SPECIAL 2024 FESTIVE SHOW ON NPR STATIONS Mallards on a Midwinter walk (photo by F. Ritchie) Join Fiona Ritchie for a winter walk along the banks of the River Tay in Scotland, accompanied by music from the Celtic Christmas repertoire. Among ancient trees and restored riverside woodlands, Fiona finds her favourite bench, and sits there to reflect upon the scenes of Midwinter. The location inspires seasonal tales, joyful songs, and tunes of rare beauty, with guitarist Tim Edey, singer-songwriter Sting, singer Emily Smith, and multi-instrumental duo Al Petteway and Amy White.Readings:Excerpts from the works of Jon Plunkett (Nailing Things to Snow), Stephanie Norgate (Christmas Present) and Robert Frost (Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening)Music Playlist:I Shall Arise/Bring a Torch Jeannette, Isabella…by Jerry Reid Smith and Lisa Maria Smith from One Wintry Night (Silent Planet)Soul Cake…by Sting from If On a Winter’s Night (Decca)Noël Nouvelet…by Tim Edey from A Celtic Christmas (timedey.com)Winter Song…by Emily Smith from Songs for Christmas (White Fall Records)Munster Cloak/The Galician Carol…by Tim Edey from A Celtic Christmas (timedey.com)[ID excerpt] Ding Dong Merrily on High…by Tim Edey from A Celtic Christmas (timedey.com)One Wintry Night…by Jerry Reid Smith and Lisa Maria Smith from One Wintry Night (Silent Planet)Lullaby for an Anxious Child…by Sting from If On a Winter’s Night (Decca)Heard from Heaven Today…by Emily Smith from Songs for Christmas (White Fall Records)Snow on the Hills…by Kim Robertson from Christmas Lullaby, Volume II (Gourd Music)Christ Child’s Lullaby…by Al Petteway and Amy White from Winter Tidings (Maggie’s Music)How Like the Holly…by Joel Mabus from How Like the Holly (Fossil Records)Raise Your Glass …by Hanneke Cassel from Infinite Brightness (Cassel Records)

Image: Fiona Ritchie and Dougie MacLean around the 10th anniversary of The Thistle & Shamrock at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, 1993. Dougie is Fiona’s guest on this week’s show. Week 39 (#2157)In June, The Thistle & Shamrock® marked 41 years of weekly national broadcasts. It’s time to step back but not before making more memories. Singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean joins Fiona to reminisce; we debut a brand new fiddle tune by Pete Clark, written for this moment; and we toast musicians, guests, stations, and the best listeners: “We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.” [Look out for special shows to come and explore 15 years worth of archived weekly episodes at npr.org/thistle and on the NPR App and see the full Thistle & Shamrock Highlights list.) Fiona and Irish singer Maura O'Connell, Nashville, 2015. Maura opens this week's show. The Water is Wide…by Maura O’Connell from The Best of The Thistle & Shamrock (Hearts O’Space)Twa Bonny Maidens…by Alan Reid and Brian McNeill from Sidetracks (High Hold)Voice on the Airwaves/Ian Charles Hodgson of Balmore…by Pete Clark from Now & Then (Inver)Suivant…by Margaret Kennedy (private recording)Corryvreckan…by William Jackson from Land of Light (Mill)Ten Thousand Miles…by Altan from Another Sky (Narada World)[ID excerpt] Sgian S’gur…by Alan Reid and Brian McNeill from Sidetracks (High Hold)The Thistle (strathspey)/The Shamrock (jig)…by Pete Clark and Muriel Johnstone (private recording) - view the sheet music at https://www.thistleradio.com/new-fiddle-tunes This Love Will Carry…by Dougie MacLean from Wells for Zoë - Water for Life (Compass)Mists of Time…by Dougie MacLean from GNA (Dunkeld)May Morning Dew…by Moving Hearts from Live in Dublin (Compass)

Image: Rainbow at Clachnessie beach (photo by Gordon Ritchie, Bon Accord Camera Club)Week 38 (#2156)We remember some highlights from across The Thistle & Shamrock’s four decades: 1980s concerts with Battlefield Band, 1990s Irish Festivals at Wolftrap, visits with American folk legends Jean Ritchie and Pete Seeger in the 2000s, and Carnegie Hall’s 2019 Migrations Festival. So many great musical memories! (See the full Thistle & Shamrock Highlights list.)Scarce o’ Tatties/Lyndhurst…by Silly Wizard from Live Wizardry (Green Linnet)Lads o’ the Fair…by Battlefield Band from After Hours (Temple)The Morning Dew…by The Chieftains from The Chieftains Collection (Claddagh)John o’ Dreams…by Jean Redpath from A Fine Song for Singing (Philo)Riverdance…by Bill Whelan from Riverdance (Atlantic)Sheila Nee Iyer…by Dervish from Live in Palma (Compass)Faubert’s Lilt…by Seamus Egan from When Juniper Sleeps (Shanachie)[ID excerpt] The Lark …by Seamus Egan from When Juniper Sleeps (Shanachie)The Gale…by Shaun Davey with soloist Liam O’Flynn from The Brendan Voyage (Tara)The Celts…by Enya from Enya (Atlantic)Nottamun Town…by Jean Ritchie from Lomax Digital Archive Michael, Row the Boat Ashore…by Pete Seeger from Children’s Concert at Town Hall (Columbia)Darlin’ Corey…by Eileen Ivers (with Tommy McDonnell) from a private live recording, also available on Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul (Koch)Raining at Sunset…by Chris Thile from Not All Who Wander Are Lost (Sugar Hill)

Image: Andrea Cooper and Fiona Ritchie with WFAE-FM in 1985 (photo: private collection)Week 37 (#2155)Fiona selects music loved by listeners in the first decade of ‘Thistle’, including William Jackson’s Wellpark Suite, Davy Spillane’s Atlantic Bridge, and Celtic harp from Breton musician Alan Stivell.(See the full Thistle & Shamrock Highlights list.)Leaving Brittany/The Pernod Waltz…by Relativity from Relativity (Green Linnet)Suite Irlandaise…by Alan Stivell from 70/95 Zoom (Keltia III)Coisich a’ Rùin…by Capercaillie from Get Out (BMG)E. Minor Reel/Lads of Laois…Arty McGlynn and Nollaig Casey from Lead the Knave (Ringsend Road)Green Grow the Rashes…by Dougie MacLean from A Robert Burns Selection (Dunkeld)By the River of Gems…by Davy Spillane from Atlantic Bridge (Tara)Theme from Harry’s Game…by Clannad from PastPresent (BMG)[ID excerpt] The Flying Reel…by Touchstone from The New Land (Green Linnet)Gavotte…by Pierre Bensusan from Encore (MVDaudio)Song for Ireland…by Mary Black from Looking Back (Grapevine)Now Westlin Winds…by Dick Gaughan from Handful of Earth (Topic)The Wellpark Suite: Life in the City, The March of the Workers…by William Jackson Composition (Mill Records)How Can I Live at the Top of a Mountain?…by The Bothy Band from After Hours (Green Linnet)The Glencoe Dance Set (Live)…by Natalie MacMaster from My Roots are Showing (Rounder)

Image: Our Native Daughters (Photo credit: courtesy of the artists)Week 36 (#2154)The ngoni, the xalam, and the akonting are just three of more than 60 plucked stringed instruments in West Africa that were predecessors of the modern banjo. We follow the migration of the banjo from its roots in Africa to America and onward to Ireland, a unique musical journey. Featuring Rhiannon Giddens, Mick Moloney and more.I’m On My Way…by Rhainnon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi from There Is No Other (Nonesuch)Ajula/Mbamba…by Béla Fleck and The Jatta Family from Throw Down Your Heart - the Complete Africa Sessions (Rounder)Moon Meets the Sun…by Our Native Daughters from Songs of Our Native Daughters (Smithsonian Folkways)The Rights of Man/Ya Fama…by Béla Fleck with Harouna Samake, Madou Sanogo and Habib Sangare from Throw Down Your Heart - the Complete Africa Sessions (Rounder)Curly Tail…by Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones from Old Tin (Dittyville)Music and Joy…by Our Native Daughters from Songs of Our Native Daughters (Smithsonian Folkways)Up On Flat Top Mountain…by Al Petteway and Amy White from High in the Blue Ridge (AlandAmy.com)[ID excerpt] There is No Other…by Rhainnon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi from There Is No Other (Nonesuch)The New Irish Barn Dance/Paddy McGinty’s Goat…by The Greenfields of America from The Greenfields of America (Compass)The Hamars o’ Syradale…by The Chair from The Road to Hammar Junkie (lovethechair.com)Lumela Lesotho/Kilfenora Jig…by Gerry O’Connor from Time to Time (Mulligan)Pressed for Time…by We Banjo 3 from Live in Galway (webanjo3.com)Prettiest Girl in the County…by We Banjo 3 from Gather the Good (webanjo3.com)The Song of the Banjo…by Alison Brown from The Song of the Banjo (Compass)Throw Down Your Heart …by Béla Fleck and Toumani Diabaté from Throw Down Your Heart - the Complete Africa Sessions (Rounder)

Image: Scottish singer and songwriter Christine Kydd at Celtic Connections, 2020 (photo courtesy of Christine Kydd.)Week 35 (#2153)Hear how song documents the toils of past and present work ways and the unsung heroes who have always kept the cogs turning.Dulaman ...by Altan from Island Angel (Green Linnet) Heavy Horses...by Robin Laing from Gentle Giants (Greentrax)Mowing the Machair....by Fine Friday from Mowing the Machair (Foot Stompin') Gone Are the Strong Ones...by Christine Kydd from Gentle Giants (Greentrax)The Shoals of Herring/The Fish Gutters' Song...by Ewan MacColl from Folk on 2: Ewan MacColl (Cooking Vinyl)The Two Conneeleys..by Christy Moore from A River of Sound (Virgin)ID Excerpt: The Real Blues Reel…by Brendan Powers & Mick Kinsella from A River of Sound (Hummingbird Productions)John Barleycorn...by Maddie Prior from Lionhearts (Park)Speed the Plough/The Abbey Reel/The Primrose Lass...by Paul McGrattan from Claddagh’s Choice (Claddagh)Bringing in the Sheaves...by Jim Boyes from All Through the Year (Green Linnet)The Pound a Week Rise....by Dick Gaughan from Prentice Piece (Greentrax)Molly Mallone...by Bohinta from The Great Celtic Airs (Keltia Musique)The Last Trip Home...by Battlefield Band from Leaving Friday Harbour (Temple)The Log Splitter Set...by Tannahill Weavers from Capernaum (Green Linnet)

Week 34 (#2152)Music plays an important role in creating a sense of solidarity and contributing energy to the global collaboration needed to tackle the climate crisis. Music from Luka Bloom, Rhiannon Giddens, Dougie MacLean, and Jean Ritchie help light the way.Dance on the Wind…by Maddy Prior from The Quest (Park)Who Will Heal the Land…by Luka Bloom from Bittersweet Crimson (Big Sky)The Wishing Tree…by Doyle, McCusker, McGoldrick from The Wishing Tree (Under One Sky)The Earth Abides…by Debra Salem , Kevin Mackenzie, Paul Harrison from In A Sma Room (Debra Salem)Ten Thousand Voices…by Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi from There Is No Other (Nonesuch)As Far As the Eye Can See…by The Kruger Brothers from Appalachian Concerto (Double Time Music)The Land…by Dougie MacLean from Marching Mystery (Dunkeld)[ID excerpt] Mussels in the Corner…by Ofra Harnoy from On The Rock (Analekta)Black Waters…by Jean Ritchie from None But One (Greenhays)Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary’s…by Ofra Harnoy from On The Rock (Analekta)New Tomorrow…by Dougie MacLean from New Tomorrow (Dunkeld)The Broken Pledge/Claggy’s Dilemma/Hamilton’s Jig…by Old Blind Dogs from The Collection (Lochshore)Lark in the Morning…by Maddy Prior from Arthur the King (Park)Weather Update…by Sultans of String from Refuge (sultansofstring.com)

Image: Multi-instrumental line up of Poor Man’s Fortune, as featured on this week’s show (photo courtesy of the artists).Week 32 (#2150)This week we re-visit some of the new albums that have captured our attention so far in 2024.Raise Your Glass…Hanneke Cassel from Infinite Brightness (Cassel Records)Run Old River Run…by Dougie MacLean from GNA (Dunkeld Records)Johnny’s…by Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill from The Key’s Within (Tee Nee Dee Music)Toss the Feathers/The Magherabaun Reel…Martin Hayes & The Common Ground Ensemble from Peggy’s Dream (Faction Records)Westlin Winds…by Matt & Shannon Heaton from Whirring Wings (Matt and Shannon Heaton)The Last Days of Fourth Grade/Agaist the Grain/Jig for Tim…by Matt & Shannon Heaton from Whirring Wings (Matt and Shannon Heaton)[ID excerpt] Kate’s Waltz…by Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill from The Key’s Within (Tee Nee Dee Music)The Boyne Water…by Martin Hayes & The Common Ground Ensemble from Peggy’s Dream (Faction Records)Cadal Cuain…by Joy Dunlop from Caoir (Sradag) Jigs…by Joy Dunlop from Caoir (Sradag) Bale Lann-Bihoué/Dans Plin…by Poor Man’s Fortune from Bayou Curious (poormansfortune.com)En Revenany des Noces…by Poor Man’s Fortune from Bayou Curious (poormansfortune.com)Temple Air/Travels and Companions…Hanneke Cassel from Infinite Brightness (Cassel Records)

Image: Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (photo courtesy of Altan).Week 31 (#2149)Join Fiona Ritchie at the Swannanoa Gathering’s Traditional Song Week for a musical conversation with Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, one of Ireland’s most celebrated fiddlers and singers. Guitarist Daithi accompanies Mairead for songs and tunes, while we hear about their remarkable career with top Irish trad band Altan.Donegal Reels: Dark-haired Lass, Biddy from Muckross…by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh with Daithi Sproule live at the Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available).An Mhaighdean Mhada…by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh with Daithi Sproule live at the Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available).The Factory Girl…by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh live at the Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available).[ID excerpt] The Cat the Ate the Candle…by Altan from Altan (Green Linnet)A Tune for Frankie…by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh with Daithi Sproule live at the Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available).Mo Níon Ó…by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh with Daithi Sproule live at the Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available).The Humours of Whiskey…by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh with Daithi Sproule live at the Swannanoa Gathering (private recording not available).Soílse Na Nollag…by Altan with the R.T.E. Concert Orchestra Conducted by David Brophy from 25th Anniversary Celebration (Compass)

Week 30 (#2148)Circumnavigate the globe with the sounds of Afro-Balkan-Latin-Urban-Country-Celtic fusion from Eileen Ivers and other master blenders!Whisky & Sangria…by Eileen Ivers from Crossing the Bridge (Sony)The Road to Corrandulla…by Sharon Shannon, Frankie Gavin, Michael Goldrick, Jim Murray from Tunes (Compass)Braighe Locheil…by Baka Beyond from East to West (Narada)No Place Like Home…by Gerry O’Connor from No Place Like Home (Myriad Media)Co Ni Mire Rium…by Capercaillie from Beautiful Wasteland (Survival)Children of Africa…by Janet Russell & Christine Kydd from Janet Russell & Christine Kydd (Greentrax)Èireann…by Afro Celt Sound System from Afro Celt Sound System Volume 2: Release (Real World)ID Excerpt: M'ionam…by Capercaillie from Beautiful Wasteland (Survival)Homage à Gilles Brunet…by La Bottine Souriante from J’ai Jamais Tant Ri (DEP)Fairy’s Lament/Reel a Bouche…by Kim Robertson from The Spiral Gate (Narada)Kato Sta Limonadika/The Trip to Amnesia…by The House Band from Groundwork (Green Linnet)Zagreb…by Tony McManus, Alain Genty, Soig Siberil from The Clear Stream (Greentrax)The Bear’s Rock…..by Andy Irvine & Davy Spillane from East Wind (Tara Music)Marta’s Dance/The Russian Dervish…by Brendan Power from Brendan Power Plays Music from Riverdance (Greentrax)

Image: Award-winning Scottish band Blazin’ fiddles (photo courtesy of the artists).Week 29 (#2147)Jukebox…by Blazin’ Fiddles from XXV (Blazin’ Records)Red-Winged Blackbird…by Amelia Hogan from Taking Flight (Amelia Hogan)Devil…by Blazin’ Fiddles from XXV (Blazin’ Records)The Glory and the Grey…by Siskin Green from Sisken Green (Limpet)Crescents and Stars…by Rachel Walker and Aaron Jones from Despite the Wind and Rain (Ròs Dearg)Gormshùil Mhòr…by Rachel Walker and Aaron Jones from Despite the Wind and Rain (Ròs Dearg)[ID excerpt] Under One Sky…by John McCusker from The Best of John McCusker (Under One Sky)Leatherwing Bat…by Celia Ramsay and Shay Black from Singer’s Request (Celia Ramsay)The Maid on the Shore…by Celia Ramsay and Shay Black from Singer’s Request (Celia Ramsay)View from the Quiraing…by Seán Heely from Dramagical (Seán Heely)Folk on Foot Theme…by John McCusker from The Best of John McCusker (Under One Sky)The Shepherd Lad…by John McCusker from The Best of John McCusker (Under One Sky)Goodnight Ginger…by John McCusker from The Best of John McCusker (Under One Sky)Larry…by Blazin’ Fiddles from from XXV (Blazin’ Records)

Photo ~ Rod Paterson, singer, guitarist, songwriter (photo credit: Steve Niblock).Week 28 (#2146)A musical tribute to Rod Paterson (1953-2024) whose repertoire spanned everything from Burns songs to the Great American songbook. From his days with Scots trad bands Jock Tamson’s Bairns and Ceolbeg, to the rhythm and swing of The Easy Club, Rod was widely regarded as the finest male Scots Traditional singer of his generation. Enjoy an hour of superb singing and guitar playing from a much loved artist.Black is the Colour…by The Easy Club from Chance or Design (R2)India…by Ceolbeg from Ceolbeg 5 (Greentrax)Brave Lewie Roy/Wantonness…by Jock Tamson’s Bairns from A’ Jock Tamson’s Bairns (Greentrax)The Auld Toon Shuffle…by The Easy Club from Scottish Rhythm & Swing (Greentrax)Shoals of Herring…by Ceolbeg from Cairn Water (Greentrax)I Do it For Your Love…by Rod Paterson from Two Hats (Greentrax)[ID Excerpt] The North Sea Chinaman…by The Easy Club from Chance or Design (R2)The Steggie…by Rod Paterson from Two Hats (Greentrax)The Midlothian Mining Song…by by The Easy Club from Scottish Rhythm & Swing (Greentrax)The Bogend Hairst…by Jock Tamson’s Bairns from Rare (Greentrax)The Dusty Miller…by Rod Paterson from The Complete Songs of Robert Burns, Volume 2 (Linn Records)My Wife’s a Wanton, Wee Thing…by Rod Paterson from The Complete Songs of Robert Burns, Volume 2 (Linn Records)O Rattlin, Roarin Willie…by Rod Paterson from The Complete Songs of Robert Burns, Volume 1 (Linn Records)Parcel of Rogues in a Nation…by Rod Paterson from Songs from the Bottom Drawer (Greentrax)Every Time We Say Goodbye…by Rod Paterson from Two Hats (Greentrax)Mrs Willie Wastle…by Jock Tamson’s Bairns from May You Never Lack a Scone (Greentrax)