Image: a Victorian Stroh violin of the type used in the early recording era by James Scott Skinner, heard in this week’s show.Week 9 (#2075)Join host Fiona Ritchie to explore music captured on 10” shellac discs and some wax cylinders by pioneering artists from a century ago. As well as music from the early recording era, you’ll also hear digital re-masters of recordings and tune versions by today’s artists.Shetland Reels…by Catriona Macdonald from Bold (Peerie Angel Productions)Boys of the Lough/Mary Walker/McFadden’s/Dylan’s…by Brendan Mulvihill from Masters of the Folk Violin (Arhoolie)Lord McDonald/Ballinasloe Fair…by Michael Coleman from The Wheels of the World - Vol. 1 (Yazoo)Hector the Hero…by Tony McManus from Tony McManus (Greentrax)The Bonnie Lass o’ Bon Accord/Marquis of Huntly’s Farewell/The Ten Pound Fiddle…by James Scott Skinner from The Strathspey King (Temple)The Bonnie Lass o’ Bon Accord…by Celtic Fiddle Festival from Rendezvous (Green Linnet)The Laird o’ Drumblair…by James Scott Skinner from The Strathspey King (Temple)Cutting Bracken/Brisk Bob/The Laird o’ Drumblair…by Kevin Burke, Johnny Cunningham, Christian Lemaitre from The Celtic Fiddle Festival (Green Linnet)[ID excerpt] Cradle Song…by Alasdair Savage from Alone With History (Woodland)Mouth Music/Eddie Curran’s Favourite…by Dolores Keane and John Faulkner from Broken Hearted I’ll Wander (Mulligan)Drowsy Maggie…by Patsy Touhy from The Wheels of the World - Vol. 2 (Yazoo)Crossing the Bridge…by Eileen Ivers from Crossing the Bridge (Sony)Tell Her I Am/The Trip to Sligo…by Michael Coleman from The Wheels of the World - Vol. 2 (Yazoo)Ballydesmond Polkas…by Kevin Burke from Sligo Made (Loftus)If You Were Mine…by Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac from Seinn (turtlemusik)Money Musk/Johnny will You Marry Me/Keel Row…by James Morison Orchestra from The Wheels of the World - Vol. 1 (Yazoo)

Week 8 (#2074)A red dragon on a white and green background: Wales surely has one of the world’s coolest flags. Even if you don’t fly the dragon or wear a daffodil or leek on St. David’s Day, you’ll enjoy delving into the distinctive world of Welsh music this week.Blodau’r Flwyddyn…by Crasdant from Nos Sadwrn Bach | Not Yet Saturday (Sain)Yma o Hyd…by Dafydd Iwan from Kindred Spirit (Keltia Musique)Castell Caernarfon/Pib Ddawns Aberhonddu/Llys Warpool…by Ar Log from The Best of Ar Log (Sain)Y Darlun…by Lleuwen Steffan from Penmon (Gwymon)Yr Hen Gwcw…by Neil Browning from Scwîsbocs (Sain)Suo Gân…by Tudur Morgan from The Celtic Lullaby (Elipsis Arts)[ID excerpt] Clychau Aberdyfi…by Ar Log from The Best of Ar Log (Sain)All Through the NIght…by Adagio Trio from Celtic Heart (Adagio Trio)Glan Môr Heli…by Carreg Lafar from Celtic Planet (Hearts of Space)The Flowing Tide/The Gypsies/The Roaring Hornpipe…by Debi Benton Grosjean, Lars Johannesson, Jack Gilder, Chris Caswell from Celtic Voyage (Gourd Music)Canu Myfanwy…by Lleuwen Staffan from Music of Wales (Sain)Spirit of Solva…by Meic Stevens from Music of Wales (Sain)Harbwr Corc,,,by Cerys Matthews from Explorer (Tigeregg)Welsh Arrow Suite…by Pierre Bensusan from Encore (Dadgad Music)

Image: Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini (photo by Shamil Tanna courtesy of the artist).Week 7 (#2073)Expand your horizons by exploring the global reach of music from Celtic roots, with cross cultural collaborations.Lovers of Light…by Afro Celt Sound System from Volume 2: Release (Narada)Honeycomb…by Luke Jackson from Journals (First Take)Les Barricades Mystérieuses (baritone guitar)…by Tony McManus from Mysterious Boundaries (Greentrax)Òran an-t-Saighdeir…by Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac from Seinn (Factor)Uplift…by Barry Reid from Breathing Space (Barry Reid)The Hamars o’ Syradale…by the Chair from The Road to Hammer Junkie (lovethechiar.com)[ID excerpt] Sandy Boys…by Timothy Cummings from The Piper in the Holler (Birchen Music)Over the Waterfall…by Michelle Shocked from Arkansas Traveller (PolyGram)Black is the Color…by Rhiannon Giddens from Tomorrow is My Turn (Nonesuch)Linkum Doddie/Jenny Nettles…by Timothy Cummings from The Piper in the Holler (Birchen Music)Carolina Rua/The ladies Pantalettes…by The Chieftains with Imelda May from Voice of Ages (Hear Music)Lundu…by The Chieftains with Carlos Núñez from Voice of Ages (Hear Music)Hard Times Come Again No More…by The Chieftains with Paolo Nutini from Voice of Ages (Hear Music)Rjukan…by Kyle Warren from Relentless (Greentrax)From the Archives: Scott Simon interviews Paolo Nutini on NPR’s Weekend Edition in 2014:

Week 6 (#2072)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)

Week 5 (#2071)Some years ago, Scottish Gaelic psalm singers met and sang with the Mount Zion CPCA Church Gospel Choir from Alabama to explore the connections and contrasts in the performance styles and traditions of African-American and Hebridean psalm singing. We revisit this unique musical gathering and the creative exchanges it still inspires.Swallowtail…by Martyn Bennett from Martyn Bennett (Eclectic)Oran Do Mhartainn…by Calum Martin with Isobel Ann Martin, Fraser Fifield and Malcolm Jones from Salm & Soul (Ridge)Bethesda/Bangor…by Fraser Fifield and Malcolm Jones from Salm & Soul (Ridge)Kilmarnock…by Calum Martin and the congregation of Back Free Church, Isle of Lewis from Salm: Volume 1 (Ridge)Sing Halleluiah…by Mt. Zion CPCA Church Choir & Friends from Salm & Soul (Ridge)Dundee. Salm 103…by The Gaelic Psalm Singers from Salm & Soul (Ridge)It’s Gonna Rain…by Mt. Zion CPCA Church Choir & Friends from Salm & Soul (Ridge)[ID excerpt] I Love to Praise His Name…by Irvin Anderson from Salm & Soul (Ridge)Inexile…by Capercaillie with Sibeba (now Hijas Del Sol) from Beautiful Wasteland (Survival)Co Ni Mire Rium…by Capercaillie with Sibeba (now Hijas Del Sol) from Beautiful Wasteland (Survival)Oran nam Mogaisean…by Martyn Bennett and Margaret Bennet from Glen Lyon (Foot Stompin’)Fhir a, Leadain Thlàth…by Martyn Bennett and Margaret Bennet from Glen Lyon (Foot Stompin’)Medley: Loch Rannoch by Martyn Bennett / Amazing Grace and Stornoway excerpts by Mt. Zion CPCA Church Choir and The Gaelic Psalm Singers / The Kitchen Piper by Martyn Bennett from Salm & Soul (Ridge)

Image: Robert Burns Birthplace Museum (National Trust for Scotland)Week 4 (#2070)We celebrate the timeless songs of Robert Burns, when celebrations of his legacy in words and music are held throughout the world.The Lea Rig…by The Paul McKenna Band from Between Two Worlds (Greentrax) Now Westlin Winds…by Dick Gaughan from Gaughan Live! At the Trades Club (Greentrax) Ae Fond Kiss…by Corrina Hewat from My Favourite Place (Foot Stompin’)Braw Lads o’ Gala Water…by Ed Miller from Lyrics of Gold (Wellfield) Highland Mary…by Jim Malcolm from Acquaintance (Beltane) Rigs o’ Barley…by Emily Smith from A Day Like Today (Foot Stompin’) [ID excerpt] Brose and Butter…by Corrina Hewat from My Favourite Place (Foot Stompin’) The Slave’s Lament…by Feisty Besoms from Auld Flames (Feisty Besoms) Parcel of Rogues in a Nation…by Rod Paterson from Songs from the Bottom Drawer (Greentrax) Ye Jacobites…by Eddi Reader from Eddi Reader Sings the Songs of Robert Burns (Compass) Aye Walkin’ O…by Jock Tamson’s Bairns from Rare (Greentrax) O My Luve’s Like a Red, Red Rose…by June Tabor from Rosa Mundi (Green Linnet) Auld Lang Syne…by Jim Malcolm from Acquaintance (Beltane) Ye Banks and Braes o’ Bonie Doon…by Ferintosh from Ferintosh (Ferintosh.com)

Week 3 (#2069)The New Year has always delivered on the promise of new music. Fiona Ritchie hand-picks and hour’s worth of irresistible tracks from recent releases.I Sing Because…by Pauline Vallance from The World’s a Gift (paulinevallance.co.uk)The Whitbread Case…by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie from We Have Won the Land (grahamrorie.com)Nerthus…by Barry Nisbet from The Springbank Voyage (Rattled Rug Music)The Belles of St. Louis…by Kevin Buckley from Big Spring (kevin-buckley.com)Tui Bird…by Pauline Vallance from from The World’s a Gift (paulinevallance.co.uk)Estrellas…by Sarah Markey from Leaving Lurgangreen (Sarah Markey CD)[ID ecerpt] Griminish…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Back in the Room (SGNG CD)Puirt a Beul…by Fiona J. Mackenzie from Tac’ An Teine (Greentrax)Ailein Duinn…by Fiona J. Mackenzie from Tac’ An Teine (Greentrax)The Optician’s…by Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd from Back in the Room (SGNG CD)Summer in Skye Suite…by Alastair Savage from Tunes from the River (Woodland Records)We Have Won the Land …by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie from We Have Won the Land (grahamrorie.com)

(The Poetry Path - Photo by Fiona Ritchie)Week 2 (#2068)Music plays a part in shining a ray of hope into the year that lies ahead. John McCutcheon, Tim O’Brien, Luka Bloom, and Peggy Seeger remind us all to have something to hope for.Reel à Bouche…by John McCutcheon from Water From Another Time (Rounder)Shadow of the Mountain…by Dougie MacLean from New Tomorrow (Dunkeld)Yellow Coat…by Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac from Seinn (Factor)The Beauty of Everyday Things…by Luka Bloom from Bittersweet Crimson (BigSky)Well for Zoë…by Karine Polwart and Tim O’Brien from Wells for Zoê Water for Life (Compass)Sitting on Top of the World…by Doc Watson from Trouble in Mind (Sugar Hill)How I Long For Peace…by Peggy Seeger from First Farewell (Red Grape)[ID excerpt] Keeping Up with Calum…by Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac from Seinn (Factor)The Great Storm is Over…by John McCutcheon from Water From Another Time (Rounder)Sunday River Waltz…by Bruce MacGregor, Christine Hansen and Friends from Kissin’ is the Best of A’ (Brechin All)Light on a Distant Shore …by Ossian from Light on a Distant Shore (Iona)Seudan a’ Chuain…by Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac from Seinn (Factor)

Week 1 (#2067)We toast the New Year with songs and tunes written about whisky, the rival to champagne as the traditional tipple of new year revellers.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)

(Photo: Blackrock Cottage, Glencoe)Week 52 (#2066)Looking forward and moving on, we mark our passage into a New Year with an upbeat hour of live recordings with audiences gathered throughout the worlds of Celtic music.Glenlogie…by Jim Malcolm from Live in Glenfarg (Beltane) Katie Campbell’s Rambles/Streets of Forbes…by Niamh Parsons from Loosely Connected (Greentrax)Man of Arran…by Niamh Parsons featuring the Loose Connections from Loosely Connected (Greentrax)Canan Nan Gaidheal…by Scottish Women & Band from Scottish Women (Greentrax)Trip to Skye…by Skolvan from Live in Italia (Keltia Musique) Sir Patrick Spens…by Jim Malcolm from Live in Glenfarg (Beltane) ID Excerpt: Flowers of Edinburgh…by Jim Malcolm from Live in Glenfarg (Beltane) Bogey’s Bonnie Belle…by Christy Moore, Donal Lunny & Jimmy Faulkner from Live in Dublin (Tara Music) The Rocky Road to Dublin/Indian Ate the Woodchuck…by Mozaik from Live From the Powerhouse (Compass) Breileach…by Capercaillie from Dusk Till Dawn (Survival) The Big Set…by The Unusual Suspects from Live in Scotland (Foot Stompin’) The Kerry Dances…by Frankie Gavin and Stephane Grappelli from Frankie Gavin 2003-2004 Collection (Frankie Gavin)

(Photo by Fiona Ritchie)Week 51 (#2065)Enjoy the rich acoustic instruments and voices of the festive season, with tales of tradition, rhymes of remembrance, and the unique flavors of a Celtic Christmas.The Castle of Dromore...by Cherish the Ladies from On Christmas Night (Rounder) Into the Light...by Al Petteway & Amy White from Winter Tidings (Maggie's Music) The Holly and the Ivy...by Kerfuffle from Lighten the Dark (Kerfuffle)Sweet Bells...by Phil Cunningham and Friends from Phil Cunningham's Christmas Songbook (Vertical) Caílin Na Gruaige Doinne/New Year's Eve/The Palm Tree...by Cherish the Ladies from Heart of the Home (cherishtheladies.com) Travellers' Prayer...by John Renbourn from Traveller's Prayer (Shanachie) [ID excerpt] God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen...by Jerry Reed Smith & Lisa Maria Smith from One Wintry Night (Silent Planet) Carol of the Birds...by Matt & Shannon Heaton from Fine Winter's Night (MattandShannonHeaton.com) Improvisation on Dona Nobia Pacem...by Chris Thile and Edgar Meyer from Yo-Yo Ma and Friends Songs of Joy & Peace (Sony)The Gift...by Maddie Prior & the Carnival Band from Ringing the Changes (Park) Patapan/O come, O come Emmanuel...by Mindy Gledhill from Winter Moon (Blue Morph) The Storm...by Jerry Reed Smith & Lisa Maria Smith from One Wintry Night (Silent Planet) Christ Child's Lullaby/Star in the East/Born in Bethny...by Al Petteway & Amy White from Winter Tidings (Maggie's Music)

(Photo by Fiona Ritchie)Week 50 (#2064)Midwinter in the northern hemisphere is a shared experience. Hear the music that keeps you company through the shortest days of the year.Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow...by Cherish the Ladies from A Star in the East (Big Mammy) 
Silent Night...by Phil Cunningham with Karen Matheson from Phil Cunningham's Christmas Songbook (Vertical) Chickadee's Christmas/365 Days till Christmas/A Tribute to Larry Reynolds...by Phil Cunningham and friends from Phil Cunningham's Christmas Songbook (Vertical)
Lovely Molly Mae...by Phil Cunningham and friends from Phil Cunningham's Christmas Songbook (Vertical)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/The Reel Beatrice...by Phil Cunningham with Eddi Reader from Phil Cunningham's Christmas Songbook (Vertical) 
Mainistir na Búille...by California Revels from Christmas in an Irish Castle (www.calrevels.org)
Bán-chnuic Éireann Óighe...by California Revels from Christmas in an Irish Castle (www.calrevels.org) 
Wexford Carol...by California Revels from Christmas in an Irish Castle (www.calrevels.org) 
[ID excerpt] God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen...by Cherish the Ladies from A Star in the East (Big Mammy)Aberystwyth/The Jolly Shepherds...by Bonnie Rideout and guests from A Scottish Christmas - The Celebration (Tulloch)
Auld Lang Syne...by Bonnie Rideout and guests from A Scottish Christmas - The Celebration (Tulloch) 
A Dash for the Presents/Joy to the World/Parnell's March...by Cherish the Ladies from A Star in the East (Big Mammy) 
Christ Child's Lullaby...by Cherish the Ladies from A Star in the East (Big Mammy) 
Tam the Gun/Wee Michael's March/Ack Stirling's March...by Phil Cunningham and friends from Phil Cunningham's Christmas Songbook (Vertical)