HISTORY WITH A GREAT SOUND

At the end of each year we ---my co-host Ron Olesko and I---pick 10 recordings that were most meaningful to us. Here we are in March and I have one that I have to tell you about. OK --I already mentioned Tom Paxton's "Comedians and Angels". Another one from a whole different take has arrived.

With beautiful artwork on the cover of this CD to introduce you to the African American experience through the music of the Sea Islands (Gullah), Gospel, Work, and Prison ballads as performed and presented by an amazing group of talented artists starting with Andrew Calhoun. Mr. Calhoun is the guiding genius behind this work and has included so many truly creative and talented artists to join him in this venture. Tony Dale, Runako Robinson, Richard Shindell to name just a very few.

With this CD comes a most informative booklet. Every song is explained historically and its origin. In addition there is a wonderful essay by Mr. Calhoun to start the booklet talking of his background, his mother's influence in his life, and how all these forces led to this piece of work after so many other truly wonderful pieces of work---poetry, music, and general creativity.

The basic thing is the music and the arrangements that should be the thing of most interest to a listener. The originals--if they were recorded--would be wonderful, surely. But here we have these songs captured in the great old tradition in the most technically advanced way to bring all this wonderful history to us as if it were just yesterday.

Many of you who listen to me on TRADITIONS know how much I appreciate Gospel music. While this is not pure Gospel it surely captures it and so much more. You may want to know more. It will be be featured on my next time on TRADITIONS. In the meantime you might want to visit Mr. Calhoun's website. You might also try the website of WATERBUG RECORDINGS.

Yes--It is the same address. Hey --you have to save a buck somewhere when you are in folk music---you know the joke---how do you make 100,000 dollars in folk music? Start with 200,000 dollars.

A BRIEF---VERY BRIEF UPDATE

The TRADITIONS program on April 23 will, as always, commemorate Easter, deal with some topical material given some of the comments made by our illustrious "leaders" this past week. In addition I hope to pay tribute to something that occurred in the 1950s--a radio program hosted by Dave Miller and the slogan of the program---The Best In The West, The Thrills of The Hills, and The Tops in Pops. You will hear some rare old things and if you like this feature just write to me at wfdutraditions@yahoo.com and we shall do it again.

In the meantime--check out the right side for some videos that relate to that---Roy Acuff and in contrast Frankie Laine. Ah---you have to be of a certain age. Let us not forget those who led us to the brilliant people we have today.

A BIT OF NOSTALGIA AND AN ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER RECOMMENDATION

A few weeks back on TRADITIONS I ran a little Traditions Trivia with the query---what was the slogan many years back for 2 radio programs hosted by Don Larkin on WAAT (NJ) and Dave Miller on WPAT (NJ). The answers were

1) Don Larkin---Harken to Larkin Barkin' (gotten by one listener)
2) Dave Miller--The Tops in Pops, The Best in the West, and The Thrills of The Hills

I, for one, like that last one and I do believe that to some extent it fits so well in the TRADITIONS format. After all some "pop" is not traditional as well.

In keeping with that thought let me suggest that you click on the right side for the THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER. There, besides other commentary, you will now find videos of exactly what that slogan referred to--music from many genres with the emphasis on the Country and Western performers of the era the slogan originated with. Here is an example of one who was much requested on the Dave Miller program all those many moons ago:


If you enjoyed that there will be many more on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER. Join me in our trip down Memory Lane---if you are of a certain age---and if you are of another age you can join me in the Dean Martin joke about a trip down Mammary Lane.

You won't see this on other blogs---and as Jolson said---I Got A Million of 'Em---in my case---all pretty bad

A TABLETALK UPDATE

On March 16 two wonderful artists will be joining me on TABLETALK. Fred Koehler and Jace Johnson.

If you click on the video below you will see the trailer for a brilliant film, LITTLE CHENIER. Filmed in the Bayous of Louisiana (co-written by Jace Johnson) and featuring Fred Koehler in a brilliant performance reminiscent of the great Charles Laughton in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. A Gothic tale filled with the most beautiful photography, the lilting dialect of the area (so well captured), and also the last views you will ever see of this gorgeous area. Thirty days after filming ended Hurricane Rita struck and totally wiped out this town.

While the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina remains with us Rita was no slouch in the devastation department and this area was never rebuilt.

In the film you will also hear the most beautiful Cajun music and a French version of Amazing Grace (which---you can also hear on TRADITIONS on March 9).

This is a film where the ending should not be revealed---so I won't. But do tune in to TABLETALK on March 16 at 8 A M Eastern Time or listen on the web at http://www.wfdu.fm/.

The film is now playing in only one theater in the NY area--The Quad. Having won numerous awards it will be in wider release shortly.

Just allow yourself to be engulfed by the music and the atmosphere and live once again in a place you will never see again. For good or ill.

Gift Giving Idea and a few more items.

A few weeks ago a CD came into my hands that truly impressed me by the concept and the execution. We all know about Hallmark Greeting cards amongst others; when some one comes up with a great idea for personalized music I do believe it is worth passing this information along since you may have an occasion---birthday, anniversary, tribute for a loved one, and who knows what more.

ERIK BALKEY has come up with just such a concept and has a CD out featuring some of the music he has created for people. All these songs are performed by others---handpicked for the occasion and all wonderful artists in their own right.

Below you will see a message from Erik's website explaining this concept and how it works:

About Family Album: Custom Songs by Erik Balkey

Make it a song! Words and music can capture a moment, express a feeling, and make it a timeless gift.
Erik will write a song for all occasions or purposes. He's written songs for birthdays, weddings, graduation, Mother's Day. He's written a song for a September 11 charity foundation, a song to accompany a personal story on discovery of spirit, and a song for a concert presenter on the occasion of his last show.

What is a custom song? A song can be written with the details that you provide. If you have an occasion, or wish to find a creative gift, a song can be a memory or feeling made timeless.

What do I have to do? Give Erik an idea. He will ask you some questions. Answer the questions, then sit back and wait for a song. Erik will do the rest. The melody, music and lyrics will be written incorporating the details you provide. And, more than just telling the story, it isn't a custom song if it doesn't also capture the heart.

What do I get? Erik will write the song. You can have it recorded simply with an intimate guitar and voice presentation and delivered on CD. Also, Erik works with a variety of singers and producers and can affordably deliver your song with a more 'full' sound. You can get one copy with simple text, but we can also provide multiple copies for your occasion (gift to wedding guests, for example), and some graphics to include photos.

Contact Erik for more information and rates - info@erikbalkey.com.

My thanks for the nice comments and calls regarding the idea of a segment with story songs---songs that are like a novel in 5 or so minutes. If you have any suggestions for artists, themes, or particular pieces please do e mail wfdutraditions@yahoo.com

Updates, Thanks and a Suggestion

Let us start with the suggestion. Click on the right to the "Playlist" page. There now are some great videos of Allan Sherman up there------always a big favorite on SUNDAY SIMCHA--and also the cognoscente of humor---join me in being a laughaholic and we can do a 12 step program together. Another video is of a person that is, not only a favorite on SIMCHA and TRADITIONS but an idol of mine since childhood thanks to a dear aunt who introduced me to the works of PAUL ROBESON.

By the way--in blogging's conversational style--note that I said "...introduced me to the works of PAUL ROBESON" as opposed to Mitt Romney's--"..my father marched with MLK"--he could have said he saw his father's support of MLK or some such thing.

I am not courting your vote---only your vote for WFDU's programming---and---yes, I am not hypocritical---the shows I host. That's honesty. Don't you just hate people who say things like--"...oh, you shouldn't have", "..I hate to ask, but..."? "Thanks so much for this award--I am so happy to be with such wonderful competitors" (The Oscars are coming--I await cliches).

Makes me think of that great Gilbert & Sullivan song from The Mikado---I've Got A Little List (next line---of society offenders who shall not be missed).

If you ever want to hear it---just e mail me with a request. I have no problem in adding G&S to the Traditions playlists---it is all great music.

OK--now for the thanks. All you loyal and I mean truly loyal pledgers who have helped us achieve our goal for TRADITIONS during the short fundraising effort this year. You are really "family" as your interest, loyalty, and support has shown over these many years. We also welcome some new names to the roster and are thankful for that.

SUNDAY SIMCHA --I want to add the same comments for that program as I said above---you surely do not want to read all this "chaverei" twice. As to the west coast listeners on the web---hey---schnorers are still welcome. What can I do---reminds me of a story. The question arose in this past NY Times "Ethicist" column of a community that had to chip in to erect fire protection for their community---and some did not. Were the supporters obligated to douse fires in homes of the non-payers? Yes--ethically they were but they should be sent a bill. Well---those of you who listen and e mail---there is no bill in the mail but just the suggestion that since others support the program, my devoting much time and energy at no recompense (save the love of YIDDISHKEIT), and perhaps the feeling of the "fire" in your Sunday Mornings should be paid for to show that it is a needed thing for SUNDAY SIMCHA to remain here. Ver Vaist---things could happen.

I change hats now---OK--I never wear one. Let me don the proverbial hat of the harbinger of some musical suggestions that you might feel worthwhile---no long reviews this time:

TOM PAXTON Comedians & Angels. His work just seems to get better and better. A full review is below.

RICHARD BERMAN You won't tap your feet but you will be moved with the lyrics and the insights of his music. The story songs are reminiscent of Harry Chapin without the beat.

EMILY KURN The voice and the sentiments---what more can I say

JASON PETTY If you like classic country music---this is your guy. Hank Williams re-incarneted---along with a lot of others

SUSAN WERNER The latest album nblew me away---The Gospel Truth

KIM & REGGIE HARRIS I cannot say more= early works, later works--like Tom Paxton---just keep getting better and better ---and more meaningful

I don't want to slight anyone---there are so many more--I should start my own award ceremony for ---how about alliteration here---MEANINGFUL MUSICIANS. So many---for beat and sound there are those, for Gospel and Rhythm there are many more, and for wonderful insightful lyrics there are those. They all have a place on TRADITIONS and so we shall go back to the regular programming this weekend.

A bit of a preview---commemoration of Black History Month w/ Laura Warfield, songs that are musical novels as opposed to just "songs", and also a bit of C/W in honor and dedication to a good friend at the station---it will be mentioned on the air.

Finally---if anyone wants to take the advice regarding joining the community you can pledge via e mail to:

TRADITIONS wfdutraditions@yahoo.com
SUNDAY SIMCHA sundaysimcha@yahoo.com
TABLETALK wfdutabletalk@yahoo.com (Hopefully you got a laugh this past Sunday w. the Capitol Steps program that took a while to compile). How much is the daily laugh to fight off torpor and sloth worth?