We’re nearing the Autumn Equinox, sometimes known as the festival of Mabon, in which the length of the night and the day are equal. It’s a time of balance.
But this year in 2020, we’re experiencing anything but balance. Wildfires rage up and down the West coast, the air is otherworldy in the mingling glow of the smoke and sun. Every day seems to bring to light injustices, concerns, and other challenges that feel overwhelming. That said, since time immemorial, music has been a balm for distressing and difficult times. Celtic music has always spoken to and for the heart. With that in mind, we offer Show 55 as Respite.
Music today travels into the human landscape, and with the sun and the waters. We enjoy a Welsh fairy tale along the way, and head off-trail to experience magical vocal expressions arising from the African-American landscape and a rich mingling of musical tradition and style .
May rains soothe air and land, the breezes be gentle and cleansing, and the wildfires of both earth and heart grow calm.
Harp “sightings”: Enjoy the music of harpers Sandra Parker (she performs piano and her own poem in today’s show), Christina Tourin, Margie Butler (she sings in her piece and plays penny whistle), and Ceri Owen-Jones.
Our second hour is an encore airing of Show 33.
Listen to both shows on demand
01:43 Shantalla – A Band of Gold
05:23 Réalta – Open the Door for Three
08:08 Tannas – O Ho Na Ribeannan / Sean Truibhas / Faca Tu Saor An T-Sabhaidh
14:18 Sandra Parker – High Summer/ Martin Wyndd’s Air
16:12 Christina Tourin – Seal Lullaby
22:39 Golden Bough – The Mermaid’s Song – Song of the Seals
30:25 Ceri Owen-Jones, Elsa Davies, Peter Stevenson – Gvasi Cefn Garsi
36:17 Eve Goodman – Siren Song
40:06 Derw – Dau Gam
46:03 Caladh Nua – Cad é sin don té sin
48:59 Rhiannon Giddens / Wayfaring Stranger
51:24 Jennah Bell / Black Hole Sun
55:58 Mary Dillon / The Boatman
