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Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21

20 Dec 08 - 12:08 PM (#2520672)
Subject: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko

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!!!


20 Dec 08 - 12:17 PM (#2520682)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Lizzie Cornish 1

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


20 Dec 08 - 12:38 PM (#2520710)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: JohnB

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


20 Dec 08 - 12:42 PM (#2520714)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko

Eastern Time zone too!


20 Dec 08 - 07:58 PM (#2521005)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)

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


20 Dec 08 - 08:32 PM (#2521012)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Suegorgeous

What time is that in the UK?


20 Dec 08 - 11:04 PM (#2521074)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko

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!! :)


20 Dec 08 - 11:58 PM (#2521086)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Cats

Rudolf fits perfectly to Northfield!


21 Dec 08 - 01:23 AM (#2521102)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Peace

Best of the season to you, Ron.

Looking forward to the show.


21 Dec 08 - 09:40 AM (#2521319)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: GUEST

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


21 Dec 08 - 01:17 PM (#2521514)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko

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" .


21 Dec 08 - 03:08 PM (#2521605)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: bobad

Reminder - the program has started.


21 Dec 08 - 04:00 PM (#2521647)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Bainbo

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!


21 Dec 08 - 07:45 PM (#2521806)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko

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!


21 Dec 08 - 08:11 PM (#2521824)
Subject: RE: Christmas 'folk' special on WFDU 12/21
From: Fortunato

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

Chance