Burns Night Special
The Pick & Mix has a different twist this week as I celebrate Burns night – load up the haggis and neeps & have a tot of whisky ready to toast the Scotland’s National Bard, 260years since his birth.
Robert Burns is revered the world over, not only by Scots but by all who recognize the genius of the man. Celebrated artists cover songs and in fact have whole albums dedicated to his works.
So listen in and hear the different versions from some of the most beautiful voices and musicians in a mix that will blow the January cobwebs away.
If you need sub-titles or a complete translation I will recommend a guid Scots dictionary.
Interesting Times & more
Hope you enjoy the varied music on the Pick & Mix Show. This week we once again feature a few artists new to the show, people I have seen in some terrific gigs including an ex shinty player & part-time fireman from Spean Bridge (look it up it’s a lovely part of the country), Gary Innes a master of modern accordion playing.
Interesting Times s an album released earlier this year from the Danish ensemble Basco, a terrific live band and they won album of the year at the Danish Folk awards.
I’ve stayed away from Brexit controversy but feature songs relating to other items of news and almost managed to avoid the C word but threw one in just to give a taster for next week.
Stuart Townend and his latest release “Courage” is featured on the Gospel Spot and the title track is very uplifting.
All in all another show to look forward to and I invite you in for a dance and sing-a-long before the jingle bells begin next week – How Lucky Can You Get.
REMEMBER KEMEMBER, LEST WE FORGET.
We have a few crackers left over from Bonfire Night with some Sparkling tracks on the Pick & Mix Show.
There are many new artists to the show with some firm favourites as well. Having seen quite a few artists recently I have promised to showcase their material and together with some new downloads sent to me this makes for another fine interesting show. listen to the lovely tone from the harp of Rachel Newton (The Shee) on her latest solo album recorded at her Grandfather’s house in Wester Ross and there is another new instrument on a track from the kickstart album of Sarah Clayton as she cello-brates it’s launch.
Another Sarah (Skinner) with husband Rob launches their new album Under Utopian Skies, their first since their move to Canada. and we have a track from that too.
Of course at this time of commemorations we cannot forget the legacy of fallen war heroes and we have 2 very apt poignant tracks on the Gospel Spot including a new one from the Scottish Hymns Band.
With the usual mix of Irish & Scots acts this is another fine mix not to be missed – look forward to you joining me.
All Around the World and Turn, Turn Back.
It’s another great mix of music in the pick & mix Show this week and hope there is another batch of new listeners ready to sample the great artists that I have seen lately.
We start off in Shetland with the Auld Fiddler – is that the track or the artist, maybe both then it’s farewell to Coleraine with Damien O’Kane. The tour takes in French Canadian Andre Brunet, the vibrant six piece HEISK before heading off to Australia for the lovely All our Exes Live in Texas
Remembering the Northern Soul era of Wigan Casino as we slither with Al Wilson …hiss before another great Something Old Something new feature.
There are some words from the Bible book of Ecclesiastes even before a great Gospel Spot and as usual an opportunity to dance !
My trip to the Southern Fried – it’s a festival not an eating establishment – gives us a feast of artists to enjoy with perhaps a well known name or two. Who enjoys Gretchen Peters or Iris De Ment.
America is represented by Hillfolk Noir from Idaho, a trio of neo-traditionalists playing traditional music on traditional instruments … real foot tapping stuff and the beautiful voices of Libby Koch and Rachel Levin who I enjoyed meeting again.
Duncan Chisholm takes us to a Precious Place but of course we are there already on Uplift Radio.
So tune in first time on Saturday or catch the encore repeat shows and as usual I welcome your requests on e-mail or phone in. Give me some themes for the special spots. You keep Picking and I’ll keep Mixing.
MUSIC THAT WILL HAVE YOU BEG(LEY)ING FOR MORE.
Hope you enjoyed my Aretha tribute last week. It’s back to a normal (almost) Pick & Mix this time with tracks mainly from 3 gigs I was at a couple of weeks ago, they were all great. With the relaunch of Uplift Radio coming from Kincasslagh Co. Donegal there are hopefully many new listeners from Ireland and so there is a fair sprinkling of Irish related tracks on the show including Sir Harry Lauder Kissing the Blarney Stone. Seamus Begley is a popular singer, accordionist and storyteller from Co Kerry and together with his daughter Meabh and Jim Murray (Sharon Shannon) band gave a great gig I was at so a few tracks from them as well as the Pearl that is veteran Elkie Brooks.
There are so many talented singer songwriters out there and Amanda Ann Platt is up there with best, I saw her with her backing band The Honeycutters -they are from N. Carolina and play good old country / Americana with the use of pedal steel guitar. I have a couple of tracks from their album.
And now that we have blown into Autumn there is a seasonal track from another Begley – Andrea (The Voice).
So listen in if you fancy a dance or just sit back and listen with perhaps a glass of wine (the Lilac flavour).
Killer Licks & Dirty Truth. – Joanne Shaw Taylor
A Blues singer from Birmingham – an unusual combination !! With enough soul to compete with the best the Mississippi Delta has to offer,
Hear my interview with this great Blues Rock guitarist, who has worked with both halves of the Eurythmics, about her newly released album “The Dirty Truth” and her upcoming tour..
Listen in 6 – 8 pm Saturday evening or Sunday noon – 2.
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Carpenter DIY
Join me on the Pick & Mix Show on Sat/Sun where I’m playing second fiddle to no-one !
Playing lots of upbeat tracks that include the fiddle but also there is a great interview with Fred Carpenter a great session fiddler to big country stars. I phoned him at his shop in Nashville just before he embarks on a short tour of Scotland along with Tim May, another great session man (guitar).
Hear their music and the music of some of the great acts they played with.
LET YOUR YEAH BE YEAH AND YOUR NO BE NO
Does the title give it away – yes the Pick & Mix Show this week is a tongue in cheek look at the Referendum question with only a few days to go to the crucial vote !
All the music (almost) is from Scottish artists with some track titles synonymous with voting habits or possible scenarios .. or just a good Scottish song (debatable). Anyway tune in you may just get a laugh or enjoy a good tune or three.
Saturday 6 – 8 pm repeated Sunday noon – 2
Jeremiah – Chapter 1
Dublin based quartet The Jeremiahs are on the show this week. These lads combine original and traditional material to create one of the hottest and most entertaining performances on the music scene today. The Jeremiahs have rapidly become popular on the Dublin Folk scene since their formation in September 2012.
They have been in Scotland for their first tour with a non stop 10 day tour from Aberdeenshire to Wick to the Western Isles and back again. I caught up with them at the end of their first gig in The Tin Hut Gartly. With the usual Irish humour thrown in these lads were great to chat to – catch Brian James, Joe & JC Morel (he’s French)
Their talent and rich musical backgrounds has helped The Jeremiahs create a truly original sound.?A Signature of the Jerermiahs is the fantastic repertoire of old and new folk songs from Ireland, Scotland and England, originality is to the forefront, coupled with Joe’s lilting singing are newly composed melodies played by the rest of the guys.
Catch their music and chat on my show this Saturday (23rd) 6 – pm or noon the following day.
Red Dirt (Skinners) Music
Hi All,
Please join me on the Pick & Mix show once again for 2 hours of excellent music & chat from different genres.
This week we have music from some of the artists performing at the recent Southern Fried Festival – Steve Earle, Roseanne Cash etc.
I also introduce the music of Rob & Sarah Skinner who also gives an interesting frank interview of their music, lives, music writing and their love of touring (especially Scotland). They have won awards in both Country & Blues field and I/m sure you will find their music wonderful to listen to. Hear the thoughts behind the recent album Sinking The Mary Rose and the inspiration for the previous one Home Sweet Home.
Something for everyone on the show – tune in as normal 6 – 8 Saturday evening or noon to 2 Sunday lunch time.
Take care you all.
Gift of the Gabs & a Treat from Baker !!
Listen to the usual great mix of old and new on the show.
The popular Gaberlunzie have been entertaining a loyal following for 45 years, Gordon & Robin appeal to audiences worldwide – essentially Scottish with an emphasis on rhythm and harmony. They have a unique blend of modern and traditional songs and humorous anecdotes. As singers, instrumentalists and songwriters their gift for entertainment is hard to rival in Scottish Folk Music.
Another fine act I saw this week was Sam Baker from Texas, known for his raspy, almost spoken-word vocal style. He is a fascinating guy whose songs bear all the heartache and poignancy that any decent country song should. His life defining moment came when travelling on a train in Peru a terrorist bomb exploded above his head. He lost most of his hearing and suffered serious injuries. After corrective surgery lasting over 10 years the physical, emotional and spiritual journey he experienced helped him form his quiet and passionate view of the world.
If you haven’t heard these fine acts before give them a listen this weekend – go on you know you want to !
Connie Lush on this week’s Pick & Mix Show
Listen to great music and chat from the great Connie Lush – one of the finest Blues singers in the UK having won 5 times the Best Female Vocalist award as well as twice European Blues Vocalist of the year. She has also sang at B.B. King’s Beale Street.
What a Wonderful Gal
Great music from new artists as well on the show with the usual mix of sounds.
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Pick & Mix Show (10.5.14)
Hope you enjoy the different music I play from very talented but not so well known artists.
This week I saw Canadian duo Madison Violet who have a string of awards & nominations under their belt in their homeland. The girls, Brenley & Lisa, spend up to 8 months a year on the road winning fans the old fashioned way, one song at a time one gig at a time.
They were supported by another hard working girl from Bedford, Danni Nicholls who has a great new album out “A Little Redemption” .
Tracks from these 2 acts will feature on this week’s show – don’t miss the best two hours of the week!
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Here’s to you – with the Robinsons (Dana & Susan)
On this week’s Pick & Mix show there is an interview and music from Dana & Susan Robinson from Asheville, North Carolina.
The genius of a Dana and Susan Robinson performance lies in their ability to capture the imagination of their audience, evoking a transformative experience that touches on the deepest humanity. They can make the audience howl with laughter or hush with poignant reflection as they take them on a journey across America and convey the mystery and wonder of the places they visit.
The couple are two guitar-playing, banjo-flailing, fiddle-sawing, and harmony-singing interpreters of the American experience. Their unique blend of contemporary songwriting and traditional Appalachian music bring to their performances a deep understanding of America’s musical heritage.
You’ll hear two rich, intimate voices, intricate and powerful guitar and banjo playing with a handful of fiddle and mandolin thrown in. Dana writes songs and tells stories about America, the land and its people. They bring to their performances an understanding of America’s musical heritage and convey its significance to our culture.
This together with my usual mix of genres and eras will hopefully lighten up your weekend and as yet no Christmas songs … well perhaps!
Hope you enjoy, tell your friends and send in your requests. Love to hear from you .
Brian x
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HARVEST FOLK FESTIVAL
Tune in to the Pick & Mix show this week to hear artists and interviews that performed at The Deeside Harvest Folk Festival last weekend at Finzean.
If Bothy Ballads take your fancy then the interview with Hector Riddell, the current Champion of Champions will take your fancy or if you are into the Shetland Folklore and myths of that airt then listen to what Claire & Frances – The Blyde lasses – have to say.
Music from the great traditional BBC presenter Frieda Morrison and all the great folk she pulled together its a show not to be missed.
Grab a little glass of something sit back and enjoy a traditional Harvest in style.