Fair Folk Podcast

This episode explores the ancient traditions behind today's favourite Halloween activities: trick-or-treating, jack-o-lantern carving, divination, and... communing with the dead.

This episode's music:

Intro Music: “Forest March” by Sylvia Woods

2:09 “Nöstmo Halvar” by Per O G Runberg

7:04 “King Orfeo” by Alva

13:07 “Samhain” by Ron Allen

14:55 “Punkie Night” by Withe & Stone

17:11 “Tam Glen” by Jean Redpath

22:45 “Colcannon” by The Black Family

26:30 “The Wife of Usher’s Well” by Alfred Deller & The Deller Consort

31:38 “Souling Song” by the Watersons

38:10 “Faithful Johnny” by Bryony Griffith & Will Hampson

42:30 “Lyke Wake Dirge” by the Young Tradition

Image: Witch plate. Fancy dresses described, or, what to wear at fancy balls, Arden Holt, 1882.

An astounding performance and conversation with Finnish expert runo-singer and jouhikko player, Outi Pulkkinen. Pulkkinen is a Doctor of Music specializing in runo-singing and holistic improvisation with voice, movement and speech. She also works with several bands, eg. the female a cappella groups MeNaiset and Pulkkinen-Räss-Sadovska. She is currently researching archaic music through a shamanistic approach, and she teaches folk music, voice training and holistic improvisation at University of the Arts Helsinki.

She has released three solo albums, which you can purchase here: http://shop.digeliusmusic.mycashflow.fi/search/?q=Outi+pulkkinen

You can also listen to her music on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/outipulkkinen

Find her group MeNaiset on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-505647846

The MeNaiset album Kelu can be purchased here: https://www.kansanmusiikkiliitto.fi/nettiputiikki/aanitteet/menaiset-kelu

MeNaiset has recorded another album, which will be released next year, so keep your eyes open for that!

Pulkkinen can also be contacted directly by email: [email protected]

The intro theme to Fair Folk is “Forest March” by Sylvia Woods

Portrait of Outi Pulkkinen by Christoffer Relander

Nigel Pennick is the author of over fifty books, on topics ranging from paganism and folk magic to geomancy and divination with the runes.

His book The Eldritch World will be available soon in an American edition, produced by Arcana Europa. You can read the preface here: https://arcanaeuropamedia.com/blogs/arcana-blog/preface-for-nigel-pennicks-the-eldritch-world

Many of Pennick's past and future books can be found at Inner Traditions, including the soon-to-be-released Operative Witchcraft: https://www.innertraditions.com/author/nigel-pennick/

Music:

"Edith Swan-Neck" by Paddon and Pennick

"Ellacombe (Berthon)" by Nigel Pennick

"Ground Hog Blues" by John Lee Hooker

"Fairy Bells" by Nigel Pennick

"The Outlandish Knight" by Will Noble

"The Bobtail Mare" by Nigel Pennick

The image Nigel mentioned of the sorceror's apprentice is here: https://tinyurl.com/yy53sg4x

Subscribe to the Fair Folk Almanac on my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

Aslak Tolonen, recorded live in Riihimäki, Finland June 16, 2019.

You can find more information about his music or contact him about purchasing a kantele here:

https://nestfin.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nestfinland

or email him at [email protected]

The intro music for Fair Folk is "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

Patreon: www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fairfolkcast

In July of 2018 I spent a month in Iceland looking for performers of a stye of Icelandic folk singing called "tvísöngur." What I found was that the history of folk music in Iceland is far more complicated than I could have ever guessed.

I found myself asking: In a nation known internationally for its indie music, why is Icelandic folk music so hard to come by?

Thank you to the many musicians, researchers, and friends who contributed music, personality, and information to this episode. Special thanks to Gunnstein Olafsson, Linus Orri, Eyjolfur Eyjolfson, Orn Magnusson and Marta Halldorsdottir, Kimberly Cannady, Runa Inginumdardottir, Gudny Robertsdóttir Orlygur Kristfinsson, and Gustav Danielsson. Thank you also to the Icelandic folk music centre in Siglufjordur and Herhusid artist residency for hosting and helping me while I researched this topic.

My paper on tvísöngur for the International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony October 2018: www.academia.edu/37863707/Tv%C3%A…rary_Performance

Fair Folk Patreon:

www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

Music and Notes:

0:00 “Forest March” by Sylvia Woods

:50 “Ísland Farsælda Frón” by Jean Christian

2:40 “Ísland Farsælda Frón” by Kvæðamannafélagið Rima

4:00 Guðrún Ingimundardóttir and Svanfríður Halldórsdóttir

5:22 “Húmar Að Mitt Hinsta Kvöld” by Pétur Halldórsson & Símon Þórðarson

7:25 Baroque Cello and Langspil by Gadus Morhua

8:55 “Fagurt Syngur Svanurinn (Beautifully Sings the Swan)” by Spilmenn Ríkínís (Rikini Ensemble: Marta Halldórsdóttir, Örn Magnússon, Ásta Sigríður Arnardóttir, and Halldór Bjarki Arnarson) - Recording courtesy of Arni Moller

10:45 Langspil and Symphonie by Marta Halldórsdóttir and Örn Magnússon

11:15 Spilmenn Ríkínís (Ásta Sigríður Arnardóttir) - Recording courtesy of Arni Moller

13:00 Reykjavík Trad Sessions

14:00 “Langspils Kvæðalag” by Örn Magnússon

14:55 “Fryeja” by Gadus Morhua (Eyjólfur Eyjólfsson, Björk Níelsdóttir and Steinunn Arnbjörg Stefánsdóttir)

16:15 Duo Atlantica

17:45 “Ísland Farsælda Frón” by Jean Christian

20:00 Gustaf Danielsson and Örlygur Kristfinnsson

20:30 Gadus Morhua

23:35 Spilmenn Ríkínís (Ásta Sigríður Arnardóttir) - Recording courtesy of Arni Moller

26:00 & 27:45 Gustaf Danielsson and Örlygur Kristfinnsson

30:15 Speech: Marta Halldórsdóttir

31:10 Speech and diatonic langspil: Örn Magnússon

34:30 “Björt Mey og Hrein” by Duo Svanni

35:20 Speech: Guðrún Ingimundardóttir

French explorer mentioned is Paul Gaimard, author of Voyage en Islande et au Groënland

39:20 “Björt Mey og Hrein” by Duo Svanni

41:10 Spilmenn Ríkínís (Ásta Sigríður Arnardóttir) - Recording courtesy of Arni Moller

43:05 Speech: Ómar Ellertson

48:20 Speech: Linus Orri

55:00 Correction provided by Linus Orri: The author mentioned is actually Jón Þórarinsson

57:20 Spilmenn Ríkínís (Ásta Sigríður Arnardóttir and Halldór Bjarki Arnarson) - Recording courtesy of Arni Moller

58:20 Speech: Örn Magnússon

59:15 “Fagurt Syngur Svanurinn (Beautifully Sings the Swan)” by Spilmenn Ríkínís - Recording courtesy of Arni Moller

1:02:25 Speech: Linus Orri

1:03:40 Spilmenn Ríkínís - Recording courtesy of Arni Moller

1:06:30 Rímur by Linus Orri

May Day, or Beltane in Scottish Gaelic, is a joyous occasion to welcome new growth and fertility in the fields, the hills and home. With its all-night bonfires, green branches, towering may poles and delicate flowers, this might be the most tactile and sensual holiday of the entire year. And it's just bursting with song.

Check out my 2020 May Almanac episode and others: https://www.patreon.com/posts/generous-wood-36480866

Instagram: danica.boyce https://www.instagram.com/danica.boyce

Youtube channel: Fair Folk https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw5BgVgYLuRWmEs66AHx38A/featured

Music:

Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

"Hal-An-Tow" by the Watersons

"Arise, Arise" by Robert White

"Jack in the Green" by Martin and Shan Graebe

"Maypole Dance" by Richard Myhill

"Searching For Lambs"(feat. Graham Coxon) by Lisa Knapp

"As I Walked Through the Meadows" by Magpie Lane

"As I Roved Out" by The Voice Squad

"Bedfordshire May Carol" by Jack Sharp

"In the Merry Month of May" by Patricia Spero

"The May Morning Dew" by John Lyons

"Padstow Hobby Horse" on English Customs and Traditions (album)

"Padstow" by Steeleye Span

"May Song" by Beggars Velvet

In this short episode I talk about how I came to make and love a podcast about folklore, and what I believe folklore is capable of when we give it our good faith!

Fill out the 4 minute listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/PGYNGCC

Intro music is "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

Photo by @kimberlichenn (instagram)

This episode traces the age-old European origins of many of the Winter Solstice traditions we enjoy today, from mother goddess worship through stories of the wizard child Jesus, to Christmas fortune telling with bones.

Support Fair Folk:

www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

PayPal.me/DanicaBoyce

Music:

“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” by the Ballycastle Players

“Miri it is While Sumer Ilast” by Ensemble Belladonna

“O Frondens Virga” by Augsburg Early Music Ensemble

“Podblyadnye Song” by byAgrafena Glinkin

“Ancient Gates” by Olga Glazova

“Podblyadnye Songs” by Ensemble Joy

“Persephone” by Stellamara

“Tec, Peleite, Zernju Zogtu” by Kitka

“The Holly She Bears a Berry” by the Voice Squad

“Haugebonden” by Tiriltunga

“Oi Linksta Suolaliai” by Keisto Folkloro Grupė”

“Et Lite Barn Så Lystelig” by Julestemmer

“The Bitter Withy” by the Valley Folk

“Cherry Tree Carol” by Shirley Collins

“Mari Lwyd (The Grey Mare)” by Carreg Lafar

“Ecco donne la befana / Ninna nanna ninna oh (Filastrocche e canto natalizio Bologna)” by Stefano Zuffi & Pneumatica Emiliano Romagnola

“Fum, Fum, Fum” by Winter Harp Ensemble

“Frau Holle, Frau Holle, die Schüttelt ihre Betten aus” by Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden & Blockflötengruppe Bautzen

“Bring Us In Good Ale” by Maddy Prior & Tim Hart

In this episode I speak with Vicki Noble, co-creator of the Motherpeace Tarot Deck, a set of cards for divination that incorporates images of the sacred feminine from mythology and folklore. The creation of the Motherpeace Tarot in the late 1970s in Berkley California helped to kickstart the so-called Goddess movement, whose influence endures today.

Links:

Fair Folk Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

Paypal: paypal.me/DanicaBoyce

Michael Levy, ancient lyre: https://www.ancientlyre.com/

Music:

“Forest March” by Sylvia Woods

“Demeter’s Song” by Starhawk & Reclaiming

“The Temple of Venus (Original Composition for Replica Lyre in the Ancient Hypolydian Mode)” by Michael Levy

"Hurrian Hymn No. 6 (c.1400BCE) Ancient Mesopotamian Musical Fragment” by Michael Levy

This episode is a recording of Žemyna Trinkūnaitė playing a Kanklės, a traditional Lithuanian instrument, in a concert for a small group of people in a Baltic pagan temple in Lithuania.

For more recordings, contact Žemyna Trinkūnaitė by email at [email protected]

To support Fair Folk:

www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

paypal.me/DanicaBoyce