Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21

Subject: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 12:08 PM

I will be hosting my annual Christmas special on WFDU-FM on Sunday 12/21 from 3 to 6pm. I've been doing this program on the Sunday before Christmas since 1980. The show features traditional carols as well as a smattering of contemporary songs performed by artists who are regularly heard on my program - Pete Seeger, Odetta, Tommy Makem,etc.

I'm looking forward to sharing music from the brand new Nowell Sing We Clear CD this year, and I have a few surprises in store as well!!

You can listen in via the internet at www.wfdu.fm . Before anyone asks, the answer is no- unfortunately we do not archive our shows for later listening. There are ways you can record from the internet and I will be happy to share that information if you PM me.

Hope you can join us!!!

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 12:17 PM

Thanks for telling us, Ron. I'll try and listen if I can.

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: JohnB
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 12:38 PM

What "time zone" would that be Ron?
JohnB. Eastern Standard time (Toronto Canada)

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 12:42 PM

Eastern Time zone too!

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 07:58 PM

I think we'll all be listening, Ron... I get pretty tired of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Raindeer, this time of year!

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 08:32 PM

What time is that in the UK?

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 11:04 PM

I believe there is a 5 hour difference with the UK, so I we would start at 8pm in the UK.   Our homepage has a time converter so you can confirm. Thanks!!

I will try to avoid Rudolph!! :)

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Cats
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 11:58 PM

Rudolf fits perfectly to Northfield!

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Peace
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 01:23 AM

Best of the season to you, Ron.

Looking forward to the show.

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 09:40 AM

Ron,

I'm stuck in solitary confinement today churning out a paper on sustainability in less developed nations. Think I'll give myself a reprieve between 3 and 6. Let's hear a little Watersons.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 01:17 PM

Here is a link:
www.wfdu.fm

Once you are on our homepage, click on the icon in the upper right corner with the meter and the words "On the Air - Warp Radio" .

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: bobad
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 03:08 PM

Reminder - the program has started.

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Bainbo
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 04:00 PM

Thanks, Ron. Really enjoying the show. It's nice to be reminded there's lots of really good Christmas music. I was interested in the various wassails you played, and your mention of The Devil's Interval, the group which features Jim Causley, who's doing a lot to maintain the tradition of wassailing; it's a ritual to ensure the fertility of cider apple trees, involving firing shotguns. I thought you might be interested in this piece which I copied from the back of a Christmas card I received this year. It actually mentions Jim Causley!

Incidentally, I understand that in the States, cider is non-alcoholic fruit drink. Here in Britain, however, it's stronger than most beers, and can blow your socks off.


Whimple Wassail
A-wassail, a-wassail The Moon she shines down
Our apples are ripe and our nuts they are brown
Whence thou mayest bud, dear old apple tree
And whence thou mayest bear, we sing unto thee

With our wassail, wassail, wassail
And joy come to our jolly wassail

So sing the assembled company at Whimple, Devon, on January 17th - old Twelfth Night. Like many places in Devon and Somerset, Whimple has a long history of cider making, once the home of Whiteways Cyder and the famous Whimple Wonder apple trees.

Led by Jim Causley with his accordion, after a quick practice in the pub, the party sets out to visit one of the few remaining famous Whimple Wonder apple trees. Here, the wassail queen and princess, two young village girls, chant the age old blessing:

Old apple tree we wassail thee and hoping thou wilt bear
Hatfuls, capfuls, three bushel bagfuls, and little heaps under the stairs

They place toast soaked in spiced cider in the branches to feed the birds and the spirits of the trees. "Hip, hip-hooray" everyone shouts, making as much noise as they can, bashing pots and tins, beating drums. Then shotguns are fired over the trees, deafening any evil spirits who might be lurking to cause mischief and to blight the crop. As if by magic, a steaming bucket of hot spiced cider appears, and the crowd surges forward to scoop it up in their mugs, cups and tankards. Mmmm...!

During the evening several local orchards are visited and blessed. Wassailing, once derided as old fashioned, has made a spectacular comeback as communities like the Whimple History Society have realised the strength of the old magic. Cider's good too!

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 07:45 PM

Thanks for listening. I always enjoy putting this show together - too many choices!!!

Apple cider is primarily referred to as a non-alcholic fruit drink, but we do have "hard cider". I don't think it is as popular here as it is in the UK, but I've had some wonderful samples in New England!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Fortunato
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 08:11 PM

Merry Christmas Ron, and thanks for a Christmas show we can hear without squirming or nodding off.

Chance