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The Lost Words with Kris Drever and Rachel Newton

Kris and Rachel chat about Spell Songs, the musical companion to Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris' The Lost Words. Plus the 20th anniversary of Fèis Rois' Ceilidh Trail.

The Lost Words is an illustrated book created by nature writer Robert MacFarlane and artist Jackie Morris. It features 20 common names for 20 common species of plant and creature, forming a crooked almost A-Z from ‘acorn’ to ‘wren’ by way of ‘conker’, ‘kingfisher’, ‘otter’, ‘willow’ and others.

These words are ‘lost’ in the sense that they are slipping from our stories, minds, dictionaries and habitats. Robert MacFarlane wrote a spell-poem with these words designed to be spoken or sung aloud in an act of summoning back and Jackie painted each in watercolour and gold leaf. Jackie described it as ‘a beautiful protest’ against the loss of everyday nature from our everyday lives in the UK and beyond.

Spell Songs is a musical companion piece to The Lost Words performed by Kerry Andrew, Kris Drever, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Jim Molyneaux, Rachel Newton, Karine Polwart and Beth Porter. Kris and Rachel Newton tell Bruce how they came to be involved in the project, what it means to them and the experience of recording it.

In the second hour, Kirsty Campbell joins Bruce from the road on the 20th annual Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail - the programme that gives young musicians and singers the opportunity to take part in a professional summer tour, with support from a team of musicians and specialist tutors, and that has helped produce many of today's touring traditional musicians.

1 hour, 55 minutes

Last on

Wed 24 Jul 2019 21:00

Music Played

  • Orkestra Del Sol

    Siempre La Hora

    • Gross National Happiness.
    • SolMusic Recordings.
  • Mike Vass featuring Patsy Reid

    Torrent of a Thing

    • The Four Pillars.
    • Unroofed.
  • Mike Vass featuring Patsy Reid

    Torrent of a Thing

    • The Four Pillars.
    • Unroofed.
  • Kim Carnie

    Tàladh Dhòmhnaill Ghuirm

    • In Her Company / Na Cuideachd.
    • Self-Released.
  • Rachel Newton, Kris Drever, Kerry Andrew, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Jim Molyneux, Karine Polwart & Beth Porter

    Heron

    • The Lost Words: Spell Songs.
    • Folk by the Oak.
  • Rachel Newton, Kris Drever, Kerry Andrew, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Jim Molyneux, Karine Polwart & Beth Porter

    Willow

    • The Lost Words: Spell Songs.
    • Folk by the Oak.
  • Rachel Newton, Kris Drever, Kerry Andrew, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Jim Molyneux, Karine Polwart & Beth Porter

    Scatterseed

    • The Lost Words: Spell Songs.
    • Folk by the Oak.
  • Rachel Newton, Kris Drever, Kerry Andrew, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Jim Molyneux, Karine Polwart & Beth Porter

    The Lost WordsÂ’ Blessing

    • The Lost Words: Spell Songs.
    • Folk by the Oak.
  • Tradish

    Let Me Out To Let Me In

    • Handmade Tales.
    • GO Danish.
  • We Banjo 3

    Puncheon Floor

    • Roots to Rise Live.
    • We Banjo 3.
  • Joni Mitchell

    California

    • Blue.
    • Warner Records.
  • The Paul McKenna Band

    The Molly May

    • Breathe.
    • Self-Released.
  • Martin Hayes & Brooklyn Rider

    Jenny's Welcome ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to Charlie

    • The Butterfly.
    • 251 Records.
  • Ceol an Aire

    Revive

    • Revive (Single).
    • Self-Released.
  • Elephant Sessions

    Tyagarah

    • Single.
    • Elephant Sessions.
  • Capercaillie

    Islay RanterÂ’s Reels

    • Delirium.
    • Survival.
  • Assynt

    Harris Dance: Ruidhleadh Mo Nighean Donn / Harris Dance / Jenny Dang The Weaver

    • Road To The North.
    • Garthland Records - GAR01CD.
  • Jerry Douglas ft Mumford and Sons & Paul Simon

    The Boxer

    • Traveler.
    • Membran.
  • Mike Vass featuring Patsy Reid

    After Years

    • The Four Pillars.
    • Unroofed.
  • We Banjo 3

    Prettiest Little Girl

    • Roots to Rise Live.
    • We Banjo 3.
  • Aidan OÂ’Rourke

    For About A Month

    • 365: Volume 2.
    • Reveal Records.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 24 Jul 2019 21:00
  • Wed 24 Jul 2019 22:00