Some Updates and Memorandums Not Always About The Music

Is it memorandi?   Let me know.

A request from some listeners to TRADITIONS to add a Comedy Corner to the program along the lines of SUNDAY SIMCHA has been made and I will certainly be honoring it.  It will start on 5/12 with some material from The Smothers Bros., Alan Sherman, and Modern Man.   It will be oriented for a more diverse audience than the every loyal Sunday Simcha folks.   Here is something along the line of humor that will not be on the program---truly some brilliant material and the kind of thing we no longer see on what is now truly---the boob tube.


So, a few brain droppings now.  Merely random thoughts along the lines of Nobody Asked Me But...

1) If you are from New Jersey would it be "nobody axed me....'?
2) Privacy.  I went to my local ATM machine and it said the team wishes me a Happy Bday.  I never knew I had a team and since I do why are they not sending me some cash from their vast stock. If they sent it I would keep it and, as Charlton Heston said---they would have to pry it from my cold dead hands.  OK--I care not about guns.  Dollars---whole other thing.
3) Do we ever wonder about where our clothing is made?    A recent survey showed that people chose, when the price was equal, the items that were made in humane conditions (there were signs next to each item).   Sales fell off when prices went up on the "humane" items.    The supply chain is long but, perhaps, one should ask the major marketers---you all know who they are---to investigate their supply chain.  Does alleged fashion have to equal death and poverty for y'all (love the southern dialect) for style.
4)What a delight and wonder to have a new non-powerful king in Belgium to collect many ducats to be there.
5) Deanna Durbin died.   Those of you of a certain age may recall her---me, all deaths are sad but I do not think it worthy of a great obit  in the NY Times.
6) I do believe, since we speak of obits, a clip from someone who was a giant and who I and Jerry Treacy (WFDU) hade the honor of chatting with years back at The Great Hudson River Revival (Clearwater)\

A FEW MORE BRAIN DROPPINGS---

In fact it is rather hard to spare these brain droppings since I have only a limited supply of them and it is running short.   That said, there are a few things I really want to mention and we start by keeping it in a musical vein and then  move on---

Hopefully, you were tuned in today to TRADITIONS and our celebration of Tom Lehrer's 85th Bday.   Aside from the wonder of this artist I am amazed as how topical his music (and it is gentle satire) is to this day.  As is the music of Phil Ochs.  It says more about our society and humankind  and the intransigence it has for unity and civility.

Another musical note is the big fanfare for the song by Brad Paisley about Racism.   Pure nonsense. It only works with the aid of a "rapper" when there is a perfect song that, frankly, I and mainstream media, do not give airplay---Grant Peeples--Nigger Lover.  Say the words and then listen to the song---it is amazing.   It is also a hell of a lot more meaningful.     I will air it if enough of you make requests---see how cowardly I am. .Due to the title. It misleads us about the content.

As to non-musical comments I do want to mention and mourn the passing of one of the great comics and wits of our time---Jonathan Winters.   I cannot commemorate him on the air due to format but for those of you old enough to recall his work you surely recall his genius.  For those too young and only remember his role on Mork & Mindy that is too bad--- a sad coda for a creative consumate artist.  Perhaps, in a positive note, he was trying to help his protege (Robin Williams) on a failing show.

On a personal note I want to mention how saddened I was to see the piece in the NY Times today regarding the Bronx and the "crashing" of the justice system there.  I grew up there and had always hoped that it would recover.  I thought that, to some extent, it had.  I won't go into the piece in the NYT  but it certainly makes one wonder.   It also makes you realize that "justice" does not work equally there or in Manhattan (for example).   Forget Law & Order.    Once again one has to wonder how we, as a nation or as a state got to where we are given the division and pandering to self interest.

Finally, it brings me to my growing up in a "bubble" that I have created in my thinking recently.   It was a time of reasonable (for the time) medical insurance, Social Security on the horizon, and schools that were safe and the fear of mass killings seemed non-existent.   Times do change.  Now, it seems, that the above items are all in play.    Sometime I will post another piece of those fond memories but for the meantime let us leave that thought stand and realize that  things do not have to be the way they are.    Yes, life was simpler then.   Perhaps that is part of the problem.  Perhaps alleged progress is part of the problem.  The bottom line (now I realize how effective was the naming of that defunct bistro) is that are we to allow us to be less involved with every new technology that comes down the pike and every new fad and focus more on core and simple values that seemed to have strengthened us before.  They have also instilled our core values in us.    Instant gratification as delivered by electronics is not part of that.  Diplomacy amongst nations is hurt by all this as well---but, that is another topic.   Thought and patience is required in our new and multi media world.

SOME MORE BRAIN DROPPINGS---BETTER THAN BIRD DROPPINGS FOR SURE

I do hope you navigated over from the Playlists---which were non-existent for Sunday Simcha this week.  Since I realize that the Playlists page gets more viewers I hope to get you here since I did not have a play list to offer---and, frankly,  playlists make no sense.  They are out of context of what was talked about---on both programs.  That is honesty.   You do, however, get to know what was played if that is of interest to you.   You do not, however, get the context.  That said, I do appreciate that you view them and see what was presented.  You  may, however, listen to the archived program for 2 weeks--- go here.

Now for a couple of the "brain droppings" that certainly are more sanitary that the bird droppings we  have heard of.

The world---or more certainly the Catholic world has a new  Pope.   The question to me that arises is why does this make it the most newsworthy item of the moment for various media.   Would the world or the media be this concerned by a new leader in the Muslim(well, a disclaimer there--leader or terrorist?) world, in who was the Chief Rebbe in Israel, etc;   I doubt it.   The Catholics of the world have a new Pope.  The rest of the world is still going along its merry way.   The media, as usual, is creating "hype" that is truly , as it is said, "over the top".    My hopes, certainly, for his success as Pope and leader of the Catholics.   

Is it not amazing how seriously we have all taken this.  So, on a lighter note, let me refer you to some other thoughts-- 

This coming Sunday is St. Patrick's Day and on that day we are all honorary (at least) Irish---well, at least most of us.  If you tune in to TRADITIONS this Sunday during the 4 PM hour you will have  the opportunity of hearing a truly funny bit of music from some old favorites which will explain the "some of us" line---equal opportunity skewering for many nationalities is in store.  On SUNDAY SIMCHA I will presenting  a Comedy Corner segment that, I do believe, will have you splitting your sides laughing (sent any bills for torn pants or shirts somewhere else).  The comic you will be hearing was an acquaintance of mine who died at a tragically young age.  He was just on the cusp of true fame after having won so annual "stand-up" awards and appearances of quite a few of the late night talk shows of the time.

The National Yiddish Theater (Folksbiene) is still continuing presenting wonderful programs in Yiddish (w/ English super titles) as it has done for almost 100 years now.   SUNDAY SIMCHA will keep you posted on what they are doing and when.  Just last Sunday some of our listeners and I (seperately) attended a wonderful afternoon of music put on by the creator of GHETTO TANGO.  Zalmen Mlotek is the musical director and guiding force of Folksbiene.

Here is a video of a discussion and some scenes of an earlier production---both Mike Burstyn and Zalmen Mlotek have been guests on SUNDAY SIMCHA.   If they ever present this again it is not to be missed---it has already been brought back 2 times by popular demand.


  
 

SOME UPDATES AND BRAIN DROPPINGS---WHICH ARE NEEDED

I do hope I will be seeing many of you this Sunday at The museum of the Jewish Heritage in NYC (Battery Place).  Should be a great show and we have played much music from it on SUNDAY SIMCHA,   

A few thoughts about some of the artists that have appeared on both of my programs---SUNDAY SIMCHA & TRADITIONS.   I want to offer my thanks for being able to play, for you, such wonderfully talented people.  As someone once said to me---"...you and your voice are so wonderful radio--"  NO--it is the talent I able to present and the wonderful conversations with the truly talented people that appear on both programs.

You may note that I never "share" them with you---I present them.  The difference, and the point. is these are the talents and I am honored to present them to you.  Hopefully you appreciate them as I do.  

For some future references----I am planning to have some interesting guests on both TRADITONS & SUNDAY SIMCHA---as they say TBA.   You know that, recently, we have had the filmakers of KOCH and HAVA NAGILA (hope you saw this---a joy)   

NOW---if you have any suggestions for St. Patrick's Day music (TRADITIONS) do let me know---I have a few and we do start with Allan Sherman---our one listener who finds such selections objectionable is not a listener I hope to attract---I want to attract out listeners w/ a sense of humor and an appreciation of variety,

One final thought regarding TRADITIONS.   Many years back there was a fellow on the station---Larry Hopper.  I do not claim any Hank William expertise.  Only a love of his talent.   Should you want an hour devoted to some rarities and some popular items let me know---we will, as it is said, work it out. 

Some Updates and Coments

I am glad you skipped over here from the Playists.   Frankly,  I could have put this on that site but why dilute what should be only for the playlists and the commentary.   So---let me present a few thoughts and observations about some upcoming events and about both of the programs----

I do hope you will be coming down to the Museum of The Jewish Heritage on 3/10 (2 PM) for a terrific show that will be musically directed by Zalmen Mlotek---Ghetto Tango.. I will be there.  Please stop and say hello---or goodbye---whatever your choice.  

Some comments now about the 2 programs---SUNDAY SIMCHA & TRADITIONS.  A joy to be able to present them both to you on, probably, the only station left that allows such free-form and creative radio---WFDU.   Your support of that and the programs was truly appreciated.

I do now have a few questions which I hope you will be able to respond to--

1) SUNDAY SIMCHA----I am truly appreciative of the support and the folks tuning in (I could have said "listenership) but this sounds nicer.   I get more e mails and comments on that program than I do at TRADITIONS.  My question---Why?   You also get more freebies in the form of CDs there.
2)  TRADITIONS----Many times I ask for requests---comments, etc;   Nada.  I assume you like my choices of music and also the features.  Should you want to comment---please do.   Here or my e mail at www.wfdutraditions@yahoo.com

The only other item is to say what I always do at Sign Off Time----Stay in Touch and Stay Well---I am your Jewish Mother---do not disobey that edict.

Some Updates and Videos of Interest

If you will click on the playlist link you will also see this video along with the commentary about Playlists once again being published on 2/24---and, I suppose, for eternity---however long we are granted on this earth.  Playlists in the hereafter are problematical.

At the end of this fairly brief missive there will be some videos from a trailer of a film I do not think you should miss---HAVA NAGILA, THE MOVIE.    See PLAYLISTS for more on that and my guest for Sunday Simcha on 2/24

A few other comments and suggestions--briefly.

March 9  The Acoustic Cafe will be featuring Buskin & Batteau---Nuff said---it is in Park Ridge NJ and they are 2 artists that are not to be missed.

March 10   Museum of The Jewish Heritage---Ghetto Tango.  A brilliant piece of work that I have featured many times on Sunday Simcha.  This features the original music director (Zalmen Mlotek)  with a whole new cast.

I will have more updates at a later time.  Suffice it to say that these few are so good they should keep you busy for a while.

Some other random thoughts---

I mentioned in a conversation I had with one of my interviewees that some of the most enjoyable and memorable musical moments are at local concerts, at house concerts, or coffee houses.  All these venues are personal and affordable.   They are truly more enjoyable the hyped performances in stadiums with the truly overpriced  tickets.

The second thought on that subject is---you have now overpaid and for that pleasure they add the following--a service fee (whatever service you got I know not),  a facilty fee (let them pay their own rent)
and---best of all---when it comes to Lincoln Ctr(Opera, Ballet,etc;)  all of the above AND--a donation requested to support them  Can they not live on over priced tickets and fees?   That is, truly, insulting.   Better to give to Cancer Research or some other worthy cause.   The "Geshrei from Rome " does not do it for me---check w/ me to know what I mean there if you have not figured it out/

OK---some videos now of that terrific film--


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