Image: Pete Sutherland, Timothy Cummings, Brad Kolodner (Photo courtesy of The Birds’ Flight)Week 14 (#2132)Migrations of birds are like songs and tunes that travel to new places and often find their way back home again. Fiona Ritchie continues to explore the movement of music with “The Birds’ Flight” by Tim Cummings, Pete Sutherland, and Brad Kolodner, and other music.How Can I Keep From Singing?…by Julee Glaub from Fields Faraway (Julee Glaub)Farewell Dundee/Babe of Bethlehem…by Timothy Cummings, Pete Sutherland, Brad Kolodner from The Birds’ Flight (Birchen Music)Sonny’s Dream…by Jean Redpath from Leaving the Land (Greentrax)MacGregor of Roaring Fork…by Timothy Cummings, Pete Sutherland, Brad Kolodner from The Birds’ Flight (Birchen Music)The Birds’ Flight…by Timothy Cummings, Pete Sutherland, Brad Kolodner from The Birds’ Flight (Birchen Music)The Blackest Crow…by Laurie Lewis from Birdsong (Spruce and Maple Music)Jackson Gal…The Birds’ Flight…by Timothy Cummings, Pete Sutherland, Brad Kolodner from The Birds’ Flight (Birchen Music)[ID excerpt] Sheep in the Clouds…The Birds’ Flight…by Timothy Cummings, Pete Sutherland, Brad Kolodner from The Birds’ Flight (Birchen Music)Cape Fear…by Ian Hardie from Westringing (ian-hardie.co.uk)Jackaro…by Davids Ferrard from Across the Troubled Wave (Alter Road)Love and Freedom…by Atwater-Donnelly from Like the Willow Tree (Beacon)The Wood Thrush’s Song…by Laurie Lewis from Birdsong (Spruce and Maple Music)Lexie MacAskill…by Timothy Cummings, Pete Sutherland, Brad Kolodner from The Birds’ Flight (Birchen Music)Kilmarnock…by Timothy Cummings, Pete Sutherland, Brad Kolodner from The Birds’ Flight (Birchen Music)Tingles…by The Elephant Sessions from Nead Nan Cèoladair / The Musicians’ Nest (Lews Castle College UHI)

Week 13: (#2131)The Piedmont Blues and Old Time music of Americans Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and Aunt Samantha Bumgarner were all early influences on Scottish singers and guitarists including Archie Fisher, John Martyn, and Bert Jansch. The blended sound has evolved further in “Celtgrass” and “I-grass” Irish fusion bands like JigJam and We Banjo 3Lass From the Low Country…by Archie Fisher from A Silent Song (Red House Records)The Bunch of Green Rushes/Salt Creek…by We Banjo 3 from Live in Galway (www.webanjo3.com)Star of Belle Isle…by Archie Fisher from Windward Away (Red House Records)Nottamun Town...by Jean Ritchie from American Folklife Center Archive, Library of Congress Nottamun Town...by Bert Jansch from Jack Orion (Transatlantic)Highlander's Farewell to Sicily..by Hamish Henderson from American Folklife Center Archive, Library of CongressThe Times They Are a-Changin'...by Bob Dylan from The Times They Are a-Changin' (Columbia)[ID excerpt] Red Paddy on the Ridge…by JigJam from Phoenix (www.jigjam.ie)Sweet Roseanne…by The Unwanted from Pay Day (Whirling Discs)Wedding Dress/Kitchen Girl…by The Unwanted from Pay Day (Whirling Discs)Selections from a recording made of Jean Ritchie and Norman Kennedy at the Newport Folk Festival, 1966: Hop Up My LadiesMrs. McLeod's ReelHop High Ladies/Dunsmore Lasses…by Mary Z Cox from Carolina Banjo (www.maryzcox.com)Blue Diamond Mines…by John Doyle from Evening Comes Early (Shanachie)Old Molly Oxford/The Three By Two-Step, Sawmill Backstep…by The Unwanted from Pay Day (Whirling Discs)

Image: Scottish band Breabach featured on this week’s show.Week 12 (#2130)This week we breeze into the season with music to ease our way.Thunderberg…by Austral from Thylacine (australband.com)If The Day Dawns Bright and Clear/ Dry and Fair And Wet and Foul/Sheep’s Milk/The Burnt Candlemas…by Gavin Marwick & Aaron Jones from Quarterdays Candlemas (Journeyman)Changing World…by Breabach from Fàs (Breabach Records)The Old Collection…by Breabach from Fàs (Breabach Records)What Haven’t We Heard?…by Úna Monaghan with Pauline Scanlon (unamonaghan.com)[ID excerpt] The King’s Chair…by Gavin Marwick & Aaron Jones from Quarterdays Candlemas (Journeyman) Tog Suas!…by Gillebride MacMillan from Sèimh (Dealas)The Greenfields of America/The Ships AreSailing/Kitty Jones’s…by Hannah Flowers from Hall-Gate House (hannahflowersharp.com)Another Artichoke Night …by Dan’l from Acoustic Storyteller (Earth n Wood Music)Girl From the North Country…by Dylan Pearse from Songs From the North Country (dylanpearse.com)17 Horses…by Arthur Coates from Trapdoor to Hell (Arthur Coates)Turlutte de L’Accent Changeant…by Arthur Coates from Trapdoor to Hell (Arthur Coates)The Cradle Song/The Rowan Tree/Lord Lovat’s Lament…by Tom Ward from Cobbled Together (Greentrax)

Image: Legendary Irish line-up Moving Hearts (photo courtesy of the artists).Week 11 (#2129)St. Patrick grew up in Roman Britain and died in Ireland in the late 5th Century. We’ll never know how music sounded fifteen hundred years ago, but we can certainly celebrate the classic and timeless sounds of today’s Irish music all-stars.The Bag of Cats…by Sharon Shannon from Each Little Thing (Grapevine)Mary and the Soldier…by Andy Irvine and Paul Brady from Andy Irvine Paul Brady (Mulligan) The Hills of Donegal…by The Boys of the Lough from Sweet Rural Shade (Lough)Do You Love and Apple…by the Bothy Band from The Best of the Bothy Band (Green Linnet)A Fig for a Kiss/The Turf Cutter…by Altan from The Poison Glen (Compass)The Titanic…by Moving Hearts from The Storm (Son)The Ploughman…by Solas from Waiting For an Echo (Shanachie)[ID break] Kids…by Sharon Shannon from Each Little Thing (Grapevine)The Soporific/The Rights of Man…by Deiseal from The Long Long Note (Starc)Galway Bay…by Dolores Keane from CelticWoman 4 (Valley Entertainment)When Juniper Sleeps…by Seamus Egan from Celtic Dreamland (Putumayo)Bittersweet Crimson…by Luka Bloom from Bittersweet Crimson (Big Sky)Sevens/Michael Kennedy’s/The Cup of Tea…by Liz Carroll from Lost in the Loop (Green Linnet)The Sailor’s Bonnet…by The Gloaming from Live at the NCH (Real World)

Week 10 (#2128) Host Fiona Ritchie revisits memorable moments from the past decade of her radio shows.Two Shetland Reels...by Solas from All These Years (Thl Records)The Stride/Tom Doherty's/The Contradiction/Viva Galicia…by Solas from The Words That Remain (Shanachie) Pastures of Plenty…by Solas from Reunion (Compass) Black Annis…by Solas from Reunion (Compass) Lia Fail: The Stone of Destiny (excerpt)…by William Jackson from Duan Àlbanach (Mill Records)Iona Theme…by Ossian from Dove Across the Water (Iona)[ID Break: All These Years...by Solas from All These Years (Thl Records)Bonnie Border Lass (guitar intro)...by Archie Fisher from Windward Away (Red House)Silver Coin...by Archie Fisher from Sunsets I've Galloped Into... (Greentrax)Adam Cameron...by Archie Fisher from Will Ye Gang, Love (Green Linnet)The Kid on the Mountain...by Alison Kinnaird (with Patsy Seddon) from The Harp Key (Temple)The Judges Dilemma/The Inverness Gathering...by Sileas from Delighted With Harps (Green Linnet)May Colvin...by Sileas from Play on Light (Greentrax)Roarie Bummlers...by Solas from All These Years (Thl Records)

Recently voted the coolest national flag in the world, the dragon was first adopted as a symbol of Wales in the 5th century .Week 9 (#2127)A journey through the distinctive landscapes of traditional Welsh music with Crasdant, Plethyn, Cerys Matthews and more.Welsh Arrow Suite…by Pierre Bensusan from Encore (Dadgad)Ar Hyd Y Nos…by Cerys Matthews from Tir (Rainbow City)All through the Night…by Robin Huw Bowen from Harp Music of Wales (Saydisc)Pan ddoi adre’n ôl…by Siân James from The Music of Wales - The Folk Collection (Sain)Mympwy Llwyd…by Crasdant from Dwndwr - the Great Noise (Sain)Hwylio’r Heli…by Plethyn from Blas Y Pridd/Golau Tan Gwmwl (Sain)[ID excerpt] Bethan Rhiannon…by Crasdant from Welsh Traditional Music (Sain)Yr Unig Lie…by Lowri Evans from Clyw Sibrydion (RASP)Bali Tw’m Sion/Dadl Dau/Gorsaf Y Gof/Rachel Dafyydd Ifan…by Cerys Matthews from Hullabaloo (Rainbow)Yr Eneth Gadd El Wrthod…by Cerys Matthews from Explorer (RCM)Foster’s Favorite/Mr. Barwick’s…by Erryn Marshall and Carl Jones from Old Tin (Dittyville)Always Will…by Nanci Griffith from Transatlantic Sessions 2, Volume One (Iona)The Buttermere Waltz… from When Summer Comes Again by Simon Mayor and Hilary James (Acoustics)Profiad…by Carreg Lafar from The Music of Wales - The Folk Collection (Sain)

Image: Finger style guitarist and clawhammer banjo specialist Steve Baughman (photo courtesy of the artist). Week 8
 (#2126)
This week, we’ll hear how well the ancient music of the Celtic harp is suited to arrangements by guitar masters including Tony McManus, Steve Baughman, and Pierre Bensusan.Mrs. Judge…by Steve Baughman from Once Upon a Harp (CelticGuitar.com)Bridget’s Hawaiian Cruise…by Steve Baughman from Once Upon a Harp (CelticGuitar.com)My Home Town…by Tony Cuffe and William Jackson from The Clear Stream (Greentrax)Suite de Ridées…by Tony McManus from Ceol More (Greentrax)Heman Dubh/The Lost Piper March…by Pierre Bensusan from Encore (Dadgad Music)Drumleman…by Tony McManus and Julia Toaspern from Live in Concert (Greentrax)[ID excerpt] Lady Gethin…by Steve Baughman from Once Upon a Harp (CelticGuitar.com)The Battle of Harlaw…by Ronn McFarlane from The Celtic Lute (Sono Luminus)Bogie’s Bonnie Belle…by Rod Paterson and Wendy Stewart from Scottish Harps (Greentrax)Si Bhig, Si Mhor/The Rakish Paddy…by Pierre Bensusan from Musiques (Windham Hill)Banish Misfortune…by Robin Bullock from The Lightening Field (Azalea City)Mrs. Maxwell’s Second Air…by Steve Baughman from Once Upon a Harp (CelticGuitar.com)Planxty Llanthony/Loftus Jones…by John Renbourn from Traveller’s Prayer (Shanachie)

Image: Viking galley at Up Helly Aa, Lerwick, Shetland 2024 (photo by Fiona Ritchie)Week 7 (#2125)From the northern isles of Orkney and Shetland and onward to Norway, hear the fusion of Celtic and Scandinavian music.Shetland Pony Shuffle…by Jennifer and Hazel Wrigley from Idiom (Geo Sound)The Sheriff…by Chris Stout from Quintet (Greentrax)Braes o’ Gleniffer…by Ivan Drever from Four Walls (Iona)James & Emilie Kirkness…by Jennifer and Hazel Wrigley from Northern Lights (Birnam CD)Got To Go…by Rock, Salt & Nails from Live and Hazardous (Park)Norwegian…by Blazin’ Fiddles from Thursday Night in the Caley (Accusound)Swedish…by Blazin’ Fiddles from The Old Style (Blazin Fiddles)[ID excerpt] Totaig…by Harta from Harta (HartaSkye)The Constitution…Aly Bain from The Shetland Sessions, Vol 1 (Lismor)Shaskeen/Paddy Fahey’s, Fair Jenny…Hom Bru from The Shetland Sessions, Vol 1 (Lismor)Turning Tide…by Shoormal from Turning Tide (Greentrax)Don’t Drink and Dance…by The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc (Nordic Fiddlers Bloc)The Call and the Answer…by Kris Drever from Mark the Hard Earth (Navigator)Valtrail…by Harta from Harta (HartaSkye)The Joy of It!…by Catriona Macdonald from Bold (Peerie Angel Productions)

Week 6 (#2124)Celtic love songs don’t always follow the romantic script. In matters of the heart this week, expect tales of the unexpected.Venus in Tweeds...by Shooglenifty from Venus in Tweeds (Greentrax) The Gowden Locks of Anna…by MacAlias from Highwired (Greentrax) Jim Batty’s/The Bloom of Youth…by Michael McGoldrick & John McSherry from At First Light (Vertical Records) To The Homeland…by Maura O’Connell from Walls & Windows (Sugar Hill)I Love the Trees…by Nomos from Set You Free (Green Linnet)Suite de Ridees…by Tony McManus from Ceol More (Greentrax)Voices of the Land…by Maire Brennan from Maire (Atlantic)Gi’e Me Lass Wi’ a Lump o’ Land…by Ian F. Benzie from I’se The B’y (Lochshore)ID Excerpt: Dans Fisel...by Tony McManus from Tony McManus (Greentrax)A’ The Airts…by Ceolbeg from Seeds to the Wind (Greentrax) Wild West Waltz…by Wendy Stewart from About Time (Greentrax)The Beauty Spot/The Maid Behind the Barrel…by Danu from All Things Considered (Shanachie) More Than Just a Dram…by Robin Laing from The Angel’s Share (Greentrax)Aibreann - The Last Pint…by Lunasa from Lunasa (Compass)Tail Toddle Finale…by Skyedance from Skyedance - Live in Spain (Culburnie)

Image: John McCutchoen at The Swannanoa Gathering, 2022. (Photo by Fiona Ritchie.)Week 5
(#2123)Join Fiona Ritchie at the Swannanoa Gathering’s Traditional Song Week for a musical conversation with John McCutcheon, singer-songwriter and master of many instruments. Hear live performances and chat about John’s long and varied musical career, and how his work as a storyteller feeds into his performances and songwriting.How Can I keep From Singing?…by John McCutcheon from To Everyone In All The World - A Celebration of Pete Seeger.Carolan’s Welcome (excerpt)…by John McCutcheon from Step by Step (Rounder)We’re Stole and Sold from Africa…by John McCutcheon live at The Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available). Appalachian Dulcimer tunes…by John McCutcheon live at The Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available). John Philip Sousa tunes…by John McCutcheon live at The Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available). [ID excerpt] Step by Step…by John McCutcheon from Step by Step (Rounder)The Hours After (excerpt)…by John McCutcheon from Live At WolfTrap (Rounder)Christmas in the Trenches…by John McCutcheon live at The Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available). Time Has Made a Change in Me…by John McCutcheon with Sheila Kay Adams live at The Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available).

Image: Lyrics for Auld Lang Syne, in the hand of Robert BurnsWeek 4 (#2122)Fiona Ritchie explores some of the timeless lyrics of Robert Burns, and delves into the verses of his famous anthem, Auld Lang Syne, to explain its bitter sweet nostalgia.Auld Lang Syne (short version)…by The Cast from Auld Lang Syne (Culburnie)Rantin’ Rovin’ Robin…by Alan Reid from The Complete songs of Robert Burns, Vol 2 (Linn) Rattlin’ Roarin’ Willie…by Dougie MacLean from A Robert Burns Selection (Dunkeld)Ye Banks and Braes…by The Cast from The Winnowing (Culburnie)Parcel of Rogues…by Old Blind Dogs from There Was a Lad… Songs of Burns (KRL)Niel Gow’s Lament for James Moray Esq. of Abercarney…by Pete Clark from Even Now (Smiddymade)A Red. Red Rose…by Andy M. Stewart from Songs of Robert Burns (WunderTüte)[ID excerpt] Wandering Willie…by The Birnam Quartet from The Music of Burns (Shoogle)Auld Lang Syne…by The Bells from There Was a Lad… Songs of Burns (KRL)Auld Lang Syne…by The Cast from The Winnowing (Culburnie)Address to a Haggis…by Hugh MacDiarmid from There Was a Lad… Songs of Burns (KRL)Thou Gloomy December…by Corrina Hewat from The Complete songs of Robert Burns, Vol 4 (Linn) The Shepherd’s Wife…by Jim Malcolm from The Complete songs of Robert Burns, Vol 4 (Linn) O Whar Gat Ye That Hauver-Meal Bannock?…by Wendy Weatherby from from The Complete songs of Robert Burns, Vol 4 (Linn) Scots Wha Hae…by Dougie MacLean from A Robert Burns Selection (Dunkeld)A Man’s A Man For A’ That…by The Birnam Quartet from The Music of Burns (Shoogle)

Week 3 (#2118)According to poet Robert Burns, “freedom and whisky gang thegither”. He was interested in its mind altering properties: “Inspiring, bold John Barleycorn! What dangers thou can’st make us scorn!” Learn more this week, from songs and tunes written about Scotland’s national drink.The Humours of Whiskey…by Andy M. Stewart and Manus Lunny from Dublin Lady (Green Linnet)Whisky Pilgrims…by Robin Laing from Holding Gold (Frisky Whisky)The Jug of Punch…by Altan from Best of The Thistle & Shamrock, Vol 1 (Hearts O’Space)Farewell to Whisky/Welcome Whisky Back Again/Highland Whisky/Athole Brose…by Pete Clark from Even Now (Smiddymade)Leaving Brittany/The Pernod Waltz…by Relativity from Relativity (Green Linnet)John Barleycorn…by Maddy Prior from Lionhearts (Park)[ID excerpt] Whisky & Beer…by Pete Clark and Gregor Lowrey from Caught & Released (musicinscotland.com)Shining Clear…by Battlefield Band from There’s A Buzz (Temple)Fermentation…by William Jackson from Composition (Mill)Willie Brew’d a Peck o’ Maut…by Tony Cuffe and Rod Paterson from Robert Burns: The Complete Songs, Volume 2 (Linn)The Wee Cooper o’ Fife…by Robin Laing from Whisky for Breakfast (Greentrax)A’ Bunadh…by Robin Laing from One for the Road (Greentrax)Happy Days…by Battlefield Band from Happy Daze (Temple)