An Addition You Will Enjoy

Perhaps I should have shown a crystal set. In biblical terms Crystal Sets begat classic radio which begat classic TV which begat crap TV which now begat Internet Videos. I believe that is a quote from Bill Hahn 13:1 of a testament no one ever heard of.

The new means of communication and narrow focusing of it is a long way from the days of B/W TV when the announcer held up a hand lettered sign about next days limited and pathetic programs. Also a far cry from the halcyon days of radio entertainment which is now replaced---with the exception of one or two places (OK WFDU and NPR)--with canned schlock and sometimes abusive and insulting schlock.

The new means are truly an amazement and something that now makes us all journalists but also makes one wonder about the truth. The nice part is that it allows for some nice features to be shared with others. This is what I have tried to do now on this site---and on The Daily Rooster.

Scroll down on the right side and see some Memorable Moments via You Tube. They will be updated on a regular--but not a daily-basis. You will see this on The Almost Daily Rooster as well. Shortly there will be different ones each site.

A usage hint. If you just want the audio you can hear it by clicking on the picture of the frame you want. If you want to see the video merely scroll to the top of the screen once you hear the audio and the video will be playing there. Enjoy some memories and sometimes some newer material. Hopefully some surprises will be coming on a fairly frequent basis.

As to the picture at the top of the beauty from the 1950s. We could do a whole riff on obesity since the advent of remote controls for TV. At least Mr Couch Potato had to put the beer down for a moment to walk over to the TV to change the channel from NBC to The Dumont Network back in those days. Now he just sits there with his remote and he still cannot find The Dumont Network---but he can find hundreds of other channels. Is there a Beer Channel? If not yet there will be.

Merry Month of May Memories and Mentions

If April Showers bring the May Flowers then, I suppose, after all the inundation in April we should soon be in a wilderness. But May also brings us more.

Happy Birthday wishes ---and I am late on this--to Pete Seeger (5/3). A true icon of more than just "folk" music. His activism and creativity in involving multitudes is the most impressive thing. Music, as he has said, is the universal language but he speaks it to us to do more than show a musical skill or embellish some old "front porch" song. His constant dedication all these years to this wonderful age he has achieved is something to marvel and celebrate.

This is a picture of him in a much earlier time---around 1956. Nice artifact from--credits now--Wikipedia. Look closely at the image and look at the center of the picture. Yes---Eleanor Roosevelt. The first female (unofficial) President---in many a person's mind.
The other birthdays celebrated at this time were not as noteworthy. For one there is your less than humble author (5/2)

and an old friend and performer who you may have heard years back on WFDU--Jon Stein (5/3). Of more import is the great singer, actor, and man of so many varied talents and humanity pictured below:

















Theodore Bikel (5/2) now 83 years of age. Still, happily, going strong.

We leave this area blank to admire talent of such long standing.

Moving on, let us now make mention some of the newer people that have given us some wonderful new products of their talents. We start with Work O The Weavers . Their newest CD is a delight and it was a pleasure and honor to debut it on both TRADITIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA. It covers the music that is traditional, some later Jewish melodies, and, above all, songs that hope for peace. All done in a style that would make The Weavers proud. As has been shown by the comments of Pete Seeger and Fred Hellerman. WE'RE STILL HERE is the name of this brilliant new piece that they have given us. I suppose the best thing that can be said is that while exploring new territory the tradition of The Weavers truly lives on with this amazingly talented group that emulates but does not imitate. That is a big distinction. They honor them and capture their spirit.


Another new work that should be mentioned is one that I am not ready yet to tell you of----the madcaps will be joining me soon to talk of it. Suffice it to say your sides will ache and 911 may have to be called.

On a more serious note I would recommend a few pieces of work that are truly worthwhile to add to your collection and they will be attributed to your interests in either TRADITIONS or SUNDAY SIMCHA:

George Burns I Wish I Were 18 Again (Traditions/Sunday Simcha)

Debbie Friedman One People (Sunday Simcha)

John Prine Standard Songs For Average People (Traditions)

Mike Stevens/David McLean Old Time Mojo (Traditions)

There are many more worthwhile artists to appreciate and they will be covered at a later time. Meanwhile--stay tuned for the news of upcoming guests, features, and visit that Old Rooster---for other topics.