The Folk Show: Recent Episodes
Radio Manx Ltd
John Barker hosts Manx Radio's weekly Folk Programme showcasing the best in traditional and modern folk music
JB starts with the Urban Folk Quartet, listens in to a chat with Martin Simpson and pays homage to an old cricketer leaving the crease for the last time . . .
John Barker brings you the latest in folk music both traditional and modern in his weekly programme.
JB has some grief in the kitchen, mirth in the hall, happy days, Nathaniel Merchant and Caroline King - what more could you want?!
JB is working in wood, joined in the studio by some jolly waggoners and has a glint of Scottish fiddle . . .
JB is back with the best in folk, roots and blues from around the world and of course the Isle of Man itself!
Martin McCarthy, Bob Dylan, Topette and Honey and the Bear are just some of the artists to join JB in another Folk Show classic!
JB has a classic from Richard Thompson, some Raggle Taggle gypsies, Clash Vooar and a kitted cat!
JB lines takes the biscuit with the James Kerry Trio, stays sweet with Honey and the Bear and has some traditional Italian Music with Cazoniere Grecanico Salentino
Plenty of new music from JB this evening from two 3's - 3 Rod Wale and Three-legg'd Mare -Serious Sam Bennett and the Pagoda Project
JB starts with a beggar man, has some live music in Westport and one of the best mandolin players on the planet . . . .
JB lines up some classic Nina Simone, Firelight Trio and Topette!! - to say nothing of some dancing to finish! Folk and roots at its best!
JB has a Child Ballad, some Vagabonds, more Dylan at the Institute and a suggestion for Mine's a Shanty!
JB has fabulous folky sounds from the likes of the Boys of the Loch, Lankam and the great Martin McCarthy.
JB heads for the moon! Not in a capsule but in music from the likes of Neil Young, Mera Royle and The Full English . . .
More great folk and roots music from JB including more from Claire Vine, a housewife's lament and Kylie Minogue!
JB looks forward to Shennaghys Jiu, pays tribute to the great folk drummer Terry Cox who died recently with a track from Pentangle and new music from Claire Vine - among other folkish joys!
JB continues his celebration of St Patrick with music from the Emerald Isle and also manages to slip on a mason's apron . . . .
JB with the best in folk, blues and roots from the likes of Brooks Williams, Holly Clarke, Trip and Eddie Reader!
JB has music from Edgelarks, Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow and Jack Mclean along with his trusty gig guide on all things folky happening on the IOM!
John's back with his weekly mix of folk and roots music, including a performance in Manx from David Fisher and an interview with guitarist Martin Simpson, recorded recently at a workshop in Sheffield.
JB with the best in folk and roots from the Chieftains to Scran via Jen Butterworth and Andy Irvine!
JB has the Furrow Collective, Leverette, some hens teeth, some raggle-taggle gypsies and Bryan Ferry singing a sea shanty!
JB has some Blue grass, Winter winds, a nod to Burns and then heads down to the Sally Gardens!
JB launches into the new year proper with music from the likes of Siobhan Miller, Tim Edey, Martin and Eliza McCarthy and Planxty - and he looks forward to plenty of great music here on the Isle of Man
JB's been a bit snowed up so celebrates this week's icy weather with some classics - more music, less chat!
JB with some wonderfully festive folk and a yuletide miracle - a cheerily festive Bob Dylan!
JB plays some great guitar from Mark Lawrence's new album Jupiter and gets jazzy-folk with a track from trumpeter Laura Jurd's latest album!
JB invites you all to sing along as he starts this weeks Folk Show with music from Landless, Bonny Light Horseman and our own Davy Knowles
JB has some Sandy Denny, Ruth Keggin-Gell with Rachel Hair and The Imagined Village among other joys in this week's selection!
JB takes the Outside Track . .enjoys some Sonny Boy Williamson and Tony Christie as you may never have heard him before . . !
JB plays the best in folk and roots - with plenty of great new music from NXNW, The Kasambwe Brothers and Trip - but space for some John Martyn and a Wagonwheel!
JB has a travelling man, some Bellowhead and Erin Harp Country Blues Duo amongst many other joys!
JB features the likes of Derry Farrell, Trip and Dylan in the basement in his selection of folk and roots from around the world
JB gives you the best in folk from the IOM and around the globe including the likes of Edwina Hayes, Tarren and Robert Plant and Saving Grace
JB starts Banjovial and finishes with Nitetracks as he plays the best in folk and roots from the Isle of Man and around the world . . !
JB pays tribute to that chameleon of the bass, the great Danny Thompson who died recently plus music from the likes of Jack McLean, Flook and Elephant Sessions
Several Hares on a Mountain, Peggy Seeger, McTullagh Vannin and John Smith all in the mix introduced by John Barker
JB is back with his unique selection of all that's best in Folk and Roots from the IOM and around the globe
JB with his best selection of folk and roots music from the Island and around the globe including The Hunch, Odette Mitchell Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe with Daniel Quayle and five drunken landladies!
JB looks forward to this year's Shrewsbury Folk Festival with music from the likes of the Levellers, Dougie McLean and some bullocks
John is back with this weekly selectin of folk and roots music from the Isle of Man and around the world.
More great folk and roots sounds from JB as he gears up for another busy folk festival season!
JB with the best in folk and roots from the likes of Tamsin Elliott and Tarek Elazhary, Callum Stewart, Lankum and some sounds from Yn Chrunniaght
John brings you the very best in folk and roots music, including tracks from a number of artists performing at this year's Yn Chruinnaght.
In this week's programme, John brings you his usual mix of folk and roots music, including a look ahead to next week's Yn Chruinnaght Festival.
More great sounds of folk and roots from the IOM and around the world from the likes of Lady Maisery, Juan Tabor and Martin Simpson and Trip
JB spins some Lisa Knapp and Gerry Divers, has a broken pledge and two tracks about cuckoos!
JB returns with more great music from the likes of Bonny Light Horseman, Stiofan O'Treabhair and the Dubliners
JB looks forward to this year's Yn Chrunniaght Festival with guests Chloe Woolley and Jo Callister
JB spins some Capercaille, Lewis McLaughlin, Rachel Sermanni and songs for Nova Scotia. I feel love!
JB is back in the studio after his travels in northern climes and has music new and old from the likes of Christina Alden and Alex Patterson, Trip, Gnoss and Brooks Williams
JB continues is back in his wild aviary with more music about birds with sounds from the likes of Pauline Scanlan, Fellow Pynins and Paddy O'Brien
JB brings you his customary wonderfully eclectic mix of all things folk from around the globe
JB is back with his selection of all the best in folk - and a lot of artists who have played here on the Isle of Man . . .with tracks from the likes of Jenn Butterworth, Kelly Joe Phelps, Silly Wizard and Gigspanner Big Band
JB spins the best in Folk and roots from the likes of Filkin's Drift, Neil Young and False Lights
JB spins the best in folk from the likes of Project Smok, Capercaille, Rachel Newton and the Big Wheel Blues Band!
JB with another great selection including a Manx-Breton collaboration and some music of Morocco recorded live in Marrakech!
JB with his every tasteful and eclectic best of folk with the likes if Natalie Merchant, Bert Jansch, Wood, Wilson, Carthy and our own Scran
JB brings us a great mix of folk and trad old and new, including Fluke, Liz Overs and music from 'one of the best folk albums of the past few years'...
Music from the Martin Harley Band, Hamish Napier, Fairport Convention and JB also features a Bungee Jumper . . .
JB spins some Anais Mitchell, Ukrainian folk, Chris Drever and Chris Stout and remembers flautist Pat Knight . . .
JB with great sounds from Jen Butterworth, Beth Malcolm, Chris Stour and Catriona McKaye, the Imagined Village and many more . ..
JB goes nautical with music from the Unthanks, Jackie Oates and Mec Lir among others . .
JB with his usual selection of great sounds from the likes of Bert Jansch, Laura Marling, Gnoss and Beth Malcolm
This week, JB has some snarling guitars, gentle songs about ancient animals, experimental electronic avant-folk and of course a look at the local gig scene.
JB warms up for Burns Night with great music from Eddi Reader, Trip, Kate Rusby and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage
JB beats off the January blues with great sounds from the likes of Landless, Jean Butterworth, Daniel Quayle and Elizabeth Davison-Blyth and the great BB King
JB heads into 2025 with great sounds from June Tabor and Nick Jones, The Olllam and music inspired by Hen Harriers from Martin Simpson
JB continues with his selection of favourite tracks ad albums from 2024 with music from the likes of Ross Cooper, Eleanor Dunstan and Greggor Black and Daisy Rickman
JB looks forward to a Cool Yule with some of his favourites of 2024 including Tunng, Lunatraktors and Clash Vooar
More of the best in folk and roots from JB with sounds from the likes of Christy Moore. Kitty McFarlane, Chris Drever and Trip . . .
John brings you his weekly selection of folk and roots music, old and new, from around the world and here on the Isle of Man.
JB with his selection of folk and roots music old and new from around the world and of course here on the Isle of Man
JB starts and finishes with Bellowhead, and features the like of Bob Dylan, Laura Marling and Imar in between!
JB is here with his collection of folky fireworks and the question - who came home on 5th November? No prizes other than the pride of getting it right! Email folkshow@manxradio.com
Christine Collister joins JB to talk about her "Children of the Sea" project and forthcoming tour, and sings live in the studio .. whilst there's also music from the likes of Brass Monkey and Jez Lowe
JB spins great sounds from the likes of the Bothy Band and Megan Henwood and chats to his guests Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe and Daniel Quayle about their new music.
JB with his ever-great selection of folk and roots music from the island and around the globe from the likes Tim Edey, Planxty, MecLir and Lankum.
JB with some great sounds from the likes of Vair, the Urban Folk Quartet, Imar and a lovely lament from Kathryn Tickell
JB goes reed cutting with Christina Alden and Alex Patterson as he celebrates harvest time, along with autumnal sounds from the likes of Martin Carthy, Woodie Guthrie and Amy Laurenson
Honey and the Bear, Le Vent du Nord, Howlin' Wolf, The Rails and Howlin' Wolf all make it on to JB's eclectic playlist this week. Check it out!
JB is banishing misfortunes and enjoying music from Hector Riddell, Pentangle and Stockton's Wing
JB reflects on some of his favourite artists from this year's Shrewsbury Folk Festival such as Heisk and Ranagri as well as music from Stateside group Open the door for three
JB celebrates his 100th show playing music from artists who have performed live on the Island such as Tim Edey, Duncan Chisholm, Will Pound, Jen Butterworth and Trip
This evening's programme is a repeat of a show first broadcast in October 2022 in which JB chats to his Folk Show predecessor and legend of the Manx folk scene, "Big John" Kaneen, who passed away last week.
JB looks forward to some of the artists he's looking forward to seeing at this year's Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Resting between Folk Festivals, JB pays music old and new from the likes of Altan, The Incredible String Band, Kathryn Tickell and a new disc from Chris Bannister
JB previews some of the artists at the forthcoming Saltburn Folk Festival with music from the likes of the Carrivick Sisters, Scran and The Wilsons.
The Wilderness Yet, Sam Sweeney, the late, great John Mayall and a chat with Duncan Chisholm - JB has them all in today's show
JB with a great mix of all the best in Folk from the likes of Kathryn Tickell and the Darkness, Bellowhead and Christine Collister with Olive Knight.
JB plays some great sounds from the likes piper Ross Miller, Duncan Chisholm, Memphis Slim and Joni Mitchell and has a chat with musician Katie Lawrence about her new tune collection book.
JB has a chat with Ian Radcliffe about the William Killey Flute Book, enjoys music from the likes of Brooks Williams and Paul Armfield and looks forward to Yn Chrunniaght
JB enjoys tracks from Church Street Shuffle, The Imagined Village and Isla Callister and looks ahead to Yn Chrunniaght 2024
JB spins the best in folk and roots from the likes of Tim Edey, Notify, Barrule and Ali Farka Toure
Some old and new sounds from JB with the likes of Lankam, Goblin Band, Gaelic songs from the Island and Eleanor Dunstan with Greggor Black
JB with great sounds from the likes of Steve Tilston, Eliza Carthy, Heisk, Brooks Williams and folk winners at this year's Guild . .
JB celebrates the music of Richard and Linda Thompson and great sounds from the likes of Sue Harrison and the Ross Cooper Band
JB celebrates Word Whisky Day with songs inspired by a drop of the craythur . . from the likes of Bellowhead, Ruth Keggin and Rachel Hair and Mississippi Fred McDowell
JB is still in Spring mode with great sounds from Emily Portman, Harry McClintock, Gnoss and Sam Carter
JB celebrates the advent of May (or the death of April!) with music from Lisa Knapp, Dan Walsh, Seb Stone and Granny's attic!
JB plays music from the likes of Eliza Carthy, Martin Simpson, Maddie Morris and Barrule - and many others plus his usual round-up of live local gigs
JB gets spacey . . . and plays music from Billy Bragg, Urban Folk Quartet, Imagined Village and From the Ground
It's all about the stars this week as to celebrate the new album from Clash Vooar, JB plays astral themed tunes from the likes of Dan Walsh, Honey and the Bear, Stockton's Wing and a live session at O'Donnells .
JB celebrates his birthday with some of his faves from the likes of Lau, Urban Folk Quartet, the Dubliners, Clash Vooar and a Rochdale coconut dance. Normal service is resumed next week!
JB leaps into spring with music from the likes of Adam Holmes, Michael Walsh, Doc Watson and the Island's own guitar guru - Davy Knowles
Some hypnotic sounds from Daisy Rickman, a session from O'Donnells, Serious Sam Barrett and a new one from Clash Vooar - JB has them all!
JB with a tasty smorgasbord of sounds from the likes of Jim Murray, Richard Thompson, Honey and the Bear and Tarmac plus a celebration of St Patrick's Day!
Great sounds from JB's deck from the likes of Ryan Young, Chris Wood, Kathryn Tickell and Bellowhead
JB brings you his weekly mix of folk and roots music from the Isle of Man and around the world.
JB is back with his weekly mix of folk and roots music from the Isle of Man and around the world.
JB brings you his weekly mix of folk and roots music from the Isle of Man and around the world.
JB brings you his weekly mix of folk and roots music from the Isle of Man and around the world.
JB brings you his weekly mix of folk and roots music from the Isle of Man and around the world.
JB with his usual wonderfully eclectic mix of folk sounds old and new from around the globe from the likes of Marry Waterson, Project Smock, John Francis Flynn and Richard Thompson
JB with music from the likes of Holly and the Reivers, Nick Hart and Tom Moore and Roy Bailey.
JB jigs into the new year with sounds from the likes of Imar, Kathryn Tickell and Davy Knowles!
JB with the first part of his review of the best music from 2023 featuring the likes of Will Pound and Jen Butterworth, Lankum and Thomas Callister with Dave Kilgallon
JB gets festive with some Christmassy sounds from a Winter Union, Bob Dylan Jeff Jepson and of course The Pogues!
A man with one kidney. Great Lakes. The Imagined Village and "Fairytale of New York" for those who didn't like the original! JB has them all!
JB pays tribute to Shane MacGowan whose death was announced recently, with music from the Pogues alongside great tracks from John Francis Flynn, Phillip Henry and Meera Royle
The Urban Folk Quartet, Liar, Liar, our own Phil Gawne and Bob Carswell and how to get yourself recorded on a narrowboat.
JB looks forward to artists playing on the Island in 2024 and plays music from the like Dan Walsh, Cerys Hafana, Blair Dunlop and Ashley Hutchings
JB with new music from the likes of Ben Nicolls, Urban Folk Quartet, You are Wolf, Ryan Young plus some Muddy Waters!
JB heads back to the 60s and 70s with music from Fairport Convention, Joni Mitchell with Neil Young, Mike Laurie and Al, Nick Jones and Charles Guard!
It's a Hop tu Naa special with Moots, Kate Rusby, False Lights, singing in Manx and turnip based verse from Annie Kissack!
JB thinks about the rain as he spins his usual wonderfully eclectic mix from the likes of Sister Rosetta Sharpe, Lucy Ward, Jeff Jepson and Balthazar's Feast . .
This week, John brings you another superb selection including music from Bellowhead, Bella Gaffney, The Olllam and also a cracking track from John Kirkpatrick and Chris Parkinson.
JB has some perfection from the Waterboys, Martin Hayes and chat and music with the wonderful Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow following their recent packed gig on the Island.
JB's feeling quite Scottish .. . and features a Caley, music from Runrig, John Douglas, Thomas Callister and Dave Kilgallon and Frankie Archer amongst others . .
JB celebrates his first anniversary on the Folk Show looking back at music he's enjoyed from the likes of Pauline Scanlon, Salt House, Kanda Bongo Man, Marlais and Scran . .
Great sounds as ever from JB with the likes of Paul Cringle, Karhryn Tickell . . The Hunch and it's all about the "l"s . .. with Olllam .
JB plays some great sounds from the likes of Faustus, Dransfields, Steve Turner and the wonderfully weird world of Ivor Cutler . . .
JB's pedalled back from the Shrewsbury Folk Festival to bring us joys from the likes of Eddi Reeder, Dream Circus, Charlotte Gregg and Scran
As JB pedals his way back (or is he in a van?) from the Shrewsbury Folk Festival . . he offers us a special featuring artist appearing at this year's event including Elephant Sessions, Gigspanner and the evergreen Billy Bragg
As JB prepares to head off to Shrewsbury Folk Fest (listen out for his festival artist special next week) he has music from The Band, Megson and Kathryn Priddy
It's all about the women of folk as JB has a special highlighting some of the best in the business, such as Kathryn Tickell, Isla Callister, Shirley Collins and Joni Mitchell
JB has a recording of a live sesh at O'Donnells, some sublime Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan, local axe man Paul Cringle and Neil Young among other folky gems!
JB plays music from Fairport Convention, Jeff Jepson, Bella Gaffney and Jez Lowe amongst others - and has a rummage in the rogues gallery!
JB celebrates the Island's National Day (and week) with music from the Island's best including Barrule, Clash Vooar, Davy Knowles, Adam Rhodes and Thomas Callister
Rant, Dervish, Isla and the Chieftains - all make it into JB's Folk jukebox this week. Smokin'! (Don't - it's not good for your health . .)
John celebrates the summer solstice with music from the likes of John Martyn, Eddie Cochrane and the island's own Thomas Callister and Dave Kilgallon . . it's the longest day!
The Deadly Diddly Band, the wonderful Lankum, evergreen Christine Callister and Woody Guthrie all feature on JB's Folk jukebox this week!
JB heads off to the Big Apple, enjoys some Bellowhead, unearths a little Leveret and recaptures the banjo . . .
JB plays a Danish host, some Moriarty, local artists Tom Callister and Dave Kilgallon and some sixties Dylan!
John showcases music from some world class musicians who are appearing on the Isle of Man in the near future, including Dan Walsh, Rant, Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow and Trip.
A happy mix as ever from John including Ben Walker, Charlie LeBrun, a brace from Los Lobos and them tune providers Barrule
John has more new music this week from the likes of Natalie Merchant, New Vagabonds, the wonderfully out there Lankum and our own Davy Knowles!
John is back after the break for the Guild with lots of new music, a chat with Catherine Roberts and Sean Lakeman ahead of their Island gig and a day of an energetic toddler!
As he prepares for a uni reunion, John heads back to the eighties with music from Vin Garbutt, Christy Moore, Billy Bragg and Jake Thackray
Join John for a trio of fiddle tunes from Kathryn Tickell, Carsie Blanton, A'Nish and the last of Spencer the Rover
John celebrates the new month with music from Simon and Garfunkel, April Rain from the Siskin Quartet, Leveret and a session at O'Donnells.
Some Kate Rusby, Edgelarks, Matt Kelly and John talks to Juan Garrett about this year's Shennaghys jiu
John checks out the latest session at O'Donnells, features Isla Callister and friends and marks the death of the super-talented Simon Emerson
Some Water Boys, Silly Wizard, a chat with Will Pound and music from the Grosvenor Pub in Douglas back in the 70's!
Some Trials of Cato, Biskee Brisht , a new CD from Will Pound and Jen Butterworth and the Bosnian version of the Buenos Aires Social Club!
John speaks to young Manx tin whistle and accordion player Owen Williams about his new EP, plus music from Lindisfarne, The Penguin Cafe Orchestra and the Urban Folk Quartet.
It's all about the animals as John plays music inspired by everything from birds to wolves via hares and limpets from artist such as Kate Rusby, Doc Watson and Sam Kelly with the Lost Boys. It's the cat's miaow!
John warms up the animals for next weeks special, with music from June Tabor, the Brothers Gillespie, Howlin' Wolf and a locally recorded trad session!
John plays some Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys, Jim Murray, Stanley Brothers, and done his bit for the RSPB. And did he mention Will and Jen?
John's pedalling some Steelye Span, there's Richard Thompson, a bit of Seth Lakemanm Mec Lir and some rather nice ambient folk . . .
The songs of Robbie Burns, instrumentals from Richard Thompson, a Peewit and local talent Mark Lawrence
A river themed selection from John featuring the likes of John Martyn, Seamus Begley, Mera Royle and the Watersons
John launches into 2023 with music from the likes of Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow, Loudon Wainwright III, Pentangle and Tom Callister with Imar
A Happy New Year with some tracks for 2023, a bit of Wassail, the theme to the Detectorists, some lovely close harmony singing and the Bee Gees given a folk twist!
John looks back at some of his favourite tracks and albums from the last year - and looks ahead to 2023!
Kate Rusby, a shepherd's Carol by Annie Kissack our own Charles Guard and a boogie-woogie Santa. Oh -and the Pogues . . .
John is joined in the studio by fellow folk and blues supremo Dave McLean, who chooses music including the one and only Mollag Band!
Brooks Williams has some snake oil, the wonderful Pentangle, The Teeside Fettlers with a Chemical lament, Barrule and some wonderful birdsong!
Bellowhead, Martin Carthy, Clash Vooar and Pauline Scanlon amongst others. Oh - and did John mention Bellowhead?!
Folk favourites this evening include Mera Royle, Andy Irvine and Paul Brady a haunting number from Lucy Ward and we hear about Euan!
Lucy Farrell, June Tabor and the Dubliners feature this week among a host of others . . . with John's latest collection of folk favourites - and some you may not know! Get in touch with him folkshow@manxradio.com
John is joined in the studio this week by Elizabeth Davidson-Blyth and Daniel Quayle. Get in touch with him folkshow@manxradio.com
A fest train whistles down, Martin Simpson and Isla Callister all feature on John's selection - get in touch with him folkshow@manxradio.com
A Folk Show special as new host John (Barker) talks to old host John (Kaneen) about his life and music
The first in a new era of the Folk Show with new presenter John Barker, after John Kaneen decided to retire earlier this year, having presented the show for an incredible 40 plus years!