CiTR -- The Saturday Edge

A very special edition of the show, with features on Robbie Burns Day, freedom for Malian singer Rokia Traoré, and tributes to Garth Hudson - the last surviving member of The Band - and to French folk singer Gabriel Yacoub, both of whom died this week. There were also a few concert previews, and some exciting new releases on this auspicious date: 25 25 - with a tune called "25%" thrown in for good...

New releases from West Africa and Ireland with plenty of Canadian musical excellence and creativity sandwiched in between.

Eight and a half decades on we see the returning spectre of the evils of fascism and the beginnings of imperial expansion. Herr Drumpf is running the fascist playbook - while Pee Pee bows down and our wonderful, peaceful nation is under threat both from without and from within. In the face of these challenges my only means of retaliation is music, music, music! A sort of Canadian "bandstand" of ho...

Songs and tunes which provided highlights of 2024 in Vancouver and beyond, and a look ahead to what's in store here in 2025. With a special emphasis on supporting musicians by buying their merchandise at gigs or from their websites - and a pox on Spotify and the other rip-off merchants who steal their music and make "curated" playlists (cough, splutter!)

Some of my favourite albums of 2024 (and a few from the tail end of 2023) plus some songs for the end of the old year and to welcome in the new one. While things do look awfully grim these days, the music has been - and continues to be - absolutely stellar.

Some of my favourite songs from the last 37 years of these Winter specials, some brand new releases for the Solstice, and a few surprises along the way, too. We bid a sad farewell to Indian percussion master Ustad Zakir Hussain and to NE songwriter Dave Mallett, plus some new releases and heaps of seasonal songs you definitely won't hear in the Malls.

A plethora of new releases from around the globe to kick off the show, and some exciting new Canadiana kept things running in an ultra-cool northern way. Once again I had TEN PAIRS OF TICKETS to give away to see the second preview of the new Bob Dylan bio-pic, A Complete Unknown. A few new songs of winter, lots more Canadians, and some spirited Celtic music to finish up.

New releases from West Africa, Vancouver, Barcelona, Italy, England, Eire, and Scotland. Plus concert previews, a memorial for the 14 women murdered at Ecole Polytechnique in 1989, a couple of Sugaree songs, and a few cuts to herald the incoming Winter and holiday season.

Plenty of new releases on the show today, including Canadian bands Locarno and Aerialists, as well as Cathy Jordan's Crankie Island Song Project, and Crys Matthews' Reclamation. I also had TEN PAIRS of tickets to give away to the exclusive preview showing of the new movie about Bob Dylan - A Complete Unknown. It will be shown at International Village Cinema in Chinatown on Wednesday December 4th a...

Includes brand new music from the likes of Vancouver's Robyn Lane & The Rhythm Makers, Locarno, Tinariwen, Mauro Durante & Justin Adams, Christy Moore, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, and a wonderful new album by Cathy Jordan of the Irish band Dervish. There is also a feature on the next two bands coming to The Rogue Folk Club: Italian trio Ensemble Sangineto (below) - who were the tal...

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 - f...

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 T...

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, exper...

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 websi...

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 vin...

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...

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 aroun...