, Texas and hear some of the songs that have accompanied him along the way.

Green Grows the Laurel…by Ed Miller with Brian McNeill from Lowlander (Wellfield)
The Twa Corbies…by Ed Miller - recorded live at Traditional Song Week, Swannanoa Gathering 2019
The Broom o’ the Cowdenknowes…by Ed Miller - recorded live at Traditional Song Week, Swannanoa Gathering 2019
Diamond Joe…by Ed Miller - recorded live at Traditional Song Week, Swannanoa Gathering 2019
[ID excerpt] Lowlander…by Ed Miller with Brian McNeill from Lowlander (Wellfield)
London Town…by Ed Miller and Rich Brotherton with Kevin Burke from Follow the Music (Wellfield)
The Rolling Hills of the Borders…by Ed Miller with Karine Polwart from Never Frae My Mind (Wellfield)
Follow the Music…by Ed Miller - recorded live at Traditional Song Week, Swannanoa Gathering 2019

Summer Compilation

Image: Scottish Highland and contemporary music band Skipinnish (photo courtesy of the artists).

Week 23 (#1985)
We pick our way through a random assortment of themes with music from artists including Skipinnish, Suzy Bogguss, and Dick Gaughan from his “Harvard Tapes”.

Coire Bhreacain…by Skipinnish from Steer By the Stars (Skipinnish Records)
Hop High Ladies/Dunsmore Lasses…by Mary Z. Cox from Carolina Banjo (maryzcox.com)
Wayfaring Stranger…by Suzy Bogguss from American Folk Song Book (Loyal Dutchess Records)
The Gooseberry Bush/The Chicago Reel/Jenny’s Welcome to Charlie…by Dick Gaughan from The ‘Harvard’ Tapes (Greentrax Recordings)
The Freedom Come All Ye…by Dick Gaughan from The ‘Harvard’ Tapes (Greentrax Recordings)
Sliabh na mBan…by Dick Gaughan from The ‘Harvard’ Tapes (Greentrax Recordings)
[ID Excerpt]…The Final Birl…by The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience from Foxy Laddie (Brechin All Records)
Fare The Well, a Stór…by Altan from The Gap of Dreams (Compass)
The Half Century Set…by Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, Mike McGoldrick, John Doyle from Usher’s Island (Vertical Records)
Erin Go Bragh…by Dick Gaughan from The ‘Harvard’ Tapes (Greentrax Recordings)
Now Westlin Winds…by Dick Gaughan from The ‘Harvard’ Tapes (Greentrax Recordings)
Song For Ireland…by Dick Gaughan from The ‘Harvard’ Tapes (Greentrax Recordings)
Orcadian Strip the Willow…by The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience from Foxy Laddie (Brechin All Records)

More Time to Play

Photo: Katie McNally Trio (image: © 2020 by KATIE MCNALLY)

Week 21 (#1983)
It is always good to re-visit artists from New Releases shows whose music is well deserving of more airtime. There is so much on offer!

The Blue Lamp…by The Chair from Orkney Monster (The Chair)
Shiver Me Timbers…by The Chair from Orkney Monster (The Chair)
Myrstacken…by The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc from Bonfrost (ffuk.no)
Limerick Rake…by Antoni O’Breskey & Ronnie Drew from From Dublin to Bilbao (nomadicpiano.com)
As I Roved Out…by Antoni O’Breskey & Ronnie Drew from From Dublin to Bilbao (nomadicpiano.com)
Nomadic Aura…by Antoni O’Breskey from Samara (nomadicpiano.com)
[ID excerpt] Margaret Davidson…by The Chair from Orkney Monster (The Chair)
The Bonnie Wee Lassie’s Answer…by Dougie Mackenzie with Brian Miller from Along the Way (Greentrax)
Fletch Taylor/Marcel Aucoin/Matthew Robinson’s…by Katie McNally Trio from Now More Than Ever (katiemcnally.com)
Summer Sun…by Shetland Musicians from Between Islands (An Lanntair)
Whal’s Rost/Colin Scott Mackenzie of Stornoway/PM Donald Maclean of Lewis/The Lost Summer…by Neil Johnstone and Louise Bichen from Between Islands (An Lanntair)
The Fadachd Orm Fhìn…by Kris Drever and Linda MacLeod from Between Islands (An Lanntair)
Festival Reels…by The Chair from Orkney Monster (The Chair)

From the Archives

Photo: Promoting Public Radio - writer Andrea Cooper and Fiona Ritchie set up stall in the mid-1980s.

Week 19 (#1981)
Fiona explores highlights from the past decade of radio shows.

Two Shetland Reels...by Solas from All These Years (Thl Records)
The Stride/Tom Doherty's/The Contradiction/Viva Galicia…by Solas from The Words That 
Remain (Shanachie)  
Pastures of Plenty…by Solas from Reunion (Compass)   
Black Annis…by Solas from Reunion (Compass)    
Lia Fail: The Stone of Destiny (excerpt)…by William Jackson from Duan Àlbanach (Mill Records) 
Iona Theme…by Ossian from Dove Across the Water (Iona)
[ID Break All These Years...by Solas from All These Years (Thl Records)
Bonnie Border Lass (guitar intro)...by Archie Fisher from Windward Away (Red House) 
Silver Coin...by Archie Fisher from Sunsets I've Galloped Into... (Greentrax) 
Adam Cameron...by Archie Fisher from Will Ye Gang, Love (Green Linnet) 
The Kid on the Mountain...by Alison Kinnaird (with Patsy Seddon) from The Harp Key (Temple) 
The Judges Dilemma/The Inverness Gathering...by Sileas from Delighted With Harps (Green Linnet)
May Colvin...by Sileas from Play on Light  (Greentrax) 
Roarie Bummlers...by Solas from All These Years (Thl Records)