Some Misc. Program Notes

A few updates on some of the upcoming things on both TRADITIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA as well as some other items.

Let us start with

TRADITIONS: This coming Sunday there are a few things you should know in advance. KATE CAMPBELL is not a featured artist (it is not the usual thing for TRADITIONS) but you will hear a lot by her because she is one of the most insightful and prolific songwriters and, as it happens, she touches so many bases on this week's program. That also includes a song about the Moon Landing that has been in the news this past week---and a whole different take on it.

DEBRA LYNNE will be another artist which, while it is not an introduction to her, will present you with some of her new work and, of course, some schmoozing from me on how I got to it and to meet her. Quite the charming person and wonderful songwriter. My never so humble opinion---why oh why do they say on the internet--IMHO---how about IMNSHO. Lots of letters but more truth. Sorry---here is Debra:

Lots of other things that I hope will surprise and also intrigue you this week including some requests with special attention to one that should be truly meaningful.

The Thrills of The Hills, The Best in The West, and The Tops in Pops is a bit longer this coming Sunday but, I believe, worth the time. Some nostalgia and some updating---sort of what that WPAT segment might be like today---and I feel you will pick up on the thread of it.

Speaking of threads. If you have an idea in any week what the thread was just e mail me at wfdutradions@yahoo.com No prize---just a mention that you are a Traditions Treasure the next week---if it were SUNDAY SIMCHA--a Tzadick. That alliteration does not work with Sunday Simcha ---unfortunately.

Speaking of SUNDAY SIMCHA: This coming Sunday I am delighted to be able to present to you some wonderful new material from SUSAN COLIN as well as THE ALEXANDRIA KLEZTET .

Since the show ends each week with the pre-cursor of Stephen Colbert, Sascha Baron Cohen, and others---ANDY KAUFMAN. A comedian who never told a joke--always stayed in character (which Cohen does not always do and Colbert does) why not feature this brilliant artist in Comedy Corner---and there he will be.

Some Web and Program Suggestions and Notes

Not a very interest grabbing headline but, perhaps, this will get some of your attention. After all, I have found that mistakes and misunderstandings garner more interest and calls than straightforward programming and comments. Yesterday's TRADITIONS program proved that. So many calls and all of them quite flattering and complimentary along with requests that could not be filled. A wrong website address garnered another call.

In truth, I appreciate them all and also the loyal support of so many listeners to both TRADITIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA.

One of the things that I am delighted to mention is that my interview with Clement Talbot about Calypso in Bermuda and his family got quite a few people to go on line and order the book with the CDs and one person won a copy of the interview (I had it on CD) with the music.

It seems apparent that many of you are quite taken by Calypso and the earlier incarnation of it--say, back in the 1950s or 1960s. Some of the listeners also requested some Steel Drum Music. More about that after you watch this:

Steel Drums. A while back The Mighty Sparrow (Calypso Singer) was interviewed (not by me) and at the end was asked to say the first thing that came to his mind when he heard these names---Lord Invader, Lord Necktie, and, finally, Belafonte---for that one he said "Commercial".

Not to denigrate Harry Belafonte in any way given his popularizing the music, his involvement in Civil Rights, and so much more it was a true statement.

The other side of that coin is that without the aid of the commercial artists in popularizing things many would be consigned to the dustbin of musical history. It is a dichotomy. We want the music recognized but we don't want it commercialized. That also includes the "folkies" (which I mean in very complimentary terms). To be brutally frank---Pete Seeger has created a legacy of good will, good works, and wonderful achievements. He is now 90 and, frankly, they used the likes of John Melancamp and Bruce Springsteen to fill MSG for a benefit for Clearwater. I assume with his blessings and underwritten by Live Nation===pure commercialism. Theodore Bikel (85) used Carnegie Hall for a smaller benefit with people that really connected with him.

That led us off the track a bit and as I say on the program---I digress and am seeing a doctor about it. Digression is such an insidious disease.

I am hoping you will click on some of the new videos that I have put on this site---some on the right side of this page. I don't think they need any explanation since they are related to the Calypso I was speaking (writing) of.

If you will follow this site to Playlists(top of the page) and then to The Almost Daily Rooster which you can also get from the link or the right side of the page or on Playlists you will find some more interesting videos. I do hope you find them interesting. On the Playlists page you will find things oriented to the Yiddishkeit (sort of ) from Sunday Simcha. Right now a wonderful video of Leonard Bernstein creation---MASS. I saw it when it was originally presented at Lincoln Center--circa 1960s. Brilliant--encompasses all the music from the various religions and in their language as it follows the Christian Mass in its form. It also includes a folk section. Brilliant.

On the Almost Daily Rooster page you will find some work by the brilliant Tom Lehrer.. Work not to be missed and if you listen to Sunday Simcha you will hear a piece by the Budapest Orpheum Society (they did Dancing Under a Volcano--and have a brand new album out) entitled--Poisoning Pigeons. One has to wonder, as I say on the program, if Tom Lehrer got his idea for Poisoning Pigeons In The Park from that.

So, give it a listen and see what you think.

Since this page is devoted to things "folk" and the various programs I would urge you to click on the Almost Daily Rooster in the next day or so for some opinions on the hearings about the potential new Supreme Court Justice. One quick thought here---more there---along with the videos I have spoken of---she is proud of her involvement in Affirmative Action. Contrast that with Judge Thomas---he took advantage of it and now denies it to others. Strange. More on that other page.

A few personal thoughts now about the July 12 TRADITIONS program. My thanks for all the nice calls and also my congratulations to the ticket winner for Falcon Ridge. I know the feeling of excitement myself when I win something---enjoy the weekend. I am also sorry that I forgot to tell the story about my riding on a steam train back in the 1940s. That is what made me do the segment about disappearing passenger trains. The Almost Daily Rooster has comments on it about my sojourn at Summer Camp in those long gone years.

Finally, I thank you for your calls and notes about the final piece---Eric Bogle. Check the playlist. A song of truth of what we all do.

July 12 Programming and Some Other Thoughts

Let us start with TRADITIONS:
On July 12 you will be hearing some brand new recordings by, among others, Carolyn Hester (more about that lovely lady on the program), Some Fiddle and Violin virtuosi with custom made instruments, and a few interesting topics---Michael Jackson for one --without him---as said years ago on That Was The Week That Was about General Franco---"...gee, he is still dead."---The Banks as compared to Bernie Madoff (what an appropriate name), and, of course some truly interesting story songs----oh, yes, a tip of the hat to the late Secty of Defense---McNammara---a very appropriate and meaningful piece of music. Much more---including, if you feel it is of great importance---ticket giveaways for Falcon Ridge Folk Festival----and also some CDs. Here I thought I was like Sally Field and you just ---" ...like me---oh you like me".
OH YES!---One more thing Trains and how they are disappearing---which leads me to a thought about my early days at summer camp===see below or go to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER on the right side of the page.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: On July 12 we have a brand new show for you and it features some requests and a lot of "Yiddishkeit". On July 19 we leave the Yiddishkeit a bit and focus on a brilliant new album from the same folks who gave you Dancing on The Edge of A Volcano---Cabaret Music before World War 2 from the Jewish perspective---along with a few surprise artists that should grab you.

FINALLY: Click on the right side of this page to reach The Almost Daily Rooster. You will find some pictures and thoughts about summer camps and very little about trains. Someday we can discuss the values of different types of summer camps and the related costs---awesome. Now! Then---probably but not as bad.

A JULY 4th SURPRISE AND TREAT FOR YOU

Are you a person of taste and insight? Do you think that one of the great painters of the 20th century was Earl Scheib? Are you an afficianado of the great talents of Jerry Lewis---and not French? Well---read on because this is a show for you.

You know that for the years that I had the pleasure of hosting TABLETALK we always featured THE CAPITOL STEPS on the quarterly programs. WFDU and Susan Telser Schwartz have kindly allowed me to air their 4th of July Program at 8 PM on July 19. It will be archived for two weeks. Should you want a scoop you can listen to it right here. Trust me---clever, topical, and, as always, on point. The Capitol Steps.

If you have an Ipod player all to the good. If not I am sure you can access it via whatever player you have installed---if not---contact me and I shall guide you. You know---Blind Leading Blind. In any case this is the thing to click on and I guarantee---trust me---a brilliant and topical 29 minutes will be spent. You can also hear it live on WFDU on July 19 at 8 AM---if you feel inspired to get up that early. In any case---this is the spot to hear it

http://www.capsteps.com/radio/depot/broadcast.html

Not overly complicated complicated (password and screen name are already there) and no videos but, trust me, you will be delighted and have a heads up prior to air on WFDU on July 19.

Just think---topical material, no Michael Jackson, and the shennanigans of the famous in a comical manner---too bad nothing about good old Bernie Madoff---too early. Think about this though. He is thinking of subscribing to a Zagat Guide to prison dining---hope it helps. they do leave out the business about "better not forget your checkbook"---none reqired. You know---he may well be living better than the people he fleeced. Free food and free dining and free beds.

If you want a copy of one of their earlier CDs merely e mail me and the first 10 writers will receive one--- wfdutraditions@yahoo.com Make sure you put in an e mail address and a mailing address.

TRADITIONS on June 28 and a few other comments

It was satisfying that so many people enjoyed my interview with Clement Talbot on June 14. He e mailed me with many thanks for it along with his worry that it might be well received but it seems that listeners contacted him and ordered some 9 or 10 of the wonderful book (that comes with CDs and DVDs) from the website .

The June 28 program will be a program of requests, themes, and a few surprise entries (musically) as well a ticket gift for you for the FALCON RIDGE FESTIVAL. I will announce that at some time during the program.

A few new and also nostalgic moments during the Dave Miller Segment (you know--thrills of the hills, tops in pops, etc;) and some really great story songs for you.

The other comments are on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER page. I wish the names were shorter but the die is cast and computer Luddites (definitions notwithstanding) find it hard to change them and cause you difficulty

THEODORE BIKEL: THE FIRST 85 YEARS

The most formal of "living rooms" was a lot less formal than this picture of the Stern auditorium of Carnegie Hall would have you believe. Picture a stage filled with microphones, instruments (and, of course, the piano) where a really wonderful birthday bash was about to begin. A birthday bash to honor what one can probably truly refer to as "a man for all seasons". Theodore Bikel. And a real party it was.


From the moment David Amram came out with his various instruments the party was off and running. While there is a list of artists too long to go into detail about, suffice it to say all had a connection to Theo Bikel---be it drama, music, dance, or his causes for justice, freedom, and equal rights.

The first half of the program had the honoree sitting in a box in the center of the hall with some of his celebrated guests--including Chita Rivera while the entertainment started with accolades to him from the likes of Beyond The Pale, the actress (we could say actor) Patricia Connolly, and a host of others. Alan Alda was a truly gracious interlocutor and read some wonderful messages sent for the occasion from various people ending with a message from Michael Bloomberg---but, as Mr. Alda shook the note to see---no key to the city.

A few people I do want to mention in a bit more detail in the first half of the program and also comment that they all presented just one piece --or 2 if they were short ones.

THE KLEZMATICS, as always, brought the house down with 2 pieces; the second of which came from their Wonder Wheel album.

SUSAN WERNER, who many of you have heard on Traditions and recently saw at the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music club, did a wonderful turn using her guitar--though I admit I had hoped to see her at that Carnegie grand piano.

PETER/PAUL/NO MARY were a wonderful few moments that really got the audience involved with two pieces---the first a wonderful piece about not making fun of people who might be"different" and the second was Puff The Magic Dragon. A few comments about that interlude which was both positive, negative and unnecessary. On a positive note the first piece was perfect for the demographic of the audience--more about the demograpic later--the second, "Puff", also involved the audience and was wonderfully received. Mr. Yarrow's comments about Mary were, I felt, totally unnecessary. As he said himself,"...I am probably saying more than I should.." Right he certainly was. I am sure we are all happy that she --as he said--" is cancer free" but I do not know that he needed to describe her chemotherapy and its side effects which prevented her appearance. Some folks just cannot -- I will leave the last comment out. Noel Paul Stookey was, as usual, a quiet, talented, class act.

There were more great people that came out in the first half---including Judy Kaye, Michael Wex ( who did a brilliant parody/satirical country western piece) the author of Born To Kvetch amongst other that brought him a over the radar.

The second half of the program started with Theodore Bikel making a short and touching speech about the evening and the cause it was benefiting. He followed that with some amazing virtuosic pieces that included some solo work, some work with Shura Livpovsky, and also his wife Tamara Brooks on the piano.

It really turned into a birthday party at this point when Theo Bikel and Tamara Brooks brought out:

SARAH HOROWITZ, the brilliant violinist who, I thought was in her 20s from where I was sitting, but is in fact just 14 years old.

DAVID KRAKAUER, a clarinetist that totally tore the house down with his brilliant mastery of the instrument. Hard to describe what he did with it but, suffice it to say, he combines Jazz, Klezmer, and improv into a magical blend.

Next a wonderful ensemble presentation with the Klezmatics and others after which they all left the stage and left it to Tom Paxton who did two pieces that were known to some---but, as said earlier, given the demographic might not have been familiar to the audience. So, sing a long was out. Arlo Guthrie was next and got a rousing welcome (as did Tom Paxton). After his once piece---more later on that---

Finally the entire group came on stage for the grand finale (though I had hoped the audience would sing Happy Birthday) which was one of the most clever and touching things I have ever seen. It started out with Theo Bikel doing "Those Were The Days" in Yiddish and then it turned to English and many people had original verses to add that pertained to the birthday boy. All were clever but, frankly, I thought Tom Paxton's the funniest (I do not know if he wrote it)---about being in a bar in Greenwhich Village with Irish Revolutionary songs being sung and Bikel singing them in Yiddish. Shades of Saints and Tzadiks CD.

While I said I do not know if Tom Paxton wrote that it is because in the midst of the entire ensemble stood, I believe,Chris Wangro who seemed to be wonderfully conducting this finale. Perhaps he had a hand in the composition since the lyrics were on paper they sang from. The encore came as a wonderful solo piece of "If I Were A Rich Man" by Theo Bikel accompanied on the piano by Tamara Brooks. All on the stage left only for him and Tamara.

It was, by any measure, a wonderful and touching evening. A few thoughts about some of the moments:
The demographic was predominantly an older Jewish crowd which did appreciate Puff the Magic Dragon but seemed lost in the Arlo Guthrie selection---St. James Infirmary. Something I should think a performer would realize. The audience did seem to appreciate the Tom Paxton pieces but were not of the group or age that would sing along---as they did with Puff--or any of the other Yiddish themed pieces.

The entire evening was truly one that was meaningful to the honoree, adored by the audience, and the young artists and the older ones were a joy to behold. It was a wonderful thing that they all had a connection to Theo Bikel.

I was delighted and honored to have been in the hall and it is, truly, a hall that has memories that go through the ages---classical, folk, jazz, etc; The nations "parlor" if you will. The right place for this wonderful 85th birthday commemoration. How wonderful to see the eternal spirit of youth in this youngster at 85----as it is said---Kine Hora---you should live to 125.