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Folk Roots Radio Episode 418: The Best of 2018 – The Next 15

Dec 28 2018

There are no interviews on Episode 418 of Folk Roots Radio as we check out more of our favourite albums of the year. We’ve already released The Top 10 on Episode 417 of Folk Roots Radio. This time around we check out The Next 15, featuring some of our favourite tracks from those albums. It’s a great privilege to bring lots of great music and interviews to you each week on Folk Roots Radio, something we’re looking forward to continuing throughout the next year. Listen to tracks from The Next 15 and check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 417: The Best of 2018 - The Top 10

Dec 28 2018

It’s that time of year… we’re holding back the interviews on Folk Roots Radio as we check out our ten favourite albums of 2018. One of the best things about doing a radio show is getting loads of great music to listen to each week. One of the hardest things to do, though, is to take all that fabulous music and narrow it down to your ten favourite recordings of the year. To make the selection process go as smoothly as possible, I actually start off with about 40 albums that I’ve really enjoyed, and narrow that down to a 25 album long list, and then select what I consider my ten favourite albums. You can check out The Top 10 on this episode, and The Next 15 on Episode 418 of Folk Roots Radio. So here they are… in reverse order, Folk Roots Radio’s favourite albums of 2018. Listen to The Top 10 and check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 416: Folk Roots Radio At The End Of The Year

Dec 18 2018

Episode 416 is the third of three special episodes of Folk Roots Radio to celebrate the season. An all music episode, we move towards the end of the year with a selection of music that covers the bases… we have some seasonal music, we have some wintery music and we also have some music that sounds wintery but actually it’s a bit political. It’s all good stuff, because on this show we only play good music and if we’re going to play it, it has to feel good next to everything else. So sit back, grab another glass of egg nog and enjoy more Folk Roots Radio at the end of the year with music from Laura Mulcahy, Georgian Bay, The O’Pears, Bill Keith, Richard Ruane & Beth Duquette, Randall Kromm, Katherine Rondeau, Iain Thomson And Marc Duff, Arnie Naiman, Carla Gover & Zoey Barrett (from Zoe Speaks), Naming The Twins, Laura Zucker, Susan J. Berman, Sofia Talvik and Ian Foster & Nancy Hynes. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 415: Allison Lupton & Folk Roots Radio For The Holidays

Dec 17 2018

We’re back with more holiday music on Episode 415 of Folk Roots Radio. I don’t know about you, but I love Christmas music, I just hate the way it gets used as a cheap marketing tool, especially if you’re in the mall, or the grocery store or dare I say it, listening to the radio. So here it is, another attempt at some thoughtful and insightful holiday music programming – featuring mostly new self-written songs, and if they’re not original compositions, well let’s just say the artists concerned definitely take them off the beaten track. We also talk to Cambridge ON singer-songwriter Allison Lupton about her new Christmas single “The Eve of Christmas Day”, recorded with the fabulous English vocal trio The Young’uns alongside music from The O’Pears, Faron Young, Eddie Cletro with The Frontiersmen, Jimmy Witherspoon, Hank Snow, Johnny Salad, Ian Foster & Nancy Hynes, Meghan Cary, Lennie Gallant, Bob MacLean, Naming The Twins, Randall Kromm, Delta Moon, Sarah Smith and Suzzy Roche with Family and Friends. So take off your Santa suit, put your feet up and enjoy some great music to celebrate the season! Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 414: Sultans of String & Folk Roots Radio For The Holidays

Dec 12 2018

We love seasonal music on Folk Roots Radio – what we don’t love is more straight up versions of the same old Christmas songs and carols. Join us on Episode 414 of Folk Roots Radio as we celebrate the season with a selection of music that’s mostly new, independent and definitely interesting. We also include an interview with Chris McKhool, the leader of world music combo, the Sultans Of String, who are taking their “Christmas Caravan” back out on the road this holiday season alongside music from Ian Foster & Nancy Hynes, Rich Krueger, Reg Meuross, Kelly’s Lot, Vi Wickam, Bob Jensen & Tony McManus, Rachael Sage, Mara Levine, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer and Eric Gerber. It’s a great episode, and the perfect accompaniment to a glass of your favourite tipple and a mince pie, or two. Check out the full playlist below.

Jonathan Byrd Pickup Cowboy - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Dec 09 2018

North Carolina singer-songwriter Jonathan Byrd has just released his latest album “Pickup Cowboy”, the follow up to his great 2014 album “You Can’t Outrun The Radio”. The new album was actually delayed for a couple of years, after the sad death of cellist Paul Ford – long time member of Jonathan’s backing band ‘The Pickup Cowboys’. Paul was diagnosed with a brain tumour on the last day of recording the new album, and passed away a year later. The album was finally completed in Winnipeg with the help of Joanna Miller on drums, and Alexa Dirks and Andrina Turenne on backing vocals alongside Byrd and long time multi-instrumentalist and guitarist Johnny Waken. Pickup Cowboy features ten songs, eight Byrd originals (one a co-write with Charles Humphrey III, formerly with the Steep Canyon Rangers) and two songs by fellow singer-songwriter Matt Fockler, the inspiration for the title track. To learn more about the new album, we caught up with Jonathan Byrd at home in North Carolina. Visit Jonathan Byrd online at jonathanbyrd.com. Music: Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys “Pickup Cowboy”, “When The Well Runs Dry” and “Do You Dream” from “Pickup Cowboy” (2018, Waterbug Records).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 413: feat. The O’Pears & More Songs About Winter

Dec 06 2018

We celebrate the start of winter on Episode 413 of Folk Roots Radio with an interview with Toronto based vocal trio The O’Pears who have just released a lovely winter themed second album “Stay Warm”. We also stay with the winter theme as we check out music from Allison Lupton, Kenneth Paul Cooper, Kim Moberg, Sofia Talvik, Bob MacLean, David Lamotte and Katey Laurel. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 412: feat. Carly Dow & More New Releases

Dec 06 2018

Episode 412 of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with banjo toting Manitoba based roots singer-songwriter, Carly Dow, who sat down with us at the 2018 Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her great new sophomore release “Comet”. We also check out more of the new music we’ve received including new releases from Caribou Run, Davie Furey, David Milton, Rachel Beck, Jesse Matas, Craig Bickhardt, Ben Heffernan and Abigail Lapell. Check out the full playlist below.

Ellen Froese - Folk Roots Radio at Folk Music Ontario

Dec 05 2018

Multi-instrumentalist Ellen Froese grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan, and describes herself as a young hip-swinger who is not Joan Baez or a sheep, but the vibrato in her voice may suggest otherwise – which provides a big hint as to how much fun she is on stage. Ellen, who is also a member of folk trio In With The Old (currently on hiatus), released her second solo album “Ellen Froese” in Fall 2017. She’s now working on the follow-up with her backing band ‘The Hot Toddies’. Ellen Froese sat down with Folk Roots Radio at the 2018 Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her music. Visit Ellen Froese online at ellenfroese.com. Music: Ellen Froese “New Year’s”, “Oh Alice” and “I Wish I Had A Foot Long Cigarette” from “Ellen Froese” (2017, Self) CDN.

The O’Pears – Stay Warm – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Dec 05 2018

“Stay Warm”, the new winter themed album by Toronto’s The O’Pears is quite lovely, and highly recommended for those of us who love snuggling up with some good tunes during the dark days of the winter. This is definitely not your typical seasonal fare, as it very carefully skirts the schmaltz and over the top nature of many holiday albums, in favour of a grounded approach that focuses more on winter as the season, recognizing the challenges that many people feel at this time of year, but also celebrates the joy of settling down to enjoy the shortest of days with family and good friends. The album features twelve songs – seven originals (including a musical version of Boris Pasternak’s poem “Winter’s Night”), a well chosen cover (Joni Mitchell’s River) and a few winter classics with some fine band arrangements, beautiful harmonies and wonderful a cappella. To learn more about the new album, we caught up with Lydia Persaud, Meg Contini & Jill Harris from the O’Pears at home in Toronto. For more information about The O’Pears and their upcoming tour dates visit theopears.com. Music: The O’Pears “A Candle Burned”, “Stay Warm”, “Hearts Grow Fonder” and “Find The Sun” from “Stay Warm” (2018, self) CDN.

Big Little Lions – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Dec 02 2018

The Big Little Lions are Helen Austin and Paul Otten. A remarkable songwriting duo, they actually live in two different places – Helen on Vancouver Island, and Paul in Cincinnati OH, and send song ideas back and forward as they work on them, individually and together. Big Little Lions released their latest album “Alive And Well” in February 2018 – a very well received folk pop recording chock full of poppy songs with clever hooks and great harmonies, and, in some cases, a distinct message. Helen and Paul from Big Little Lions sat down with Jan Hall from Folk Roots Radio at the 2018 Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about their music. Visit Big Little Lions online at biglittlelions.com. Music: Big Little Lions “Against The Wall”, “Static” and “Find Your Tribe” from “Alive And Well” (2018, Self) CDN.

Jesse Matas Tamarock – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Dec 02 2018

Crooked Brother Jesse Matas released a fabulous solo album this year, “Tamarock”. Every now and again an album pops up on your radar that makes you sit up take notice – Tamarock is one of those albums. Jesse Matas has a great vocal style, the album features some fine playing, with a lovely sonic palate and a production that really gives all the instruments space to breath. But, above all, it’s full of some really interesting songs with great lyrical imagery – and that’s what makes this album, a recording that you really need to check out. Recorded (mostly) live-off-the-floor at Private Ear Recording in Winnipeg MB, Tamarock is Jesse’s first release since 2014’s “Thank You, I’m Sorry”, the third album from the Crooked Brothers. It’s definitely one of our favourite albums of the year. We caught up with Jesse Matas at home in Waterloo ON to chat about the new album. Upcoming dates (solo): Burdock (Toronto, December 6), Yeti Cafe (Kitchener,December 7), Silence (Guelph, December 8). Visit Jesse Matas online at jessematas.com. Music: Jesse Matas “Hardline”, “Monarch”, “Walking Human”, “Before, We” from “Tamarock” (2018, Self) CDN.

Carol Welsman – A Baby Grand Jazz Christmas

Nov 30 2018

We don’t normally cover jazz on Folk Roots Radio but this is a rather special event, and the perfect gift for a loved one this holiday season. Acclaimed Canadian singer and pianist Carol Welsman will be coming to the Mary Webb Centre in Highgate ON on Saturday December 15 for a very special show of jazz and pop holiday classics billed as a Baby Grand Jazz Christmas. There will also be wine tasting courtesy of Pelee Island Winery and a Christmas Market. The show starts at 8 p.m. (Doors at 6 p.m.). Tickets are $40 in advance ($45 on the day of the concert). You can buy tickets online HERE. Carol Welsman joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about the show. Visit Carol Welsman online at carolwelsman.com. Music: Carol Welsman “What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life” from “Swing, Ladies, Swing – A Tribute To Singers Of The Swing Era” (1999, Welcar Music) and “The Christmas Song” from “Journey” (promotional single) (2011, Justin Time) CDN.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 411: feat. Karen Morand & More New Releases

Nov 28 2018

Windsor ON singer-songwriter Karen Morand joins us in the studio on Episode 411 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her great new EP, “Every Flash Of Light” which was recorded in St.Thomas, ON with Deni Gauthier. We also check out more of the new music we’ve received including music from Lucy Kaplansky, Joe Crookston, Dave McEathron, Ray Lambiase, Rich Krueger, Dave Hadfield and Natalie Merchant & Friends. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 410: feat. Ken Tizzard & More New Releases

Nov 28 2018

Episode 410 of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with singer-songwriter Ken Tizzard chatting about his latest release “A Good Dog Is Lost” – his loving tribute to Newfoundland Songsmith Ron Hynes who sadly passed away in 2015. We also check out more of the latest new releases, including new music from Paul Sachs, House Of Hamill, Tom Rush, Abby Zotz, Steafan & Saskia, Jesse Winchester and The Lay Awakes. Check out the full playlist below.

Nov 28 2018

Acclaimed Cambridge ON singer-songwriter and vocalist Allison Lupton has just released a new single for Christmas, an original song entitled “The Eve of Christmas Day”. The new single was recorded at Canterbury Music Company in Toronto and also features BBC Radio 2 Folk Music award-winning trio The Young’uns (Sean Cooney, David Eagle, Michael Hughes) on backing vocals, New Hampshire guitar master Craig Werth, and a wonderful brass quintet arrangement by Tom Leighton. Check out the great video from the recording session HERE. Allison Lupton will be releasing her fourth full length album “Words Of Love” in March 2019 with release shows planned for Hugh’s Room Live (March 30), Kingston (May 24), Almonte (May 25), Goderich (May 31) and Cambridge (June 1). Allison will be joined by Tony McManus, Shane Cook, Joe Phillips, Ivan Rosenberg, and Andrew Collins. We caught up with Allison at home in Cambridge ON to chat about the new single. Visit Allison Lupton online at allisonlupton.com. Music: Allison Lupton “Half My Heart” from “Half My Heart” (2014, Self) and “The Eve Of Christmas Day” (single) (2018, self).

Sultans Of String Christmas Caravan – Back On The Road

Nov 22 2018

Sultans Of String are taking their Christmas Caravan out on the road again this holiday season, with an extensive tour that takes in B.C. and Ontario and then heads into the US, and depending on the date features some special guests. Christmas Caravan isn’t your typical holiday album – as the band and their guest performers take seasonal music into another realm altogether, with some fine vocals performances, wonderful high octane world beat music and some fabulous virtuoso musicianship. On this tour, the Sultans of String will also be raising money for the United Nations Agency for Refugees (UNHCR) in Canada who provide shelter, food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance to refugees around the world. You can donate online HERE. Sultans of String leader Chris McKhool joined us again on Folk Roots Radio to chat about the upcoming tour. Check out all their tour dates at sultansofstring.com. Music: Sultans of String “Jesous Ahatonhia (Huron Carol)” (feat. Crystal Shawanda) and “The Little Swallow/Al Vuelo” (feat. The City of Prague Symphony Orchestra) from “Christmas Caravan” (2017, Self) CDN.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 409: feat. Tannis Slimmon & More New Releases

Nov 21 2018

Episode 409 of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with Guelph singer-songwriter Tannis Slimmon who has been making music for over thirty years. Amazingly, she has done so while holding down a career in research at the University of Guelph. Over the years, Tannis Slimmon has been involved in The Bird Sisters, The Lucky Sisters, Boreal, Ondine Chorus, Essentia and more – while producing three wonderful solo albums including the Canadian Folk Music Award winning “Lucky Blue” from 2007. The good news is that Tannis is now making music full-time which makes it a very good time to catch up. We also take a look at more of the latest new releases, including new music from Kaia Kater, The HillBenders, Craig Robertson, Vishtèn, Rachel Baiman, Childsplay, Andrea Ramolo, and Jay Aymar. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 408: feat. Innes Wilson & More New Releases

Nov 21 2018

Guelph alt.folk singer-songwriter Innes Wilson joins us on Episode 408 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest album, a four song E.P. “Seaview”. We also check out more of the latest new releases we’ve received including new music from Lucy Wainwright Roche, John Wort Hannam, Monika Wall, Ray Bonneville, Ivan Rosenberg, John Muirhead, Stephen Fearing and Tomato Tomato. Check out the full playlist below.

Nov 20 2018

Moonfruits are a bilingual folk duo featuring the beautiful harmonies Kaitlin Milroy and Alex Millaire, who captivate audiences with their songs and stories, often accompanied by just a banjo or parlour guitar. Moonfruits released their sophomore recording “Ste-Quequepart” in 2016, a French language folk concept album about a magical little town – that celebrates the lives of its inhabitants in song, and through those souls, the lives of everyday people living in small towns or communities the world over. Moonfruits bring an emotional passion and authenticity to their music that truly makes their music come alive, especially when they are telling stories about Ste-Quequepart. Kaitlin Milroy and Alex Millaire sat down with Jan Hall from Folk Roots Radio at the 2018 Folk Music Ontario conference. For more information about Moonfruits and their upcoming tour dates, visit moonfruits.ca. Music: Moonfruits “Les Marins”, “Ste-Quequepart”, “La Légende De Roustabout” and “Roustabout” from “Ste-Quequepart” (2017, Self) CDN

Ken Tizzard A Good Dog Is Lost – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Nov 19 2018

Rock bassist turned singer-songwriter Ken Tizzard has just released “A Good Dog Is Lost: A Collection Of Ron Hynes Songs”, a loving tribute to the Newfoundland songsmith who sadly passed away in 2015. Born and raised in St Johns, and now based in Campbellford ON, Ken Tizzard had a long career playing bass with Canadian rock bands The Watchmen and Thornley before setting out on a folk music career. Ken Tizzard considered Ron Hynes a friend and a mentor in the development of his own career as a singer-songwriter. The roots of this new project date back to November 2013, when Ron asked Ken to accompany him on bass for a 12-date duo tour of Newfoundland and Labrador. After the loss of his friend, as part of the grieving process, Ken Tizzard created an acclaimed one-man show, Hynesight, that was performed at the Westben Arts Festival Theatre in Campbellford. The new album is a natural progression from those performances, and features eleven Ron Hynes songs with support from Ken Tizzard’s regular bassist Ken Grant, drummer Steve Dagg, multi-instrumentalist Luke Mercier (fiddle, banjo, mandolin), and guitarist Ken Kelly; with cameos from Ron Hynes sideman Paul Kinsman (accordion) with backing vocals from Amelia Curran and Ken’s daughters Caitlyn and Cassidy Tizzard. We caught up with Ken Tizzard at home in Campbellford to chat about the new project. For more information, visit kentizzard.com. Music: Ken Tizzard “A Good Dog Is Lost”, “Judgement” and “St John’s Waltz” from “A Good Dog Is Lost: A Collection Of Ron Hynes Songs” (2018, Self).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 407: feat. Gathering Sparks & More New Releases

Nov 13 2018

Gathering Sparks are the graceful collision of Jane Lewis and Eve Goldberg – musical friends who bonded over finely tuned harmonies and the craft of songwriting. Their inclusive approach embraces folk, pop, blues and gospel influences tastefully played on acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, and ukulele. Eve and Jane join us on Episode 407 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their music. They also play three live songs for us. It’s a great interview, and definitely worth checking out. We also check out new music from Belle Plaine, Zoe Speaks, Rachel Baiman, Kate Campbell, Childsplay and Lucy Wainwright Roche. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 406: feat. Annie Sumi & More New Releases

Nov 13 2018

Guelph based singer-songwriter Annie Sumi joins us on Episode 406 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her music, and latest album, 2017’s “In The Unknown”, which earned her a 2018 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for New/Emerging Artist of the Year. We also take a look at more of the new releases we’ve received including new music from Jesse Matas, Vivian Leva, Andrea Ramolo, Jay Aymar, Innes Wilson, Craig Bickhardt, John Gorka and Jennifer Holub. Check out the full playlist below.

Innes Wilson - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Nov 10 2018

Guelph alt-folk singer-songwriter Innes Wilson landed on our radar earlier this year with his very well-received long player “Northumberland Slums”. A stripped down affair featuring just Innes Wilson’s voice, tenor guitar, tenor banjo and harmonica – that was actually his second new album after a six year break, the indie-pop “Bedford Hills EP” arriving in 2017. Innes Wilson has just released a further album, the four song EP “Seaview”. We caught up with Innes Wilson at home in Guelph to chat about his music. For more information about Innes Wilson, visit inneswilson.bandcamp.com. Music: Innes Wilson “Rough Falls” from “Seaview” (2018, Out Of Sound), “As Ink Dries” from “Northumberland Slums” (2018, Out Of Sound) and “The Ballad Of Earl Rowe” from “Seaview” (2018, Out Of Sound).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 405: feat. Jory Nash & More New Releases

Nov 08 2018

Jory Nash joins us on Episode 405 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest album “Wilderness Years”, and the challenges of making a living as a singer-songwriter in a world where online streaming is rapidly becoming the primary way people listen to music. He also plays two songs from the new album live for us. It’s a great interview and definitely worth sticking around for. We also hear from Guelph based singer-songwriter Doris Folkens who has just released a new single for Remembrance Day, “All Our Roses”, and check out more of the new music we’ve received including new releases from Kaia Kater, Missy Raines, Kathy Kallick Band, Kittel & Co. and Jenie Thai. Check you the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 418: The Best of 2018 – The Next 15

Folk Roots Radio Episode 417: The Best Of 2018 – The Top 10

Folk Roots Radio Episode 416: Folk Roots Radio At The End Of The Year

Folk Roots Radio Episode 415: feat. Allison Lupton & Folk Roots Radio For The Holidays

Folk Roots Radio Episode 414: feat. Sultans of String & Folk Roots Radio For The Holidays

Jonathan Byrd Pickup Cowboy – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Folk Roots Radio Episode 413: feat. The O’Pears & More Songs About Winter

Folk Roots Radio Episode 412: feat. Carly Dow & More New Releases

Ellen Froese – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

The O’Pears – Stay Warm – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Big Little Lions – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Jesse Matas Tamarock – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Carol Welsman – A Baby Grand Jazz Christmas

Folk Roots Radio Episode 411: feat. Karen Morand & More New Releases

Folk Roots Radio Episode 410: feat. Ken Tizzard & More New Releases

Allison Lupton – The Eve Of Christmas Day

Sultans Of String Christmas Caravan – Back On The Road

Folk Roots Radio Episode 409: feat. Tannis Slimmon & More New Releases

Folk Roots Radio Episode 408: feat. Innes Wilson & More New Releases

Moonfruits – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Ken Tizzard A Good Dog Is Lost – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Folk Roots Radio Episode 407: feat. Gathering Sparks & More New Releases

Folk Roots Radio Episode 406: feat. Annie Sumi & More New Releases

Innes Wilson – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Folk Roots Radio Episode 405: feat. Jory Nash & More New Releases