The 247th Birthday Anniversary of Robert Burns

10 p.m. to Midnight Host: Steve Winters

This week marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest musicians of humankind, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. For those of us in the world of folk music, it was also the week to observe the 247th birthday anniversary of Scottish poet Robert Burns (Jan. 25, 1759 to July 21, 1796), whose achievements as a song collector and songwriter, it can be argued, are as significant as his stature as a poet. Burns was, as Scottish musicologist Francis Collimore observed, “the greatest compiler, restorer and editor of all.” Burns dedicated himself to rescuing from oblivion and neglect hundreds of songs without words, many times supplying the words to fit the melodies. The Bard of Caledonia completely changed the face of Scottish folk music.

  • Artist, "Title", Album, Label

  • Jack Evans et al, “My Heart’s In The Highlands Medley”, A Highland Journey, Greentrax

  • Battlefield Band, “Rantin’ Rovin’ Robin”, Stand Easy & Preview, Temple

  • Dougie Maclean, “Scot’s Wha Hae”, Tribute, Dunkeld

  • The Wild Notes, “Ye Banks And Braes/Bonnie At Morn”, Sowing, Independent

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  • Black-Eyed Biddy, “Ae Fond Kiss”, Celtic Collections/Vol. 2, Greentrax

  • Corrina Hewitt, “Lassie Lie Near Me”, Scottish Women, Greentrax

  • Eddi Reader, “Charlie Is My Darling”, Eddi Reader Sings The Songs Of Robert Burns, Compass

  • Brian McNeill, “My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose Set”, The Clear Stream, Greentrax

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  • Jock Tamson’s Bairns, “Aye Waukin’ O”, Rare, Greentrax

  • Tony Cuffe, “Sweet Afton”, Robert Burns: The Complete Songs/Vol. 1, Linn

  • Tony Cuffe, “Tail Toddle”, Sae Will We Yet, Greentrax

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  • Bill Keith, “Auld Lang Syne”, … Something Bluegrass, Rounder

  • Robin Williamson, “Ye Banks And Braes”, The Old-Fangled Tone, Pig’s Whisker Music

  • JSD Band, “The Bonnie Lass Of Albany”, Pastures Of Plenty, Lochshore/KRL

  • Keltic Elektrik, “Auld Lang Syne & Reels”, Keltic Elektrik, G2

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  • The Wild Notes, “Banks Of Devon”, Sowing, Independent

  • Old Blind Dogs, “A Man’s A Man For A’ That”, Play Live, Green Linnet

  • Bruce Davies, “Address To The Haggis”, O’er The Border, Rothes Recordings

  • Ceolbeg, “A’ The Airts”, Celtic Collections/Vol. 2, Greentrax

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  • Dougie Maclean, “Ca The Yowes”, Tribute, DunkeldWest, Red House