The original folk music podcast from the United Kingdom, bringing you the best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music from the UK and around the world. If you are looking for a podcast that is fun, entertaining, a little bit educational and a fine mix of music both old and new, this could be the one for you. Money back if not delighted! Presented and produced by Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows, new episodes appear monthly - usually on the first Saturday of the month - and last up to 78 minutes, which is just right for burning onto a CD-r. FolkCast - OUR finger in YOUR ear! http://www.folkcast.co.uk Copyright 2006-2009 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows and folkcast.co.uk. See Terms Of Use at website for full details. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:01:00 +0000 The original folk music podcast from the United Kingdom, bringing you the best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music from the UK and around the world. If you are looking for a podcast that is fun, entertaining, a little bit educational and a fine mix of music both old and new, this could be the one for you. Money back if not delighted! Presented and produced by Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows, new episodes appear monthly - usually on the first Saturday of the month - and last up to 78 minutes, which is just right for burning onto a CD. FolkCast - OUR finger in YOUR ear! folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter, roots, acoustic, folk music, UK, British, English, tradition, traditions, Ken Nichol, Christmas, Festive, free Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows contact@folkcast.co.uk Phil Widdows and Ken Nicol no It's the Summer Sizzler - a solid slab of fab summery tunes to burn to CD or play on your iPod ... all summer long! We play more music from old friends and find new music by new guests. Music comes from: Andi Neate - John Scullion - Butch Baldassari and David Schnaufer - Noah Zacharin - Erick Turnbull - Dr Robert - The Snake, The Cross, The Crown - Sean Rowe - Dave Gleeson - Kiss The Mistress - Mark Shillaker - Jonathan Croose - Al Petteway - John Connolly - Tom Taylor - Damh The Bard - Maggie Sansone - The Kittiwakes - The QP - The Demon Barbers - Jody McKenna - Iona Leigh - John Statz. For full details see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes040.html Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:01:00 +0000 1:17:58 Phil Widdows no Phil's flying solo this month, but there is still the usual mix of great music and special items. Music this month comes from Ella Edmondson - The Biblecode Sundays - Steve Knightley - Adam Balbo - John McNair - No Fixed Abode - Bob Fox - Hallelujah Chicken Run Band - The McDades - John Dory - Damien Barber and Mike Wilson - Craig D'Andrea. Our folk poet Dave Alton tells the tale of Bringing The Tide To Morpeth, accompanied by Italian guitarist Pino Forastiere, and Babba tells the story behind the song of The Plains Of Waterloo. For full details see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes040.html Mon, 11 May 2009 23:00:00 +0000 1:17:58 Phil Widdows no Ken makes a triumphant return and we've also got a new member of the Cast - our Folk Laureate Dave Aston. There is music from Kiss The Mistress - Simon Todd - thefancydressparty - Tom Biller - Graham Holland - Wheeler Street - Jacanda - The QP - Philip Butler - Jon Boden - Stephen Fearing. And this month the Story Behind The Song is the history of The Flowers Of The Forest, told as even by Babba. For full details see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes039.html Mon, 09 Apr 2009 00:20:00 +0000 1:14:40 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Ken is still away, so with Phil this month is his wife Jo, who sits in as guest presenter. We've music from - Mark Shillaker - Marc Filmer - Chris and Siobhan Nelson - Iona Leigh - Felix Fables - Noah Zacharin - Rockridge Brothers - Josiah Altschuler - Mariel Trimaglio - Kathryn Tickell - Megson - The Snake The Cross The Crown - The Two Sisters - Da Camara - Finbar Furey. And Babba tells the amazing story of General George Monck, the man who inspired the Morris tune, General Monck's March. For full details see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes038.html Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:20:00 +0000 1:17:52 Jo and Phil Widdows no Ken is away on tour, and the Story Behind The Song crew have all rung in sick, so that just leaves Phil. To cheer himself up, he delves into his record collection to produce a show full of comedy songs and novelty numbers, with a few quality instrumentals to break up the laughs. Music from - The Houghton Weavers - The Lancashire Hotpots - Bernard Wrigley - The Ian McMillan Orchestra - Tom Paxton - David Ippolito - Big Al Whittle - Graham Holland - Bill Furner - Robin Bullock - Bill Bates - Les Barker - John Conolly - Ashley Hutchings - Jez Lowe - Show Of Hands - Ken Nicol - Phil Cool - Phillip Hartley - The Rawmarsh Mashers. For full details see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes037.html Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:00:00 +0000 1:18:00 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Ashley is in the studio to talk about his latest album project, My Land Is Your Land, which is a co-production with Italian songwriter Ernesto de Pascale. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/int04.html Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000 50:31 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Lots of new music, including songs and tunes from: Malinky - Natalie Bays - Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts - Noah Zacharin - John Dossi - Steve Freeman - Sambistas - Aidan O'Rourke - Kris Drever - Drever, McCusker, Wooble - The Chair - Jo Hamilton - John Tams. And Babba unveils the true history behind the nursery rhyme London Bridge Is Falling Down. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes036.html Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:00:00 +0000 1:17:05 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Our end-of-year review with new songs from some of our favourite artists featured on FolkCast in 2008 - Paul Liddell - The Duncan McFarlane Band - Phonix - Ian McKone - Nick Cook - Ruth Theodore - Steve Tilston - Andy Mullen - Jackie Oates - Red Ruth - Fotheringay. Plus listener feedback and Babba stripping the skins from the musical onion that is Auld Lang Syne. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes035.html Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:30:00 +0000 1:17:50 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Female vocalists are to the fore this month, with music from Ani DiFranco - Chris While and Julie Matthews - Jo Freya - Catherine MacLellan - The Maerlock - Fotheringay and Patrice O'Neill. Plus songs from the chaps, too - The John Henrys - Robin Tymm - The Buena Vista Social Club - Nicol and Cool - Al Petteway. And Babba tells the gruesome story behind the broadside ballad The Murder Of Maria Marten. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes034.html Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:30:00 +0000 1:17:55 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no A stack of new releases, tour news and Babba tells the history of an Australian anti-hero. Music from: Dave Pegg and PJ Wright - Steve Tilston - Black Rat - Broken Poets - Bellowhead - Red Ruth - Genticorum - Bella Hardy - Mary Hampton - Kate Doubleday - Box Club - Zoe Conway - The Story. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes033.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:01:00 +0100 1:17:56 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Part One of an extended edition before we take a month's break. Featuring news of Steeleye Span's tour plans for next year, and music from - The Simon Hopper Band - The Demon Barbers - Aiden Jolly - Ruth Theodore - The Parson Red Heads - Peter Bradley Adams - Jim Averitt - Embertime - Andy Patterson. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes032.html Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:01:00 +0100 0:52:03 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Part Two of an extended edition before we take a month's break. Featuring Babba with The Story Behind The Song of Bedlam Boys, and music from - Zywiolak - Chris Hardy - Hilary James - Corrina Hewat - Mike Silver. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes032.html Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:00:00 +0100 0:38:00 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no In a tribute show to Woven Wheat Whispers (RIP), Jo joins Phil to present music from: The Horses Of The Gods - Steve Tilston - Reg Meuross - Lisa Redford - The Purple Minds Of Lazeron - Dave Malloy - Marie Crehan - Sharron Shannon and Steve Earle - Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer - Comrade Down - Steve O ' Connor - Show Of Hands - The Story. Babba examines the true history of the naval Press Gang in the Story Behind The Song for All Things Are Quite Silent. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes030.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:15:00 +0100 1:17:54 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Music from Telling The Bees - Black Fortress Of Opium - Blackheart - John Haydon - Andy Mullen - Eliza Carthy - One More Grain - Eduard Iniesta - Lizzie Nunnery - Lawn Jockey - Steamchicken - The Duncan McFarlane Band. Babba reveals the myth and magic behind The Blacksmith, and Phil opens his Folk Files. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes030.html Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:00:00 +0100 1:17:54 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Music from Plunkett, Stormy Mondays, Twelve Thousand Days, Temple Music, Kiss The Mistress, Trouble At'Mill, Zoox, The Albion Band, The Battlefield Band, Kila, Tanglefoot, Jahrtal, Phillip Hartley, Scullion John, SixPeopleAway. Babba concludes his two-part special on Transportation to Australia. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk. Re-mixed edition. http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes029.html Sun, 04 May 2008 23:00:00 +0000 1:17:58 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Music from Bruce Shimabukuru, Yve And Devora, Jackie Oates, Ceca, Nick Cook, Phil James, David Wilcox, Nelsons Wake, Chumbawamba, Rob St John, KC Mackenzie, Ralf Weihrauch, Dahm The Bard. Learn the story behind the song Van Diemens Land. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes028.html Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:30:00 +0000 FolkCast 028 - April 2008 Music from Bruce Shimabukuru, Yve And Devora, Jackie Oates, Ceca, Nick Cook, Phil James, David Wilcox, Nelsons Wake, Chumbawamba, Rob St John, KC Mackenzie, Ralf Weihrauch, Dahm The Bard. Learn the story behind the song Van Diemens Land. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk 1:17:48 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Music from John Parkes - Tom Palmer - Enter The Haggis - Mark Ellis - Matt Stephens - Singladies - Ken Nicol - Steeleye Span - Paul Howard - Ray Bradfield - The Kittiwakes - The Left Outsides. Babba reveals the twisted royal bloodline behind Sir Patrick Spens in The Story Behind The Song. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes027.html Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:30:00 +0000 FolkCast 027 - March 2008 Music from John Parkes - Tom Palmer - Enter The Haggis - Mark Ellis - Matt Stephens - Singladies - Ken Nicol - Steeleye Span - Paul Howard - Ray Bradfield - The Kittiwakes - The Left Outsides. Babba reveals the twisted royal bloodline behind Sir Patrick Spens in The Story Behind The Song. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk 1:17:54 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Music from The Levellers - 3 Daft Monkeys - Ian McKone - Brian Mazzaferri - Alan Prosser - Magicfolk - Malthouse Passage - Marianne Segal featuring Circulus - Pigs Ear - Neal Hellman and Friends - Cruel Folk - Nick Cook - Gary Stewart Band - Starless And Bible Black. We sail down to Old Maui with Babba in The Story Behind The Song. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes026.html Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:00:00 +0000 FolkCast 026 - Feb 2008 Music from The Levellers - 3 Daft Monkeys - Ian McKone - Brian Mazzaferri - Alan Prosser - Magicfolk - Malthouse Passage - Marianne Segal featuring Circulus - Pigs Ear - Neal Hellman and Friends - Cruel Folk Nick Cook - Gary Stewart Band - Starless And Bible Black. We sail down to Old Maui with Babba in The Story Behind The Song. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk 1:17:52 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. New music from Kerfuffle - Nuada - Paul Liddell - Mieka Pauley - Phonix - The Mountain Firework Company - The Gala Band - Robin Allender - Andy McKee - James Dewdney - Abra Moore - Caroline Lavelle - Alistair Christl - The Duncan McFarlane Band. Babba tells the story behind Parcel Of Rogues, and there is a chance to win CDs from Dreamboat Records. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes025.html Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:40:00 +0000 FolkCast 025 - Jan 2008 The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. New music from Kerfuffle - Nuada - Paul Liddell - Mieka Pauley - Phonix - The Mountain Firework Company - The Gala Band - Robin Allender - Andy McKee - James Dewdney - Abra Moore - Caroline Lavelle - Alistair Christl - The Duncan McFarlane Band. Babba tells the story behind Parcel Of Rogues, and there is a chance to win CDs from Dreamboat Records. See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk 1:12:46 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. We look back over the year and present new songs from some of our favourite artists. Babba uncorks the badger wine and gets in festive mood with an unusual "Story Behind The Song", and we've music from the latest, and last, Morris On album. Music this month comes from Charlotte Kendrick, Debbie Cassell, Rev Hammer, Lau, Naughty Jack, Jon London, Oysterband, Dahm The Bard, Leatherat, Silver Dogs, Steve Knightley, Nick Cook, Sarah McQuaid, The Morris On Band See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes024.html Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:30:00 +0000 FolkCast 024 - December 2007 The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. We look back over the year and present new songs from some of our favourite artists. Babba uncorks the badger wine and gets in festive mood with an unusual "Story Behind The Song", and we've music from the latest, and last, Morris On album. Music this month comes from Charlotte Kendrick, Debbie Cassell, Rev Hammer, Lau, Naughty Jack, Jon London, Oysterband, Dahm The Bard, Leatherat, Silver Dogs, Steve Knightley, Nick Cook, Sarah McQuaid, The Morris On Band See the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk 1:17:18 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. Music from Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer, Vequinox, Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll, The Gala Band, Eoghan Coglan, Abbie Lathe, Chris Millington, Andy Whittle, Luka Bloom, Martyn Joseph, The Owl Service, The Imagined Village, Dyonisis. See www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes023.html Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000 FolkCast 023 - November 2007 The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. Music from Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer, Vequinox, Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll, The Gala Band, Eoghan Coglan, Abbie Lathe, Chris Millington, Andy Whittle, Luka Bloom, Martyn Joseph, The Owl Service, The Imagined Village, Dyonisis. See www.folkcast.co.uk 1:17:59 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. We talk to Italian musician Ernesto de Pascale about his new album, Morning Manic Music, and hear songs from the record. Babba reveals the astonishing story of John Churchill, better known as Lord Marlborough, in The Story Behind The Song, and there is music from Kate Bramley - Jez Lowe - Songs From The Blue House - Marina Florence - Paolo Giorgi - Mike Hanrahan - 3 Daft Monkeys. See www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes022.html Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:00:00 +0000 FolkCast 022 - October 2007 The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. We talk to Italian musician Ernesto de Pascale about his new album, Morning Manic Music, and hear songs from the record. Babba reveals the astonishing story of John Churchill, better known as Lord Marlborough, in The Story Behind The Song, and there is music from Kate Bramley - Jez Lowe - Songs From The Blue House - Marina Florence - Paolo Giorgi - Mike Hanrahan - 3 Daft Monkeys. See www.folkcast.co.uk 1:17:59 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. We talk to Chopper from Oysterband and play music from their latest studio album, Meet You There. Babba raises a glass of ale to John Barleycorn in The Story Behind The Song, and there is music from Nick Cook - Legendary Ten Seconds - Jon Croose - Charlotte Kendrick - The Stanley Brothers - Martin Ansell - Round Mountain - The Clap - Leatherat. See www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes021.html Sat, 01 Sep 2007 10:00:00 +0000 FolkCast 021 - September 2007 The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. We talk to Chopper from Oysterband and play music from their latest studio album, Meet You There. Babba raises a glass of ale to John Barleycorn in The Story Behind The Song, and there is music from Nick Cook - Legendary Ten Seconds - Jon Croose - Charlotte Kendrick - The Stanley Brothers - Martin Ansell - Round Mountain - The Clap - Leatherat. See www.folkcast.co.uk 1:16:59 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. We talk to Mark Coyle of Woven Wheat Whispers about the new compilation of Dark British Folk, John Barleycorn Reborn. Babba goes to sea to tell The Story Behind... The Mary Stanford Of Rye. Music from Faith, Folk and Anarchy - Jenna - John Statz - The Owl Service - Sharron Kraus - Tinkerscuss - Drohn - The Story - Phil Hare - Sarah McQuaid - Meet On The Ledge. See www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes020.html Sat, 04 Aug 2007 10:00:00 +0000 FolkCast 020 - August 2007 The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. We talk to Mark Coyle of Woven Wheat Whispers about the new compilation of Dark British Folk, John Barleycorn Reborn. Babba goes to sea to tell The Story Behind... The Mary Stanford Of Rye. Music from Faith, Folk and Anarchy - Jenna - John Statz - The Owl Service - Sharron Kraus - Tinkerscuss - Drohn - The Story - Phil Hare - Sarah McQuaid - Meet On The Ledge. See www.folkcast.co.uk 1:17:30 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. Featuring an exclusive interview with renowned folk singer Maddy Prior, and a look at The Story Behind The Song - The Blantyre Explosion. For full details of all the music played this month, see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes019.html Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:00:00 +0000 FolkCast 019 - July 2007 The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. Featuring an exclusive interview with renowned folk singer Maddy Prior, and a look at The Story Behind The Song - The Blantyre Explosion. For full details of all the music played this month, see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk 1:17:35 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. Including The Story Behind The Song - Blackleg Miner. For full details of all the music played this month, see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes018.html Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:00:00 +0000 FolkCast 018 - June 2007 The best in folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music. Including The Story Behind The Song - Blackleg Miner. For full details of all the music played this month, see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk 1:17:58 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no Phil and Ken welcome the summer with a musical journey through the seasons, Babba discovers the history of Trelawny, and there is Feedback from listeners from around the world. For full details of all the music played this month, see the ShowNotes at http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes017.html http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes017.html Sat, 05 May 2007 14:00:00 +0000 FolkCast 017 - May 2007 Phil and Ken welcome the summer with a musical journey through the seasons, Babba discovers the history of Trelawny, and there is Feedback from listeners from around the world. For full details of all the music played this month, see the ShowNotes at http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes017.html 1:17:56 Ken Nicol and Phil Widdows no