Citr -- The Saturday Edge

New music from Songlines Magazine, including an amazing Balkan Sampler. Previews of East Van Opry, Celtic Colours, and A Grateful Dead American Beauty Tribute. Plus local concert previews, and plenty of new music from the likes of Bonny Light Horseman, Fortunate Ones, and James Keelaghan

A concert calendar of folk and roots music in Vancouver, a bunch of new releases, R.IP.s to country music legend Loretta Lynn (90), and to Paul Sartin of UK bands Bellowhead and Faustus (51), and a look at Cape Breton's Celtic Colours Festival, which is now underway. Incredible, since it's only a few days since Fiona smashed through there.

Watery songs and stormy songs seemed topical today after Fiona and Ian wreaked their havoc. A big feature on Irish accordion diva Sharon Shannon dominated the show as she brings her trio to town for the first international gig at The Rogue since she played here just before the first lock down. New music from The East Pointers, Rory Block, Jake Blount, LJ Mounteney, Angelique Kidjo, Tradifusio from Valencia, and much more from so many different places and genres it makes my head spin!

New music from Africa, Brazil, and Eastern Europe. Some Ukrainian anthems, a bunch of wonderful indigenous women in song, and a look back at last week's memorable Songbird North show at The Roundhouse. There are FIVE folk and roots shows in town next Saturday October 1st! What to do? Which one to choose? A bit of a guide to help you out, including ticket giveaways for Los Lobos / The Mavericks, and Bear's Den. Then a mini-feature on Irish accordion diva Sharon Shannon, and some great new music from Scotland - and Canada!

A glorious celebration of women (many of them Canadian), including Angelique Kidjo, Mama's Broke, Sharon Shannon, Aine McGeeney (Goitse), Anais Mitchell (Bonny Light Horseman), Molly Donnery (The Haar), Crystal Shawanda, Devora Laye (The Burying Ground), Allison Russell, Oumou Sangare, Fatoumata Diawara, Katherine Priddy, Lydia Hol, Celeidgh Cardinal, Pharis Romero, Della Mae, Indigo Girls, Deirdre Scanlan (Solas), Megan Henderson (Breabach), Kim Carnie, and L J Mounteney. And lots more exotic, earthy, and groovy sounds, old & new, from across the musical spectrum.

Exciting new music from the likes of Angelique Kidjo, Ablaye Cissoko, Loudon Wainwright III, Richard Thompson, Breabach, Pat Chessell, James Keelaghan, LJ Mounteney and many more. Plus previews of Shcryer / Dobres / Hillhouse and Mama's Broke (great name for a band!) coming to town this month. And, of course, a few songs and tunes of Kings and Queens and a Royal Lament for the sadly-departed Elizabeth II. Fin d'un epoque, or what?

Music from the new (Sept / Oct) issue of Songlines Magazine and then a sizable chunk of Canadian music with songs from all across this nation, and a slew of great fiddle tunes at the end.

Some of the finest in folk and roots music from all around the world, including this week's R.I.P. to Pogues' bassist Darryl Hunt, and a few more Lamont Dozier cuts. Plus a couple of tunes from new CDs by Loudon Wainwright III, Shemekia Copeland, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Richard Thompson, and Vancouver's wonderful chanteuse LJ Mounteney. The main feature includes some of the performers appearing at this weekend's Tonder Festival in Denmark - always a fabulous weekend, with lots of Canadians on the bill.

This week I paid respects to 3 recently departed musicians and songwriters: Lamont Dozier, Bob Neuwirth, and Judith Durham. I also aired a whole mess of new releases from across Canada, Africa, Northern Europe, USA, Australia, and beyond; music from many genres, ranging from Old Time fiddle tunes to English trad., from Celtic songs and dance tunes to heartfelt blues, and from instrumental wizards to emotionally-charged songwriters.

Music by many of the standout performers at last weekend's Edmonton Folk Music Festival, plus a generous helping of new releases from all around the world - mostly inspired by reading the virtual pages of Songlines Magazine.

I will post the songs as soon as I can. Right now I'm off to the festival ....

Music from the festivals once again! Western Canadian festivals are in full swing for the first time in 3 years. Hooray!! Featured lots of performers who will be on the bill at next weekend's Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Plus a rather "trippy" start to the show, a look back at Mission last week, and a couple of tracks from Steve Dawson's new CD, and a whole heap of trad at the end.

Mission Folk Music Festival Special, plus some interviews from last weekend's Vancouver Folk Fest, a dose of personal nostalgia, and some real tasty new music

A look back at Island Musicfest in Courtenay, a celebration of Vancouver Folk Music Festival taking place this weekend, and a look ahead to next week's Mission Folk Music Festival. Plus the great new CD from Canadian trio Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, and a whole lot more, including (unrelated) blues fiddlers Sugarcane and Anne Harris, and some tasty Swedes, delectable gypsy jazz and hot zydeco from Quebec, and a look ahead to Jocelyn Pettit's dual CD launch and an intriguing Celtic session next week.

Previews of local festivals in Courtenay, Vancouver and Mission. Plus some new releases and some old favourites.

RIP Rudi Gomis (Orchestra Baobab), a big dollop of African and Latin music, then a whole heap of Canadian artists - most of whom are performing at Island Musicfest, and / or Vancouver Folk Music Festiuval and / or Mission Folk Music Festival later this month. The soulful and bluesy groove eventually gave way to some stunning songwriters, and we finished with the customary Celtic flourish

Also music from the latest Songlines Magazine, a feature on Malian singer and activist Oumou Sangaré, and R.I.P. to the brilliant, understated, Irish-American Celtic trad guitarist Dennis Cahill. Such a sad loss! More Celtic music - especially about trees - and some festival and concert previews, as well as a bit of Canadiana for Canada Day

Music for the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth - June 19 1865, abolition of slavery in the USA. Lots of previews of July festivals in BC, and features on wonderful new albums by Pharis & Jason Romero, and Kobo Town.

Summer Festival Previews, New Releases, Local Concert Previews, Seasonal Songs, and oodles of amazing women: singers, fiddlers, guitarists, and fabulous songwriters.

Also R.I.P.s to Ronnie Hawkins, Kelly Joe Phelps, and Belle du Berry. A nod - of sorts - to the Queen's 70th anniversary, and as many bits of irreverence and celebration and lamenting as anyone can take in 4 hours of the musical mayhem served up today - amidst some pretty horrendous Wi-Fi connection challenges!