CiTR -- The Saturday Edge
by CiTR & Discorder Magazine
Now in its 31st year on CiTR, The Saturday Edge is my personal guide to world & roots music, with African, Latin and European music in the first half, followed by Celtic, Blues, Songwriters, Cajun and whatever else fits!
Episodes
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Halloween! US Election and other horror stories
Lots of spooky tunes and songs about the US Midterms and other horror stories - like Halloween, for instance! Plenty of new music from the pages and digital CD of the latest issue of Songlines magazine - and more! Also major features on artists coming to town in the next few days. The last song…
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Senegal Grooves, Canadian Blues, and Celtic Splendour
Featured new albums by Bruce Cockburn, Richard Thompson, Angel Forrest, and Orchestra Baobab. Plus extensive concert previews (including BC songwriter Allen Dobb who launches his new CD this very evening, Irish trio Amble who play The Orpheum on Tuesday, and other upcoming Rogue shows and a few...
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The Power Of Song
Songs "out`shot" instrumentals by a ratio of 4 to 1 on today's show. More than half the show was Canadian. Almost 70% was new music released in 2026. Songs of sadness, consternation, and hope, and love. Speaking of which, one of my most beloved things in life is to be able to present 50 or more...
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Cuban Heels & Celtic Colours
Started with a healthy dose of new music from - and inspired by - Cuba, followed by plenty of wonderful new releases from across Canada and UK and USA. Then an extended preview of some of the music to be performed at the 30th Annual Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton over the next 9 days. I...
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Double Doses - New & Old
This week's features included a couple of unique recordings from Rogue concerts, new music from Mali, Senegal, Palestine, Iran, Cuba, Mexico, Poland, Ireland, Louisiana, upstate New York, Galicia, northern England, and Scotland - as well as all across Canada! Quite a few "doubles", with two…
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Canadian Songsmiths & New Roots
Music by many of the performers who will appear at next month's WOMEX Conference in the Canary Islands. These artists are featured in the pages of the fabulous UK magazine, Songlines, which beams to me every month with 100+ pages of news, musical bios and album reviews across the wide world of…
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Balafons & Celtic Legends
Plenty of music from West Africa again this week. So many balafons, koras, and polyrhythms! Some fine Canadian blues and roots and exemplary songwriters, then some masters of Celtic music on guitars, uilleann pipes, fiddles, and voices. Including the first excerpts of a new Dick Gaughan 7-CD box...
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Elbows Linked
With Canada under serious threats from the orange pedophile in the White House, and this being one of our few SOCAN reporting weeks - wherein songwriters can claim their just rewards for creating the wonderful music we get to play on CiTR - I chose to feature the vast majority of this week's...
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Instrumentallly Speaking
A good tune can speak volumes without words and without need of translation. So there were plenty of instrumentals in today's show. We started in Mali, of course, as Tinariwen are in town this evening (at UBC, in fact!) There were plenty of fabulous new releases, and a few local concert previews...
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Fire & Flood & Fascism
Lots of music from the latest CD from Songlines magazine, RIP Dolly Parton and Wyckham Porteous, local concert previews, new releases, and a few songs about fires, floods and fascism - the three plagues of the apocalypse (now.)
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Saltspring's eternal
An outside broadcast of sorts! Coming to you from an island paradise, this episode started in Senegal and Mali, sailed away to Cuba, Italy, Taiwan, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Germany before heading homeward to BC via Georgia, California and Louisiana. The 3rd hour had a distinctly Irish flavour,...
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Edmonton Folk Festival Highlights
Looking back at the Edmonton Folk Festival with music by Djekady (American African band), Amble (melodic original songs from Eire), DUG (Scottish / US new trad duo), Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley) and Kate Rusby leading the way. Lots of new music and local concert previews as well as a few songs from...
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Coming Over The Mountain!
Special edition from the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. This show featured many of the performers from this weekend's EFMF, some from last week's Mission Folk Festival, a bunch of new releases, and a few local concert previews.
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Canadian Folk Festival Season rawks!
Today's edition features a bunch of great new releases, some new (to me) CDs by my recent "discoveries" at the Vancouver and Mission Folk Festivals, a sneak peek at artists performing next weekend at The Rolls Royce Of Canadian Folk Festivals (Edmonton), and a few extra special personal…
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On a Mission
Coming to you from The Mission Folk Music Festival (well, the show was mostly inspired by this year's festival lineup!) Some fabulous songs and tunes from a wide variety of artists who are either performing at Mission or at next month's Edmonton Folk Music Festival, with songs from Mali, Niger,...
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Vancouver Folk Music Festival Edition
New music from the latest issue of Songlines magazine, the latest Putumayo Discovery CD - Cuban Connections - and a whole bunch of artists performing at this weekend's Vancouver Folk Music Festival - and next weekend's Mission Folk Music Festival. Researching these shows has been a real journey…
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Vancouver Folk Music Festival 2026
Many of the performers at the VFMF this year are complete unknowns to me, so probably complete unknowns to most of our listeners. I unearthed music by a lot of these performers to get an idea of what we might expect next weekend in Jericho Beach Park. Also continued to spin tracks by artists we...
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Fourth of July
No celebration of the US 250th, just a couple of protest songs, and a big feature on new Celtic music, a look back at our recent Irish tour, and some tasty new releases from Lai, Senegal, France, Eire, and Canada
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Canada Day and much more
Exciting new music from Mali and Senegal, a feature on Cape Verde (who are still in the World Cup!), a bit of Greek music for Vancouver's Greek Day (this Sunday), a look back at a few highlights of our recent trip to Ireland (we got back on Thursday), a look ahead to some amazing concerts coming…
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Coincidence and other likely stories
All kinds of coincidences and related tunes / songs (and seemingly unrelated ones, too!) Starting with Senegal's Ablaye Cissoko and two collaborations - one of them Canadian; and the link between the recently-deceased Toto La Momposina and the Anglo-Colombian groovers Sidestepper. A sneak preview...
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Nostalgia meets future visitors
New releases from across Canada and beyond. Also a look back at some past favourites and ahead to future favourites coming to local concert halls and festivals.
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D is for D-Day. Dervish, Dobb, Dawson and more
82 years since D-Day turned WWII, so snuck in this little reminder. Hitler cannot "win" 8 decades after his death. Or can he? Starting to look like it, isn't it? Quite a lot of Canadians, and a bunch of new releases and concert previews too.
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41st Anniversary Special!
This show first aired on June 1st 1985, so this is the 41st Anniversary edition. Sprinkled a few of my favourite artists from these many moons, amongst some stirring new releases from Ireland, Africa, Scotland, B.C., Nova Scotia, Quebec, New Brunswick, Alberta, Spain, England, and the USA. It's...
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RIP Cris Derksen and Totó La Momposina
Sad farewells to indigenous Canadian cellist / songwriter Cris Derksen, who was killed in an automobile accident last week, and to Colombia's principal musical matriarch Totó La Momposina. The singer and bandleader died this week aged 85. She was one of my perennial favourites. I first saw her at...
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Happy 90th David Suzuki
Big birthday celebration next Friday for CBC TV host / biologist David Suzuki, so music by some of the guests who will join him on stage at the QE Theatre in Vancouver. Also Joan Baez announced her retirement, so a few songs from her. Also, another brieft tribute: 45 years ago this week, Bob…
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The Merry Month Of May
May songs from around Europe and across Canada, plus new releases - including the most recent Celtic Colours Festival and Winnipeg's Cara Luft. Lots of local concert previews, and some old favourites from the annals.
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A multicultural mosaic
Heaps of new music from all around the world, plenty of it Canadian - including brand spanking new albums from Taj Mahal (USA), The McDades (AB) and Veranda (PQ) Features on Melisande and Supertrad, who perform at the Rogue's 39th Anniversary concerts next week.
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R.I.P. Dave Mason
I was abducted by aliens and transported back to March 7th. When I pleaded with them that I had no desire to relive the past few weeks since Dementia Donny attacked Iran they relented and brought me back. So The Saturday Edge On Folk ran half an hour late and ran half an hour late to 12:30pm…
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R.I.P. Moya Brennan
A tribute to the wonderful Irish singer Moya Brennan (Clannad) who died this week. Also music from some of the winners at last weekend's Canadian Folk Music Awards, a few songs for Earth Day and Visaki, new music from young Irish blues singer Muireann Bradley, new singles by NS duo Mama's Broke,...
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Van Folk Fest Previews
Canadian Folk Music Awards nominees and a big chunk of artists performing at the 49th annual VFMF in July. (Line-up just announced this week!) Also a few performers coming to the Mission Folk Festival the following weekend, and heaps of new releases from Songlines magazine etc., and previews of...
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And the winners are ...
Music by some of the winners of last week's Canadian Blues Music Awards in Toronto, and three Juno winners from the previous weekend as well. Started with some funky new North & West African music and other new releases from Putumayo Discovery - and more. Plenty of Vancouver concert previews as…
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Canadian Blues Awards & Much More!
Started with a feast of North African, Cuban and Mexican music. Then played music by most of the nominees for The Canadian Blues Music Awards (to be awarded on Monday March 30th), also features on Morgan Toney (Mi'k Maq fiddler / songwriter from Cape Breton) and the incredible Medusa Quartet from...
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Viva Cuba!
Started with a whole array of music from the beleaguered island nation of Cuba. I can't do much about solving their power cuts or breaking the blockade from our imperialist neighbours to the south, but if enough people listen to this music and enjoy it, maybe something will stir somewhere out...
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St. Patrick's Day Special
Started the show in Africa, headed to the Middle East, and then crossed Canada with a few side trips to focus on 19th century African-American sailor turned one-legged busker Billy Waters, and Orcadian quartet Gnoss, before the second half of my weekly four hour musical romp allowed me to spin…
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A Sad & Beautiful World
While oligarchs, sexual predators, gangsters and thugs are destroying the planet, I look out upon a beautiful world. I hear music that inspires and enriches us. I want to share this music far and wide, but it all feels very scary right now. Regime change must surely happen, ASAP, starting with…
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Fundrive Special!
CiTR is holding its annual Fundrive this week, so this was me spruiking away - solo- for four hours, while playing music by many favourites - old and new - from all corners of the known world. I've been hosting this show for over 40 years so choosing "favourites" can be quite time-consuming! I...
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Year of The Horse and Black History Month
A few songs with a Horse theme to mark the Lunar New Year (of The Horse) and some of my all-time favourite music by black artists to mark Black History Month. Then a bunch of local concert previews, and new releases (including the brilliant Canadian string quartet, Medusa). Sadly, a few songs…
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A Big Love Fest
It's Valentines' Day, but it's also time celebrate my love of music every day. I hope you share this love / obsession, too! There are some extremely lovable concerts coming to town in the next few weeks and I played plenty of tracks from those performers. Plus some new tracks from around the…
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Grammies and Other Divas
Plenty of variety this week, including some Grammy Winners and Nominees, music from a number of new Putumayo Discovery albums, and the latest issue of Songlines Magazine. Also featured new albums from Ireland's Ye Vagabonds, and American bluegrass divas Della Mae, and Sierra Hull. Plus a bunch of...
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Rise up, and groove!
Music from the latest issue of Songlines Magazine's Top of the World CD; R.I.P. Sly Dunbar, drummer with the legendary reggae riddim section Sly & Robbie; new singles by The Boss, Eric Bibb, The Fugitives, Medusa Quartet, Sophie Lukacs, and Daughters of Donbas; local concert previews galore; new...
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A Celebration of Fiddle Wizards
Heaps of fiddle music. I am so impressed by the dedication to the craft and amazing creativity of fiddlers the world over! I missed the Folk Alliance in New Orleans this week - way too scary in America right now! Played music by the winners at the Folk Awards night, and also celebrated Lifetime...
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R.I.P. Bob Weir
Grateful Dead founder Bobby Weir passed away this week. Sad news. Concert previews, a few new releases, some old faves, and some not-so-subtle digs at the fascists down south. We live in scary times ... (This show was not broadcast LIVE on CiTR. My show was pre-empted, but I had a few things to...
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Murder In The City and Other Fascist Horrors
Songs and tunes decrying the rise of fascism. Music from Venezuela, Greenland, Denmark, Canada, Cuba and other countries threatened by the US regime. Complaints and laments about murder in the streets and blood for oil. Plus some great songs and tunes from many corners of the civilized world!
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Tha Janus Sydrome
New music from Fraser & Haas, Vasen, Maria Muldaur and more. A look back at favourite recordings and concerts of 2025. A fond - and extended - look back at my favourite festival of 2025 (Tonder, in Denmark last August), and a look ahead at 2026 with concert previews and more new releases. For the...
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Best Of 2025
Some of my favourites in a wide range of genres from a great musical year, plus sad R.I.P.s to English bluesman Mick Abrams and English melodeon legend Rod Stradling. Also a few songs for Boxing Day, The 12 Days of Christmas, and New Year's Eve.
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Annual Christmas Special
Seasonal favourites old and new sprinkled amongst new releases from around the world. Plus a sad RIP to Texas songwriter Joe Ely. Previews of Cool Yule (the final Rogue show of 2025) and the first two shows in Jan uary (J.P. Cormier, Fraser & Haas), and, of course, my trademark 40th annual…
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Desert Blues to Winter Snows
New music from Africa to start the show, featuring Putumayo's excellent latest release - Desert Blues. Lots more from across the "dark continent", then music from Iran, Romania, and Cuba before paying respect to Raul Malo, who died this week. Great lead singer with The Mavericks. Some stirring...
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RIP Steve Cropper, Jimmy Cliff & Adam McNaughton
Memphis guitarist and Stax Recrds co-founder Steve Cropper died this week. Such a big influence on music - especially my favourite roots music of the sixties. Also paid tribute to reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff, and Scottish songwriter / educator Adam McNaughton with a couple of songs towards the end...
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R.I.P. Canadian Bluesman Tim Williams
New music from North Africa, Middle East, Brazil, and Cuba then some blues from Calgary's Tim Williams who died today. New music from the USA and across Canada, with plenty of new and mighty local releases. A feature on SK's Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys who make their Vancouver…
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Overseas Special - Ladysmith BC
A plethora of new releases, including the latest from Alex Cuba (Alexis Puentes) from Smithers BC, local concert previews galore, and a few idiosyncratic personal choices - plus some songs and tunes for my partner Margaret's birthday