CiTR -- The Saturday Edge: Recent Episodes
CiTR & Discorder Magazine
Now in its 31st year on CiTR, The Saturday Edge is my personal guide to world & roots music, with African, Latin and European music in the first half, followed by Celtic, Blues, Songwriters, Cajun and whatever else fits!
Special edition from the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. This show featured many of the performers from this weekend's EFMF, some from last week's Mission Folk Festival, a bunch of new releases, and a few local concert previews.
Today's edition features a bunch of great new releases, some new (to me) CDs by my recent "discoveries" at the Vancouver and Mission Folk Festivals, a sneak peek at artists performing next weekend at The Rolls Royce Of Canadian Folk Festivals (Edmonton), and a few extra special personal favourites to celebrate my birthday (tomorrow). Also a very sad RIP to Irish singer songwriter Glen Hansard, who lost his life in a motorcycle accident last Wednesday.
Coming to you from The Mission Folk Music Festival (well, the show was mostly inspired by this year's festival lineup!) Some fabulous songs and tunes from a wide variety of artists who are either performing at Mission or at next month's Edmonton Folk Music Festival, with songs from Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cuba, India, Taiwan, Ukraine, Persia, Montreal, and Vancouver - and that was just in the first hour!! Then we headed off to Louisiana, Kelowna, Kaslo, PEI, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Alberta, and back to B.C. before taking in songs and tunes from England, Scotland, and Ireland! I peppered the selections with some little anecdotes and a bit of (I hope) slightly more useful information. Canada's folk festival season: the best music in the finest surroundings - with wonderful people!
New music from the latest issue of Songlines magazine, the latest Putumayo Discovery CD - Cuban Connections - and a whole bunch of artists performing at this weekend's Vancouver Folk Music Festival - and next weekend's Mission Folk Music Festival. Researching these shows has been a real journey of discovery for me, and I hope you enjoy my selections! Also new music from veteran rockers Rolling Stones and 17 year old blues prodigy Jake Soberlak, from Kamloops BC - plus new songs from Pharis & Jason Romero, Honeybear the Band, and Ireland's Caroline Keane and Tulua, as well as music by some of the incredible performers coming to The Rogue Folk Club over the next few weeks.
Many of the performers at the VFMF this year are complete unknowns to me, so probably complete unknowns to most of our listeners. I unearthed music by a lot of these performers to get an idea of what we might expect next weekend in Jericho Beach Park. Also continued to spin tracks by artists we heard on our recent Irish tour, and there were some amazing new releases from all around the planet this week, too.
No celebration of the US 250th, just a couple of protest songs, and a big feature on new Celtic music, a look back at our recent Irish tour, and some tasty new releases from Lai, Senegal, France, Eire, and Canada
Exciting new music from Mali and Senegal, a feature on Cape Verde (who are still in the World Cup!), a bit of Greek music for Vancouver's Greek Day (this Sunday), a look back at a few highlights of our recent trip to Ireland (we got back on Thursday), a look ahead to some amazing concerts coming to town, and a whole bunch of Canadiana to mark Canada Day (this coming Wednesday)
All kinds of coincidences and related tunes / songs (and seemingly unrelated ones, too!) Starting with Senegal's Ablaye Cissoko and two collaborations - one of them Canadian; and the link between the recently-deceased Toto La Momposina and the Anglo-Colombian groovers Sidestepper. A sneak preview of The Rogue Folk Club Fall Season, a tribute to Martin Carthy - who recently retired from public performance, and some music by Irish trio Socks in the Frying Pan, with whom we spent a week on tour in the west of Ireland earlier this month.
New releases from across Canada and beyond. Also a look back at some past favourites and ahead to future favourites coming to local concert halls and festivals.
82 years since D-Day turned WWII, so snuck in this little reminder. Hitler cannot "win" 8 decades after his death. Or can he? Starting to look like it, isn't it? Quite a lot of Canadians, and a bunch of new releases and concert previews too.
This show first aired on June 1st 1985, so this is the 41st Anniversary edition. Sprinkled a few of my favourite artists from these many moons, amongst some stirring new releases from Ireland, Africa, Scotland, B.C., Nova Scotia, Quebec, New Brunswick, Alberta, Spain, England, and the USA. It's always a marathon four hour show, but somehow it never feels like there is enough time to fit in all the tunes I want to play and hear!
Sad farewells to indigenous Canadian cellist / songwriter Cris Derksen, who was killed in an automobile accident last week, and to Colombia's principal musical matriarch Totó La Momposina. The singer and bandleader died this week aged 85. She was one of my perennial favourites. I first saw her at the Edmonton Folk festival over 3 decades ago where she and her band were extremely memorable! New releases from La famille LeBlanc (NB), Celtic Colours Festival Live (both 2024 and 2025 were released this year), young Scottish fiddler Ryan Young, Mali's Fatoumata Diawara, and Dervish. Plus features on Mary Gauthier (performing June 10th at the QE Playhouse) and Canadian prairie songwriter Cara Luft, who performs this evening at The Rogue, and has a superb new CD - and a new band.
Big birthday celebration next Friday for CBC TV host / biologist David Suzuki, so music by some of the guests who will join him on stage at the QE Theatre in Vancouver. Also Joan Baez announced her retirement, so a few songs from her. Also, another brieft tribute: 45 years ago this week, Bob Marley passed away. Plus music from the new issue of Songlines Magazine, and some other interesting new releases. and a celebration of the 90th anniversary of Oswald Mosely's humiliating defeat by a huge gathering of workers and anti-fascists in London! We need that kind of "antifa" now, more than ever!
May songs from around Europe and across Canada, plus new releases - including the most recent Celtic Colours Festival and Winnipeg's Cara Luft. Lots of local concert previews, and some old favourites from the annals.
Heaps of new music from all around the world, plenty of it Canadian - including brand spanking new albums from Taj Mahal (USA), The McDades (AB) and Veranda (PQ) Features on Melisande and Supertrad, who perform at the Rogue's 39th Anniversary concerts next week.
I was abducted by aliens and transported back to March 7th. When I pleaded with them that I had no desire to relive the past few weeks since Dementia Donny attacked Iran they relented and brought me back. So The Saturday Edge On Folk ran half an hour late and ran half an hour late to 12:30pm today. Phew, what a trip! Thanks to Ciara and Jasper (their earthly names) for bringing me back! This allowed me to pay tribute to English guitarist / songwriter and founder member of Traffic, Dave Mason, who died this week. Until his obituary came out I did not realize he played the acoustic guitar which drove Jimi Hendrix' great cover of Dylan's All Along The Watchtower all those years ago. Also featured lots of new music and an extended sample of Irish trad from the great Dervish, who play in town tomorrow.
A tribute to the wonderful Irish singer Moya Brennan (Clannad) who died this week. Also music from some of the winners at last weekend's Canadian Folk Music Awards, a few songs for Earth Day and Visaki, new music from young Irish blues singer Muireann Bradley, new singles by NS duo Mama's Broke, Canadian guitar wizard Don Ross, and the amazing Bette Midler, plus some stunning music from Senegal, Hungary, Bulgaria, Asturias and Castilla, and features on Eire's Dervish, Quebec's Le Vent Du Nord, and NL's Rum Ragged, and The Ennis Sisters. Lots more besides!
Canadian Folk Music Awards nominees and a big chunk of artists performing at the 49th annual VFMF in July. (Line-up just announced this week!) Also a few performers coming to the Mission Folk Festival the following weekend, and heaps of new releases from Songlines magazine etc., and previews of local concerts scheduled for the next few days / weeks.
Music by some of the winners of last week's Canadian Blues Music Awards in Toronto, and three Juno winners from the previous weekend as well. Started with some funky new North & West African music and other new releases from Putumayo Discovery - and more. Plenty of Vancouver concert previews as the show folk-rocked on! A few old faves snuck in along the way, too.
Started with a feast of North African, Cuban and Mexican music. Then played music by most of the nominees for The Canadian Blues Music Awards (to be awarded on Monday March 30th), also features on Morgan Toney (Mi'k Maq fiddler / songwriter from Cape Breton) and the incredible Medusa Quartet from Ontario, who celebrate the launch of their second CD with a gig at The Rogue next Thursday. Lots more new releases and concert previews, too - many of them Canadian.
Started with a whole array of music from the beleaguered island nation of Cuba. I can't do much about solving their power cuts or breaking the blockade from our imperialist neighbours to the south, but if enough people listen to this music and enjoy it, maybe something will stir somewhere out there, wheresoever the airwaves from CiTR can get through. Maybe that something will help or inspire a Cuban. Or a music enthusiast. Or a would-be traveller. Or a supply ship captain from a smart nation like Mexico, or Canada ... Then paid tribute to the remarkable Irish trad singer Dolores Keane, who passed away last Monday. Added a few tracks from a bunch of upcoming local concert performers, and tunes from a wide range of new releases - including a new album from Tom Russell.
Started the show in Africa, headed to the Middle East, and then crossed Canada with a few side trips to focus on 19th century African-American sailor turned one-legged busker Billy Waters, and Orcadian quartet Gnoss, before the second half of my weekly four hour musical romp allowed me to spin some of my all-time favourite Irish songs and tunes to kick off St Patrick's week.
While oligarchs, sexual predators, gangsters and thugs are destroying the planet, I look out upon a beautiful world. I hear music that inspires and enriches us. I want to share this music far and wide, but it all feels very scary right now. Regime change must surely happen, ASAP, starting with the USA, and Israel. It probably won't happen. Soon, if ever. If we have to go, we will go down singing.
CiTR is holding its annual Fundrive this week, so this was me spruiking away - solo- for four hours, while playing music by many favourites - old and new - from all corners of the known world. I've been hosting this show for over 40 years so choosing "favourites" can be quite time-consuming! I concentrated on performers coming to town or who have performed here recently. And not-so-recently, too! Many premiums are up for grabs from CiTR and from The Rogue Folk Club, too. I hope this "worked"!
A few songs with a Horse theme to mark the Lunar New Year (of The Horse) and some of my all-time favourite music by black artists to mark Black History Month. Then a bunch of local concert previews, and new releases (including the brilliant Canadian string quartet, Medusa). Sadly, a few songs about the darkening of the world as Dementia Donny leads us to the brink of more wars.
It's Valentines' Day, but it's also time celebrate my love of music every day. I hope you share this love / obsession, too! There are some extremely lovable concerts coming to town in the next few weeks and I played plenty of tracks from those performers. Plus some new tracks from around the world (of love) and a few old "flames", too!
Plenty of variety this week, including some Grammy Winners and Nominees, music from a number of new Putumayo Discovery albums, and the latest issue of Songlines Magazine. Also featured new albums from Ireland's Ye Vagabonds, and American bluegrass divas Della Mae, and Sierra Hull. Plus a bunch of local concert previews, and new tracks from Canadian (mostly) Celtic combos Medusa Quartet, and The McDades. Plus a few surprises from the past - and the present.
Music from the latest issue of Songlines Magazine's Top of the World CD; R.I.P. Sly Dunbar, drummer with the legendary reggae riddim section Sly & Robbie; new singles by The Boss, Eric Bibb, The Fugitives, Medusa Quartet, Sophie Lukacs, and Daughters of Donbas; local concert previews galore; new albums by Della Mae, and Irish trad band Ye Vagabonds; and some stunning Ukrainian folk with a modern pulse from Yagody.
Heaps of fiddle music. I am so impressed by the dedication to the craft and amazing creativity of fiddlers the world over! I missed the Folk Alliance in New Orleans this week - way too scary in America right now! Played music by the winners at the Folk Awards night, and also celebrated Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Taj Mahal. This show was a bit of a mish-mash, as was my head after the shocking news of the sudden death of CiTR and Coop Radio DJ Paul Norton, who had also given incredible support to The Rogue as Publicist, as well as working for many years at Festival Distribution, the great record warehouse in the east end - now sadly gone, too. Paul leaves a HUGE hole in the local music scene and at CiTR. The show must go on, as they say, but this week has knocked me for six.
Grateful Dead founder Bobby Weir passed away this week. Sad news. Concert previews, a few new releases, some old faves, and some not-so-subtle digs at the fascists down south. We live in scary times ... (This show was not broadcast LIVE on CiTR. My show was pre-empted, but I had a few things to say! It went out from the Rogue website and is now available as a podcast at CiTR.)
Songs and tunes decrying the rise of fascism. Music from Venezuela, Greenland, Denmark, Canada, Cuba and other countries threatened by the US regime. Complaints and laments about murder in the streets and blood for oil. Plus some great songs and tunes from many corners of the civilized world!
New music from Fraser & Haas, Vasen, Maria Muldaur and more. A look back at favourite recordings and concerts of 2025. A fond - and extended - look back at my favourite festival of 2025 (Tonder, in Denmark last August), and a look ahead at 2026 with concert previews and more new releases. For the full version of the final song, go to the podcast of the show. Trust me, it's worth it!
Some of my favourites in a wide range of genres from a great musical year, plus sad R.I.P.s to English bluesman Mick Abrams and English melodeon legend Rod Stradling. Also a few songs for Boxing Day, The 12 Days of Christmas, and New Year's Eve.
Seasonal favourites old and new sprinkled amongst new releases from around the world. Plus a sad RIP to Texas songwriter Joe Ely. Previews of Cool Yule (the final Rogue show of 2025) and the first two shows in Jan uary (J.P. Cormier, Fraser & Haas), and, of course, my trademark 40th annual mash-up for Christmas Day (The Pogues, Monty Python, Steeleye Span etc.)
New music from Africa to start the show, featuring Putumayo's excellent latest release - Desert Blues. Lots more from across the "dark continent", then music from Iran, Romania, and Cuba before paying respect to Raul Malo, who died this week. Great lead singer with The Mavericks. Some stirring instrumentals from across Canada, some wonderful new topical songs, and then another RIP - this time to Quebec's amazing bass player / composer Simon Lepage (Les Grands Hurleurs) - followed by some great new Quebecois trad. The big Celtic finale featured some powerful tunes and a few poignant songs.
Memphis guitarist and Stax Recrds co-founder Steve Cropper died this week. Such a big influence on music - especially my favourite roots music of the sixties. Also paid tribute to reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff, and Scottish songwriter / educator Adam McNaughton with a couple of songs towards the end of the show (including the condensed "Hamlet". The whole play in 4 minutes to the tune of The Mason's Apron!). Also a Get Well Soon to English troubadour Rory McLeaod, who is recovering from a heart attack. I included lots of new, mostly Canadian, music as well, and local concert previews, of course.
New music from North Africa, Middle East, Brazil, and Cuba then some blues from Calgary's Tim Williams who died today. New music from the USA and across Canada, with plenty of new and mighty local releases. A feature on SK's Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys who make their Vancouver debut next Friday. Groovy fiddle tunes, trad songs and more from Eire, Scotland, Quebec, Alberta, and B.C. and some fond memories of our trip to our favourite "Hummingbird Hideaway" near Ladysmith BC last week
A plethora of new releases, including the latest from Alex Cuba (Alexis Puentes) from Smithers BC, local concert previews galore, and a few idiosyncratic personal choices - plus some songs and tunes for my partner Margaret's birthday
50 years on from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Gordon Lightfoot's masterpiece. That song, new songs from Mavis Staples and Vancouver's Sinead X Sanders, a tour around Africa, some Celtic and trad delights, a few powerful anthemic songs, and some very hot picking at the end, and there you have it, folks: a four hour odyssey that is built to stir the soul and the passions every Saturday morning here on CiTR
Fond farewells to Scots singer Archie Fisher (tracks 50-54), Breton trad singer Yan Fanch Kemener (tracks 17-19), and American songwriter Bob Franke (tracks 27 & 28). A few songs for Remembrance Day. Tasty new releases from Denmark, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, BC, Alberta, USA, Mali, and Senegal. Plus a couple of tracks from the amazing young Scots lowland piper Brighde Chaimbeul, who plays in town this evening.
New music from as far afield as Malawi, Senegal, Mali, and Zimbabwe, and from all across Canada from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, to PEI, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and BC. Plus a couple for tracks from the great new albums by Alison Brown & Steve Martin, and Robert Plant's new project. Previews of local concerts, too.
This week's show featured Canadian singer Martin Kerr, whose new album is a powerful condemnation of the American fascist party and the lunatic in chief down there. Three songs about failed covert operations during WWII, including a brand new one about an incident with the Queen Mary, which was operating as a troop ship bringing American soldiers over to Europe. She was under strict orders not to stop for any reason. She hit a British cruiser midships, and that cruiser sank, with 300 of the 400 on board lost at sea. The Queen Mary did not stop to pick up the survivors. Speaking of scary, it was also my annual Halloween feature, and there were plenty of new releases from all around the world. We are still alive and kicking (back!)
Canadian songwriter Martin Kerr leads a vitriolic attack on the rise of fascism in America. Plus loads of new releases, a look at the Celtic Colours Festival and this evening's finale, and a few local concert previews.
A feature on many of the performers who will be broadcast on the live stream from www.celtic-colours.com over the next few days (and available until the end of the month if you missed them). Also new releases from Le Vent Du Nord, Martin Kerr, Cheikh Lo etc. and local concert previews too.
Tracing a line from Pied Pumkin through Spirit of the West, Nyetz, The Bills, Outlaw Social, and Viper Central to the Unfaithful Servants, my "take" on BC's special West coast sound! Started with some hot new sounds from Africa, featured a bunch of local concert previews, some tasty new releases, and a few songs which came to mind on our recent cruise around the British Isles, Eire, and Norway
The great English bass player Danny Thompson died this week at the age of 86. He made signature contributions to hundreds of recordings and memorable concerts in his 70 year career. I only included 16 tracks today. He played on everything from trad folk to blues, jazz, African music, and country, as well as underpinning memorable singer songwriters' highest achievements. He was a remarkable humorist and MC as well. He will be sorely missed, but what a catalogue of music he has created and embellished for us to relish! Started the show with lots of music from Mali, then sprinkled some Danish music recently acquired, and added some stirring new Canadiana, too.
The first ship to carry exiled Scots from The Highlands to Pictou, NS was The Hector. It left Ullapool on September 15th 1773. Commemorated in songs and tunes on a CD I found in the Ullapool Museum last month. Plus lots of new releases , Rogue previews (Unfaithful Servants & Ms. Shari Ulrich, John Doyle, Little Miss Higgins), and more. Unfortunately, a power outage crippled CiTR and the podcast servers but the fm signal worked, and I saved this show so some could tune in live. The podcast is now online as well.
Some excellent new releases from Putumayo, Dar Williams, Songlines magazine, Denmark, Louisiana, SK, BC, ON etc. Plus congrats to the winners at this week's Americana Festival Awards in Nashville, and the 57th anniversary of the first LP I ever bought with my own (pocket) money - the 2nd LP by Traffic. Also a bunch of Canadian and Irish music by performers coming to The Rogue over the next few weeks.
A fond look back at last week's amazing Tonder Festival in Southern Jutland, Denmark. Plenty of great Canadian artists were on the bill, and it was the last ever gig by England's Oysterband. Also a Fall Season launch of The Rogue Folk Club, with plenty more Canadian (and Irish) performers.
highlighting two of my favourite folk festivals: England’s Towersey Village Festival 1990, and Ireland’s Doolin Folk Festival 2015, plus a look ahead to this week's Tonder Festival in Denmark (where Margaret and I will witness the last ever concerts by one of our favourite bands, Oysterband, amongst many other fine acts - many of them Canadian!)
Highlights from two of my favourite folk festivals: Towersey Village Festival 1990, and Doolin Folk Festival 2015, plus a look ahead to this week's Tonder Festival in Denmark
Some of my favourite Canadian songs down the 40 years of The Saturday Edge, plus some more faves from around the planet. Just a few new releases this week, and two album features: Cathy Jordan's Crankie Song Project, and the unreleased album by Scottie supergroup Clan Alba (which should beacon available later this year, pending a legal challenge to help out Scottish singer Dick Gaughan, whose back catalogue has been held hostage for 5 decades, and who is no longer able to perform. Such a travesty and a tragedy, respectively.
Continuing my celebration of some of my favourite songs and tunes, and adding liberal sprinkles of new releases and concert previews to the mix. A mix you won't find anywhere else on your radio - and definitely not in playlists "curated" by AI and the execrable Spotify (pause to look for the spittoon here ... !) Right. That's better. Enjoy the show now and whenever you like here on the amazing CiTR
On the occasion of my birthday I decided to play a whole bunch of my favourite singers, bands and tracks.
Anecdotal notes about the Mission Folk Music Festival and music down the years since its inception in 1988 (I am a founder of this event). Surprise Album of the Week: Teddy Thompson, recorded LIVE at The Rogue last June. Plenty of my favourite artists - leading up to my next show, which will be on my birthday next Saturday. Lots of unapologetic self-indulgence alert!
A variety of performers from the Vancouver Folk Festival lineup and Mission Folk Festival, too. Plus local concert previews, a few new releases, and topical songs. For the past few years I've broadcast LIVE from the festival site. Not this time. I had too many technical problems last year, and no musicians are around from 8am to noon on a Saturday for interviews, so I chose to prerecord the show in order to catch some festival sessions instead.
Music by many of the performers coming to these two local festivals, plus Album of the Week: A Tribute to the King of Zydeco - Clifton Chenier and a look ahead to some local concerts, notably the debut of Scots fiddler Ryan Young (July 24th). Some new releases, too - including a surprise live recording of Teddy Thompson from The Rogue last June (I didn't know he was releasing this as a CD!)
Music by many of the performers coming to the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in two weeks time, plus a few by performers coming to the Mission Folk Festival the following weekend. New releases, local concert previews, and topical songs, of course, and some inspired fiddling and singing in the final hour.
Lots of new music and old music and unusual combinations. This show is almost as much a journey of discovery for me as it is for the audience. I get a little taste of each track and if I like it I add it to the playlist, then shuffle the order and whittle it down to four hours every week. When the show airs I get to listen to all the songs in their entirety and in combination with all the other tracks. I'm delighted to find that it mostly works as a weekly marathon exposé of roots music from all over. Every week I also include concert and festival previews, new release announcements, and items of topical relevance
Vancouver and Mission Folk Festival previews, new releases from around the world, protest songs about the dark approaches to WW III, songs of hope, reflection and loss, and defiant upbeat numbers from all genre. Plus R.I.P. to Sly Stone, who passed away last week
Today's show was started automatically - twenty minutes early! Started with new music discovered within the pages of the excellent UK magazine, Songlines, which comes with a free CD every month. Paid tribute to Beach Boy Brian Wilson with two songs covered by other luminaries, and one Beach Boys original penned by the great innovator. Then a bunch of songs inspired by the latest tragic and outrageous events in LA (before I heard about the MN attacks. Is there no end to this madness?) Promoted CD launch concerts by locals Suzie Ungerleider and Jocelyn Pettit. Finished up with a customary flourish of exhilarating Celtic music
Continuing the flashbacks from the past 4 decades of hosting this show I chose more old favourites to blend with some great new releases, as well as concert and festival previews. Had to whittle it down from the original 193 songs chosen, to a more manageable 52! Suffice to say, there have been more than a few good memories down these years at CiTR!
My first show at CiTR was on June 1st 1985. Today I continued my 40th Anniversary nostalgia with a bunch more of my fave songs from these past 4 decades, and threw in some tasty new titles as well. This was a very fun trip down memory lane for me, and I still managed to learn something new and exciting along the way. I hope the radio audience enjoyed it, too!
Dan Storper, founder of Putumayo World Music, passed away on Thursday. Since 1993 I've been enjoying the unique compilation albums Putumayo have released, celebrating regions and countries, and genres of music from all over. Their booklets are full of information, recipes, translations and all manner of extra details about the musicians, too. Thanks, Dan. for making so much beautiful music accessible to all of us. Also, I'm celebrating 40 years of The Saturday Edge next week, so a bunch of old favourites crept in today and there will be more next week. Played lots of new releases too, as well as Rogue previews, and wonderful displays of multicultural Canadiana.
Plenty of new music including some powerful anti-fascist songs from Mark Rubin and Martin Kerr and all sorts of merriment from Africa, Aotearoa, Denmark, Sweden, Eire, Canada and the American resistance! Also music by some of the winners at last week's East Coast Music Awards in St. John's. Plus concert previews and R.I.P. to English guitar legend Wizz Jones - and a farewell song from / to NL's Mark Hiscock of Shanneyganock
Since May 10th 1987, Vancouver's Rogue Folk Club has been presenting over 50 concerts per year of Celtic, Folk, Blues, Bluegrass, Manouche, Cajun, and World Roots Music. Today, on the Society's 38th Anniversary, I indulged in a hefty slice of nostalgia with music by some of the amazing - and diverse - performers who have graced The Rogue stage down the years. Also some new releases, concert previews and a sad R.I.P. to Newfoundland singer and accordion wizard Mark Hiscock, of Shanneyganook, who died this week.
Started in West Africa, moved to Mexico for celebratory music, then on to concert previews and VFMF previews and a couple of great new CDs (Matt Andersen and Eliza Gilkyson.) Everything from blues to old time to Celtic to songwriters to comedy. Hope I didn't miss anyone out!
This year's folk festival runs July 18th to 20th in Jericho Beach Park, and they announced the line-up on Thursday. I hope to broadcast LIVE from the park once again. Meanwhile tracks 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 17, 22, 24, 27, 28, 33, 34, 37, 39, 49, 50, and 55 are by artists performing this year. Some new Putumayo releases were also featured on today's show, as well as many new releases from around the planet, local concert previews.too, and a finale from Sandy Denny who passed away at the tender age of 31exactly 47 years ago this week
Songs for Mother Earth and The Easter Bunny, plus memories of Sandy Denny (who died April 21st 1978) and NL accordionist Frank Maher, who died last week. Plus more new releases and concert previews than you can shake a stick at. Spot the 420 hints, if you can...
From darkness to light, with an RIP to Mali's Amadou Bagayoko of the blind duo Amadou et Mariam, new music from African giants Youssou N'Dour and Salif Keita, heaps more new releases from all across Canada, as well as Sweden, India, New Zealand, and Eire. Plus concert previews and more.
Canada is very cross right now! Anyhow, loads of new releases today, many of them courtesy of fellow DJ Daniel Rosenberg, who was in town for last week's Junos. Thanks, Dan! I managed to play at least one song from each of the ten Canadian provinces and two Canadian Territories. While Lindisfarne's tirade against the Tory government in the UK in the early 1970s was somewhat tongue-in-cheek I added this with an impassioned plea to my American friends to "bring down the government". For all our sakes!
Tunes from the brand new Cousin Harley CD, and forthcoming album by NL's Quote The Raven, as well as new music from Stephen Fearing, Kathryn Tickell, Tara Breen, Morgan Toney, Jason Isbell, Melisande, and Dreamers Circus. Aslo a feature on Malian kora virtuoso Ballake Sissoko, and previews of upcoming shows by the likes of Steve Dawson, Aleksi Campagne, Collage Trad, Hildaland, Coig, Quote The Raven, Kiran Ahluwalia, and more, much more.
Songs and tunes for the Persian New Year and the coming of Spring. Sad R.I.P. to Garifuna singer / activist Aurelio who died in a helicopter crash this week. Local concert previews: Ballake Sissoko, Judy Collins, Rum Ragged, Lucy MacNeil Quartet. A few new releases, too. Lots of CanCon. Elbows Up!
Being the closest Saturday to St. Patrick's Day this show was a celebration of Celtic music, with a lot of my favourite Irish artists to the fore. The new CD by Stephen Fearing was released yesterday, so this was a CiTR exclusive. Another exclusive at the end was a track recorded at The Rogue with Co. Clare fiddler Martin Hayes and the late Chicago guitarist Dennis Cahill in 2017. These tunes were never recorded by the duo on any of their albums.
We still have that north of the 49th. Also lots of great Canadian music, a sprinkling of new music from around the world, previews of Festival du Bois and Rogue shows and a whole bunch more. Yes, folks, there is still much to celebrate in these troubled times. Most of it is great music - and community spirit helps!
A look back at Folk Alliance International in Montreal last week, a look ahead to Festival du Bois next week in Maillardville, new music from all over, a bit of Welsh for St. David's Day, and a White Rabbit for the first of the month.
Whilst enjoying the music and camaraderie of hundreds of musicians, Folk DJs, and concert presenters from around the world at Folk Alliance International in Montreal, I was virtually hosting this show, celebrating new releases from around the globe and local concert previews. What a wonderful world we live in. Such a shame to feel its very existence threatened once again by fascist bastards.
This show was a big preview of next week's Folk Alliance International Conference in Montreal. The last time it was not in the USA was 2019, also in Montreal. Most of this show was Canadian. Most of the showcases I plan to attend feature Canadian performers. I look forward to asking my American friends what the hell they were thinking! At the end I announced The Arrogant Worms song We Are The Beaver, but had to scale back to their (ironically) shorter / smaller song Canada Is Really Big, so as not to go over the allotted 4 hours. I will play that song next week!
I started this show in June 1985, so it's been almost 40 years now when every Saturday I have assembled a radio show for you, showcasing new releases from around the world, favourite songs and artists from the past few decades, and highlighting concerts and festivals coming to the Lower Mainland in the coming weeks. Plus a few personal historical anecdotes and classic tracks by bands who inspired me to start a show in the first place. I hope you were able to recall music you've heard on my show over the past four decades that have inspired you, cheered you up, made you dance, smile, weep, or celebrate life in some small way. If so, please consider making a pledge on https://www.donatetocitr.ca/ (N.B. there are premiums to be had for donations over $35, and if you pledge over $101.90 I will send you a personal gift of music!)
A mixed bag of new releases, a sad R.I.P. to Marianne Faithfull, some vitriolic songs hurled south and east in the general direction of the new capital of fascism in DC, and a whole lot of great music made in Canada by some very talented Canadian musicians. And some great tunes and songs from elsewhere too. Plus a nod of appreciation to former CiTR alumnus Susi Lanagan who has hosted What The Folk! on PBS in Melbourne for the past 20 years. With a fair bit of help from me all along the way. Her final show airs next Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm Pacific on www.pbsfm.org.au
A very special edition of the show, with features on Robbie Burns Day, freedom for Malian singer Rokia Traoré, and tributes to Garth Hudson - the last surviving member of The Band - and to French folk singer Gabriel Yacoub, both of whom died this week. There were also a few concert previews, and some exciting new releases on this auspicious date: 25 25 - with a tune called "25%" thrown in for good measure! (The show started 12 minutes late for no apparent reason. Just some sort of computer glitch, I think. So if you missed anything, you can always tune in to the podcast any time. As long as I can figure out how to record the show when it started at the wrong time!)
New releases from West Africa and Ireland with plenty of Canadian musical excellence and creativity sandwiched in between.
Eight and a half decades on we see the returning spectre of the evils of fascism and the beginnings of imperial expansion. Herr Drumpf is running the fascist playbook - while Pee Pee bows down and our wonderful, peaceful nation is under threat both from without and from within. In the face of these challenges my only means of retaliation is music, music, music! A sort of Canadian "bandstand" of hope and defiance hit the airwaves on Saturday morning!
Songs and tunes which provided highlights of 2024 in Vancouver and beyond, and a look ahead to what's in store here in 2025. With a special emphasis on supporting musicians by buying their merchandise at gigs or from their websites - and a pox on Spotify and the other rip-off merchants who steal their music and make "curated" playlists (cough, splutter!)
Some of my favourite albums of 2024 (and a few from the tail end of 2023) plus some songs for the end of the old year and to welcome in the new one. While things do look awfully grim these days, the music has been - and continues to be - absolutely stellar.
Some of my favourite songs from the last 37 years of these Winter specials, some brand new releases for the Solstice, and a few surprises along the way, too. We bid a sad farewell to Indian percussion master Ustad Zakir Hussain and to NE songwriter Dave Mallett, plus some new releases and heaps of seasonal songs you definitely won't hear in the Malls.
A plethora of new releases from around the globe to kick off the show, and some exciting new Canadiana kept things running in an ultra-cool northern way. Once again I had TEN PAIRS OF TICKETS to give away to see the second preview of the new Bob Dylan bio-pic, A Complete Unknown. A few new songs of winter, lots more Canadians, and some spirited Celtic music to finish up.
New releases from West Africa, Vancouver, Barcelona, Italy, England, Eire, and Scotland. Plus concert previews, a memorial for the 14 women murdered at Ecole Polytechnique in 1989, a couple of Sugaree songs, and a few cuts to herald the incoming Winter and holiday season.
Plenty of new releases on the show today, including Canadian bands Locarno and Aerialists, as well as Cathy Jordan's Crankie Island Song Project, and Crys Matthews' Reclamation. I also had TEN PAIRS of tickets to give away to the exclusive preview showing of the new movie about Bob Dylan - A Complete Unknown. It will be shown at International Village Cinema in Chinatown on Wednesday December 4th at 7pm.
Includes brand new music from the likes of Vancouver's Robyn Lane & The Rhythm Makers, Locarno, Tinariwen, Mauro Durante & Justin Adams, Christy Moore, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, and a wonderful new album by Cathy Jordan of the Irish band Dervish. There is also a feature on the next two bands coming to The Rogue Folk Club: Italian trio Ensemble Sangineto (below) - who were the talk of the town at the Folk Alliance in Kansas City in February, with their unique blend of Celtic and Breton influences and Italian trad songs from all around the "boot" - and Linda McRae & Doug Cox - rootsy, bluesy songs from the left coast and the deep south.
Anger and consternation at the US election led to some protest songs. Loads of new releases, including a feature on the new Christy Moore CD, and a tip of the proverbial to Louis Riel on "his" day, with a tune played by Vancouver's Kathleen Nisbet (of Viper Central) - a direct descendant of the legendary Metis leader. Also, "The Boss" is coming to town next week, so a sprinkling of his songs too.
Inspired by local music columnist Hadani Ditmars' article in the latest issue of Songlines magazine, the show starts with music from guitar bands in Niger, and gravitates to musical luminaries in Mali (inspired by talking to CFMA winner Sophie Lukacs at The Rogue last week). Searching for songs / signs of HOPE in this dismal week, then focusing on some wonderful bands coming to town this month - from Italy, Ontario, Donegal, Scotland, and Quebec
Plenty of new releases, including Las Migas - female flamenco innovators from Barcelona, Toronto blues man Sugar Brown, American old-time / Celtic duo Rakish, a new single from Lonesome Ace Stringband, the stunning sophomore release by English guitarist Justin Adams and Italian fiddle player / percussionist / singer Mauro Volante, young Irish trad singer Macdara Yeates, Eire's trad trio Socks In The Frying Pan, Canadian blues pianist / singer Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Dirk & Amelia Powell from Louisiana, and more! Plus concert previews (there are some incredible shows coming to town - most of them at The Rogue, www.roguefolk.bc.ca)
Mourning the death this week of Barbara Dane: American singer and activist with over 6 decades as a leading light in folk, blues and jazz. She was 97, and was still singing at least until the age of 95! Looking back at the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton - what a fabulous time we had over there! Hard to believe we saw so much incredible scenery, drove almost 3,000km around the island, experienced the rich music and culture and history of that small - furthest - corner of this amazing country, and came back relatively unscathed 8 days later! Played a fair few new releases and threw in some local concert previews, and some Halloween songs, too.
I pre-recorded this show as I was away at Celtic Colours in Cape Breton. Big feature on that next week, folks! This week was all about new releases and concert previews once again - with some pretty tasty selections, I hasten to add!
Focus on "Ova", the great new album from Afro Celtic Sound System and a whole bunch of new releases I found out about from UK world music magazine Songlines. Plenty of local concert previews, too. There's also a hot new album from Vancouver's Locarno, another from Quebec's De Temps Antan, and lots more besides.
A small tribute to Kris Kristofferson, some tunes from the latest Songlines Magazine Top Of The World CD, a few songs for October, and a sprinkle of magic from concerts coming to town in the next little while. Also a look ahead to Celtic Colours, Cape Breton's fabulous music festival, which runs from October 11th - 19th (you can catch one feature concert each day from 3:30pm Pacific on their website www.celtic-colours.com -- for free).
Featuring new music from global roots label Putumayo, and many others. A small segment of songs of mermaids and sirens. Songs of Truth and of Reconciliation, too. Plus concert previews galore and a few surprises along the way!
Paying tribute to the recently deceased blind Senegalese guitarist and griot Mansour Seck. Then a feature interview with Trent Freeman of The Fretless, who launch their new CD, Glasswing, at The York Theatre on October 6th. Plus new releases from around the world, and heaps of local concert previews.
After The Debate last week, a few songs about The Liar. Also, new music by Canadian Celtic string quartet The Fretless (coming to The York Theatre in a few weeks), and a whole bunch more new releases besides. An eclectic array of new and old songs and tunes, a feature on the music of the Kronos Quartet (coming to The Chan Centre here at UBC next month) and a whole lot more.
Starting with some music inspired by the pages of Songlines magazine with stops in Jamaica, Yunnan, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Vancouver, Montreal, Smithers, Denmark, Holland, Finland and Sweden. Then some new blues music and Canadian indigenous sounds, a bit of bluegrass, and a feature on The Faux Paws and Kristina Olsen. Some Francophone music, a nod to the wartime UK band leader Al Bowlly, a rare vintage track from The McGarrigles, and a big Celtic flourish at the end.
Labour Day special with some labour anthems in the second half. New releases and Rogue Folk Club concert previews abound. We kick off the Fall Season with two brilliant young BC fiddlers: Jocelyn Pettit and Olivia Barrett joined by top guitarist Adam Dobres next Friday September 6th. Kristina Olsen and The Faux Paws come in the following week, and David Francey is joined by Terra Spencer the week after that. Kym Gouchie, Miscellany of Folk, Old Man Luedecke to follow. Heaps more reasons to be cheerful after that!
Featuring some of my favourite songs alongside some tasty new sounds from around the world, a number of Rogue Folk previews, and a wide variety of musical genres. Steering clear of politics and war and focusing on positive vibes.
There were many highlights, none more so than the closing act on Sunday - Alison Krauss & Robert Plant. In fact they were so good I bought tickets to see them again on Tuesday night at the QE Theatre! Fabulous band! There were lots of other highlights from Edmonton on today's show, as well as a bunch of new releases and a few Rogue concert previews
Kora playing griot from Mali, Toumani Diabate, passed away a couple of weeks ago. Here is my second crack at paying homage to the great man. He was only 58. He collaborated with so many great artists in recent years. This was also a special Edmonton Folk Music Festival edition. Canada's biggest folk festival and one I try my best to attend every year. Lots of new and exciting music this time around. I'll have a report on next week's show.
Featuring lots of performers from this weekend's Canmore Folk Festival, and including many of my personal favourites from almost 40 years of hosting this show. Some new releases too, and a few birthday tunes. Self-indulgence? You bet!
Paying homage to Malian kora master Toumani Diabate who died this week. Such a sad loss. Also to English blues legend John Mayall, also gone this week. Previews of Vancouver concerts by The Decemberists, Molly Tuttle, and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss coming soon. And a feature on this weekend's Mission Folk Festival. It's SOCAN week, too, so lots of Canadians in the mix
Sitting alone in an open-sided tent in the Community Village at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in Jericho Beach Park I ran ths week's selection of tunes from my iPhone! Featured music by performers at this festival, plus similar events in Harrison Hot Springs, Duncan, and Canmore and Edmonton. Also featured the brilliant new CD by The Decemberists
It's Island Musicfest weekend in Courtenay BC, and there are folk festivals coming up in Harrison Hot Springs, Vancouver's Jericho Beach Park, Duncan (Islands Folk Festival), Mission's Fraser River Heritage Park, and over The Rockies in Canmore and Edmonton. Exciting times! Here are some of my expected highlights of these events, plus a good long look at Scots "acid croft" pioneers, Shooglenifty, who play in Vancouver next Thursday before heading to Harrison and Duncan over the weekend
This week CiTR ran a live broadcast from the Khatsalano Street Festival and my show was preempted. So I made this special edition of festival previews and new releases featuring a large number of tracks by performers coming to various festivals in the next few weeks: Island Musicfest (Courtenay, July 12-14), Harrison Festival of The Arts (July 12 - 21), Vancouver Folk Festival (July 19-21), Islands Folk Festival (Duncan, July 19 - 21), Mission Folk Festival (July 26 - 28), Canmore Folk Festival (August 3 - 5), and Edmonton Folk Festival (August 8 - 11), plus a bit of a look ahead to Cape Breton's Celtic Colours Festival (October 11 - 19).
New releases and music by many of the artists coming to Canadian Folk Festivals this Summer. RIP to Bic Hoang, half of Vancouver's Vietnamese duo Khac Chi, who passed away this week. Another sad loss to the local music community. Plus a few concert previews and an interview with Irish playwright and actor Aidan Dooley, who performed his one-man play about Antarctic Explorer Tom Crean on this Saturday evening.
No theme this week just a whole lot of new releases and folk festival previews. Mostly Canadian too. Also R.I.P. to Algeria's rockin' queen of the desert blues Hasna El Becharia, and nod to NL's Rum Ragged, whose instruments were wrecked by Air Canada last week (but AC will pay the repair bill and they found the lost bouzouki, too).
I say a fond farewell to French pop star Françoise Hardy, who died this week at age 80. She was such a beautiful woman and was one of the main cover girls in Europe in the early 1960s. It's also Bloomsday on Sunday, so I've added a couple of Joycean references. Also featured new music from the July issue of Songlines magazine, and there were a load of new releases from all over the world on top of that. I added as many as possible! Also concert previews (Teddy Thompson on Sunday at The Rogue Folk Club, Missy Raines on Monday at the Anza Club, plus festival previews and a few tracks from Shooglenifty, too.) Oh, and a couple of tunes from Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac, who performs in Coquitlam today at Scotfest.
Paying respect to Scottish singer Rod Paterson (Easy Club, Ceolbeg, etc.) who passed away this week. He had such a wonderful, rich, deep voice! Lots of new releases from across Canada and beyond, and a few concert previews: Teddy Thompson (in town next Sunday 16th at The Rogue), Missy Raines (Anza Club the following night), Shooglenifty (at The Rogue on July 18th), Molly Tuttle (Hollywood Theatre, August 1st)
Exactly 39 years ago to the day I hosted my first ever radio show at CiTR. Played some of my favourite tunes from the past 39 years, alongside lots of new releases and folk festival previews.
Concert and festival previews, new releases, and a celebration of music from all around the world. It's the essence of what I've been presenting on this show for the past 39 years! This weekend there are concerts with Stephen Fearing and Deanna Knight, and next month Teddy Thompson makes his Rogue Folk debut. July sees the return of Scots favourites Shooglenifty on the eve of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Who says Vancouver is "No Fun City"?
Celebrating the new CD by Deanna Knight, paying tribute once again to the late Ron Kavana, previewing next week's shows with Cassie & Maggie and Stephen Fearing, and assembling some amazing new music from all over. In the words of the John Martyn song, "May you never lay your head down without a hand to hold", this was a show full of music for holding hands, and sharing memories and wonder.
Paying tribute to my old mate Ron Kavana, who died last Saturday in Cork. He was such an inspirational man, with solid roots in the Blues, Cajun Music, and Rock, as well as one of the most versatile band leaders in contemporary and traditional Irish music. Plus loads of new music from across Canada and beyond, including some especially tasty previews of performers coming to the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in July, and some exotic new sounds from places like Norway, Poland, Ukraine, and Africa.
Themes of solidarity with Ukraine are woven through this weekend's edition, also new songs from all across Canada and beyond, and the pulsating sounds of Shooglenifty and The Afro Celts. All sorts of musical styles in fact; something for everyone (I hope!)
Lots of new music today and more CFMA nominees (more important than winners, IMHO. I reckon voting counts are subjective, but nominations need more thorough listening!) Some emotional tracks from the likes of The Last Yiddish Tango, and a new album from Quebec's Yann Falquet. Plus a couple of medleys from the brand new Lunasa CD, recorded live in Kyoto - all shiny new tunes brilliantly played.
New releases by Eliza Carthy, Chris Smither, Rum Ragged, Martin Simpson, Aaron Collis, and My Black Country - an incredible collection of songs performed by the likes of Rhiannon Giddens, Allison Russell, Sista Strings, Sunny War, Valerie June, and Leyla McCalla. Plus more highlights of the recent CFMAs and our trip to St. John's; concert previews: and more tasty offerings than you can shake a stick at - if that's your idea of a good time!
Another mostly Canadian show featuring many of the winners and nominees and showcase "hits" of the Canadian Folk Music Awards held last week in St. John's NL. Plus new releases by the likes of Martin Simpson, and music culled from the pages and downloads of the latest issue of Songlines magazine. Lots of local concert previews, as well
Greetings from the Canadian Folk Music Awards in snowy St. John's Newfoundland! This week's show features a host of NL musicians, plus nominees and showcase artists from the Awards week. Plenty of new releases and teasers of forthcoming new albums as well. Concert previews for Oumou Sangare (April 7 at The Chan), Rhiannon Giddens (April 15 at The Chan), and Holly Near, Ryan McMahon, Jeff Plankenhorn, Martyn Joseph, Steve Dawson, Hornby Blues, Adrian Glyn, Jim Byrnes, The Sojourners, Kristina Olson, Cassie & Maggie, and Teddy Thompson (all coming to The Rogue in the next few weeks.)
New releases from around the world, local concert previews, and big feature on next week's Canadian Folk Music Awards in St. John's, Newfoundland
Concert previews, new releases, and old favourites, running the gamut from African music through Middle Eastern grooves, sublime Scandinavian tunes, to Celtic romps - with a few stops in between to showcase some fabulous songwriters. There's definitely something happening around here - great music! With roots.
Celebrating women in music from every corner of the world - at least, the world as seen my my music library! Plus some concert previews and new releases by the likes of Eric Bibb, Iris DeMent, Karan Casey, Martin Hayes, and cellist Su-a Lee
Songs for BHM and a whole bunch of new releases - and especially Canadian artists - to pave the way for the Canadian Folk Music Awards, a huge national event which comes to Vancouver (indeed BC) for the very first time next month.
Showcase BC - a preview of the Canadian Folk Music Awards and the curtain-raiser on March 30th. New releases from across Canada, USA, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Much inspired by the recent Folk Alliance Conference in Kansas City. A big Celtic flourish towards the end, featuring Martin Hayes and Lúnasa - and a good few Canadians too.
Music from many of the performers who impressed me at last week's Folk Alliance Conference in Kansas City - where I was given a prestigious Spirit of Folk Award. Artists from across Canada, as well as the USA, Eire, England, Sweden, and Australia. It's also Black History Month, so lots of music to celebrate that, too! A tip of the hat to prolific songwriter Burt Bacharach, who passed away this week at age 94, and a mini-feature on James Keelaghan, Canadian songwriter extraordinaire, who plays in town tonight.
Some of my favourite songs and performers from the past 38 years of The Saturday Edge On Folk on this fundraiser edition as we strive to raise enough money for a new transmitter. At last!!
Music from some of the performers who will be showcasing at next week's Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City. I'll be heading down there to receive the great honour of a Spirit of Folk Award and to hear some amazing bands and meet some fellow DJs and journalists. It will be amazing! Also a whole bunch of new releases and concert previews - and a number of Kansas City references too.
Songs for Lunar New Year and Robbie Burns Night, plus R.I.P.s to Les Barker (England's "professional idiot" and poet extraordinaire), Seamus Begley (singer / melodeon player from Co. Kerry) and Thad Beckman (American guitar slinger / songwriter).
Music from two new recruits to the heavenly choir: rock guitar legend Jeff Beck, and Irish trad singer and accordionist Seamus Begley. Plus a few tunes and songs from brilliant Italian flatpicker and singer Beppe Gambetta, and a whole bunch of new and recent releases across the wide world of folk and roots music.
A bit of a tribute to Ian Tyson, and a preview of the first Rogue shows of 2023 with Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, and David Francey. Lots of new releases from all around the planet in the first hour, and then mostly new music from North Ameria and the British Isles in the second half - many of those selectios Canadian, of course! Some pretty punchy folk rock at the end,,too!
My "Top 52 Albums Of 2022" - one per week! Favourite recordings from all around the world. The only thing they have in common is that they were released in 2022. Oh, and I like them. A lot!! Finished up with some songs for the end of the old year - and the beginning of a whole new one. Let's hope it's a good one, without any tears...
Started with new music from Africa, Colombia and Hawai’i and then paid tribute to the recently departed Terry Hall (The Specials, Fun Boy Three etc) in Hour 1, then the seasonal music ran from 9 to noon: a unique blend of seasonal wintry music you wouldn't hear in a Mall. Culminating with The Pogues, Monty Python, and Steeleye Span - my own special trinity of Xmas songs; then wassails, mumming, holly, and some songs and tunes for the hare and the wren for whom Boxing Day tends to be tricky.
Songs and tunes from some of the artists who particularly impressed me during 2022. Many of them played at The Rogue, some of them played at Summer festivals in BC and Alberta, and a few played at concerts around Vancouver. I added some new releases, one or two songs for Hanuka and the Solstice, a bit of Hawaiian exotica, and a few performers coming to The Rogue over the next few weeks.
All the way from the garden island of Kauai in fact. A tribute to Jim Stewart, co-founder of Stax Records with his sister Estelle Axton. Stax was an integrated music label during the dark days of segregation and had a profound effect on me and millions of others. So some classics from Stax, and then some music from Buffy Sainte-Marie, who was the subject of an incredible documentary on PBS the other week. Also a dash of Hawaiian music, and a salute to Scots singer / fiddler Megan Henderson (Breabach), who just won Traditional Artist of the Year at The Scots Trad Awards. Heaps of new releases, too!
Some tasty new releases from Africa, Canada, Scandinavia, America, Eire, and England plus a bunch of wintry songs about snow and frost, and R.I.P.s to brilliant American old time fiddler / composer Pete Sutherland, and English blues / pop singer Christine McVie, who both passed away this week.
Music from all 32 countries taking part in this month's World Cup: Qatar (Track 2), Saudi Arabia (Track 3), Morocco (Track 4), Tunisia (Track 5), Senegal (Tr 6), Ghana (Tr 7), Cameroon (Tr 8), Switzerland (Tr 9), Brazil (Tr 12), Portugal (Tr 13), Mexico (Tr 14), Uruguay (Tr 15), Costa Rica (Tr 16), Ecuador (Tr 17), South Korea (Tr 18), Japan (Tr 19), Iran (Tr 20), Serbia (Tr 21), Croatia (Tr 22), Poland (Tr 23), Denmark (Tr 24), Belgium (Tr 25), France (Tr 26), Argentina (Tr 27), Spain (Tr 28), Germany (Tr 29), Holland (Tr 30), Australia (Tr 31), Canada (Tr 32-35, 53-58, 61), USA (Tr 36-40, England (Tr 41-45), and Wales (Tr 47). Plus features on John Prine, Christy Moore, Van Django's Cool Yule, and new releases from Gambia, Senegal/Denmark, England (including the first album from The Magpie Arc), Eire, etc.
New music from Africa, an hour-long Scandinavian Frolic, and heaps of new music from across Canada and the UK. Plus two dedications and a request!
New music with koras to the fore, then a liberal sprinkling of tracks by artists who have played at the Rogue down the years but who are no longer with us. Also concert previews, new releases, RIP Jerry Lee Lewis and Dan McCaffrey (Nazareth), a tip of the hat to Canadian songwriter Bonnie Dobson, and the customary whirlwind of Celtic mayhem at the end!
A big feature interview with Colin Linden, whose band Blackie & The Rodeo Kings make a welcome return to Vancouver next week. Plus a trip down psychedelic memory lane with songs from the newly remastered Revolver, reflections on the recent Grateful Dead tribute, and a celebration of Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets show last week. Some songs for Remembrance Day, and new music from Africa at the beginning and Celtic and English trad towards the end of the show
A few Halloween songs sprinkled around today's show, which also featured some great new releases from Mali and Senegal, some Canadian blues, some enthralling Welsh chamber-folk, atmospheric tunes and songs from Sweden, Catalonia, England, Ireland, and Scotland - and Canada. Plus concert previews and a few surprises!
New releases from some of my favourites, including Gambia's Sona Jobarteh, Algeria's Souad Massi, England's Eliza Carthy, and The Unthanks. Features on upcoming "Rogues" Talisk, Rocket Revellers, Bill & The Belles, and Eilen Jewell, and some exhilarating Celtic and African music bookending the show.
New music from Songlines Magazine, including an amazing Balkan Sampler. Previews of East Van Opry, Celtic Colours, and A Grateful Dead American Beauty Tribute. Plus local concert previews, and plenty of new music from the likes of Bonny Light Horseman, Fortunate Ones, and James Keelaghan
A concert calendar of folk and roots music in Vancouver, a bunch of new releases, R.IP.s to country music legend Loretta Lynn (90), and to Paul Sartin of UK bands Bellowhead and Faustus (51), and a look at Cape Breton's Celtic Colours Festival, which is now underway. Incredible, since it's only a few days since Fiona smashed through there.
Watery songs and stormy songs seemed topical today after Fiona and Ian wreaked their havoc. A big feature on Irish accordion diva Sharon Shannon dominated the show as she brings her trio to town for the first international gig at The Rogue since she played here just before the first lock down. New music from The East Pointers, Rory Block, Jake Blount, LJ Mounteney, Angelique Kidjo, Tradifusio from Valencia, and much more from so many different places and genres it makes my head spin!
New music from Africa, Brazil, and Eastern Europe. Some Ukrainian anthems, a bunch of wonderful indigenous women in song, and a look back at last week's memorable Songbird North show at The Roundhouse. There are FIVE folk and roots shows in town next Saturday October 1st! What to do? Which one to choose? A bit of a guide to help you out, including ticket giveaways for Los Lobos / The Mavericks, and Bear's Den. Then a mini-feature on Irish accordion diva Sharon Shannon, and some great new music from Scotland - and Canada!
A glorious celebration of women (many of them Canadian), including Angelique Kidjo, Mama's Broke, Sharon Shannon, Aine McGeeney (Goitse), Anais Mitchell (Bonny Light Horseman), Molly Donnery (The Haar), Crystal Shawanda, Devora Laye (The Burying Ground), Allison Russell, Oumou Sangare, Fatoumata Diawara, Katherine Priddy, Lydia Hol, Celeidgh Cardinal, Pharis Romero, Della Mae, Indigo Girls, Deirdre Scanlan (Solas), Megan Henderson (Breabach), Kim Carnie, and L J Mounteney. And lots more exotic, earthy, and groovy sounds, old & new, from across the musical spectrum.
Exciting new music from the likes of Angelique Kidjo, Ablaye Cissoko, Loudon Wainwright III, Richard Thompson, Breabach, Pat Chessell, James Keelaghan, LJ Mounteney and many more. Plus previews of Shcryer / Dobres / Hillhouse and Mama's Broke (great name for a band!) coming to town this month. And, of course, a few songs and tunes of Kings and Queens and a Royal Lament for the sadly-departed Elizabeth II. Fin d'un epoque, or what?
Music from the new (Sept / Oct) issue of Songlines Magazine and then a sizable chunk of Canadian music with songs from all across this nation, and a slew of great fiddle tunes at the end.
Some of the finest in folk and roots music from all around the world, including this week's R.I.P. to Pogues' bassist Darryl Hunt, and a few more Lamont Dozier cuts. Plus a couple of tunes from new CDs by Loudon Wainwright III, Shemekia Copeland, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Richard Thompson, and Vancouver's wonderful chanteuse LJ Mounteney. The main feature includes some of the performers appearing at this weekend's Tonder Festival in Denmark - always a fabulous weekend, with lots of Canadians on the bill.
This week I paid respects to 3 recently departed musicians and songwriters: Lamont Dozier, Bob Neuwirth, and Judith Durham. I also aired a whole mess of new releases from across Canada, Africa, Northern Europe, USA, Australia, and beyond; music from many genres, ranging from Old Time fiddle tunes to English trad., from Celtic songs and dance tunes to heartfelt blues, and from instrumental wizards to emotionally-charged songwriters.
Music by many of the standout performers at last weekend's Edmonton Folk Music Festival, plus a generous helping of new releases from all around the world - mostly inspired by reading the virtual pages of Songlines Magazine.
Music from the festivals once again! Western Canadian festivals are in full swing for the first time in 3 years. Hooray!! Featured lots of performers who will be on the bill at next weekend's Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Plus a rather "trippy" start to the show, a look back at Mission last week, and a couple of tracks from Steve Dawson's new CD, and a whole heap of trad at the end.
Mission Folk Music Festival Special, plus some interviews from last weekend's Vancouver Folk Fest, a dose of personal nostalgia, and some real tasty new music
A look back at Island Musicfest in Courtenay, a celebration of Vancouver Folk Music Festival taking place this weekend, and a look ahead to next week's Mission Folk Music Festival. Plus the great new CD from Canadian trio Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, and a whole lot more, including (unrelated) blues fiddlers Sugarcane and Anne Harris, and some tasty Swedes, delectable gypsy jazz and hot zydeco from Quebec, and a look ahead to Jocelyn Pettit's dual CD launch and an intriguing Celtic session next week.
Previews of local festivals in Courtenay, Vancouver and Mission. Plus some new releases and some old favourites.
RIP Rudi Gomis (Orchestra Baobab), a big dollop of African and Latin music, then a whole heap of Canadian artists - most of whom are performing at Island Musicfest, and / or Vancouver Folk Music Festiuval and / or Mission Folk Music Festival later this month. The soulful and bluesy groove eventually gave way to some stunning songwriters, and we finished with the customary Celtic flourish
Also music from the latest Songlines Magazine, a feature on Malian singer and activist Oumou Sangaré, and R.I.P. to the brilliant, understated, Irish-American Celtic trad guitarist Dennis Cahill. Such a sad loss! More Celtic music - especially about trees - and some festival and concert previews, as well as a bit of Canadiana for Canada Day
Music for the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth - June 19 1865, abolition of slavery in the USA. Lots of previews of July festivals in BC, and features on wonderful new albums by Pharis & Jason Romero, and Kobo Town.
Summer Festival Previews, New Releases, Local Concert Previews, Seasonal Songs, and oodles of amazing women: singers, fiddlers, guitarists, and fabulous songwriters.
Also R.I.P.s to Ronnie Hawkins, Kelly Joe Phelps, and Belle du Berry. A nod - of sorts - to the Queen's 70th anniversary, and as many bits of irreverence and celebration and lamenting as anyone can take in 4 hours of the musical mayhem served up today - amidst some pretty horrendous Wi-Fi connection challenges!
The mass murder of innocent school children in Texas really got to me this week. What a truly messed-up country we have on our southern doorstep. I have a lot of American friends and I play a lot of American music on the show. I empathize with them all. There appears to be no hope down there. The Republicans are doing the damnedest to screw up everything. So, all I can do is play music and try to lift all our spirits as we watch in despair (horror grips us as we watch you die, from Wooden Ships, comes to mind. Maybe I'll play that song next week!) Keep on folkin' and rollin' in the Great White North, eh?
Celebrating World Fiddle Day with some amazing whirling fiddles from Canada. Scotland, Ireland, America, Spain, and Norway. Plus a feature on the new CD by East Van bluegrass quartet The Lonesome Town Painters, and new CDs from dobro diva Abbie Gardner, Catalonia's Magali Sare and Claudia Colom, BC's Barney Bentall, Mississippi's Charlie Musselwhite, and a whole lot more.
Some ribald ditties for what makes May so ... ahem ... merry! Plus it's Rogue Anniversary Night, with a unique band making their Rogue Folk Club debut - Diyet & The Love Soldiers from Yukon. So a few songs from the amazing Tutchone singer songwriter and her acoustic folk / bluegrass trio, starring Bob Hamilton, legendary steel guitar player, record producer, and all round string wizard. Also some new releases, sets of world music grooves, blues, and singer songwriters, and Canadian and Scottish Celtic trad. Plus some music from performers who will play the Summer festivals, and a smattering of performers who have graced The Rogue stage over the past 35 years or so.
New music from Mali's Fatoumata Diawara and Oumou Sangare, plus a single from Terakaft to start the show. Featured the wonderful Cuban-Canadian duo Okan at both ends of today's show. They play a Rogue concert this coming Monday. Can hardly wait!! Interesting Nordic / Celtic crossover from Vilsevind, lots of Canadians excelling at story songs and fast fiddles, and a feature on Pharis & Jason Romero. Then a pro-choice section, some more delightful Latina music from Okan and Las Estrellas de Vancouver (all-female mariachi band who open for Okan on Monday), and a blast of Quebecois magic from Le Vent du Nord, before the recently-passed Bill Bourne sings of how circuses - and for me, the way folk festivals - brighten up our lives. We need cheering up!
Ventured out to UBC to present the show LIVE for the first time in a few weeks. Massive amounts of construction and road works, and a whole mess of technical difficulties greeted me! Somehow managed to get it all in, though! New music from Oumou Sangare, Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder, The Unthanks, etc. Previews of Pharis and Jason Romero, Early Spirit, Okan, and Diyet & The Love Soldiers. More little tributes to Bill Bourne and Pastelle LeBlanc. Plus a little May Day blast at the end
Another good man done gone. Plus harps and koras and a few new releases and concert previews - plus a nod in the general direction of St. George's Day.
Featured new albums by Calexico, Riley Family Band, Matt Andersen, and Sowal Diabi - Kaboul to Bamako. Plus a sad R.I.P. to Pastelle LeBlanc of PEI's trad trio Vishten. A bit of an Earth Day set, a preview of upcoming shows by Van Django and three Canadian blues singers, and lots more new music inspired by reading the latest issue of Songlines magazine. Plenty of songs for and about refugees, and a rousing finish with the first Pink Floyd single for many years - featuring Ukrainian singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk.
Music from some of last weekend's winners (and nominees) from the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and The Grammy Awards, plus nominations for Folk Alliance International Awards coming next month. Also features on new releases by Molly Tuttle, Scotland's amazing Kinnaris Quintet, and Seattle's Jim Page
Some of the bands at this weekend's Festival du Bois and next week's April In Paris gypsy jazz fling. New releases and some fabulous songwriters from Canada, USA and UK
Loads of new music this week, including tunes from such exotic locations as Cape Verde, Mali, Senegal, Cuba, Denmark, Wales, Norway, Italy, Bosnia, Ukraine, Estonia, Persia, Ireland, Scotland, and even England! And of course from all across Canada: Quebec, BC, Yukon, and Alberta mostly. A chance to revel in some incredible creativity and soulful music composed, recorded and brought to us by fabulous musicians who have bravely soldiered on through the pandemic to do their level best to brighten up our lives!
Happy Norooz! Happy Vernal Equinox! But also lament for the Ukrainian refugees and victims of war crimes.. Why oh wy?
New music and song from around the planet: Sahara, Mali, Cuba, Italy, Finland, Albania, Ukraine x 6, Baluchistan, BC, Nova Scotia, USA, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Quebec. Plus some spirited instrumentals to keep us all bouncing along towards St. Patrick's Day
Music by fabulously strong and talented women from Africa, Cuba, Spain, France, Italy, Baluchistan, Ukraine, Canada, and America. New releases from Oysterband (UK), Mama's Broke (NS), Dakhabrakha (Ukraine), Early Spirit (BC), Chris Newman (Yorkshire), Dlu (Scotland), Andy Martyn (London), and three great trad bands from Quebec. Plus concert previews for Coig, Forro do Cana & Celso Machado. And more!
This show is dedicated to the people of Ukraine, hunkered down in the face of a brutal invasion by Russia. Absolutely heart-rending!
Some Mardi Gras faves to lighten the mood, some great new African music at the beginning of the show, and a panoply of performers coming to town over the next few weeks as live music returns. At last!
Plenty of new music today, from Africa, Tuva, Spain, Italy, Canada, USA, Scotland, and Ireland. Plus Part 3 of my homage to Norma Waterson, Rogue previews for Dalannah Gail Bowen and Gary Comeau's great bands, and a truly stunning anthem from Janis Ian
Songs for Valentine's Day, World Radio Day, Lunar New Year, and other celebrations. It's a beautiful day here on the left coast and there is way too much negativity about, so this was a very full hatful of uplifting songs and danceable tunes - for the most part!
A bumper 4 1/2 hour program with some hot new releases, some of my all-time favourites, some concert previews and a bunch of anecdotes about my own personal history in radio, and the thoughts of a few other CiTR DJs as we celebrate 85 years on the air! That's 15 more than a certain monarch! Speaking of queens, the "queen of English folk music", Norma Waterson, passed away this week. I am absolutely mortified at her passing. She was like a mother to everyone who presented or played folk music. So, a few of my favourite Norma Waterson vocal tracks - and I'll have a big feature on her next week.
Twice a year CiTR reports to SOCAN, the Canadian Performing Rights Organization so they can calculate and distribute royalties to composers and songwriters. They monitor commercial radio all the time. Independent artists hardly get a look-in. So, if they can skew the statistics by only monitoring REAL radio stations twice a year, I reckon it's up to independent DJs like me to skew the statistics back a bit! Here are 58 Canadian songs and tunes by some of my favourite performers - who just happen to be Canadian by birth or by nationalization if you like.
Heaps of Celtic music from Scotland, Canada, and Ireland as we celebrate Burns Day, Planxty's 50th anniversary, and John Doyle's birthday too. Threw in some January songs and new music from Janis Ian, Eliza Gilkyson, Steve Dawson, and Spanish newcomers Almale, and Coloma Bertan. Plus great young desert blues band Toumastine.
New releases from Songlines Magazine, a remarkable new (to me) Spanish collaboration of Galician, Basque & Catalan musicians, new music from Steve Dawson, Oysterband, Janis Ian, and more. Plus some great young Irish bands and singers. Tributes to Canadian bluesman Harpdog Brown and PEI's banjoist and composer Koady Chaisson of The East Pointers to round out the show. Such sad losses to Canadian music - and indeed to the wide world of roots music.
More of my favourite albums from 2021, a lot of different languages and a wide variety of cultural roots. Plenty of Canadiana and some poignant songs amidst the generally cheery upbeat mayhem!
Some of my favourite recordings of 2021. There were just too many to fit into one show, so Part Two will be next week! Finished up with some songs for and about the turn of the year, and a shout-out to Yves Lambert, who was made a member of the Order of Canada this week. Bonne Annee tout le monde!
Started off with a few of my favourite albums from around the world before following Santa's sled down the Camino to the Nativity and beyond. Some of the most unusual seasonal songs from around the northern hemisphere - and a lot of my own personal faves. Snow falling here in Vancouver today. So glad I chose to record the show and send it to CiTR so I could stay home to listen while watching the chickadees and hummingbirds and towhees on our bird feeders in the snow.
A big feature on legendary Jamaican bassist, producer, composer Robbie "Bass Spear" Shakespeare in the first hour, and further tributes to Mike Nesmith and Bill Staines, also recently departed. Some seasonal fare from Galicia, Cape Breton and Vancouver; some rootsy bluesy stuff from Dalannah Gail Bowen, Crys Matthews and co., plus a rousing Celtic finale with a few memorable blasts from the past.
Featured nominees and winners of this weekend's Songlines magazine Music Awards show, plus new releases by Quebec accordionist / singer Yves Lambert, Scotland's Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan, and more of the Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Justin Adams & Mauro Durante CDs. Finished with some exhilarating Celtic music from Spain, Ireland, and Vancouver
Peripatetic wanderings from Colombia to Cuba to Haiti to The Sahara to Italy to Sweden and New Zealand and on to Argentina. Then we Raise The Roof with Plant & Krauss, made a quick trip to the Bayou, heard some very fine bluegrass from The Jaybirds, and wound up with a very big Celtic finale. Such an exhilarating wild ride!
Some hot Latin sounds at the start, a feature on the fabulous new Robert Plant / Alison Krauss CD, and Chronicles: 60 Years of The Chieftains. A lament for the cancellation of The Romeros show, a preview of The Rogue's December shows, and a last blast of philosophy from the recently-deceased Astro of UB40
After a week of unprecedented storms and flooding, Vancouver is cut off from the rest of the country by road and rail, with thousands of farms under water and thousands of people evacuated from their homes. Mudslides on every major highway. More flood warnings abound, So, lots of songs about floods and rain, but started with some desert songs to try to balance things out a bit! Also added a bunch of great new releases and some Rogue Folk show previews.
New music from Billy Bragg, Justin Adams & Mauro Durante, Ian Robb & James Stephens, and Songlines Magazine. Some climate change protests, and anti-war songs, and a few Indian Beatles songs, R.I.P.s to UB40's Astro, and to English singer Barry Coope. Plus lots of Canadiana and so much more.
Started with some Indian fusion music for Diwali, the Hindu Festival Of Light. Some raunchy blues, some fine Canadian songwriters, and a look back at Wake The Dead's remarkable show last weekend in Berkeley. Preview of The Rogue's next show: a Leonard Cohen tribute with Tower of Song in a twin bill with Roots & Grooves. Some stirring Celtic music and a final flourish of songs for Remembrance Day.
New releases galore, including Mark Perry from Smithers - who plays a Rogue show next week to launch the new album - and a great new Celtic band, Fourth Moon, with members from Austria, Italy, France and Scotland. A few Halloween classics too.
Started with a feature on Mali's 71st generation griot and kora maestro Toumani Diabate with some of his amazing collaborations. Paid tribute to two luminaries of Irish Trad: Tony McMahon (accordion) and Paddy Moloney (uilleann pipes).
A heap of new releases from around the globe, a big preview of next week's celebration of Canadian country blues, some stirring music from England, and a Celtic flourish culminating with a tribute to The Chieftains' pioneering piper and raconteur, Paddy Moloney, who passed away last week at the age of 83
Maria Muldaur just released the title song for today's show! Featured the 25th anniversary reissue of Buena Vista Social Club (as a double CD!), new songs from Songlines Magazine #172, Rogue Reload previews, new Canadian releases, R.I.P. to Celtic music pioneer Robin Morton, and a tip of the tam o'shanter to Celtic Colours - the great Cape Breton festival marking its 25th year this week
The African grooves in the first hour were embellished by the amazing kora player, singer, songwriter, and griot Seckou Keita and some of his musical collaborations. A bunch of Rogue Reload previews and new releases, then a feature on next weekend's 25th Annual Celtic Colours Festival, and a return to M. Keita, this time linking up with some gorgeous Scots voices. Ended with a stunning version of Robin Williamson's October Song rendered by English guitar wizard Martin Simpson
A focus on Truth & Reconciliation Day (Sep 30th). Also some Rogue Reload Concert Previews, new releases, and a few surprises along the way. I made the show on a farm, surrounded by some interesting and occasionally rather raucous animals and birds! I wonder if any of them will make themselves heard on the show?
Sitars and koras tp the fore! Celtic fiddles and accordions - and some lovely Vancouver mixed roots at the end. New releases in blues, bluegrass, singer songwriters, and Celts in the middle
Sublime Persian music, a song or two for peace on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, some new music featured in the latest Songlines magazine, some watery songs from Louisiana, and a bunch of Rogue Reloaded previews, with heaps of great bands from BC. Some stirring Celtic music, tasty blues and bluegrass, and some very fine songwriters in this eclectic show recorded at home so I could prepare for the first Rogue show since March 2020 - with The Paperboys.
Started with some beautiful fusion music from an Italian-Austrian accordion-sitar duo, a unique Persian-Indian-American quartet, and a Cuban-Senegalese piano / kora / flute combo. Some hot Afro-Brazilian. Canadian-Colombian, Ivorian and French-Algerian stuff, and a tribute to Lee Scratch Perry. Blues, Bluegrass, Songwriters, and Celtic pipes and fiddles rounded out the show.
Gorgeous new music from Persian American singer Katouyoun Goudarzi and lots of new sounds from Africa, Denmark, Canada, and USA. Rogue Relaunch Previews - even with reduced capacity due to Covid restrictions. A few technical challenges today. Might revert to remote recordings next week ...
A tribute to the wonderful Texas singer songwriter Nanci Griffith, who passed away last week. So sad about her. Some tasty new sounds from Vancouver, Ireland, Denmark, and USA, plus a tribute to the amazing spirit of the people of Haiti and the women of Afghanistan. A few Rogue Relaunch artists, and a tip of the hat to Victoria's incredible singer and bassist / banjoist Oliver Swain, who I saw perform in Gibsons BC the other night. My first LIVE concert since March 2020!
Back in cruise control now, with the iPad Twin Turntable Emulator running the music feed. Just like the old days, way back in the twenty-teens! Heaps of new releases, once again, plus another salute to Jerry Garcia and more Rogue Relaunch previews too. And a tip of the proverbial sun-hat to the Steveston Sunflower Festival which is running over the next week or so. Found out about Nanci Griffith's sad death too late to run a feature on the great Texas songwriter. That will have to wait until next week's show...
Heaps of excellent new releases this week! Plus Rogue Relaunch Previews, and remembering Jerry Garcia (25 years gone), and Stan Rogers (Canadian postage stamp hero!)
Selections inspired by a little sojourn in a farm cottage in Cedar BC this week. Celebrating chickens, horses, rabbits, birds, butterflies, clouds, and nature herself. Plus some new songs from Annie Gallup, Dar Williams, Diana Jones, and a couple of tracks by Paperboys and Viper Central, who kick off The Rogue Relaunch in September. Deets on www.roguefolk.com
Features on this weekend's Virtual Mission Folk Music Festival, Diana Jones' remarkable new CD - Song To A Refugee, and the lovely new celebration of W.B. Yeats - I Am Of Ireland / Yeats In Song, with loads of amazing Irish singers and trad musicians.
This week's edition is all about celebrating some wonderful new music by the likes of Dave Alvin, Kat Danser, Alex Cuba, Amy Helm, John Reischman, Allison Russell, Tim O'Brien, and a couple of medleys from the latest Celtic Colours Live CD. Some new Blues, some old faves, some new Scandinavian tunes, and a powerful dose of new music from Africa in the first hour. Recorded at the historic James Bay Inn in Victoria.
Great new sounds from Africa, then a major feature on the dreadful history of oppression and racism which led to residential schools, stolen lands, and worse. Not just here in Canada, of course, but all through the Americas, and Australia too. Strong songs from indigenous peoples - and allies too. Then a big preview of the Rogue Folk Club Relaunch planned to kick off after Labour Day here in Vancouver, featuring many BC performers in a wide variety of musical styles. Also a couple of stunning new releases: Tim O'Brien's He Walked On, and the Celtic Colours Live Volume 8 collection from last year's virtual festival in Cape Breton
Today's edition of The Saturday Edge On Folk kicks off with some new and exciting music from Africa, Canada, and Latin America - including an introduction to Malian guitarist Boubacar Badian Diabate. We then move to Italy, and France, followed by some English reggae / folk, and North American blues and roots, with at least one delightfully surprising segue! Some Canadian blues, and Canadian songwriters, a touch of bluegrass, some grand Celtic music, and a sublime finish replete with gorgeous voices and harmonies.
Canada Music Special, with well over half the songs Canadian. Heaps of new releases too, from all around this wide and wonderful world. Plus an R.I.P. to Slide Guitar Diva Ellen McIlwaine, who passed away this week in Alberta. Plenty of songs about sunshine and heat, too.
Some songs to honour Juneteenth, the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the USA (June 19, 1865), and a whole bunch of new releases, plus a small celebration of Midsummer
More memories of Rogue performers down the years, plus a feature on Allison Russell, and plenty of new releases too
More highlights from 34 years of the Rogue Folk Club, plus some tasty new releases from around the world, a heartfelt and sometimes painful tribute to the 215 lost souls of Kamloops, and some exhilarating fiddle music to wrap things up!
Some new music from Songlines Magazine, English reggae roots combo EII, and Canadians Alex Cuba, and Allison Russell. Plus more trips down memory lane with performers who have graced the Rogue Folk Club stage over the past 34 years.
Playing more songs from artists who have performed at The Rogue Folk Club at some point over the past 34 years. Music from Africa, Cuba, India, China, Louisiana, Mississippi, Cape Breton, Eire, Scotland, Quebec, and B.C. and beyond. I suspect Part 3 will occupy some or all of next week's show as well! Great memories and amazing music. I hope concerts can start up again soon ....
Marking the 34th anniversary of The Rogue Folk Club with a show consisting entirely of musicians who have graced the Rogue stage since 1987. Check out http://www.roguefolk.bc.ca/resources/history for the full list of performers. This series will continue next week, probably longer!!
Marking the 34th anniversary of The Rogue Folk Club with a show consisting entirely of musicians who have graced the Rogue stage since 1987. Check out http://www.roguefolk.bc.ca/resources/history for the full list of performers. This series will continue next week, probably longer!!
Running a musical gamut from an RIP to Senegalese singer Thione Seck to some Mothers Day songs from South Africa, Mali, Cameroon, Texas, Montreal, Victoria, and Halifax; taking in detours to hear spirited music from Scandinavia, England, Newfoundland, and BC. With new releases by Chris Smither, Keb' Mo', Allison Russell, French band Muddy Gurdy (continuing their sojourns in Mississippi), and a little RIP to astronaut Michael Collins. Plus a little feature on English dance band Blowzabella. This was a fun show to put together!!
Some songs for the first of May, celebrating the great English traditions of this special day. Plus some interesting new music from Ontario's The Deep Dark Woods, Welsh singer The Gentle Good and his new project combining his native music with trad from Assam, some tasty Chinese folk rock from Manhu, and lots of great fiddlers and singers. Bookended with two kora masters, Toumani Diabate and Ballake Sissoko.
An atmospheric blend of new releases from the likes of Toumani Diabate & The L.S.O., Chinese band Manhu, Corsica's L'Alba, and the latest Songlines Magazine sampler started the show. Also threw in some classic cuts from Orchestra Baobab and Kora Jazz Band and a new single from Dobet Gnahore. Then a pipeline protest song, new songs from Allison Russell, Annabelle Chvostek, and Maria Muldaur - and a couple of stunning tracks from the new CD by Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi. Some classic blues, some brilliant bluegrass, a few songs in Welsh, and a tribute to English singer Sandy Denny, who passed away 43 years ago this week.
Celebrating 40 years in Canada this weekend, I spun new releases from Toumani Diabate & The LSO, Ballake Sissoko, Rhiannon Giddens, Peggy Seeger, Annabelle Chvostek, The Banter, Martin Simpson, Magpie Arc, and a slew of Canadian artists like Spirit of the West, Rum Ragged, Beolach, Pharis & Jason, and Fear of Drinking. What a great country this is!
Music from many of the artists nominated for Canadian Folk Music Awards (virtually this week), a feature on kora master Ballake Sissoko, and some great new releases
Mixing new music from around the globe with some classic - and sadly overlooked (perhaps) music from the likes of Jez Lowe, Ron Kavana, Clan Alba, and Tama. An Easter theme ran through the show - punctuated by some hopping rabbits!
More inspirational women from many genres to wrap up International Women's Month. Some faves from my world music collection, new releases from across the continent, powerful songs and beautiful Celtic music, then a song of hope from Christy Moore to finish.
Atmospheric music from the Middle East, Africa, and Canada before we celebrate the vernal equinox and Persian new year (Naw-Ruz) and an extended feature on this week's inspirational woman in International Women's Month: Rhiannon Giddens. Some scintillating and emotinally-charged Celtic music too, including a preview of The Hazmnatics' show at The Rogue coming up this afternoon.
Atmospheric music from the Middle East, Africa, and Canada before we celebrate the vernal equinox and Persian new year (Naw-Ruz) and an extended feature on this week's inspirational woman in International Women's Month: Rhiannon Giddens. Some scintillating and emotinally-charged Celtic music too, including a preview of The Hazmnatics' show at The Rogue coming up this afternoon.
Music from the new Songlines Magazine sampler CD, some wonderful Canadian/Latino music, mini features on English singer / fiddler Eliza Carthy and Nova Scotia duo Dave Gunning & J.P. Cormier (who play a Virtual Rogue show this evening), and a rollicking heap of Irish music for St. Paddy's Day! Slainte!
For International Women's Month I'm featuring a favourite female singer from these past 36 years or so. This week: Scots singer Karen Matheson (Capercaillie). Somehow this morphed into a set about Waterloo! Lots of great new sounds from Folk Alliance and beyond as well.
For International Women's Month I'm featuring a favourite female singer from these past 36 years or so. This week: Scots singer Karen Matheson (Capercaillie). Somehow this morphed into a set about Waterloo! Lots of great new sounds from Folk Alliance and beyond as well.
Music from some of the performers I enjoyed hearing at this week's Folk Unlocked - the first ever virtual Folk Alliance Conference. 5 days of music showcases and Folk DJ Meetings and more. A few new discoveries, some old favourites returning to the fold, and lots of surprises.
Also previews of 3 new Rogue Folk concerts next month: Early Spirit Trio (March 6th), Dave Gunning & J.P. Cormier (March 13th), and The Hazmatics - a new Celtic / Pop Fusion quartet featuring Cam Wilson on fiddle (March 20th). Full details on www.roguefolk.com
Some personal memories of Chick Corea's music, then Omar Sosa's E. African Journey and an extended sample of new music from around the world. A few Canadian songwriters. A nod to the annual Maple Blues Awards, and some scintillating trad from Canada and England
New music and old favourites from Africa, Cuba and Canada. A bit of Mardi Gras. A feature on English folk rockers TradArrr, and some Valentine's Day songs from Canada and beyond. Ended withe new music from Sharon Shannon and the snowy weather forecast from Afro Celtic Sound System!
A tasty blend of new music and old favourites from across the roots music spectrum, starting in Africa, moving through Cajun country and the blues to Canadian storytellers in song, and a rollicking mix of Canadian and Irish Celtic trad!
A mini-feature on "The Pink Floyd Of The Desert" - Tamikrest - and the wonderful AKA Trio in the first hour; Belgium's Wor, and some more new music from across North America in hour two; a feature on the incredibly versatile African-American musician Rhiannon Giddens in hour three; and some amazing Celtic music from across Canada and beyond in hour four. Plus a little shout-out to CiTR alumnus and PBS (Melbourne) DJ, Susi Lanagan, who celebrates 16 years of her weekly show What The Folk next week (Thursday 9am - 11am, Melbourne time, which is Wednesday 2pm - 4pm Pacific!) Susi trained with me at CiTR before returning to her Melbourne home in 2001. Congratulations, Susi!
A mini-feature on "The Pink Floyd Of The Desert" - Tamikrest - and the wonderful AKA Trio in the first hour; Belgium's Wor, and some more new music from across North America in hour two; a feature on the incredibly versatile African-American musician Rhiannon Giddens in hour three; and some amazing Celtic music from across Canada and beyond in hour four. Plus a little shout-out to CiTR alumnus and PBS (Melbourne) DJ, Susi Lanagan, who celebrates 16 years of her weekly show What The Folk next week (Thursday 9am - 11am, Melbourne time, which is Wednesday 2pm - 4pm Pacific!) Susi trained with me at CiTR before returning to her Melbourne home in 2001. Congratulations, Susi!
A celebration of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns, plus a few (trendy) sea shanties, a feature on Oysterband & June Tabor, some new tunes from Sharon Shannon, and a few tunes from Africa and Asia and Europe to kick things off.
Featured new releases from Irish accordion diva Sharon Shannon, England's June Tabor & Oysterband, Steve Earle's tribute to his late son Justin Townes, Canadian Celtic trio Cecilia and plenty more new music from around the globe. Plus a few songs of hope for the new US president.
Music inspired by the final issue of Canadian folk / roots magazine Penguin Eggs, which has been an invaluable source of inspiration to this show for the past 23 years. Lots of new releases by artists I'd never heard of until this issue came out last month. Also lots of selections from their Critics Poll winners, and music by the artists interviewed in the magazine. It will be much missed ...
Some of my favourite new albums of 2020 - starting in Africa and of course plenty of Canadiana and Celtic music and some chuckles with Geordie accents. Also a small tribute to bluegrass legend Tony Rice, who passed away this past week.
Started with new music from Songlines Magazine, then mixed Boxing Day references with new releases and a few classic surprises
Started with my usual peripatetic sojourn around Africa and then uncorked the seasonal spirits with new singles from Locarno, Nicki Bluhm, and Abigail & Bela. A few jaunty Xmas ditties, some wassails and solstice songs, and a feature on Cape Breton's wonderful Celtic quartet Coig, who play a Christmas show tonight on the Rogue website. Ended with my little nativity special!
A big trip around the shores of Africa to start the show, then some sublime Persian singing and some stirring Nordic tunes to kick things off. Two previews of seasonal concerts (Van Django's Cool Yule, and Coig's Cape Breton Xmas), a tribute to John Lennon - murdered 40 years ago this week - a few amazing new wassail songs, and a few new releases.
It's 3 or more celestial bodies in a line. Or 57 amazing songs and tunes on today's show! Loads of new releases and a birthday shout out to Tom Waits, and some exhilarating Celtic medleys and trad songs from Canada and beyond.
Playing a whole bunch of Canadian music plus brand new tunes by Fraser & Haas (new CD, SYZYGY), Richard Thompson (new EP Bloody Noses), The Dardanelles (new CD from Nfld), Liam Docherty (13 year old blues guitarist and songwriter from Qualicum Beach), and Iris DeMent (a 9 minute opus about the state of the union)
Thank you Songlines Magazine for the many inspirational selections on your monthly CDs! Also some waterfront songs, plenty of new songs, a bit of Dead air, and a big blast of Celtic fiddles and trad songs. Plus a feature on Quebec's Le Vent Du Nord
Started with some Indian music for Dilwali - the Hindu festival of light. Moved to Africa, sweeping through from north to south before zooming up to Sweden. A bit of soulful music from both sides of our border before a big Celtic flourish with a healthy Canadian accent. Recorded the show from a waterfront hideaway near Ladysmith B.C. Nice to be out of the rat race for a while.
New music from Djibouti, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Vancouver, Edmonton, Co. Durham, and Barnsley! A big feature on the new Joni Mitchell 5 CD set, some Remembrance Day songs, and a tip of the hat to Leonard Cohen - four years gone today.
Some Halloween songs of murder, transformation, sorcery, dragons, monsters, and witches. Plus new music from Africa, a brand new CD from Martin Simpson, and new songs for our (chaotic) times.
Election time! Some songs about issues surrounding elections; some new music from Jez Lowe, Kronos Quartet, Laura Cortese, Leyla McCalla, and Rick Fines, and RIP to English blues / R&B pioneer Spencer Davis. And of course the title track from the new John Lennon Box Set: still relevant after all these years!
A lot of new music this week. Some interesting new stuff from Madagascar, especially. A lot of wonderful voices - mostly women. Fabulous new arrangements of traditional song, and some scintillating musicianship towards the end with that Celtic Colours flourish.
Many of the artists from this year's virtual festival from Cape Breton, plus live recordings and memories of past festivals. Happy B'Day John Lennon. RIP Johnny Nash. Plenty of new music from all over the globe as well.
Compelling and beautiful music from Africa, Canada, USA, and the Celtic Isles surrounding a blast of vitriol aimed at Herr Drumpf (aka Agent Orange) before he was whisked away to a hospital for "losers". I recorded this show before he was diagnosed. But I make no apologies ...
Songs to mark the change of seasons, new releases from Yorkshire's Magpies and Kate Rusby, and many more
New music from Shooglenifty, Canadian cellist Ofra Harnoy, Scandinavian trio Dreamers' Circus, English singer Fay Hield and more. Plus some folkie covers of rock and pop classics, and a fairly eclectic mixture all round, really.
New releases inspired by the latest issue of Songlines magazine, a great new CD from Sarah Jarosz, blues magic from Musselwhite & co., and some songs of hope at the end.
New releases by Canada's Twin Flames, Italy's Beppe Gambetta, America's Molly Tuttle, and Cape Breton's Hauler. Plus a small tribute to Justin Townes Earle. Some sombre sounds and a few songs of hope, love and defiance. Finished up with a great new cover of Which Side Are You On for Labour Day
Tribute to Denmark's Tonder Festival - which should have been happening this weekend. Lots of Scandinavian fiddles and voices, and lots of Canadians (very popular at Tonder down the years). Some personal reminiscences from that event in 2016 and 2019 - and RIPs to Balla Sidibe (Orchestra Baobab) and Justin Townes Earle
Some personal recollections of attending the "Rolls Royce of Canadian Festivals" since 1986. With some of my favourite selections and artists from the great event.
Some favourite songs, a few tunes from the latest Songlines magazine, and R.I.P. English Blues guitar maestro Peter Green
Some of my favourite memories of Mission Folk Festival down the years, plus 55 years since Dylan went electric, RIPs to Judy Dyble and Emmitt Rhodes, and a couple of dedications
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival should have taken place this weekend. Here is my personal tribute to the event, from which I usually broadcast this show LIVE on CiTR. Some of my personal favourites down the years in the park, and music from many of the performers who had been booked to play this time around.
The pandemic has shut down all major concerts and especially painful is the loss of the great Canadian festival circuit. This weekend should have been Island Musicfest in Courtenay BC. Here's my tribute to the event with some past highlights and some artists who would have been there this week. As should I. Plus some new music from Songlines magazine, and a tribute to our new electric car - Telstar!
Incredible music in the first hour by the likes of Tamikrest and Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate. Lots of strings throughout. Many of them played by the Kronos Quartet. Today’s theme is Quartets. Being the fourth. I recorded the show on the beach at Roberts Creek on Canada Day.
Canada Day Special Preview show, with all the music - after the opening tune - performed by Canadians. Some came from away. Others were born here. Many have roots in other cultures. The hardest part was how to cram in all the songs I wanted to play for Canada Day. It's all good and we are very lucky to be here and able to celebrate all these sounds. Great country, great music, rich cultural heritage, and free health care too!!
To mark Juneteenth I played a lot of new music from Africa, and quite a few songs about slavery and its effects. Part of my motivation was Marc Fournier - CBC DJ - posting a photo of empty shelves saying this is how many records would be in his collection if he took out all the black artists and all the musicians inspired by black artists! I finished the show with some Celtic music, a few songs for Father's Day, and a bit of a Midsummer flourish.
June 16th is Blooms Day for James Joyce. So some Dublin songs, some June songs, and some songs about Blooms. Also a request for music by Vin Garbutt - the brilliant singer songwriter and hilarious storyteller from NE England - who passed away three years ago; a "mini-concert" by Eilen Jewell; some new African music; and a request for emerging Scots fiddler Ryan Young. Plus a flourish of Canadian guitars at the end!
Deeply affected by news from south of the border this week, the 35th anniversary celebration began with a lot of songs about Justice, Freedom, Hope, and Kindness - a few things which appear to have deserted the news pages. Then I cheered things up a bit with some rollicking - and some beautiful - Celtic music. Finished up with a few new songs from current faves and a classic from Canadian songwriter Susan Crowe.
This show started in Kolkatta, moved to Kenya, then a brief RIP to Mory Kante, some Afro-Canadian fusion, a shout-out to Rokia Traore's child custody woes, and moved on through West Africa to Colombia, Wales, Sweden, France, The Balkans, Mississippi, and up to the safe side of the 49th with a feature on the new CD by The Burying Ground (country blues from Roberts Creek), and all sorts of Canadiana before Tim Readman gave us an exclusive on a new song about Going On Zoom. Ended with a flourish of Celtic music from BC's Kierah, and two great Irish bands - The Pogues and Four Men & A Dog. Phew! 35 years on CiTR!!! The odd technological flaw apart, this was a FUN show. Enjoy the podcast!!
looking back at the first music festival I ever attended. 50 years ago this weekend The Hollywood Music Festival took place on a farmer's field near Keele University in North Staffordshire. It was the first appearance outside North America of The Grateful Dead. Traffic - just prior to launching John Barleycorn Must Die; British jug band Mungo Jerry; and lots more! Plus new releases by Gretchen Peters, The Nell & Jim Band, Pharis & Jason, Canadian singer Elise LeGrow, Jake Blount, Ranky Tanky, Bob Dylan, Les Fireflies, Laura Cortese, and much more. (I messed up the recording and omitted a track by The Burying Ground. I will feature their new CD on next week's show.)
Music From Africa to China to Mexico to Louisiana to The Great White North. Happy Birthday to Steve Winwood and Barbara Dane and Happy World Fiddle Day to one and all! The show ended with a sudden burst of laughter. This is good!!
Nostalgia rules the airwaves today! Plenty of reminiscences from 33 years of Roguery, plus new music from Laura Cortese, John Doyle, JMO, David Bromberg, Eliza Gilkyson, Pharis & Jason Romero, The Burnett Sisters, Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn, and Toronto's Sultans Of String, whose new CD - Refuge - may have led to my inadvertent underlying theme of the plight of refugees. Such cool, subversive stuff, this Roots Music can be!
Started with an R.I.P. to Afro-beat pioneer and master drummer Tony Allen (Nigeria), then featured lots of music about dreams. All we can do these days is dream, it seems, so I figured we needed a soundtrack! Also new music from Pharis & Jason Romero, Rory Block, Steve Riley, Sierra Hull, and more!
Music from - and for - the people of Nova Scotia dominated the show this week after that dreadful murder spree last weekend. Plenty of cheery music too, from all over the map as we continue to self-isolate and yet keep the good vibes going
Love is the reason we're all here and it's also the theme of today's show. Seems like a lot of love is needed these days, and isolation isn't the best bed for those flowers to grow. So here are some musical seeds of love...
New music from Swiss trio JMO, several songs by John Prine and co. plus a couple of covers. A Bill Withers song or two. Some shouts out to Canadian Folk Music Award winners. Some sad songs, inspirational songs, an Easter Rising song, and some blisteringly fast Celtic medleys. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, I say!
Some music - mostly Canadian - chosen as a result of flipping through the pages of the latest edition of the excellent Canadian magazine Penguin Eggs, plus new releases by Eliza Gilkyson and John Doyle, a mini-feature on NYC's Hazmat Modine, and some Irish punk-ish folk from Lankum.
R.I.P. Cameroon saxophonist Manu Dibango. Mostly songs of Joy and Hope for these Dark Days. Plus a little tribute to George Best and Manchester United; I'm missing them dearly.
Recorded at Rogue Towers and transmitted to CiTR for broadcast! Oh, the wonders of technology... Songs of struggle, isolation, and not a little despair. But there is still a lot of love out there, and hope too. And scintillating music that covers all the bases and conquers all ills! Stay safe, folks.
A big feature on Celtic music for St. Paddy's Day! Plus R.I.P. Laura Smith, and music by performers whose local concerts have just been cancelled, and some whose shows we hope will still go ahead. And some new world music from Songlines magazine
A swathe of female performers from around the world, plus Sharon Shannon, Martyn Joseph, and Festival du Bois previews
Played some of my favourite songs from the past 30 years, and ended up with two live bands in the studio: PEI's Ten Strings & A Goatskin, and Quebec's Bon Debarras. What a blast!!
Celebrating St. David's Day with Welsh music, and previewing Festival du Bois, Celticfest Vancouver, and Driven Bow Fiddle Festival finale - and lots more besides.
A small tribute Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shamabala, who passed away last week, then a big feature on Mardi Gras / Carnaval / Pancake Day, and a preview of concerts by Canadian banjoist / folklorist Jayme Stone, and the Rogue's Driven Bow Fiddle Festival which runs next week.
Two superb Albums of the Week: Micheal Doucet & Lacher Prise and Blackie & Rodeo Kings. Lots more new music and plenty of Canadian fiddles. Above all, the message was L-O-V-E
Played some of my all-time favourites, some new favourites, music collected at Folk Alliance, music coming soon to Vancouver, and a little feature on music from Louisiana. Plus lots of spruiking to try to raise funds for CiTR
Musical memories from last week's trip to New Orleans for Folk Alliance International, with lots of music from there and Lafayette. A song for Groundhog Day. Concert Previews and masses of Canadian fiddles too.
On my way to New Orleans in the morning for the Folk Alliance International Conference. Played a lot of music by artists who will be showcasing there, plus local concert previews and new music from Africa - North and Central.
Lots of music from Iran today. So sad about those lives lost. A direct consequence of a mindless act of murder by the megalomaniacal idiot in the White House. New releases, concert previews, and a salute to John Mann (Spirit of the West), for whom a Celebration of Life was to be held that afternoon.
Mostly new releases today. Many fine recordings have been accumulating at Rogue Towers this month and now that the seasonal fare is over and done with I finally got a chance to unleash some of it!! Also a brief tribute to the remarkable talent of Neil Innes, erstwhile Python and Bonzo founder, who passed away this week. His finest hour must surely be The Rutles, though.
My annual Seasonal mashup of Christmas tunes and all sorts of mayhem. Happy Solstice everyone! Merry Christmas - and Wassail!!
After the sad demise of fRoots magazine I managed to find another source of musical inspiration: Songlines Magazine. Which comes with a fresh CD / download album every month. Quite a few cuts from Songlines 2019 today! Plus a bunch of winter songs and laments for the UK election. Take down the Union Jack. Forever.
Inspired by The Jaybirds' remarkable concert last week, plenty of waltzes and rare trad. songs, plus a feature on Cool Yule - Van Django's gypsy jazz Christmas show next week. More new music from Leonard Cohen, and a few tracks from the new Celtic Colours Live CD headlining a healthy dose of fiddles and accordions from eastern Canada - and further east too.
A new CD from Mr. Cohen, new music from Rory McLeod, Mozaik, Crannua Collective etc. Plus a phone interview with Cape Breton fiddler Mairi Rankin, a few concert previews and a panoply of peripatetic roots music delights!
Paying tribute to Spirit of the West singer John Mann who passed away this week. Also marking the 50th anniversary of The Band's eponymous album, and featuring Le Vent Du Nord and other upcoming Rogues. Wound up with some stunning new Irish music
Orquesta Akokan or Birds of Chicago for tonight's concert entertainment? Also some amazing new Irish trad selections and a celebration of new roots music from across Canada - and England too.
Some tasty new music from around the globe, featuring concert previews like Bruce Cockburn (Nov 9, Chan), Songbird North (Nov 12, Roundhouse), Orquesta Akokan (Nov 16, Chan), Birds of Chicago (Nov 16, Shadbolt Centre), and Tim O'Brien Band (Nov 22, Rogue Folk at St. James.) Plus a few songs of Remembrance and lots of Canadiana and feisty fiddles and concertinas too.
Thank goddess we get an extra hour's sleep tonight as this could be the busiest week of 2019 for concerts of Folk and Roots music in Vancouver! So heaps of concert previews as well as new CDs by Kevin Burke, and Charlie Hunter & Lucy Woodward. Plus Rogue performers of the very recent past and the near future.
Some sngs on a Halloween theme, plus new releases, and a few concert previews for shows around town this week.
A look back at Celtic Colours - with some stunning new releases acquired there - and to the fight against oppression and fascism from the 1880s to the present day. Congrats to a few BBC Folk Award winners this week, and concert previews as well.
Pre-recorded show to be aired while I was away at the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton. Featured music from many of the artists appearing there, plus concert previews and new releases, and a tribute to Cream drummer Ginger Baker who passed away last weekend.
Looking ahead to next week's Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton, plus previews of concerts here by Mari Boine (Norway), Skerryvore (Scotland), Jontavious Willis (USA), and The Small Glories (Winnipeg). New releases by Lakou Mizik (Haiti), Kacy & Clayton (SK), and Manamba Kante (Mali) as well.
R.I.P. Robert Hunter - Grateful Dead lyricist. New music by Argentine Bluegrass--ish combo Che Apalache, as well as Eilen Jewell, Alex Cuba, Show of Hands, and Natalie MacMaster. Previews of shows by NYC bluesman Jontavious Willis, Quebec gypsy jazz sextet Les Imposteures, and Americana songwriter-general Tom Russell. Tip of the hat to IBMA winners Missy Raines and Michael Cleveland.
R.I.P. "Uncle" John Cohen. Plus concert previews (Rosanne Cash, Tannahill Weavers. Martin Kerr, Les Imposteures, Mari Boine, Skerryvore etc.), a few protest songs, and a couple of new releases.
Tried to cram in as much music as possible to distract me from thinking about a week of medical appointments and difficult meetings. Memories of the Tonder Festival in Denmark are still fresh in my mind so lots more music from their 45th anniversary, and some concert previews, but no special "theme" this week.
A bunch of new releases and new (to me) older ones. Most of them inspired by recent festivals in Edmonton (Alberta) and Tonder (Denmark)
A wide variety of styles and artists to [hopefully] soothe the savage EDGERS until Steve returns !!!
One of the hosts of CiTR's Code Blue show (Saturdays 3pm - 5pm) steps in and plays his brand of folk and world music. Defying terrible odds and triumphing over many technical disasters, the plucky DJ delivered the goods! Next week's host is Jim Burnett, also from Code Blue!
Two great festivals: Edmonton last week, Denmark's Tonder next week. In between I was back in the saddle for a look both ways - and a tip of the hat to Woodstock, 50 Years On.
My birthday special, with lots of favourites and some highlights from the Mission Folk Festival last weekend, Vancouver Folk Fest the week before, and recent - as well as future - concerts
Music from Mission Folk Festival performers, a look back at last week's VFMF, and some new releases and concert previews.
Live from The Vancouver Folk Music Festival in Jericho Beach Park. Music by festival performers and advancing the Mission Folk Festival next weekend and more coming shows and festivals around BC. Plus a liberal sprinkling of songs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"
Lots of music from fRoots sampler CDs that have inspired me to keep refreshing this show with exotic new sounds from all around the world since 1985! Sadly it looks like the esteemed UK mag is no more. Oh no! I'll just have to manage somehow, I guess. Still, I've got plenty of music to choose from and to carry their legacy forward here on CiTR. Including today's features on Scandinavian String Alliance members Fru Skagerrak and heaps of new music from across Canada and beyond.
Tributes to Orchestra Baobab sax legend Issa Cissokho, Congolese singer Mose Fan Fan, Senegalese Kora player Solo Cissoko, and Breton singer Yann-Fanch Kemener. Plus previews of festivals and concerts and new releases from Lakou Mizik, Tinariwen, and more. Could also be farewell to fRoots magazine, which would be really tragic!
Lots of Canadian music this week, plus a look back at the last two weeks when I was travelling around Alaska and Yukon Territory - the land of the midnight sun
Sumnmer is upon uis, and we do a survey of our favourite music festivals in southern BC - The Vancouver Folk Music Festival, The Vancouver International Jazz Festival, The Mission Folk Festival, The Fort Langley JazzFest, The Vancouver Island Musicfest and more!
New music from Rhiannon Giddens, Eliza Carthy, Kelly Hunt and many more. Plus upcoming concert highlights, festival news, and a nod to National Indigenous Peoples Day next week.
Another sad week for Roots Music fans as we lost Dr. John The Night Tripper (New Orleans), Leon Redbone (born in Cyprus, raised in London, spent over a decade in Toronto before moving to "The Excited Snakes"). Plus festival and concert previews and such.
African koras in Scandinavia, new music from Turkey, Senegal, Louisiana, Nova Scotia, Northumbria, and more plus features on T. Nile (Galiano Island) and Searson (Ottawa Valley), and plenty of nostalgia to wrap it up
New music and concert and festival previews. I dished out lots of information and I think there are some really fabulous tunes and songs here! Pretty amazing considering I'd had about 1 hour's sleep.
Some songs for our mothers, some songs for those on the frontline, some new music, some festival previews, and various threads seeking to find connections amongst the right-on thinking ones with discerning and global musical tastes
New music from Senegal's Youssou N'Dour, Turkish singer Gaye Su Akyol, Galiano's T. Nile etc. Plus music for Cinco de Mayo, features on BC's Joe Charron, and The Eisenhauers and more!
Marking Independence Day in South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Togo, plus the 41st anniversary of Sandy Denny's passing. Plus some Gypsy Jazz, some Blues, a few New Releases and more!
Plenty more new releases, a few concert and festival "sneak peeks", and some real "High" songs
New music from Molly Tuttle, Tim O'Brien, Harpdog Brown, Mary Ann Kennedy, Flook, Vasen and more. Plus previews of shows by Alsarah & The Nubatones, Kobo Town, Mariza, and Rogues, too!
I'm really proud of this show! Had a chat with Vancouver songwriter Michael Averill about his Community Of Songs Project. Featured lots of new music - much of it by powerful women with something meaningful to say. Also looked ahead to the scary political scene on the eve of April Fools.
More musical memories from Folk Alliance in Montreal last month, plus previews of Festival du Bois (this weekend), Kat Danser (that evening), Lunasa (next Wednesday) and Irish harp & guitar duo Maire & Chris. New releases from Patty Griffin, Vasen, Buddy Guy, and more!
Mostly Celtic music for St. Patrick's Day, but also a couple of little dedications to the victims of the Christchurch mosque massacre and the Ethiopian air crash.
Features on Cape Breton band Coig, whose new CD comes out next week. I had a pre-release copy so played a few tracks and had a nice chat with one of the band members, fiddler / singer Rachel Davis. Also looked ahead to a hot night of bluegrass / jam band action with Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. Played a lot of women's music (notably new CD by Layla McCalla, and her collaboration with Allison Russell, Rhiannon Giddens and Amythyst Kiah (Our Native Daughters) and quite a bit of Celtic music to get warmed up St. Patrick's Day next week!
Non-stop "spruiking" amid a selection of new releases, old favourites, and a local concert guide. My show has been on CiTR since June 1985, and it has meant a lot to me all along. Maybe you've enjoyed listening too. The Fundrive is on until March 8th, and donations are accepted up to and including March 15th. I hope you will make a donation to Saturday Edge on www.citr.ca/donate Thanks a million!!
This show was recorded in Montreal at the Folk Alliance International, and featured a lot of performers appearing there as well as a few of those coming to Vancouver in the next few weeks. Thanks to Madeline and Tanner for picking up the file and slotting it in while I was away having a ball in the Eastern snow!
Focus on participants at the second annual Driven Bow Fiddle Festival, plus a look ahead to Festival du Bois, and St. Patrick's Day, and new releases by Harry Manx & Steve Marriner, and Bassekou Kouyate
Tribute to Zimbabwean singer Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi; New CD from Bassekou Kouyate; Groundhog Day / St. Brigid's / Candlemas; and lots of Driven Bows
A "theme" of songs about Space and the Sea crept in to today's show, alongside features on upcoming concerts in Vancouver and a general appreciation of some of the most creative contemporary roots music
New releases abound! Also a field recording from Rarotonga (well, the church was in a field!) and more peripatetic musical adventures
We hit the ground running in 2019 with an appealing conglomeration of recent releases, concert previews and deep catalog selections. Guest host is Code Blue's Paul Norton (Saturdays from 3 to 5pm).
Selections from 55 of my favourite albums of the year. Again, pre-recorded so I could still bring you the show whilst relaxing on the beach in Rarotonga! I would recommend every single one of these albums; something for everyone I reckon. (Quoth he, ever so humbly!)
Pre-recorded Christmas Special as I was en route to Rarotonga when the show was being broadcast. Featured many of my favourite seasonal selections, some new ones from Blind Raccoon records, and Paul Norton's latest compilation (Sun-Drenched Christmas), plus the annual ritual with The Pogues / Monty Python / Steeleye Span segue to Loreena McKennitt's God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
New music from Salif Keita, Sweden's Sver, Portland's Foghorns, The Afro Celts, The Outside Track, Old Man Luedecke, Rachel Newton, Talisk, Old Blind Dogs, Shooglenifty, Rosanne Cash - and heaps more besides. Plus a hint of seasonal fare at the end.
A gypsy jazz / Van Django Cool Yule version of THAT song, plus new releases from Afro Celts, Shooglenifty, The Outside Track, Bryan Ferry, Paris Combo, Salif Keita, and French guitarist Bireli Lagrene. Plus Portland's Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms, and a look at the new Downtown Eastside version of A Christmas Carol - Bah Humbug! (Great show. Go see it!!)
Lots of musicians and singers who are only with us now on record, including Alec Finn (De Dannan), Roy Bailey, Sandy Denny, and a tribute from Kevin Burke to Johnny Cunningham. New music from Scotland, Ethiopia, Denmark, Quebec, and BC and Alberta too.
Lots of unrelated stuff this week, but a few "threads" emerged and we paid tribute to Roy Bailey, who passed away this week.
New releases from The Fab Four, from Quebec, from Scandinavia, from Alberta and B.C. and elsewhere. Plus hot stuff, cool stuff, and thought-provoking stuff from all over the map - and from down the years too.
Remembrance Day feature, plus a phone interview with Edmonton-based songwriter Martin Kerr, and new releases including Solo - the collaboration between Le Vent Du Nord & De Temps Antan from Quebec
This week's show was loosely subtitled "Where Does The Truth Lie?" Some may say it lies in gardens, most say politicians lie all the time. So, to change the subject, I played lots of old favourites and new releases as well!
Some songs for Halloween, some new releases, some topical songs, and a bit of a guide to what's on around town
Lots of new releases this week. Lots of Celtic music. Lots of artists coming to town and lots of dissenting voices. Get out and vote, people!!
Canada legalizes pot this week, so a few songs on the topic. Also, features on The Fretless and The East Pointers as part of "Celtic Colours West" - and a look at what's happening this week at the real Celtic Colours in Cape Breton.
Started with new releases from Ethiopia, Scandinavia and beyond. Finished up with a Ceilidh (aka "Celtic Colours West"). In between, RIPs to Otish Rush, Marty Balin, and Maartin Allcock, and an interview with Blues singer Guy Davis that I made at the Vancouver Folk Festival in July.
This week's show featured loads of new releases from Cuba, Haiti, Canada, U.K., and more. Ended up with a phone interview from Folk Royalty Persona Judy Collins. What a wonderful woman! What a wonderful singer!
Lots of new music, good Canadian music, and heaps of very creative songwriters and musicians this week. Lots to discover on your musical journey!
The sudden and shocking death of Rogue volunteer Mary Bentley dominated the show this week. We also lost Rachid Taha, the Algerian Rai singer who inspired The Clash to write Rock The Casbah. New music from Marc Ribot, Mike Farris, Richard Thompson, and stunning Haitian singer Moonlight Benjamin were also featured, and there was a spotlight on Craig Cardiff too.
A question, or a statement of intent? A bit of both I suppose. Lots of music by artists coming to town in the next few weeks, and plenty of new releases too. Also R.I.P. John Munro, longtime sidekick of Australian-Scots songwriter Eric Bogle.
Songs about smoke and fires and various other portents of doom - with people on the move to escape. Sound like fun? Well, I enjoyed the music!!
A look back at last weekend's Edmonton Folk Festival, plus some new stuff and a brief tribute to Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul Music
This week's show featured many of the artists playing next weekend's Edmonton Folk Music Festival. I call it the Rolls Royce of Folk Festivals. Probably the best one in Canada, and therefore the best on the planet!
it's the hottest weekend of the Summer, so a bit of nostalgia and a lot of heat thrown in to today's show. Tropical songs, topical songs (hot under the collar), and some self-indulgence for my birthday week too!
This show was pre-recorded to be broadcast during the Mission Folk Music Festival. Featured music by Mission performers, as well as some short interviews with performers at last week's Vancouver Folk Music Festival.
Co-hosted with Linda Bull, this edition came LIVE from the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in the CiTR tent. Thanks to Tristan for making it work! Lots of music from performers at Jericho over the weekend, and at the Mission Folk Festival next week. Plus a LIVE chat with Italian duo Ilaria & Francesco
A Cuckoo song for the 4th day of July, plus Rogue and Folk Fest Previews, and new releases from Angelique Kidjo, The Once, Jeremy Kittel, Michael McGoldrick, and Aussie Blues diva Kara Grainger. Plus a song to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of The Beatles cartoon film Yellow Submarine - which has been remastered and opens at The Park cinema tomorrow
On the eve of Canada Day this show featured lots of Canadains from every province - and Yukon. Also paid homage to Robert Plant, who played a majestic gig last night at the QE. Previews of the Vancouver and Mission Folk Festivals, and lots of Roguery as well!
Lots of harps, then previews of Vancouver Folk Festival and TD International Jazz Festival shows sprinkled amongst new releases and more!
Just got back from an amazing tour of Italy, so I played a lot of Italian music, as well as songs which fit the general theme of the trip. Ran 48 minutes over, giving me a chance to play some new releases and promote some Jazz Fest shows as well.
Guest host Paul Norton ('Code Blue' - Saturday 3pm to 5pm) goes through some of his picks for what you should see and hear this summer. Lots of other good stuff too. Next week, Arthur and Andrea Berman from 'Pacific Pickin' guest host.
Well, not so special after all. New music from Ry Cooder, Fatoumata Diawara, Kiran Ahluwalia, Toto Bona Lokua, Los Texmaniacs, Grupo Mono Blanco etc. Plus mini-features on Welsh slide guitarist Martin Harley, American songwriter Ellis Paul, and a few Van Folk Fest highlights - and an exclusive track from Paul Simon. Sprinkled the show with a few tunes by Manchester United fans, alas to no avail.
This week is SOCAN reporting week. Can't believe they only monitor us twice a year! They really should monitor Campus and Community Radio FIRST, and commercial radio twice a year, IMHO! :-) So loads of Canadians featured today. Even more than I usually play. There were also mini-features on Paul Simon, Kathy Kallick, Tony McManus, and Pharis & Jason Romero - who all play in Vancouver this week. Plus music from new releases by Steve Dawson, Loreena McKennitt, Ben & Anita, Leftover Salmon, David Francey, Birds Of Chicago, and Galician singers Ialma. I also honoured Bonny Black Hare Day (May 14th)!
A big Cinco de Mayo celebration, plus previews of Laura Smith, Hornby Blues, and a bunch of new releases including Loreena McKennitt, Birds of Chicago, Dobet Gnahore, Fatoumata Diawara, Lake Street Dive, Leftover Salmon, Calexico, Ben & Anita, David Francey, Van Django, Samantha Martin, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, Ndidi O, Tom Russell, and The James Hunter Six.
A tribute to Sandy Denny, who died 40 years ago this week. New sounds from Ben & Anita (Cape Breton), Fortunate Ones (Nfld), The Fugitives (BC), Genticorum (PQ), Pharis & Jason (BC), and a look at the finale of the Rogue's April In Paris gypsy jazz celebration
Brand new music from Congolese singer Bumba Massa, Vancouver gypsy jazz combo Van Django, American songwriter Tom Russell, and Canadian songwriter David Francey, Ontario blues diva Samantha Martin, and many more. Plus features on BC fiddler Kierah Raymond, and a preview of the 12th annual Vancouver festival of gypsy jazz - April In Paris.
From Africa to Cuba to Paris to the Mississippi to the prairies to the great white north to the UK and Ireland on the wings of a few duos and other wonderful rootsy combos.
New music from Africa, previews of April In Paris gypsy jazz, Pharis & Jason Romero's CD launch, some tasty blues, a couple of glorious songs from - and for - the late Sandy Denny. Then some whirling fiddles and pipes and banjos to wrap things up!
New songs for Spring, including daffodils, and a Festival du Bois feature, and lots of new releases too.
St. Patrick's Day feature with some of my all time favourite Irish bands and singers, plus a farewell to legendary uilleann piper Liam O'Flynn, who passed away this week. I featured music from the latest fRoots magazine and sampler CD, and also bade adieu to Stephen Hawking.
Lots of new releases gleaned from the pages of fRoots magazine from the U.K. Plus mini features on Lila Downs, Chris Smither, Annie Lou, Carlos del Junco, and Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas - all performing in town this week.
New releases from Lunasa, Altan, Barbare Dane, The Fretless, Raine Hamilton, Tracy Grammer, I'm With Her, plus an anti-45 song from Steve Poltz, a brief interview and three songs from Tom Russell. And a phone chat with former CiTR DJ Heather Kitching about the launch of her website www.rootsmusic.ca
Looking back at last weekend's Folk Alliance conference in Kansas City, with music from the latest FA compilation CD and lots of songs by some of my favourites and new discoveries from the event. Plus a few selections to round out Black History Month, a few Welsh songs for St. David's Day (March 1st), and some new music from Irish trad band Altan, who play two shows tomorrow night at St. James Hall.
Featuring excerpts from an interview with Richard Thompson conducted by Steve Winick (Library of Congress) at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City - interspersed with some of the music they discussed. Also brand new music from Altan (Donegal) and I'm With Her (Aoife O'Donovan, Sarah Jarosz, and Sara Watkins) and some old favourites and Kansas City songs.
African music, Latin music, Estonian love songs, sad and deep blues, BC Fiddle Festival celebration, the only JUNO award that fits
Peripatetic musical sojourns with stops in West and South Africa, Louisiana, Denmark, Estonia, Quebec, Ireland, PEI, Scotland, and finishing up on the left coast with performers from next weekend's Driven Bow - B.C.'s inaugural fiddle festival at the Rogue. Ending up with a song marking the 60th anniversary of the Munich Air Crash, a pivotal moment in sporting history when 8 members of Manchester United's young, all-conquering team were killed - along with 15 journalists and staff - when their plane crashed on take-off after a refuelling stop on the way home from a victorious trip to Belgrade in the European Cup quarter final. R.I.P. the Busby Babes ...
Two more musical giants left us this week: South African trumpeter and activist Hugh Masekela and American blues singer Terry Evans. Lots of great songwriters and a Burns Day feature leading into some scintillating celtic music to close out the show
From Pedal Steel and Talking Drums to Hot Picks and Cool Reels: tasty Latin music, sultry Africana, sliding blues from the Elmore James legacy, sumptuous lyricism, hot pickers, and powerful fiddles and pipes and cellos and harps and banjos. It's all here, folks!
Songs and tunes from artists coming to town in the next few weeks, some new releases, some old favourites, a couple of songs for folks struggling with floods and winter storms, and much more!
Some of my favourite songs from 2017 from across the whole spectrum of music I play on this show every week. Finished up with a couple of New Year songs. Happy New Year everyone!
Paul Norton from CiTR's Code Blue show (Saturdays 3pm) drops by to spin his own mix of folk, world and acoustic music for your listening and dancing pleasure. DJ Stevo will be back next week, no doubt weighed down with Mexican music accumulated while on his journey south of Der Donald's Wall.
Vancouver music journalist Tony Montague brought in a stack of CDs from the recent WOMEX world music expo in Poland. I also featured some seasonal music from Galicia and Shetland and Vancouver, and marked December 6th with Evelyn Parry's amazing spoken word song.
This week's show went from Mali to Canada with a few detours, some favourable winds, and the occasional carousel or perambulation song the way. There was a very nasty power surge which shut everything down for a few minutes half way through, but I managed to salvage things. It happened again at the beginning of the next show on CiTR, but I knew how to fix it this time! Great for pumping the old Adrenalin, but I wouldn't recommend it!
Music by a few of the winners of last weekend's Canadian Folk Music Awards, and music by artists performing that the evening's Fundraiser & Silent Auction for The Rogue
Lots of new music again, from across Canada and beyond! A bit of a focus on Zimbabwe as well (early in the show).
Featuring several Remembrance Day songs, a few songs to mark 100 years since the Russian Revolution, some music from the recent WOMEX conference in Poland (thanks to Tony Montague), and advancing some CD release shows etc.
New music from Denmark, Oh Susanna, Wailin' Jennys, Twin Bandit, etc. plus a feature on legendary songwriter Tom Paxton (Rogue on Nov 9th) and a look ahead to The Texas Troubadours (Chan Centre, Nov 8th)
A tribute to Rock & Roll pioneer Fats Domino, with songs by him, and covers of his songs. Plus new releases galore: Jim Byrnes, Harry Manx, Robert Plant, Oh Susanna, Little Miss Higgins, Abigail Washburn & Bela Fleck, Railroad Earth, Jim Page, etc. A preview of next week's Cape Breton Kitchen party with Beolach, and a liberal sprinkling of "zombie dust" - a Halloween feature with a difference!
This planet is too beautiful and wondrous for us to allow it to be destroyed by murderers and stupid politicians. Music expresses these thoughts better than I Can, so that's what I played today. Also reflections on last week's Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton, and previews of concerts by Russell deCarle and Twin Bandit. New releases from fRoots magazine (fRoots 66), Orchestra Baobab (single), Eilen Jewell, Jim Byrnes, The East Pointers, and Danish bands Phonix and Basco. Plus RIPs to Madagascar's accordion legend Regis Gizavo and Canadian icon Gord Downie.
Artist Feature - Little Miss Higgins and Russell deCarle - coming to the Rogue Folk Club soon. Plus other artists coming to the Rogue, new artists just discovered at the FAR-West conference, more new music and classic folk music.
R.I.P. Tom Petty (Mudcrutch), new music galore, previews of local shows by The Gloaming and Texas Troubadours at The Chan, Wicked Grin (John Hammond . Steve Dawson at Kay Meek), Petunia (Rickshaw), and Rogue shows with Rick Scott & Nico Rhodes, Little Miss Higgins, Russell deCarle, Beolach, and a look back in honour of Trio Da Kali and Calum Graham who played the last couple of nights.
Featured new CDs by Jim Byrnes, Little Miss Higgins, Dori Freeman, Leveret, Steve Martin, Joan Osborne, Molly Tuttle, Usher's Island, Martin Simpson and much more. Plus focused on upcoming concerts by Trio Da Kali, Don Ross, Cassie & Maggie, Calum Graham, Petunia & The Vipers & more!
Viva Mexico! Viva Haiti! Live set from B.C.'s Early Spirit (Jay Knutson & Gabriel Dubreuil), new CDs by Joan Osborne (covering Dylan), and B.C.'s Rick Scott and Nico Rhodes. Plus more new stuff too
Hot Off The Pressing Plants and / or Ethernet and previews of Amy Helm (Sep 17 at Wise), Laurie Lewis (Sep 18 at St. James) etc.
Lots of stormy songs today, plus a tribute to Walter Becker (Steely Dan) who died this week They were one of my favourite bands in the 1970s. Also focused on upcoming Rogue shows (Maria Muldaur, The Bills, Laurie Lewis, Garnet Rogers) and did a ticket giveaway for Amy Hem's show next Sunday at the Wise Music Hall.
Music from many of the performers coming to town to perform at St. James Hall this Fall - and much more!
New releases, another look back at Edmonton Folk Festival, missing Denmark's Tonder Festival, and celebrating some of the best contemporary songwriters and finest trad singers and players. Finishing up with a new collection of Acoustic Classics from English master Richard Thompson and a bit of operatic punk!
Some highlights from last weekend's Edmonton Folk Festival line-up, plus new releases from Tom Russell and Offa Rex (The Decembrists with Olivia Chaney) and more!
Steve Edge is off having fun at the Edmonton Folk Festival, and you have Paul Norton (from Code Blue) at ze controls. Paul presents the usual melange of new releases, folk curios and concert previews, delivered in a hopefully entertaining and informative fashion. Without TOO many technical glitches.
Lots of artists coming to next weekend's Edmonton Folk Music Festival plus a feature on the new CD by Martin Simpson from England, and many more!
Highlights from last week's Vancouver Folk Music Festival line-up and a preview of this weekend's Mission Folk Festival. Plus new releases and a dedication and much more!
Broadcast live from Jericho Park at the 40th annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival. We had a bit of a problem with the router at around 8:50 and were off the air until around 9:20 I think. A few guests swung by for a chat, but not nearly as many as I'd hoped. Big thanks to Pascale and the rest of the CiTR crew for making it happen - also to Richard who was hosting at the station.
Special 4th iof July edition of Pacific Pickin', filling in for Andrea & Arthur Berman once again.
Over 4 and a half hours of Canadiana, starting with some immigrants from Cuba, Africa, Haiti, India, Persia, and Turkey, then adding a few French songs from Quebec and Acadie, and some Cape Breton Gaels, before cruising right across the Great White North from Newfoundland to BC
Mostly new releases and a few festival preview artists. Loose theme was John Martyn's song. I don't want to know about evil, either.
Filled in for Arthur and Andrea on Pacific Pickin' with a whole mess of Bluegrass and related acoustic music. Not sure how to save this anywhere but on my show's pages, so that's what I did!
Tributes to Vin Garbutt - English singer who passed away this week. Also to Gregg Allman and Jimmy LaFave, and some Pogues for a woman who requested them last week in memory of her recently departed hubbie. Features on Mr. Dave (Lindley) and new releases from Oumou Sangare and Bokante booke-ended the show, which ran into overtime.
New Oumou Sangare, Tom Russell, and Bokante CDs, and a trip to Sweden. Previews of the last to Rogue shows of the month and a few Vancouver Folk Music Festival artists, plus RIP to Greg Allman and Jimmy LaFave, and a Loudon Wainwright II nightmare! Ended up with a Beatles outtake from the new 50th anniversary Sgt. Pepper's box set.
We start the show with a bit of a look back at the music of the Buena Vista Social Club, in honour of the new movie about them. The balance of the show takes us on a journey of examples of musicians coming to various festivals in the area this summer. Lots of other interesting stuff too!
New releases from the latest fRoots magazine sampler. Some Swedish tunes cos I'm heading there tomorrow for the Europa League Final (United! Come On The lads!) Previews of Richard Thompson (Saltspring), Chris Ronald, David Lindley. And songs for the UK election. And more.
New local CD releases, LIVE cuts recorded at Rogue Folk shows over the past 30 years, concert previews, etc.
Mothers Day, Elections, New Releases, Live specials, all sorts of fun and games on here, but only available for the most part on podcast. Huge thanks to Scott for fixing the stream!!
New releases, notably Les Amazones d'Afrique and The Eisenhauers. Plus lots of artists just announced for this year's 40th annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival, a tribute to remarkable English singer Sandy Denny who died 39 years ago this week, and a couple of May songs to welcome in "the summer'!
Easter / Vaisakhi / Passover Special, plus new releases and local concert previews galore
Interview with Jay Knutson founder member of Spirit of the West, plus new releases etc. Last half hour pre-empted for an outside broadcast
New releases inspired by the latest issue of English folk magazine fRoots. Plus Celtic music for St. Patrick's Day / Weekend. And the brand new CD by Sharon Shannon
Some of my favourite songs from the past 32 years of The Saturday Edge on CiTR - and a lot of "spruiking". Big thanks to the volunteers for answering the phones, and to the listeners for making them ring! I hope we raised enough money ... More to come online, I hope. Please donate to www.citr.ca/donate and mention The Saturday Edge if you do!
Back in the saddle again at CiTR! Features on Festival du Bois, Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, Lydia Hol, and some searing political commentary from Leonard Cohen, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Billy Bragg, Martyn Joseph, Eliza Gilkyson and more. Also plenty of refugees. We are all immigrants and we need all the compassion we can get.
Guest Host Paul Norton from CiTR's Code Blue show (Saturdays 3pm - 5pm) plays his own brand of folk music today, heavy on previews of upcoming concerts, but with other interesting goodies as well.
Music by Syrian immigrants, Italians philosophizing about us all being immigrants, songs for Mardi Gras / Pancake Tuesday, features on Old Man Luedecke, Gonzalo Bergara & Leah Zeger, and Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas (including a World Exclusive first broadcast of a track from their 5th CD which comes out next week!) Plus some new releases from Laura Cortese, Imar, Eliza Carthy, and more!
Late start due to snow and lack of ploughs. Late finish due to next DJ unable to get a bus in the snow. Featured lots of music for Black History Month, plus features on Cajun Country Revival, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, Gonzalo Bergara, and the new CD by Eliza Carthy & the Wayward Band
Songs about walls, oil, war, ... and hope. New releases from Putumayo, a great new CD by young Celtic quintet Imar from Isle of Man, Scotland, Ireland and England, features on Banda Magda, Jesse Lege & Joel Savoy, Anna & Elizabeth, and a preview of this evening's Leonard Cohen Tribute concert at The Rogue
This week's show featured some music recently acquired by Vancouver writer Tony Montague at the WOMEX Conference in Galicia, plus Al Stewart's monumental Nostradamus and associated prophecies of doom and sadness at the end of Obama's Presidency and the beginning of Drumpf's (is this the end of all things? Or just the end of all things decent?)
This week's show featured lots of concert previews for the Rogue Folk winter season in Vancouver (www.roguefolk.bc.ca) plus a lament for the passing of psychedelic gypsy surfing' fiddler Willie Royal (Willie & Lobo) and some new releases which got "shelved" during the more seasonal shows of the past couple of weeks.
My special show for New Year's Eve, featuring some of my favourite songs and albums of 2016 and a few New Year's songs too.
It's not often I get a chance to broadcast on Christmas Eve, so this was a special Christmas edition of The Edge On Folk, starting with a few Spanish / Latin American track, then getting a bit Cajun, a bit Bluesy, and mostly Christmas themes - plus a little bit of Hanukkah for "balance"!
New Releases, the latest samplers from fRoots magazine, some Cool Yule gypsy jazz, and plenty of uplifting tunes and songs to warm a winter's day when all of Canada is colder than Mars!
Steve Edge is off in Toronto this week, receiving the Unsung Hero Award from the Canadian Folk Music Awards people. Guest host Paul Norton, perhaps better known for his work on CiTR's Code Blue show, brings you lots of new releases, deep catalogue tracks and generally inspired (we hope) selections.
Features on Louisiana zydeco sextet The Revelers, Foghorn Stringband - great old time quartet from Portland and Gaspe, plus new releases and old faves.
This week's show featured a tribute to Leonard Cohen, new releases by Kobo Town, Rory Block, David Bromberg, Sarah Jarosz, Wake The Dead, Cassie & Maggie, Ange Hardy & Lukas Drinkwater, Rosie MacKenzie, Kate Rusby and Vancouver's Chicken-Like Birds, and Gabriel Dubreuil. There's also a fundraiser next week for Vancouver's St. James Hall, featuring Jim Byrnes & Paul Pigat and friends paying tribute to the legacy of Chuck Berry and Chess Records. That will be a lot of fun!
Features on Sweet Alibi & Jadea Kelly, Wendy MacIsaac, Ten Strings & A Goat Skin, Remembrance Day, plus lots of new releases
This week's show featured the latest Putumayo CD - African Rumba, music from Mali's wonderful Rokia Traore (coming to Vancouver next weekend), and a major focus on the Nominees for the 2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards (December 2-3, in Toronto). I also spiced things up with some tasty Halloween "treats".
Tribute to Calypso Rose (Lifetime Achievement Award at this weekend's WOMEX conference in Santiago de Compostela), New releases by Noura Mint Seymali (Mauritania), Swedish trio Irmelin, troubadours Martin Simpson & Dom Flemons, celebration of 800 years of parliamentary democracy (Sweet Liberties), Nova Scotia sisters Cassie & Maggie, California Celtic combo Wake The Dead, and more. Plus mini-features on Rokia Traore (Mali), Roy Forbes (BC), and James Keelaghan (MB) - who are coming to town in the next few days.
Features on Jez Lowe, and Fred Eaglesmith, plus memories from Cape Breton's Celtic Colours festival, and a tribute to Shooglenifty fiddler Angus Grant, who died this week. So sad.
Farewell to Buckwheat, plus features on Barrule, Guy Davis, Jez Lowe, Bumper Jacksons - and loads of new releases!
Includes debut of Stephen Fearing's commentary on the US election: Blowhard nation; mini-features on Connie Kaldor and Manx Celtic trio Barrule; some Belgian and Swiss music; a live track from Tri Continental's Rogue concert last weekend, and some new releases. And more.
Included two sets by Canadian Blues / Roots trio Tri Continental (Madagascar Slim, Bill Bourne & Lester Quitzau) - and a phone interview with the three guys calling in from a ferry terminal on Vancouver Island.
New Releases acquired at Tonder and Edmonton Festivals. Previews of Bluebird North #100, Craig Cardiff's concert next Thursday
Includes a report on last weekend's Tonder Festival in Denmark, a live studio set from Linda McRae, and more. Linda and I are both to be inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame at tomorrow night's concert at The Rogue in Vancouver www.roguefolk.bc.ca
Guest Host Paul Norton previews the fall concert scene, spotlights the Putumayo label, celebrates Cesaria Evora's birthday, debuts some tracks from Colvin & Earle, traces the career of Amy Helm and generally runs amuck, as much as a senior citizen DJ can, anyway. Check it out.
A sample of samplers from Canada's venerable Stony Plain Records. Plus a tribute to the late Penny Lang. Jim Burnett guest hosts.
We have all sorts of music for you today from singer songwriter to old time to Bluegrass!
My last show for a month featured lots of personal favourites, and previews of Shorefest Day 3 and next weekend's Edmonton Folk Music Festival. The show will be hosted by Paul Norton (Aug 6th & Aug 27), Arthur & Andrea Berman (Aug 13) and Jim Burnett (Aug 20) for the next 4 Saturdays. I return from Denmark for the Labour Day weekend show on September 3rd. Should have heaps of new music to play - and a couple of major festivals to report (Edmonton and Tonder)
Featured an interview with Estonian trio Trad Attack! recorded at last week's Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Plus a variety of artists appearing this weekend at the Mission Folk Music Festival, and on the Rogue Stage at Sunset Beach (July 23, 27 & 30) - a free Canadian roots music festival which takes place prior to the Celebration of Light fireworks displays.
Live from Jericho Beach Park. Includes live interviews with Ten Strings & A Goat Skin, Lucy Ward, Birds of Chicago, I Draw Slow, The Bills, Penguin Eggs editor Roddy Campbell, and live performances by Lakou Mizik, and Hubby Jenkins. Features music by performers at Island Musicfest (last week), VFMF, Mission (next week), Shorefest (also next week and beyond), and the new sampler from fRoots - and more!! Beware of 30 seconds of dead air at 2h 42m 20s and a few seconds of dead air at to 2h 42m 50s. And a few seconds' gap at around the 4 hour mark when we decided we could keep going for another hour!
Filling-in for Andrea & Arthur Berman again on Pacific Pickin'. They are cruising around Iceland, so I'm spinning some rogue grass on their show!
Featuring lots of artists coming to Island Musicfest, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Mission Folk Festival, Salmon Arm Roots & Blues this summer.
Guest Host Steve Edge from 'The Saturday Edge on Folk' steps in with his own special brand of bluegrass.
A few Of My Favourite Things - including featured artists at various festivals this Summer, a couple more Swarb tunes, new releases, and more
This week: a tribute to the amazing English fiddler Dave Swarbrick, who passed away yesterday. Also previews of Rogue concerts and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, and much more.
Back from a trip to the U.K. (thanks to Andrea & Arthur Berman for filling in last week) this week's show featured Stephen Fearing returning to as well, plus new releases by Afro Celt Sound System, Youssou N'Dour, and more
Lots of music, new and old, this morning with special memorial artist features for James King and Guy Clark who passed away this week.
Raunchy theme this week, based on Bonny Black Hare Day. New music from the new fRoots sampler and more.
Featured music from the new - and last - Bellowhead CD, a phone interview with Alberta songwriter Maria Dunn, a look ahead to the Bluegrass show with Michael Cleveland next Wednesday, and some more new releases and old favourites.
Included songs by many of the performers coming to the Vancouver Folk Music Festival (July 17 - 19). The line-up was announced this week. I also included usual smattering of concert previews and new releases, and ended the show wi a few songs to celebrate May Day
April In Paris. Mighty String Thing Guitar Extravaganza, Tributes to Prince, Lonnie Mack, Pete Zorn, and in memory of Sandy Denny
New releases from Cuba, Haiti, Brittany, Ukraine/Toronto. Also a whiff of 4/20 reefer, and a fond farewell to Spirit of the West, whose last ever gig is tonight at The Commodore. Previews of April In Paris - 10th annual festival of gypsy jazz at The Rogue, and lots more new Canadian music
Tributes to Merle Haggard and Thunderclap Newman, previews of Canadian music coming to town: Winnipeg's Small Glories, Vancouver's Jenny Ritter, Canadian String Quartet The Fretless, and the 10th annual festival of gypsy jazz - April In Paris - with 5 local bands in the Django style. Finishing up with Coco Love Alcorn's Hope for the World and Corin Raymond. Canada (folk) rocks!!
New releases galore; a sad farewell to the Railway Club; a preview of April In Paris; and much more!
Featuring an Interview with film maker Kerry Candaele in town this weekend to launch his documentary about Beethoven's 9th Symphony - Following The Ninth. Plus lots of new releases and an irreverent look at the last supper
New releases by Djelimady Tounkara (Malian guitar god) and Irish-American supergroup The Gloaming, plus features on Irish trad. legends De Danann and lots more new stuff. Thankfully no obits this week!
Tributes to departed icons Sir George Martin and Keith Emerson, also Louis Meyers of SXSW and Folk Alliance fame. Lots of Celtic music for St. Paddy's Week too.
Features on Festival du Bois, CelticFest Vancouver, The Maddest Musical March 5th, new releases, and music found at Folk Alliance
Plus features on Oliver Swain, The Bills, Lennie Gallant - and a whole bunch of CDs acquired at Folk Alliance in Kansas City last week
Small tribute to Dan Hicks, who passed away this week, age 74, in California. New releases from Rokia Traore and Sidestepper. Looking ahead to Festival du Bois, CelticFest Vancouver, Eilen Jewell concert, Bumper Jacksons, etc. Tried to hook up to St. James Hall for a live feed at the Mayor's announcement saving the building. Couldn't get it to work. Oh well. Also SAM would not let me choose anything. I switched it off. Managed to restore its settings eventually!
To kick off Black History Month I started the show with several African-Canadian artists, before moving onto a mini-theme of Carnival / Mardi Gras. Featured music by Cape Breton Celtic combo Coig, Cuban-Canadian artist Alex Cuba (sold out show this evening at the Kay Meek Theatre in West Vancouver), upcoming Rogues like The Bills, Bumper Jacksons, Eilen Jewell, Oliver Swain, Sharon Shannon, De Danann, plus other performers coming to town including Aoife O'Donovan, Damien Dempsey, Jeff Lang, and new releases by Colin Linden, Rhiannon Giddens, Show Of Hands, and Tim O'Brien. Paid tribute to The Busby Babes, the Manchester United soccer team decimated in the Munich Air Crash 58 years ago today with a song by Mick Grove and Phil Beer (of Show of Hands.)
Features on Aurelio, The Jaybirds, Old Man Luedecke, and new releases by Baaba Maal, Tim O'Brien, Matt Andersen, Solas, and Show Of Hands
BTW, this PSA / Ad list is really screwy!!
Small tribute to Glenn Frey of Eagles fame, features on Bumper Jacksons, Lydia Hol (Vancouver songwriter launching new CD this weekend), and Quebec's Felix Award-winning combo Le Vent du Nord, plus another tip of the hat to Andy M Stewart and to David Bowie, and a shout-out to legendary fiddler Dave Swarbrick, who's having some health issues this week. 2016 has been a tough year for music so far - we're losing too many luminaries too quickly and too often!
Return from Hawaii / mini features on Eilen Jewell / JP Cormier / The Revelers. Late start. Oops!
Guest host Paul Norton from CiTR's Code Blue show (Saturdays from 3 to 5 pm) spins his own brand of folk and world music.
More of my favourite albums of 2015, plus a small tribute to Scots singer Andy M Stewart, who died last week. Also a look ahead to some artists coming to town in the next few weeks
Some of my favourite songs / albums of 2015, plus a segment on Wassailing, hunting The Wren, and other Boxing Day pursuits
This week 's topics included: Andy M Stewart's health, Eliza Carthy's MBE, the impending sale of Vancouver's iconic Railway Club, Alex Cuba's Grammy nomination, some Rogue previews, and new releases from fRoots magazine, The Wainwright Sisters, Celtic Colours Live 2015 CD, Van Django's Cool Yule gypsy jazz Xmas CD, and Irish supergroup The Rambling Boys
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the release of Rubber Soul - one of the principal game-changer albums of the twentieth century. It's also the 35th anniversary of John Lennon's murder next week. What a sad and beautiful world we live in.
Also featured music by Sarah Jane Scouten, T. Nile and Dana Sipos - who all play Rogue gigs next week.
Added in some new releases by The Wainwright Sisters and Dave Rawlings Machine.
New releases by Les Ambassadeurs, Kandia Kouyate, Toto la Momposina, WOMEX 2015, The Rheingans Sisters, Sarah Hayes. Previews of The Acoustic Guitar Project (December 3rd at The Rogue), Sarah Jane Scouten (December 8th), Dana Sipos & T. Nile (December 11th), and some more Sandy Denny nostalgia
Featured some music brought back from WOMEX in Budapest by Vancouver writer Tony Montague, some new releases, some old favourites (I've just finished reading the new Sandy Denny biography - I Always Kept A Unicorn, so snuck in some old Fairport) and features on Linda McRae and other upcoming Rogues. Finished up with some more music from the recent Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton.
Includes a tribute to Allen Toussaint, who passed away this week. Tracks 24-30 were all written by him. Such good tunes and lyrics - and what a groove!! Also featured music from Caravan, the new CD by Jocelyn Pettit, Squamish fiddle prodigy who launches that CD this evening.
This week's show featured selections from the latest disc supplied with fRoots magazine, the esteemed English folk music publication that informs the content of most of my show - and has done ever since I started the show in 1985! I also previewed some of the artists coming to The Rogue in the next few weeks, including Buckman Coe, Linda McRae, Cannery Row, T. Nile, Sarah Jane Scouten, Dana Sipos, and Thad Beckman. I squeezed in some Remembrance Day songs, and some music acquired at the recent Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton. Also aired some music from the new (3 days old) CD by local fiddler Jocelyn Pettit, who launches that CD next weekend at The Rogue.
A small tribute to Leon Bibb, a feature on Great Big Sea's Sean McCann, and heaps of scary songs
Music from Celtic Colours 2015, a feature on Dar Williams, and one on Red Moon Road. Troubled by the new iTunes / OS mismatch and a dodgy CD / writer or drive. And the phone won't work for me this week. I need to lie down....
Some favourites - old and new - from the playlist I chose for the drives around Cape Breton at the Celtic Colours Festival last week.
Arthur Berman and the Lovely Andrea were filling in for Steve Edge. Lots of new music including a feature set on the Joy of Living - A Tribute to Ewan McColl.
Late Start. Slept through alarm. Baad Steve! Featured tributes to Beatles and Stones, and Kevin Burke, Irish fiddle maestro
This is supposed to be a SOCAN playsheet. It was one when I entered most of the details at the station, but now I don't see the SOCAN info fields.
Anyhow, the show featured a lot of my favourite Canadian performers as well as mini features on Don Ross and Jon Gomm, Kevin Burke, and Mavis Staples (at the end)
Drove in from the Mission Folk Music Festival to present this show! Then drove back to MC the evening stage!
Broadcast Live from Jericho Beach Park at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival - technical glitches and all!!
Broadcast Live from Jericho Beach Park at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival - technical glitches and all!!
This was the very last regularly-scheduled show broadcast from Studio A in the SUB. The last hour was preempted for a special CiTR Alumni broadcast prior to the launch of the new Studio in The Nest. 46 years of CiTR in the "old" SUB ended right here. Long live the "new" CiTR!!
30th Anniversary Show!!
Some highlights from the past three decades
Plus LIVE in the studio: Ten Strings & A Goatskin (PEI) and Bon Debarras (Quebec)
Includes Albums of the Week by The Young'uns, & Jackie Oates. Plus features on Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick, and The Revelers
Includes features on Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys' new CD, plus Argentine gypsy jazz guitar virtuoso Gonzalo Bergara and fiddler / chanteuse Leah Zeger
Features on James Keelaghan and Celtic music by Altan, Goitse, Fretless, Vent du Nord etc.
Real World Records 25, Bob Marley 70, Paperboys new, and other World and Blues and Roots music selections
An "All CD" show today. Old technology = a heavy backpack. Just think: I used to pack vinyl! A 4 hour show is a weighty thing. Hope I can get my iPad to Sync again next week ...
Feature on Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, plus plenty more Celtic music in the last hour
Back from NZ and Australia! Small tribute to Willie "Popsy" Dixon of The Holmes Brothers, plus some favourites from World Music and new Blues from Michael Jerome Browne and Janiva Magness
Includes live performance and interview with Vancouver's World Champion finger style guitarist Don Alder
Includes an interview with David Lindley from August 1986 at the Town Pump - after his first ever solo acoustic gig in town
Includes a phone interview with Michael Dunn, Vancouver luthier and guitarist with Hot Club Of Mars
Annual Fundrive edition
You can still donate on www.citr.ca/donate
please mention my show!
Thanks for your support.
Annual Fundrive edition
You can still donate on www.citr.ca/donate
please mention my show!
Thanks for your support.
This week's show was interrupted for live coverage of the Student Leadership Conference at UBC. Hence the gap in between the two podcasts.
Includes more music from the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton, which I attended last week. www.celtic-colours.com
Includes a report and music from the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton, which I attended last week. www.celtic-colours.com
Broadcast LIVE from the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach Park - special thanks to Ryan, Robin, Tristan, Matt & Eleanor - and my co-host Linda Bull - with LIVE music from Nomadic Massive, Jerron Blind Boy Paxton, Martha Redbone, and Wade Schuman (of Hazmat Modine)
Broadcast LIVE from the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach Park - special thanks to Ryan, Robin, Tristan, Matt & Eleanor - and my co-host Linda Bull. Featuring LIVE music from Denmark's Habadekuk!
Rogue Folk's 25th Birthday, Woody Guthrie's 100th, Robert johnson's 100th, Bill Monroe's 100th, and the 50th anniversary of Dylan's first LP and The Beatles' first single!
Rogue Folk's 25th Birthday, Woody Guthrie's 100th, Robert johnson's 100th, Bill Monroe's 100th, and the 50th anniversary of Dylan's first LP and The Beatles' first single!