Playlist 7/31/06

Polska Release - Sanna Kurki-Suonio - Nordic Roots 2
Galgen - Hurdy Gurdy - Prototyp
Régen Volt, Soká Lesz (It Was Long Ago) - Muzsikás - The Prisoner's Song
Hilla Lilla - Garmarna - Guds Speleman
Grey Horse - Warsaw Village Band - O
Krafthalling - Groupa med Lena Willemark - Månskratt
Quand Lo Rossinhols Escria - Gai Saber - The Rough Guide To Italia Nova
Bergfäst - Gjallarhorn - Sjofn
Vi cumm' abball' bell - I Tarantolati di Tricarico - Andamenare
Neidon Laulu - Hedningarna - Karelia Visa
Mierontie (Path of the Outcast) - Värttinä - Miero
Malört - Hoven Droven - hippa

Playlist 7/24/06

Vittrad (Crumbled Away) - Garmarna - Vittrad
Äijö - Värttinä - Ilmatar
In the Forest - Warsaw Village Band - Uprooting
Kaksi - Hedningarna - Kaksi!
Ronde Noe - Nidi D'Arac - Ronde Noe: Microchips sulla Terra del Rimorso
Skinfakse (Delivering The Light) - Hege Rimestad - Nordic Roots: A NorthSide Collection
Tova och Konungen (Tova and the King) - Gjallarhorn - Sjofn
Antons Första - Väsen - Keyed Up
Schankheden/Terry Crehan's - Swåp - Sic
I Giren - Miquel Gil - The Diaspora of Rembetiko
Vanha Paimenen Soitto (Old Shepherd's Tune) - JPP - History
Dortea - Hoven Droven - More Happy Moments
Fanitullen - Tapani Varis - Nordic Roots: A NorthSide Collection
Skällstyggen - Hurdy Gurdy - Prototyp

Playlist 7/17/06

Frost Mats - Hurdy Gurdy - Prototyp
Pasthoral Transumanza - Totarella - Le Zampogne dal Pollino
Bambodansarna - Väsen - Whirled
Min Skog - Hedningarna - The Heathens Fire
Slentbjenn - Hoven Droven - Groove
Baba Yaga - Annbjørg Lien - Baba Yaga
2 Søstre (2 Sisters) - Sorten Muld - Mark II
Malademna - Shukar Collective - Urban Gypsy
Texas - Wimme - Nordic Roots: A NorthSide Collection
Lavalek - Groupa - Lavalek
Varulven - Garmarna - Guds Spelemän
Cara Ninella - I Tarantolati di Tricarico - Andamenare
Who Is Getting Married - Warsaw Village Band - People's Spring
Lille dansa... - Gjallarhorn - Sjofn

Playlist 7/10/06

Suet Ulvo - Hedningarna - 1989-2003
Det Är Jag (I'm The One) - Den Fule - Quake
Cozes Ty Kasiu (What Have You Been Doing, Kasia) - Warsaw Village Band - People's Spring
Riena (Anathema) - Värttinä - Miero
Bieggarajorri (Weathervane) - Wimme - Wimme
Tre Sorelle (Three Sisters) - Fiamma Fumana - 1.0
Tok Jöns - Hurdy Gurdy - Prototyp
Song from Brahmaputra - Mynta - Teabreak
Skvardern (The Skvader) - Hoven Droven - Nordic Roots: A NorthSide Collection
Bok-Espok - Kepa Junkera and Hedningarna - Bilbao 00:00h
Quand j'Etais Fille a Marier - Malicorne - Pierre De Grenoble
Suvetar (Goddess Of Spring) - Gjallarhorn - Sjofn
Drew Drusnaar / Idag som Igår (Today as Before) - Garmarna - Guds Spelemän
Shogher Jan - Gor Mkhitarian - Episode

Snow and Thunder is centered on Nordic roots music, but strays throughout music of Europe and Eurasia. There are three criteria I apply to song selection:

1. It can't be too consonant--even if it is a "happy" song, it must have some edginess
2. It must have some traditional or f*lk elements in it - preferably going back to pre-Christian roots.
3. It's got to be compelling, either rhythmically, vocally, or texturally. I realize that's a bit subjective but that's where "rock, haunt, and reel" come in.

Some of what you will hear is folk music in its pure rawness - other pieces will be f*lk-rock, f*lk-electronic, or even f*lk-avant garde. You won't hear any Celtic music because that is pretty well covered by mainstream radio. You won't hear over-produced f*lk or world music, either. My goal is to turn you on to more obscure stuff that is different, captures the pain and passion of the human condition, and deserves its own forum.