Requests and Comments

The request is to find if the videos that are added to this page and also The Almost Daily Rooster and The Playlists pages are of interest. If they are they will be continued to be added. If not, since it takes time, they can be eliminated. Right now Modern Man and Jack Elliot are on this page, Jewish material is on Playlists, and there are some real topical gems on The Almost Daily Rooster. You can leave a comment or send e mail if you have the address.

A brief update on something I do believe will be of great interest. Shortly a wonderful documentary by Jim Brown on Pete Seeger will be shown at the IFC theater in NYC. If you subscribe to IFC On Demand on your cable carrier you can view the film there. It should be there in the next few days or weeks. Keep checking. Brown is the documentary filmmaker responsible for the Weavers documentaries--among other things.

While this page is usually devoted to Folk Music and to the various programs your never humble correspondent hosts--SUNDAY SIMCHA and TABLETALKS in addition to TRADITIONS one has to ask when does something become part of the "folk canon". I had mentioned a while back a wonderful musical which had so much folk feeling at its heart---New Girl In Town (1955). This past week was the 50th anniversary of WEST SIDE STORY.

How the times have changed and how brilliantly Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim, and Jerome Robbins captured a dangerous era and brought it to us as a thing of beauty originally created by W. Shakespeare. While the film was wonderful it lacked the grit and the realism of the original stage version. Additionally, it was a time when language on stage and on screen was proscribed in its realism. Think of the "Officer Krupke" song. Imagine it today.

Another anniversary of a breakthrough bit of music that could enter the folk canon is HAIR which is now having its 4oth Anniversary presentation in Central Park at The Delacourte Theater (thanks always to Joe Papp).

A breakthrough musical that changed the face of musical theater for a time. It brought meaning in an abstract way to musical theater. It broke the taboo on nudity and left us, still, with songs you sang as you left the theater. Songs you sang as you did with earlier musicals but with a whole new beat.

Folk is what becomes a tradition in a culture. Both of the above pieces have done that. As have so many others--New Girl In Town (probably more than most), Fiddler on The Roof, South Pacific, and many more.Webber, presentations which are quickly followed on those heels by the Disney productions, are creating a mundane field of Amusement Park Presentations on a theater that once was blessed by the creativity of drama and music by masters with a concept of something more than the basis of a sit-c0m one can view at home.

It may well be that the best offerings are no longer on Broadway. They are in the theaters that are considered Off Bway--or Off Off Bway. Recently---the folk part---great presentations on the life of Hank Williams, A Shakespearean take on Twelfth Night by The Red Clay Ramblers, and for the Not Folk Part---A L Gurney plays, The Goldman Project (now playing), and many more.

Another thing which deserves its own paragraph is a brilliant work by Leonard Bernstein----MASS. Rarely revived, it incoroporates Jewish Liturgy, Folk Music, and Catholic Liturgy as it follows the complete order of The Mass. Any requests for that I will be happy to, somehow, incorporate into TABLETALK at some time. Any comments about it are cetainly welcome here or on e makl

I would urge you to click on the right side to The Almost Daily Rooster for some great videos of the ever topical Lewis Black and some nice videos of the guest on TRADITIONS last week---Sharon Katz and The Peace Train. In addition some thoughts on topics other than the radio programs.

Program Notes for Future Reference

TRADITIONS:

I am delighted to confirm that on September 23 Sharon Katz will be my guest prior to her appearances in the New Jersey area. We shall also be able to air some new tracks from her upcoming CD as well as pay tribute to one of her idols and mentors. Tune in for who that is.


One other thing ---an occasional new feature. The music of Steve Goodman. While I had hoped to do a whole tribute to him at the annual NERFA get to-gether (which I am not attending for various reasons) I thought it a good idea to present his music on TRADITIONS. It is hoped that his daughter will be my guest(on TRADITIONS in the near future)---as I had hoped that she, his manager, and some truly surprising guests might have been at NERFA.

If you have any Steve Goodman favorites please feel free to e mail them to wfdutraditions@yahoo.com and they shall be honored.

Now for another upcoming great talent---on October 5
BEPPE GAMBETTA. This world class guitarist and talent will be my guest on the program that day while he tours the good old USA.

Beppe is recognized as a leading talent in his field and, besides performing, teaches guitar to people who have the drive and desire to also become world class musicians

The program is honored by his presence.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: We feature Rabbi Jonathan Kligler--who, I add, had a wonderful article about himself and the congregation in the NY Times just prior to Rosh Hashonah---along with a postYom Kippur segment featuring Robin Helzner. A wonderful surprise by Joe Jencks is also presented. He is a singer/songwriter focusing on social issues and has a wonderful piece you shall hear--Tikun Olam.

TABLETALK: TBA. You know---To be announced. There are some wonderful authors that are going to be with us in October but I am not able, at this time, to divulge who they are. Suffice it to say---Mr. Greenspan is not one of them but you can still invest.

Holiday Wishes and Comments

One has to start with sincere wishes for a Happy and Peaceful New Year--- La Shonah Tovah. Tomorrow being Erev Rosh Hashonah it would certainly ill behoove the host of Sunday Simcha not to wish this for you. In fact this coming show--September 16 will fit right into that mold with a wonderful guest who has supplied us with much material and has many nice comments about the program---Arthur Levy. Read below about his credits. As I say on the program---may you be inscribed in the book of life for another year---we need the listeners. Seriously---may it come to pass.

A thought or two about the September 11 commemoration as done on TRADITIONS this past Sunday.

This tragic day we know was spent in commemoration and the reading of names and, for the first time, allowing some readers personal thoughts to be added. It is hoped that the brief commemoration on TRADITIONS this past Sunday was meaningful---the magnificent voice of CAROL PONDER singing TAPS and I'LL BE SEEING YOU--all followed by 30 seconds of silence.

Sometimes, as it is said, less is more.

TABLETALK, as has been noted, has a wonderful guest on September 16. See below for that and rise and shine since it starts at 8 A M Eastern Time.

The purpose of this page has always been to give you updates and program notes (as the title states) and other commentary is relegated to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER. Playlists are on the page for that. All can be accessed on the right side of this screen.

I would urge you to check the videos--Paul Robeson on this page, Jon Stuart and FDR on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER, and, sometimes, the more Jewish oriented ones on the PLAYLISTS page.

The final thoughts have to do with NERFA (Northeast Regional Folk Alliance). While I am not privy to the list of people that will be doing Main Showcases or Tri-Centric ones this year since I will not be attending---for many reasons---I congratulate them all and hope that it advances their careers. Which is what it all about---allegedly. I add, for them, that my intent in doing a radio program is to advance their careers as well and, at the same time, present a program that is unique in its presentation of material and the person delivering it. Always feel free to contact the program for inclusion of your talent and your efforts.

Again, congratulations on your selection and may you become the Federer of Folk Music. If that is your desire. Otherwise, just fulfill your desires as best you can as we all try to do.

One late addition: Go to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER (click on the right side) for some videos of one of the guests that will once again be joining me on TRADITIONS in late September. For more information on SHARON KATZ AND THE PEACE TRAIN and her upcoming appearances in the New Jersey area check the THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER and get know her music in the videos there.

Some Marquee Changes and Some Updates

While Paul Robeson will remain with us thanks to this wonderful technology, for a time, it is hoped you will also visit the PLAYLIST page for some music for The High Holy Days commemoration. A visit to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER will garner you a view of "If FDR were GWB"--fascinating.

As to updates for the various programs---and that, basically, is what this page is about don't forget:
TABLETALK Sept 16---Mort Zachter and his wonderful book DOUGH.
SUNDAY SIMCHA: Sept. 16---Arthur Levy of SONY LEGACY joins the program to talk of his involvement with the music, his generosity in our collection, and his career.
TRADITIONS: Some guests that will be visiting the program when I am on in the fall include: EMILY KURN, MUSTARDS RETREAT, and others that will, it is said, TBA.

OK--an aside here. As a youngster I perused the radio schedules and always wondered what TBA meant. I figured it to be quite important. Sure, some kids could recite the baseball box scores and all the stats, others could tell you of basketball and football figures. Me--well, ever trying to be popular, knew all the radio schedules. Sure made a big hit with the good old peers. I don't know of them today but as for me I guess that good old Shaker Hymn worked out---"...we all come down in the place just right".

Some other day---perhaps if it is requested--- I could play a song that I played over and over again on a wind-up Victrola given to me on my 10 birthday---and a record that came with it. I fantasized being On Air---age 10---the song---Phil Harris doing "That's What I Like About The South". I can still do all the words. So---Won't you come with me to Alabamy, etc;

Have to stop and wind up the old Victrola now.

A Personal Thought and Some Other Musical Mentions

This being a "blog" and is on the Internet one never knows who is reading it. Given that, and given that quite a few folks seem to be checking in each day, it seemed that a personal message and update on events was warranted.

Many of the artists I have had the honor and pleasure in knowing have been contacted via e-mail with the less than momentous news that after some 8 years I will no longer be attending the NERFA conferences at Kutshers Hotel (or whatever place they decide to hold it in). There are a number of reasons for this and none have to do with the wonderful artists and people I have had the pleasure and honor of communing with there and in other venues. It does have to do with the people that are the ones organizing the event. As many organizations, sadly, they seem to have their inner circle for their own self interests. While I do not fault them for that since that is a fact of life in most organizations (though not others that I am involved in) I do fault them for their communications asking for volunteers---judging, panels, etc; and never responding because they have who they want. Right---yours truly is not among that revered list who would have been happy to serve on panels, help select artists for showcasing, or MC a showcase (which seemed to upset a few a while ago when I added a bit of Catskill "Shtick").

Prior to this commentary I had written to "the powers that be" out of courtesy. No response, as usual.

Most of the people that received my e-mail were quite supportive and in agreement. I don't want this to discourage anyone from attending who thinks it can be of benefit to them. Whether or not it will be would be best left to be answered by prior attendees. Some of which I have heard from.

As always I am delighted to be of any assistance I can to artists if they submit their work to me via mail. As you can see below many do. Just recently, as you see, Mustards Retreat, Modern Man, Emily Kurn, and more have done just that. All will be on TRADITIONS shortly as well. As the sign off says---stay in touch and stay well (if the mold at Kutshers does not get you---the food is good, though).

On a musical and positive note now:

Since there are many that go to Florida I have to tell you---MODERN MAN is appearing at the WILLOW THEATRE in --where else---Boca Raton, Florida on Sept. 30. The perfect venue for ASSISTED LIVING.

MUSTARDS RETREAT will be in the NY/CT area and will be joining me at the end of September on TRADITIONS.

ROD MacDONALD will be at THE TURNING POINT in Piermont New York on September 6 (tickets are almost gone)

THE ARROGANT WORMS at THE HURDY GURDY FOLK MUSIC CLUB in Fairlawn NJ on September 15.

We end today with the thought that Kutshers Country Club (can you believe that name---oich!! I could do a riff on assimilation) has seen better days. NERFA may also have. Me---I still see good days, NERFA notwithstanding, thankfully. The point is---a life and a career is made by honesty, openness, and one's own charisma.

NEWS AND REVIEWS

In the "knock your socks" off department of new CDs a few have arrived recently and were spoken of that way on TRADITIONS by your never so humble author. Well, today we add to the growing but select group.

David Tamulevich on the left and Michael Hough on the right--together MUSTARDS RETREAT. Their new CD is so new that there is not a picture of them on that album to show. Suffice it to say MUSTARDS RETREAT "There...and back again (snapshots from life on the road)" is in the above mentioned department. Soon there will be a sock shortage around here since quite a few have been knocked off.

This CD is something that all can appreciate for its simplicity and no overdone production values. You put it into your player and just listen and feel like singing along with the great variety of songs on it---from Cottonfields to the great opening track---Lost My Heart To You. A Dave Carter song and the ever popular Steve Gillette composition are just part of it. All so wonderfully recorded before an appreciative and warm audience.

While I will be delighted and honored to be able to present this CD when I am on TRADITIONS September 9, if you visit their web-site and contact them I am sure you can order an early copy.

MUSTARDS RETREAT are tentatively scheduled to be guests on TRADITIONS near the end of September.

TABLETALK: Never, to this mind, has a book cover ever told the story in one picture. This does.

MORT ZACHTER has written a most readable and witty memoir and will be my guest on TABLETALK on September 16.

This truly brilliant first work by an author who has been able to make a career of writing---after practicing law and accounting---because of what transpires in this wonderfully and wittily written memoir is a story that is not to be missed.

While we are not going to give all the details away in our chat on TABLETALK, or on this page, it can be said the book is more than just about Mort Zachter and his family. It is about an era. It is about a culture. The best part is that you of a certain age will re-live that era and those who are not of that age will appreciate the insightful and humorous way it is presented.

Remember TABLETALK is for you early birds---Sundays at 8 AM. While it streams on the web it is not archived and, surely, some of the people that have appeared are people you do not want to miss having a chat with me---Eliz. Swados, Phil Patton, Michael Oren, Daniel Silva, David Margolick, and so many others. Now--Mort Zachter.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: It is probably known that we have had some wonderful archival material that has been presented recently. One of our listeners, a former producer of much of this material, has sent it to the program. Arthur Levy, the gentleman's name, will be a guest on the program shortly. As they say---whoever "they" are---TBA. Figure late September.

Sunday Simcha will be featured in a few Jewish Center newsletters shortly and while February is the month that pledges are requested a brief note or financial show of support for this program--which, happily, is garnering many new listeners---is always appreciated.

The place for that would be: WFDU 1000 River Road Teaneck, NJ 07666 Att: Station Mgmt.

Now go and check out Henny Youngman on the Playlist Page, Union Maid on The Almost Daily Rooster, and our good friend Rik Palieri right here.