YPR Program Listings: The Thistle & Shamrock

Celtic musical traditions continue to evolve in Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, England, Wales and in North America. This evolution is the raw material from which Fiona Ritchie produced her weekly program of music and cultural heritage from studios at the foothills of the Scottish highlands.

May 18
Julie Fowlis
Meet Julie Fowlis who provided the singing voice in "Brave", Pixar's Oscar-winning animation set in the ancient Highlands of Scotland. Raised in the Outer Hebrides, Julie is reaching contemporary audiences with Gaelic music, and is one of a small group of singers bringing it into the cultural mainstream.

May 25
Time To Dance
The rhythms of Celtic music will always get into your feet and before you know it, you're dancing. Limber up before you tune into this hour of music featuring Alasdair Fraser, Trian, and a pair of traditional dance bands from Ireland and Scotland.

June 1
Easy Does It
There's more to this roots music business than high-energy dance tunes. Kick back with some soothing voices (Maire Brennan, Dougie MacLean, Karen Matheson) and some free-spirited instrumentals (Davy Spillane, William Jackson, Michael McGoldrick).

June 8
Alan Reid
Three decades after her journey into national radio started, Fiona meets up with the man who was her very first interview: Alan Reid, known for his long career with the legendary Battlefield Band.

June 15
Heading South
Fiona celebrates the musical connections that captured her attention when she first travelled in the U.S. in the early 1980s by exploring the music of the Southern Mountains.

June 22
Debuts
We look to the next era for this music by featuring brand new artists performing for the first time on Thistle.

June 29
Summer Sounds
You'll breeze towards the heart of summer with this week's music from Eddi Reader, William Jackson, Nightnoise and more.