The Folk Brothers for May 26, 2021: Transatlantic hurdy-gurdy mania

Wed, 05/26/2021 - 11:10am | Peter Schiffman

The hurdy gurdy features prominently in European folk music, but it has also worked its way across the big pond. Today's show features hurdy gurdy-rich tracks from Spain (Milladoiro), France (Gilles Chabenat), as well as one with a Davis connection: from the late Ethan James, who was once a member of '60s psychedelic band Blue Cheer. Also on today's show: new music from John Spillane, The Felice Brothers, Watchhouse, John R Miller, and Eddie Berman. And more!

The Folk Brothers playlist for 05/26/2021

Davisville (repeat from 2019): How to decide if something is historic ... or simply old

Mon, 05/24/2021 - 6:10pm | Bill Buchanan

(This program first aired on April 8, 2019) As Davis grows and evolves, what parts of its history should it keep? Scott Miltenberger, a professional historian who chairs the city’s Historical Resources Management Commission, has suggestions.

On today’s program, first aired in April 2019, we talk about what "historical resources" are – the term is not just another word for old – and how the criteria are applied, including recently to the Mad Men-era building at 3820 Chiles that was torn down to make way for housing. We also talk about the closed Freeborn concert hall on campus, how to tell when the desire to preserve history is really just resistance to change, and one of his favorite historic locations in town: the city's first bike lanes (early Davis photo courtesy of Bob Sommer).

Davis Garden Show, May 20, 2021 -- Melons, et cetera

Thu, 05/20/2021 - 12:00pm | Don Shor

MELONS! Kids love to plant them; they take over large areas; they all do well in Davis; and it's not too late to transplant them. The same goes for other cucurbits -- zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkins and other squash. Why do the recent cold nights cause problems for one species and not another? Is this spring's weather "typical"? IPM = IVM???  Hmmm... 

Don Shor and Lois Richter use this episode of Davis Garden Show to explore a wide range of topics: growing melons, moss, low care roses, weeds, and more!

The Folk Brothers on May 19, 2021: Nightingales, Bevin Boys, and Angela Carter

Wed, 05/19/2021 - 11:10am | Peter Schiffman

English folk singer, ethnomusicologist, and bird enthusiast Sam Lee has written a new book, The Nightingale: Notes On A Songbird, and released some tracks in which he harmonizes with nightingales (as well as the harmonium and fiddle of fellow-folkie Lisa Knapp). And singer Polly Paulusma has just released an album -- inspired by her Ph.D. dissertation research -- exploring the traditional folk songs and tales that inspired the fiction of magical realist Angela Carter.

Also on this week's show: a new song from Reg Meuross about the Bevin Boys, the young British men who were conscripted to dig coal rather than fight Nazis during WW2. And much more!

The Folk Brothers playlist for 05/19/2021

Celtic Songlines for May 18, 2021

Tue, 05/18/2021 - 11:00am | David A. Reynolds

Each week Celtic Songlines takes a musical journey through the Celtic lands. This week's program features Robin Bullock & Steve Baughmann; Iona: America's  pan-Celtic band, featuring three wonderful selections from its album Silver;  Scotland's cherished vocalist Julie Fowlis; the band Flook; piper John McSherry; the Afro-Celt Song System; and (new on our playlist) singer and writer Amelia Coburn, pictured here.

We're back on the air!

Thu, 05/13/2021 - 2:41pm | Jeff Shaw

Evening UPDATE, MAY 13: We're broadcasting and livestreaming again. Thank you for your patience!

Listen at 95.7 FM in Davis, at https://kdrt.org/, or if you want to hear a program via our website:

  • Find and select the program you want at kdrt.org/station/programs ... for example, "Celtic Songlines"
  • Find the episode you want to hear, and select its title (URL) ... for example, "Celtic Songlines April 27, 2021"
  • And listen!

Davis Garden Show, May 13, 2021, Tips For Low Water Gardening

Thu, 05/13/2021 - 12:00pm | Don Shor

As always, Don Shor and Lois Richter start by answering current questions.  Then the main portion of this show is especially timely in May 2021 as we review "12 Tips For Low Water Gardening."  

What are those 12 tips?  1. Water right.  2. Zone your plants by water need.  3. Water thoroughly.  4. Mulch well, mulch wisely.  5. Water your fruit trees like an orchard!  6. Reduce your lawn area.  7. Maybe get a "Smart timer."  8. Change your type of grass.  9. Rethink your lawn: consider a meadow.  10. Choose plants that use less water.  11. Consider California and southwestern [and other "Mediterranian" climate] native plants.  12. Think local -- use UCD Arboretum resources!  Bonus 13th tip:  Don't forget succulents!

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