Things Rightfully Live On

July 14---today---it the anniversary of the birth of Woody Guthrie.  Who would ever imagine that a wandering (as it turned out) troubador (minstrel as Gilbert and Sullivan have it) would become one , if not the greatest, of influences in our musical history and, perhaps, in the nation's patriotic history.  Given his life and his adventures it also lead to the true definition of brotherhood, empathy, and understanding.

I am happy that my co-host, Ron Olesko, will be airing an interview he did with Marjorie Guthrie so many years ago.  A real coup.   Next week I will be remembering Woody just briefly given all the commemorations to date and on Sunday Simcha on 7/22 I will be featuring some of the wonderful music that has been re-worked and newly found in a Jewish mode.  By the Klezmatics.   On Traditions I will, as said, briefly be recalling him with some music from some rare old recordings featuring him and also Cisco Houston and Leadbelly.

Now---the legacy of Woody Guthrie continues through so many of our wonderful artists of today and, also, through the ongoing interest in his work and his persona.  One of the disciples is a person I have had on my program---TRADITIONS---is Rik Palieri.   Rik travels the world playing all kinds of music and has written a wonderful book which I had the honor to proof read.   For Woody's 100th commemoration he post this on Youtube (what is not there today?)  I think it something worth seeing---it is what Woody Guthrie was about.  Can you imagine what he would have done with the internet?


Please feel free to share this---as if I could stop you--with friends, relatives, and enemies---they will be uplifted.

                                                   

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the fedora, as always, to Jimmy Cannon

An aside this week to those of you who may not know who Jimmy Cannon was---a great sportswriter who had other interests and came up with this column idea for the NY Post---when it was THE NY Post and not what my dead fish get wrapped in.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)                Let me see if I have this right---Mayor Bloomberg was not supposed to have another term but he got around that law and now is playing the “mommy” to the public with his edicts.  Be it the teachers, the consumers, you name them.  Mayor Lindsay (damn, nostalgia is great and so was he) just tried to do his best idealistically and the trashbin of history was his reward.  There must be a moral in there somewhere.

2)                 I loved the Garrison Keilor bit about Mayor Bloomberg and his well stocked limo---a few punchlines but the one I really liked---   "well stocked mini bar with no bottle larger than 6 ozs."   Good for you Mommy Mayor

3)                Why does someone with quite a few large homes want to change NYC zoning to allow for 300 sq. foot apartments---a large walk in closet?  It is consistent with the soda idea---smaller bottles for smaller apartments.  Good for him and consistency.

4)                But the piece in the NY Times about privatization of people on probation really struck a chord—Probation was a judicial decision—when did some private companies get involved to profit from the poor inductees of this comedy  of errors?  And, why is it allowed?

5)                The ads for TED are intriguing and, kids should avoid it. I want to see “Brian” (Family Guy) resurrected as a Teddy Bear.  Frankly---having seen the trailer---not even close.  Creativity can go just so far.

 6)   Speaking of “trailers” .   This summer there will be a documentary coming out about the song “Hava Negilla” (joke is, of course, have two—they are small) do not miss it. Faces and voices you do not expect to see in this wonderful film which is truly enlightening and enjoyable about this great piece of music.   We will be talking of it and playing some samples this Sunday on Sunday Simcha.

6)                Shakespeare and his humor and his tragedies with all their insights have lived on for over 400 yrs.   Other than Arthur Miller is there a playwright that one can name that might be in that category---and even Arthur Miller may not be there.

7)                 Between the “Stop & Frisk” issues and the issuing of summonses (tickets) for drinking (beer/soda –it turns out) in public even though on one's own stoop one has to think the NYPD is truly overstepping and is quite insensitive to the public.  An essay could follow this but, suffice it to say, I do respect their professionalism as compared to the average suburban overpaid police person given the lesser pay of the more risky work and discipline of the NYPD.   If you want the essay send some notes---I will oblige.

8)                Next week on TRADITIONS (7/22) we will remember Dave Carter and Harry Chapin who, sadly, passed away during this time frame.   I will be playing an interview I had the pleasure and honor of having with Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.  Unfortunately I never interviewed Harry Chapin---but there will be some interesting and memorable moments. Also a brief reading by me of a wonderful tribute to Harry I received the other day from a true aficionado.

9)                I am truly delighted in retiring from the local library board after some 40 years there and knowing that we have the best director now that anyone could wish for, a board that is responsible and creative, and most of the extensive renovations are behind us.  Now if only our town elders (who are not that old or that wise) would allow us the “privilege” of renovating the auditorium so that is not the embarrassment it is compared to other facilities.  I am sure the artists that we book would also be delighted. I know I would be.  Sort of like having guests in a shabby home even though you have a very nice entryway.

10)        I was truly intrigued by the lead article in the NY Times today about Doctors, Rxs, and the doctors selling them to patients rather than giving scrip for a pharmacy---at exorbitant costs.  Seems the gov’t is picking up the tab for this since it is mostly MDs who deal with cases that involve some gov’t---Workmen’s Compensation, etc;  There is a moral here.   Arrest the 3 card monte hustler in the street and reimburse the hustler with a degree.  Better to prosecute him.  Madoff needs company.  He is lonely.

11)        You do have to believe that as technology in TV gets better the content just gets worse.  Seems the only live things of quality left are sports (I am not a fan).   Escapism with quality drama is gone but Reality TV is here even though we are trying to escape the reality of the day from the mundane everyday things we deal with.

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the felt fedora to JIMMY CANNON---

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)                Is it really progress when there was a time when children had the hours of 5-7 PM for radio programming (adventure, etc;) and now they sit in front of various screens viewing who knows what and have to be monitored by parents?

2)                Aging is all well and good when you see it on the movie screen in a great film and not so great when you are not one of the actors playing those highly paid roles.  I do recommend the wonderful feel good film—The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel..  

3)                For more insight and depth---Shakespeare lives on.

4)                Have you ever wondered why there are comedians (comics) that need obscenity for the sake of obscenity?  Richard Pryor made points with and without obscenity; as did Lenny Bruce. Bill Maher is clever and could be even better if he did not need to interject his constant obscenities into the points he makes---Jon  Stewart and S. Colbert do not seem to need it to make the same valid points.

5)                Maybe it is age but I do find “schlepping” to these myriad festivals in Summer getting quite tedious.   I prefer now to stick to the one or two artists on a single bill at a local venue.  Artists that I, particularly, have an interest in seeing or hearing.

6)                When did political campaigns and conventions become non-events but just about dollars raised from interested parties?  Think of it.  If people thought for themselves and avoided commercial ads and actually heard proper debates intelligent choices might be made.  One has to posit that the masses are intelligent.  Questionable, given a book of years back that defined it (masses) as “the great “unwashed”.  

7)                Some things cannot be improved upon.  Gilbert and Sullivan come to mind.  I will admit the List song can be properly updated and that is about it. 

8)                The revival of South Pacific is, however, a whole different take on that.  The music and the presentation created a whole new interpretation. Think, particularly, of Happy Talk.

9)                If you have never been “stopped and frisked” then you cannot properly understand the indignity and the prejudice involved.  Polite or not.   If, however, you were in Nazi Germany in the 1930s you might understand.  Not to equate the NYPD with Nazis but the result, due to judicial decisions to date, equate to the same thing in a subtle way.

10)        Don’t forget to tune in to  Sunday Simcha on July 8 (actually, every week) because we will have an exclusive and extended COMEDY CORNER that features the CAPITOL STEPS  for the hour.  Their annual July 4 1 Hr. topical special---and exclusively on WFDU/SUNDAY SIMCHA in this area.

                               

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

A flip of the weekly fedora to Jimmy Cannon

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)          Hindsight is a wonderful and strange thing.  In reading about LBJ (there is a reason for those initials aside from his name) in Caro’s latest book one realizes that things are not what they seem at the time and that JFK was not all that his image seemed to be.   I, along with many others, are having eyes opened and new understanding of that time thanks to this wonderful work by Caro.  It is, as a bonus, ever so readable.

2)          Given the NY Times article on Lenin and his remains---truly a good time to finally bury the man and the past.

3)          Have you ever wondered why notorious murderers get full obit coverage in the NY Times but their victims never did.  In fact, why are they recognized at all?  Folk heros?  Doubtfully.

4)          Washington Mutual Bank is gone and Chase was the recipient of a nice gift thereof.  They lost 2 billion and Chase now has done as well and even moreso.  Has anyone ever questioned why this transfer took place when the bank could have been saved----disclaimer now---I was a shareholder in WM and, frankly, it was a bank that really was “local” and helpful.  Expletive about Chase deleted.

5)          Have you ever wondered why some people are 

so revered because they have paid homage to ailing parents at great expense when they can well afford it and others are remembered for damages to their homes  while the larger things are not considered more important. References now---RFK visiting is ill father in Florida for 20 minutes or so via a personal plane during his lunch time (Caro) or Geo. HW Bush and the documentary of him (HBO).   How much do we revere the “everyman” who holds down 2 or 3 jobs to be able to support an ill wife, child, or such?

6)            Age does not necessarily give you wisdom but it surely can make you empathize and appreciate a great film even more in hindsight---there we are again—hindsight.   Harry and Tonto came out in 1975---came out---released.  Damn.  Eric Bogle is right---words do change their meanings.  Check out his Silly Slang Songs—or listen to TRADITIONS (WFDU) where I do play it from time to time---requests always welcome.

7)          To add a few “folk” or “Sunday Simcha” comments to this posting I will say that the Sunday Simcha for this Sunday is a wonderful mix of various things we do ( it is the Royal “WE” –I am, after all, the maven of the manse) along with a piece toward the end I do hope you enjoy.  One of the listeners sent it to me.  If you want to  share anything just e mail me and we will work it out.  As to TRADITIONS.  On June 24 I will be “live” in the studio---“live” (Simcha makes me say--
God Willing”) and there is a very interesting program planned---no guests, some great new material and some great bits from the archives.   Too late for requests now.

8)          Graduations are upon us.   Are Elementary School and Middle School (JHS---oh, how he dates himself) different now than they were?

9)          I did receive some pen and pencil sets---ball points were just coming out---and expensive--- for my HS graduation.  For college I have to admit a very personal story---The one person who influenced me the most and from whom I garnered my appreciation of music, reading, and theater gave me the most meaningful gift of all---her wisdom (aside from the check—I did not care about that).  My aunt.  From evenings at her place with the likes of—Max Lerner, Frank Kingdon, and more (sure---the NY Post was a “good” paper until Ms Schiff sold it to Murdoch) and theater in NYC to lunches with lively discussions I have to say that it was a meaningful graduation followed by meaningful moments with a heroic person---heroic would take another essay to explain.

                                     

Some Folk, Some Misc., and Some Literary Items

Keeping with the Festival season that is upon us I surely hope that you will be tuned in to TRADITIONS this Sunday (3-6 PM ET) on WFDU 89,1 FM  (  www.wfdu.fm ) (it is streamed there) as I (not the royal "we") talk of the upcoming festivals---Old Songs and Clearwater (Great Hudson River Revival).  Better than talk you will hear some of the great performers that will be performing.  Too many to list here but you can check the web-site of both venues.  There is a bit of a sample here now---



Ken Whiteley amongst so many great talents that will be there---Magpie, Kim/Reggie Harris, Holly Near to name just a sprinkling.   So,  tune in this Sunday to TRADITIONS and get the sampling and then get yourselves ----the whole anatomy (not just as the saying goes---your asses--to some of these great events.

One thing should be mentioned.  Clearwater is not truly a folk festival.  It is an Environmental Event and has great music of many genres while Old Songs (Altamount, NY) is a music festival.   I will have a pair of tickets for that venue on the program and if you tune it you may win them---well worth the price of listening (Free) and also the price of admission should you attend.

The literary items refer to my ongoing trek through the brilliant work by Rob't Caro. "The Passage of Power".  I am still amazed at the detail and erudition of the work and still make it so readable.  Over 600 pages that read like a well written mystery masterpiece and plays with our emotions throughout. It also made me think twice about another book, just published.  Power and Constraint.  This being the political season of Presidential elections and other major votes  it truly makes one think about the legacy of earlier candidates and holders of the office. 

Candidates run on their platforms and their presumed ideals.  Geo. W Bush has been much maligned for many things.  I am in line there as well.  Pres. Obama, frankly, on an national scale, if you will, has continued  some of those policies.  Think of Guantanamo, Trials of  the perpetrators of 9/11 attacks in military tribunals, and some other such matters. 

My point here is, while I support Pres. Obama for his leadership and pragmatism, I do feel that in those areas there is much hypocrisy.  I realize a Pres. has to do what he feels are the proper moves to carry out the nation's best interests.   At the same time one should also own up to that in a political campaign.

This brings me back to the Caro tome again.   Skipping over all the slights of The Kennedys to LBJ in his years as VP he took command and, frankly, agree or disagree, he did what had to be done.  At the time.   Later his policies on Viet Nam did prove to be his downfall.  With the help of the"brilliant" advice of his Secty of Defense.  McNamarra.   His slanted reports from his field commander in the fight..

All this must make us wonder of current history.   Invasion of Iraq---did W just want to show he could outdo his father? After all, Bush #1 had a plan and stopped when it was achieved.  W knew full well that the terrorists came from Afghanistan and yet with the misleading statements about WMDs (non-existent) in Iraq that was our target.   Now we are still mired in Afghanistan (as Johnny come-latelys) fighting and losing American (and NATO lives)  in an area who's culture and mores are so antiethical to ours.  We are not on a Crusade and we, surely,  cannot force our mores and culture on them.  Why should we.  It is abhorrent to us as, I assume, ours is to them.   Perhaps the best thing is to let our people depart, live, and let whatever hell the people of Afghanistan  get it is their problem.  Their Pres.  lives the high life and visits world leaders and his family is quite corrupt.   Perhaps that is contagious to him as well. 

Our wars, in earlier years, were, hopefully, well intentioned and meaningful.   WW2 was considered "The Good War"..   It was.   Certainly we and FDR  might have done more to avoid the Holocaust that ensued and, yet, we pulled it off and evil was destroyed.   What came later is open for much discussion.    We, however, have never dipped into the well of evil that such maniacs of the 3d Reich did.  Or the well of evil that we are now dipping into  in Afghanistan for purposes that are so antiethical to what our  beliefs  allegedly are.

Now, as to the misc. items.   Have you ever wondered about the efficiency of the IRS and the people who work there.   On the positive side.  The IRS sends the most friendly form letters.  On the negative side.  They send dunning letters even though their friendly letters say that they are still working on the issues. The issues---to explain---are their errors in putting in the wrong "key strokes" that added $10,000 in income (erroneously) .   I am sure they will resolve it since I spoke with an agent---after 30 minutes on "hold" on the "friendly" phone number supplied.  She agreed.   On the positive side---another pleasant letter saying to do nothing since they will contact me.  On the negative side---another letter asking for the money and penalties.  Now, it would be nice if one automated arm would communicate with another automated arm.

Do you think the Gates and Trumps of this world have these problems?

                                                               

THURSDAY--Another Edition of--

 A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon as always---

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT.......

1)          Sometimes it is best not to view a great film again because you get the same emotions.  A Marx Bros. comedy would be great re-viewing but House of Sand and Fog is a marvelous film that will surely depress you----BUT---you do have to appreciate the talent.

2)          There are some films that really should end at a certain point since more scenes lessen the symbolism.  House of Sand and Fog had the perfect ending when the last character alive curls up between the other two protagonists (dead by suicide).   Unfortunately they added 2 more scenes so it ended like any other film of little import.  The symbolism would have been great since all the characters were flawed people and that led to this tragedy of many errors.

3)          It seems that it may be possible to know about an embryo prior to birth by the genetic make-up of the parents---DNA and Saliva.   So what does that mean for those folks who are pro and those who are anti abortion?  What does it mean to the future parents?   Perhaps Iris DeMent had it right in her song---Let The Mystery Be.

4)          Who remembers when Presidents had to have solid marriages with no philandering?   Adlai Stevenson’s divorce hurt him.  Now, in France (vive le France) the former Pres. had a “hottie” for a wife and the new Pres. has a “companion”.   Once again Vive le France and we seem to be way ahead of them until W and the Obamas.   Back to fidelity for us---good for us.

5)          Do you ever wonder what became of some people of notoriety from years back?   Jack Paar always talked of his daughter (Randi) on this program---perhaps too much.  Given her weight issues, about her training bra and more.   Well, she became a successful attorney and, sadly, died last week after falling on to RR tracks after having, probably, a seizure.   She was, I believe, about 60. 

6)          "Death of A Salesman " has closed and set a new record for ticket prices----$500.00 for Orchestra.   That is only the beginning.  Seems that they found that on line purchasers were re-sellers ( Stub Hub, etc) and were selling them for over $1,000.   A few questions arise---who would pay such exorbitant prices?   Who can afford them? Was it not better when you purchased a ticket at a Box Office at the set price?  What happened to the term “scalping”?

7)          A last thought on Death of A Salesman.   When Arthur Miller wrote this he was talking of the tragedy of one man in the middle class and now even the intended audience cannot afford to see this brilliant work.  Shakespeare has been treated in a better way.

8)          I am surely hoping that you will be tuned in to TRADITIONS (WFDU--- www.wfdu.fm ) this Sunday when we commemorate Doc Watson, have our usual features along with some wonderful new material that flies into our always open transom.  Something I am very grateful for.  Bless those wonderful artists still making memorable music.

9)          Is it not annoying when you find discourtesy? Wherever you find it and I did find it on the Tennis courts today.   What does one say to a person who just leaves for what he thinks is a more competitive game whilst playing another game?   Interestingly he (ooh I gave away the gender) is not a good player. Obscenities not allowed.  He is, however, a professor.  I mention this only for you to see  #10

10)    Having vented my anger at such discourtesy to a Russian (I think) lady who was playing she said---“...oh, a professor—you must respect ..”    I pointed out that a professorship in this country does not mean he also has manners or courtesy.  I am also certain that Russian professors are not imbued with courtesy.    Since this missive will be on Facebook I do hope his daughter will see it.

11)    The Russian lady I spoke of is a terrific painter and showed me her latest work to,  as she said, “...make me smile..”   I did not but the works were terrific.

12)     Have you ever wondered how inefficient the IRS is?  They make errors and you have to spend time and money to correct them whilst trying to speak with people who seem to have communication problems in a verbal way.  Does the word “Dah” mean anything?  Does dead air in response to question mean anything?   You get the point.