Halloween Referrals for Some Frights

Brother Theodore (left)(more about him below in TABLETALK)

It is Trick or Treat time once again. So a referral for a frightening trick--

THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER or you can click on the right side to get to the same spot. No treat there---just a scary trick.

Program Notes to mention briefly here now:

TABLETALK: A reminder that November 11 you can hear the quarterly installment of The Capitol Steps and the following week join David and Susan Siegel as they walk with me about their book---pictured below---Radio and The Jews. We will also touch on some of the great old radio programs of years past---Life Can Be Beautiful, The Goldbergs, Rudy Vallee, and much more.

TABLETALK airs at 8 AM on Sundays. Get your coffee and wake up to some interesting talk.

TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN--that is the name of the a documentary that will shortly be presented at MOMA at the Fortnight of Documentaries. TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN is a film about the late and great THEODORE. The film maker will be my guest in December---or at the latest in January. Stay tuned for this because the subject of this film is about a lost treasure that I had the delight of meeting and chatting with on TRADITIONS some 8 years ago---at age 92. He passed away shortly thereafter. I don't blame myself---though I do know how to clear a room.

TRADITIONS: On November 18 I will be joined by SPOOK HANDY for some live music and also to talk about and listen work from his newest CD--"Watcha Gonna Do?". I guess the thing to do is to listen to it and the add it to your collection. Meaningful Music from a Meaningful Musician.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: The program now has a following on the web in Israel and material has been received from the land that made the desert bloom which we shall be presenting in the next few weeks--starting November 18.

The Continuing Sock Shortage

Those of you who have been listening to TRADITIONS know about the sock shortage. Lately I have had my socks knocked off by much of the material that has arrived to present to you. This week there were two that I want to tell you about now---it was my last pair of socks so I was in the studio barefoot.

We start with EMMA'S REVOLUTION . The group consists of Pat Humphries (left) and Sandy O (right).

Those of you who have heard me on the program over the years know that I refer to Pat as my favorite and best anthem writer to visit this planet in many a moon. Now she is multiplied by two. The latest CD moves them onto even richer and more nuanced material presented with some great feeling for a studio recording. While it is not a "live" concert recording you get the feeling of that on many of the tracks---"Choir" comes to mind. Their take on "If I Had A Hammer" shows you can that wonderful anthem by Pete Seeger/Lee Hays and put it into a whole new feeling---a Southwestern or South of the Border feeling. Unlike the Peter Paul and Mary version or, even, The Weavers now we have a melody with instrumentation that includes accordion (no bad jokes now!) and Latin instrumentation.

Suffice it to say that this is a recording you can listen to many a time and get a great feeling for the music and the messages it sends to you.

Since EMMA'S REVOLUTION is more than just about recordings one should visit their web-site to find out where they can be seen live and what you might learn from their appearances. In addition for you clothes conscious people--as I am---check this out:

On their web-site you can get this tee-shirt (or sweatshirts) inscribed thus---designed by these talents.

I look forward to sporting one of these myself.

Would that this world had more talents that made music that was singable, listenable and also have meaning and substance. EMMA'S REVOLUTION has that.

The socks are still off since there were two to the pair. The other one was blown off by SPOOK HANDY :

The latest effort by this meaningful and talented artist's "Whatcha Gonna Do?" So--watcha gonna do. Hopefully listen to this work and say you have to add it to your collection.

It may well be that all roads lead to Pete Seeger since so many artists have been influenced by him and credit him with those influences. Yet, they all have beaten their own path and their work stands on its own. Spook is no exception.

The title of the recording is quite apt. My take on it, given all the subject matter, it really fits. Watcha Gonna Do. Watcha Gonna Do with the world we live in which each of this tracks presents in a unique and interesting way.

The booklet that comes with the CD explains the thought behind each song. That always seems like a wonderful insight into the artist's thought process. An example---September 11 (which Rudy Giuliani is mayor of) and the invasion of Iraq prompted Spook Handy to to an interpretation of John Prine's "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore"---thinking, of course, of the ribbons and bumper stickers. "Mom and Pop's Small Townne Corner Hardware Store" is a gem in bringing, musically, to us the sad homogenization of our society.

Since, it seems all roads lead to Pete Seeger "Waist Deep In The Big Muddy" is interpreted by Spook on this CD. A Holly Near composition that has been done by her, The Klezmatics, and now Spook is included along with so many other tracks---12 in all--one cannot single out a best one. They are all good and make such valid musical points.

Tipping of the Unworn Hat

I never wear a hat. If I did I would tip it to the fellow you can see in the video by clicking on the right side of the page. A tear in my eye that we have replace Modern Man for a time, but their presence can be seen locally very shortly.

While many times there are critiques of artists there are also positive critiques. That is the definition---critique. Opinion. Positive or negative. This entry has to do not with a critique or an opinion. Merely a tip of the, as the title implies, the hat I never wear.

A brief history or bio, if you will. Some 14 years ago I joined the staff of WFDU. How that came about might be of interest. Ron Olesko invited me on board and said that before that would come to pass I would have to meet with the Program Director (Barry Sheffield). Putting on a nice jacket and slacks I proceeded to go to the station and meet with him---not knowing who he was.

OK. There I am in a sport jacket and slacks---unlike my usual attire--

Opposite me is sitting the then newscaster Jack O'Shea. A brilliant and delightful man---dressed in rags. A great story about him another time.

After a time the Program Director arrives. I do not know that is who he is but he asks what I am doing here. I tell him I am waiting for the Program Director and he tells me that is exactly who he is--and, hey, welcome aboard---let me know the phone numbers of your next of kin if you drop dead in the studio. At this point I have to say that years later I made the comment to him that I never realized we went to the same tailor (honesty here---his leather is not inexpensive)

That all transpired some 14 years ago. Time flies. It seems like 14 weeks. Which brings me to the point of this brief history. The studio was something that one would not recall were one to see it today. Any of the studios---The Air studio, Studio A or Studio B and now Studio C--The Atomic Underground.

Not to neglect the most loyal and devoted person, Carl Kraus (who has been written of earlier) the creativity and technical skill of Barry Sheffield is to be applauded. My two hands cannot do the job so help is needed.

At this point it is best to steer you to the link that will allow you to see the facilities---OK---Major Armstrong was a visionary---but we all are in our own ways. Barry Sheffield is no exception.

Hopefully you clicked on the link to the tour of the station. You will be impressed. It takes about 5 minutes and in that brief time period you will see what "radio" is about and what it was about for all these years. Eclecticism, Variety, and personal contact with the listener.

Back to the hat I never wear. Though as host of Sunday Simcha I probably should wear a "kippah". Oh well, another image is shot. Yet, I am happy many of you are enjoying the program. Let us always stay together on that.

My thanks for the loyal and wonderful support that is given to me, to all my programs, and for the creativity of the people at WFDU. All of them. Whatever the "format" they know their stuff--as the expression goes. Hopefully, the expression, notwithstanding, I can just say that I appreciate them, their talent, and the opportunity for radio to be what it should be. That is WFDU. You know---as Ronnie Gilbert says---putting the emphasis on left (when recorded her) ---"...the right place on the LEFT side of the dial". So true!

A Bit of Trivia

Below you will see a list of programs and what will be presented on them in the next few weeks.

Since TABLETALK is a pre-recorded program the only communication we can have is via e- mail wfdutabletalk@yahoo.com Now for the trivia query mentioned in the title.

You will see that on November 18 you will be hearing a conversation with David and Susan Siegal about their latest book Radio & The Jews. As noted earlier the conversation covers a range of topics from long gone programs, anti-semtism on radio in the 1930s and 1940s, and a host of other items.

The trivia question is this: There were 2 series that used a character named "David". One was "Uncle David" and the other "Papa David". Can you name which character appeared on which series? The prize for the first two correct e mail answers will be a randomly selected CD from either the TRADITIONS programming or SUNDAY SIMCHA programming. Your choice---merely e mail the answer with your address and your choice from which program's music you want a CD.

REMEMBER--Only 2 winners and PLEASE--no Googling. Its the honor system.

You are left with the classic line of Minerva Pious aka Mrs. Nusbaum on Allen's Alley---"...nu--you were expecting may Lauren Bagel or Dinah Schnorer?"

Program Notes and Thanks

Since this page is about the programs---while THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER covers more general material and THE PLAYLISTS PAGE (click on the right) is self explanatory--let me start with thanks to our loyal listeners of yesterday's TRADITIONS program for all their kind calls of appreciation for the afternoon's program. Also for checking in with their vote on "satire". The home team is well ahead.

It is a given that humor, as most things, is something that will appeal to some and be anathema to others. Subjectivity. I do, however, believe two things (of the myriad that I have an opinion about--honesty) --Satire has to be light-hearted and put the subject of the satire in a foolish light. Number two would that any artist has to accept criticism. This includes your never humble correspondent. If you put yourself on a virtual stage you have to allow for negativity along with all the positive comments.

A few updates now for the various programs:

TABLETALK: Nov. 11 will be a wonderful presentation of the quarterly broadcasts by THE CAPITOL STEPS

Nov. 18 An interesting conversation with the authors of

It is hoped that part of this interesting interview will also find its way to SUNDAY SIMCHA. Here you will find out about The Goldbergs, Father Coughlin and Anti Semitism, Jewish Humor on the air--from Mr. Kitzel on the Jack Benny program to some rare radio cuts forgotten over the years.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: A few surprises are in store. We include some Jewish music as performed by the multi-faceted artist Oscar Brand and some rare radio cuts from the book mentioned on TABLETALK.

TRADITIONS: We are nearing Halloween so some fright is in store as is a visit to those people we have not heard in a while. Kate Wolf has once again been requested and if you have any requests for this or the Steve Goodman or Country Western segment please leave a comment or e mail wfdutradtions@yahoo.com

Some Video Updates and a Few "Heads Up"

We start with a mention of the new videos on this page and also THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER and THE PLAYLISTS. Click on the right to visit these sites.

There are some artists who's work is timeless. Some for good reasons and others for the sad events they chronicle and just keep getting repeated---Phil Ochs is such an artist. I hasten to add that he also has "timeless" material for all the good reasons. Think of "Changes", "Flower Lady", and "The Highwayman".

On this page some footage garnered from You Tube that presents him with some very rare material the source of which I know not. Of special interest is the Swedish clip. Hopefully these rare and unheard or seen items are of interest to you.

An aside now about Phil Ochs vis a vis Bob Dylan. Without getting into their histories or their comparisons, suffice it to say that given the sad circumstances of Phil Ochs' short life we shall never know what he would have accomplished in the realm that Mr. Dylan dominates. The short years seem to show something that gives a hint.

Moving on to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER you will find the entire Stephen Colbert routine at the Press Dinner of this past year. Truly a wonderful piece. If you heard any interviews with Stephen Colbert you will know that while there was not much laughter up front the audience in the rear was quite regaled with the work. Looking closely at the Pres. reaction you will find it also appreciative---until the end. The only criticism here is that the little film he put together about being press secretary was too long.

THE PLAYLISTS page. Itzhak Perlman continues with some wonderful music. Mike Burstyn will be with you for a short time more.

It is hoped that you will visit those other two sites for the videos and then, perhaps, for the content of the comments made therein---hey---big words. Impressed? Never step out of character---that is the "hint of the day".

Other blogs might be serious and a litany of serious commentary it is hoped that here there is that mix of the serious and the light hearted. If one has to describe it then it isn't working.

Program Notes: As the title implies time to mention some upcoming things on the various programs:

TRADITIONS: We have some interesting guests coming that will be mentioned at a later time --you know TBA. TBA--I guess that is like The Famous Many Others. We will, this week, continue our Steve Goodman feature and also, by request, once again hear the voice of Kate Wolf. The Country Music that was so popular in the '50s on some stations here will, again, be re-visited. It still is on WFDU. As we all know.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: Shortly we will be airing an interview that will spill over to TABLETALK with the authors of a book about Old Time Radio and the Jewish representation on it---from the Goldbergs to Father Coughlin.

As it is said---not in the good book--or any book I know of---"stay tuned"