CiTR -- The Saturday Edge

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).