Fair Folk Podcast

A brief update about Fair Folk's summer and fall plans from northern Iceland, plus a spontaneous summer playlist to enjoy on the road or at home.

To contribute to the Fair Folk travel fund:

www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

paypal.me/DanicaBoyce

Music:

Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

"Langspils - Kvæðalag" by Eyjólfur Eyjólfsson

"Lenten is Come" by Briddes Roune

"Aililiu Na Gamhna (Calling Home The Calves)" by Iarla O' Lionáird

"The Band of Shearers" by Carla Sciaky

"Två Konungabarn" by Myrkur

"A Maid in Bedlam" by the John Renbourn Group

"Hares on the Mountain" by Shirley Collins and Davey Graham

"Nay, Ivy, Nay" by Sue Brown and Lorraine Irwing

"Herding the Calves" by Noirin Ni Riain

"Heiemo og Nykkjen" by Kirsten Bråten Berg

"Hollin Green Hollin / Thomas The Rhymer / Young Benjie / Tam Lin" by Gordon Mooney

"Rideboll" by Hallvard T. Bjørgum

"Alex'Julpolska" by Daniel Peterson

"Death and the Lady" by John Fleagle

This episode explores some of the better and lesser known celebrations and songs of the midsummer solstice in Europe. In the process it addresses some of the perennial questions of this holiday, like: What is a maypole? Why are all of those Russians bathing together? And how can I find buried treasure when all I’m wearing is this garland of mugwort? And what’s all this about human sacrifice?

Music:

Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

"Sumer Is Icumen In" by Shelley Phillips

"Helan går" by Polyteknikkojen Kuoro

"The Fiddle: Kvitbergjen, springleik" by Petters Erik Eriksson, Hans Brimi, Mauno Jarvela & Levy Wilsen

"I denna ljuva sommartid" by Frifot

"Set Dance: King of the Fairies" by Tom McHaile

"Oro Mo Bhaidin" by In Harmony's Way

"Tansys Golowan (Midsummer Bonfire)" by Dalla

"Sumer Is Icumen In" by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels

"Ivan Na Rada (Ivan spoke to Rada)" by Donka Paneva and Mitka Petkova from Malomir Village, Yambol District

"Ligojati, Ligojati" by Skandinieki

"Midsummer Song" by Stalti Family

"Kupala" by Tim Rayborn

"Porushka" by Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble

"Summer Solstice/Kupala Na Ivana" by Zeellia

"Fern Flower" by Nutopia

"Celies, Brālīti" by Skandinieki

Image: Ivan Sokolov, Night of Ivan Kupala

Some articles I used for this episode:

Leslie Ellen Jones, “Hi, My Name’s Fox”?: An Alternative Explication of “Lindow Man’s” Fox Fur Armband and Its Relevance to the Question of Human Sacrifice among the Celts” http://celtic.cmrs.ucla.edu/22papers/jones.pdf

Sandra Billington, “The Midsummer Solstice As It Was, Or Was Not, Observed in Pagan Germany, Scandinavia and Anglo-Saxon England” http://anthreligion.commons.uaa.alaska.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2015/10/Midsummer-solstice.pdf

The second in a series on traditional polyphonic singing, this episode visits the hunter-gatherer pygmies of the African rainforest, the peasants of pre-Christian Russia, and the possible residents of outer space, via one very special song from Georgia. It also features an interview with Georgian ethnomusicologist Joseph Jordania, organizer of the International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony in Tbilisi, Georgia, and author of several books on polyphony and early human evolution, including the award winning Who Asked the First Question: Origins of Vocal Polyphony, Human Intelligence, Language and Speech.

Fair Folk listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/R8QZJT5

Music

Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

“Central African Pygmy Polyphony” from Simha Arom and Rounder

“Bobangi” by Aka Pygmies (from Aka Pygmy Music - UNESCO Collection from Smithsonian Folkways)

“Nzombi [I]” by Aka Pygmies (from Aka Pygmy Music - UNESCO Collection from Smithsonian Folkways)

“Mongombi” by Aka Pygmies (from Aka Pygmy Music - UNESCO Collection from Smithsonian Folkways)

“Mo-nzombe” by Pygmees Mbenzele

“U vorot, vorot solovey poet” (“There is a nightingale singing at the door”)by the Ensemble of village Krasnyi Zilim

“Strela (The Arrow)” by Belyj Svet and Vyselki

“Love Is Gone (feat. The Gypsy Orchestra of the Cabarets Russes de Paris & Gyula Kokas)” by Micha Thomas & Serge Nicolaieff

“Typu (Stepan)” by The Women's Vocal Folklore Ensemble of Chindyanovo

“Oak Forest” by Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble

“Chakrulo” by Rustavi Folk Choir

“Song for "Thinking: Piere” - Gbaya men (Central African Republic - UNESCO Collection from Smithsonian Folkways)

“Zinskaro” by Vokal Ansambl Gordela

“Hawsa” by Marewrew

“Group of Nurstani singers, accompanied by harp (watj) and drum (jamba)” recorded on Sept. 10, 1968, Vienna Phonogram Archive

“Dikoboda Sombe” by Aka Pygmy Singers

You can find Joseph Jordania’s books and projects at http://josephjordania.com

The International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony: http://polyphony.ge/en/home-2/

Learn more about Ekaterina Rets and her band Belyj Svet here: https://www.art-laguna.com/

Survival International advocates for Central African Pygmies: https://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/pygmies

The first in a series on vocal polyphony, this episode gives credit to the ancient origins of vocal polyphony in rural community practices, looking specifically at the polyphony of Lithuania, whose sutartinės are a symbol of the nation's strong pre-christian folk heritage.

Music:

"Georgia: Vocal" by Greek Orthodox Church Choir

"Vay, More" (Oh, the Sea) by The Women's Folklore Ensemble of Staraya Terizmorga

Chant dedicated to St. Boniface, patron saint of Germany, 10th century by Quintin Beer and John Clapham

"Responsory: Favus Distillans" by Anonymous 4

"Äs Zäuerli" by Öse Schuppel

Latvian Song recorded by Andres Jurian in 1895 by Ensemble Sausejas

"Kaval Sviri (The Flute Plays)" by Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir

"Porazh Veles" (Porazh Village) by The Women's Folklore Ensemble of Staraya Terizmorga

"Trep Trepo, Martela" by Trys Keturiose

"Kas Tar Taka" by Obelija

"Kā Palinkai, Berželi?" (Recorded 1939)

"Ka Palinkai, Berželi" by Jievaras

"Daudas" by Kūlgrinda

"Vakarinė Žvaigždelė" by Kūlgrinda

"Responsory: Favus distillans" by Anonymous 4

This episode relied heavily on books and articles by Joseph Jordania and Daiva Račiūnaitė-Vyčinienė. Special thanks to Eglė Česnakavičiūtė of the band Obelija for assisting research, translating and explaining sutartinės for me.

Image:

An elderly group of sutartinės singers from the village of Smilgiai dancing, by Balys Biračas, 1936. Found in Daiva Račiūnaitė-Vyčinienė's "The Archaic Lithuanian Polyphonic Chant Sutartinė." Lituanus 52, 2006.

This episode I chat with Jonny Dillon, an archivist at the Irish National Folklore Collection at University College Dublin. We discuss the history of the Folklore Collection, his podcast, Blúiríní Béaloidis / Folklore Fragments, and the deep need for folk tradition in modern life.

The Irish National Folklore Collection is one of the largest folklore collections in Europe, and has just this month been ascribed to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Blúiríní Béaloidis / Folklore Fragments Podcast:

https://soundcloud.com/folklore_podcast

The National Folklore Collection:

https://www.ucd.ie/irishfolklore/en/

Music:

Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

"Amhráin na Trá Báine" by Fiachra O'Regan

"Aisling Gheal" by Fiachra O'Regan

"An Leanbh Sí" by Fiachra O'Regan

Image: An Irish family outside thatched cottage: Eason Photographic Collection, National Library of Ireland

Traditional herding calls from Sweden and Norway, with an interview with Swedish folk musician and kulning instructor Siri Holm.

Music:

Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

“Kulning” by Adolf Fredriks Kyrkas Kammarkör & Karin Backstrom

“Kulning” Maria Hulthén Birkeland

“Kulning” by Susanne Rosenberg

“Farlock (Sheep Calls) - Getlock (Goat Calls) - Kalvlock (Calf Calls)” by Karin Edvardsson Johansson

“Kulning” by Nygards Elisabet Nordkvist

“Lockrop” by Karin Edvardsson Johansson

“Koukning, get - och farlock (Goat and Sheep Calls)” by Erika Johansson

“Kulokk” by Eli Storbekken

“Kulokk” (Grieg) by Reidun Horvei

“Hornlat fran Rattvik och Ore (Herding Call from Rattvik and Ore)” by Pelle Jakobsson

“Vallat efter Frisell, Mockfjard” by Pelle Jakobsson

“Lurlat fran evertsberg efter Tommos Kersti” by Pelle Jakobsson

(interview begins)

“Puksanger - Lockrop” by Lena Willemark, Susanne Rosenberg & Helena Gabrielsson

“Kolock (Cow Call)” by Lena Willemark

(interview ends)

“Komarschlåten” by Ulrika Bodén

Mastered by Ross Waldron

Error: at 16:57, I say a herding signal from Mockjard, when I meant to say a herding signal from Mockfjard

More information on kulning and other herding call traditions:

-If you want to learn kulning and you cannot find a workshop, there is a book and CD set of lessons for sale at www.uddatoner.com

-A kulokk instruction manual can be found here:

https://www.ingebretsens.com/sing-til-cows-come-home-w-cd.html

-A fun old Finnish herding call documentary film:

https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2010/08/13/karjan-kutsumahuudot

-A great article on the technical aspects of kulning by Susanna Rosenberg:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23268263.2013.829712?needAccess=true

Malevolent or helpful, pinched and small, or beautiful beyond description, elves are a mainstay of western folk belief. Today we’re exploring the many manifestations of elf belief, delving into the folklore of the British Isles and Scandinavia, the two regions where elves have been most robustly represented. This episode features an interview with Terry Gunnell, professor of Folkloristics at the University of Iceland, and expert on the history - and present - of elf belief in Iceland.

Music:

Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

"Ólavur Riddararós" by Valravn

"The Pilgrim's Prayer" by Oliver Schroer

"The Elfin Knight" by Mary O'Hara

"Trivium" by Arvo Pärt

"Liti Kjersti og Elvekongen" by Kirsten Bråten Berg

"Cello Suite No. 1, Op. 72 II. Lamento Lento Rubato" by Denise Djokic

"True Thomas" by Christina Stewart

"The Passing of the Elves" by Howard Shore

"Queen of Elfan's Nourice" by Rachel Newton

Interview:

"Hollin Green Hollin / Thomas the Rhymer / Young Benjie / Tam Lin" by Gordon Mooney

"Metamorphosis" by Sylvia Woods

"A Fairy's Love Song" by Celtic Harp Soundscapes

"Ólafur Liljurós" by Icelandic Folk Music

"Starálfur" by Sigur Rós - End Interview

"Tam Lin" by Fairport Convention

Image: "A Fairy and a Knight" by Richard Doyle

This episode is dedicated to the many wonderful tales shared in ballad form in Scandinavian countries. You'll learn that not all stories have happy endings (most don't), which part of the dragon you need to eat in order to gain the gift of prophecy (the heart), and how Groundhog Day is really a holiday about a Scottish hag's woodpile (she's called the Cailleach).

Music:

Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

"Herr Peders Sjöresa" by Hilma Ingberg

"Kall Og Svein Ung by Sláið Ring" (Faroese ballad dancing)

"Alex'Julpolska" by Daniel Peterson

"Sigurdskvadet" by Strengleikr and Renessanse Consort

"Drömde mig en Dröm" by Thomas von Wachenfeldt and Leo Flavum

"Röcklavisan" by Sågskära

"Kallt Väder" by Triakel

"Rolandskvadet" by Jessica Comeau

"Silibrand" by Marianne Maans

"Maria Magdalena" by Hulling

"Ebbe Skammelson" by Carin Kjellman & Ulf Gruvberg

"Abrege - Folk Suite for Nyckelharpa and String Orchestra: Till Farmor" by Emilia Amper & Trondheimsolistene, Geir Inge Lotsberg, TrondheimSolistene, The Trondheim Soloists, Øyvind Gimse & Emilia Amper

"Bendik og Årolilja" by Bukkene Bruse

"Heiemo Og Nykkjen" by Ale Møller & Kirsten Bråten Berg

"Hansin Koira" by Eeva-Leena Sariola, Martti Pokela & Matti Kontio

"Varulven" by Elias Akselsen & Hulda Johansen

"Villemann Og Magnhild" by Kalenda Maya

Ian Cumpstey's site about Scandinavian ballads:

http://balladspot.blogspot.com/

Image (of Faroese dancers) from TUTL Économusée: http://tutleconomusee.com/

Elves, epic poetry, sheep milk and murder... welcome to the world of Icelandic folk music! This episode features an interview with Bára Grímsdóttir and Chris Foster, two of the most accomplished performers of Icelandic folk music, and experts on rímur chanting, a form dating from middle ages, with its ancestry in the Icelandic Sagas and Eddas.

Music:

Opening theme: Forest March by Sylvia Woods

Heyr Himna Smiður by Anneke van Giersbergen & Árstíðir

Icelandic Folk Songs: I. Iceland, Land of Prosperity by Duo Landon

Icelandic Folk Songs: VIII. The Virgin by Duo Landon

Nafnaþula by Sólveig Indriðadóttir

Haustið Nálgast by Steindór Andersen & Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson

Interview:

Vorvísur by Steindor Andersen

Kveðið Við Spuna by Funi (Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster)

Göngu-Hrólfsrímur by Helgi Einarsson

Ríma Afhent by Bára Grímsdóttir

Stóð ég við Öxará by Eddukórinn

Gott Ár Oss Gefi (Give us a Good Year) by Funi (Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster) --interview end

Krummavísur by Þrjú á Palli

Íslandsklukkur by Íslandsklukkur

Móðir Mín Í Kví Kví by Guðrún Jóhanna Ólafsdóttir

Olafur Liljuros by Ö Barna

Stóðum tvö í túni by Ryan Koons

Þat Mælti Mín Móðir by Feðranna Frægð

Mitt var starfid by Bára Grímsdóttir

For more about Funi:

http://www.funi-iceland.com/

https://funi.bandcamp.com/

and the Kvæðamannafélagið Iðunn(Idunn society):

http://rimur.is/

https://www.facebook.com/rimur.is/

This episode features some of the more ancient and obscure midwinter traditions that have endured alongside Christmas, as well as some lesser-known carols of this festival, many of which are pagan in origin.

Content warning for animal sacrifice and general heathen revelry.

Music:

Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

"Christmas Is Now Drawing Near at Hand" by Norma Waterson

"Bonny At Morn / Hunting the Cutty Wren" by Clive Williams & Mark Prescott

"Nou Is Yole Comen" by Shira Kammen

"The Boar's Head Carol" by The Young Tradition, Shirley Collins & Dolly Collins

"Wexford Mummer's Song" by Mary O'Hara

"Gloomy Winter" by Bonnie Rideout

"The Cutty Wren" by Royston Wood & Heather Wood

"Dryw Bach" by Carreg Lafar

"Hela'r Dryw" by Fernhill

"The Hern" by John Fleagle

"Down in Yon Forest" by Shirley Collins

"Apple Tree Wassail" by Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews

"Malpas Wassail" by the Watersons

"Gower Wassail" by Kerfuffle

"Green Grow'th the Holly" by Coope, Simpson, Fraser & Freya

"Nay Ivy Nay" by Sue Brown & Lorraine Irwing

"The Ditchling Carol" by Waterson : Carthy