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Traditional Folk Music Streams?

02 Aug 13 - 11:08 PM (#3544954)
Subject: Folklore: Traditional Folk Music Streams?
From: GUEST,Peter in Massachusetts

I'm always trying to add to my collection of recordings of traditional folk music.   The first step is "discovery" - listening to music and taking notes of the songs and artists I like so I can find a place to buy their work.   I'm looking for internet radio stations or streams that play mostly traditional folk.   

I have lots of English and Celtic folk already so I'm most interested in songs from the US and Canada, Australia or New Zealand, especially work songs like building canals and railroads, digging for gold, working in mills, trapping, logging, etc, or transport, slavery, labour organising, settlement, etc.    It's hard to find "folk music" stations that play much traditional stuff.   

Thanks in advance!

PS - there's a local station to me - WUMB - but awhile back the guy there was kind enough to send me their whole playlist so I got that.

PPS - I posted a question like this some years ago to MudCat but things change so I'm trying again.


03 Aug 13 - 02:55 AM (#3544980)
Subject: RE: Traditional Folk Music Streams?
From: Jim Carroll

In the US, the early Library of Congress recordings present a broad representation American song and music (all still commercially available I understand)
Along side this you have the magnificent Rounder Alan Lomax collection (hopefully still available following the radical changes?)
In Canada, the Edith Fowke collection gives a fair representation of its national music.
I'm not aware of there being similar collections in Australia (I hope to be corrected), but I understand from a friend who visited there that some libraries have extensive archives which are freely available to the public.
As far as Britain is concerned, the ten Caedmon Albums 'Folk Songs of Britain' (later released by Topic), followed by the 'Voice of the People' series remain invaluable to our appreciation of British Song - though the Caedmon series is much in need of re-releasing, perhaps this time without the heavy-handed editing by cutting out many of the verses of the songs.
Scotland has the magnificent 20 odd volume and still expanding set issued by The School of Scottish Studies.
Sadly, there doesn't seem to be an Irish equivalent of an overall survey, though it does have two magnificent archives, one of which, 'The Irish Traditional Music Archive', is making whole chunks of its holdings available on line.
This practice is also being followed by The School of Scottish Studies 'Kist O' Riches' project.
Jim Carroll


03 Aug 13 - 02:47 PM (#3545181)
Subject: RE: Traditional Folk Music Streams?
From: Jim Carroll

It occured to me that a few years ago there was a free download available entitled 'The Folkways Years' which was made up of a dozen broadcasts on American traditional music - don't know if it's still around
Jim Carroll


10 Aug 13 - 08:25 PM (#3547732)
Subject: RE: Traditional Folk Music Streams?
From: GUEST

While I appreciate people getting back to me, I'm not sure what either of these answers has to do with my question.    I'm trying to locate _radio stations_ or _internet streams_ that feature traditional folk music.

I'm not trying to find the *names* of songs, and I do already have many of the early Alan Lomax and other historical recordings.   But the great thing about folk music is that different artists will put their own interpretation on a traditional song or well-known piece. (ditto with blues, classical and jazz music)    So I've found over the years in the many different musical genres that I enjoy that listening to radio stations or internet streams makes me aware of specific recordings that I'd like to own.


11 Aug 13 - 11:36 AM (#3547904)
Subject: RE: Traditional Folk Music Streams?
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick

I used to run an Internet radio station which was devoted entirely to traditional musicians and singers, plus the small number of revivalists who I felt sat well in such august company.

I pulled it a couple of years ago simply because audience figures, which had never been sparkling, started to decline and went on declining.

I think the final upload is still available to listen to. Google Live365 and then search for Worlds of Trad.


12 Aug 13 - 11:31 AM (#3548201)
Subject: RE: Traditional Folk Music Streams?
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

Have a listen to Resonance FM- there is a weekly programme about REAL traditional music- not much folky stuff- it's run by Reg Hall and others, so plenty of background- comes out of London (UK)- called the 'Traditional Hour' or something- you need to listen live as I don't think there is an archive.


12 Aug 13 - 03:14 PM (#3548256)
Subject: RE: Traditional Folk Music Streams?
From: bruceCMR

Check out Celtic Music Radio, from Glasgow - http://www.celticmusicradio.net , or find us on tunein.com, or download out app, or tune in on 1530kHz around Glasgow.

At this minute, we're broadcasting a gig live from the Edinburgh festival with 3 of the winners of the Celtic Connections "Danny Kyle Open Stage". Later tonight, and every night this week, we'll be covering the late night festival club at "Piping Live". On Saturday and Sunday, we're broadcasting live from the Fleadh in Derry, and in between we'll have all our regular programming!


12 Aug 13 - 09:17 PM (#3548379)
Subject: RE: Traditional Folk Music Streams?
From: ChanteyLass

Peter, I can't help you with programs that are completely trad music.

I can tell you that WUMD (UMass-North Dartmouth) has some folk programming that includes some trad music. I often listen to Celtic Stew on Saturdays from noon to 3. You can see the schedule here. http://www.893wumd.org/programs.html

WRIU (University of RI) has some folk music most evenings from 6-9. I often listen to Kingston Coffeehouse and The Celtic Realm. Their schedule is here. When you click on the link, the page will appear to be almost blank, but if you scroll down you'll see the grid. http://www.wriu.org/programming.htmlI see that the Monday program is now called Traditions, That's a change from the previous title and I haven't listened to it. That slot used to have a lot of Cajun, Zydeco, and bluegrass music. I'll have to check it out next week, because it ended about 15 minutes ago!


12 Aug 13 - 09:20 PM (#3548380)
Subject: RE: Traditional Folk Music Streams?
From: ChanteyLass

Uh-oh! Let me try that second link again! http://www.wriu.org/programming.html