YEAR END THOUGHTS, THANKS, AND REMINISCENCES

This seems like a good time to look back a bit and also, later, to look ahead a bit. This year's end will represent 13 years of being one of the hosts of TRADITIONS--Ron Olesko being the originator of the program--here are the two of us a few years back at a NERFA conference:

Bill (l) Ron (r)




When it comes to longevity TABLETALK comes in second with 5 years now followed by the end of 2 years of SUNDAY SIMCHA.

Each of these programs has its own share of rewards in the wonderful and interesting people that have honored me by their presence at the microphones. Better yet---they actually talked and sang into them. This year TABLETALK came full circle when the first guest on the program made another appearance---Elizabeth Swados. It was the idea of getting her on WFDU for a chat that led to this program in the first place. She was appearing at The Bottom Line and the mgmt. of WFDU agreed that if I did an interview with her there would be a one time slot for it---which has now, happily, turned into 5 years of TABLETALK. The guests have ranged from noted authors, composers, and--as I say--"...very interesting people". They surely are.

When it comes to SUNDAY SIMCHA these few years have been a delight in many ways. For one thing---as the only slogan we have so far (which I created---and I ask for contributions) says---"Keeping Yiddishkeit On The Air on WFDU". In addition the listeners have grown---some are well over 6 feet now---how far behind can Bar Mitzvah be?

Seriously, though, the listeners have made this a joy with the support and the material many have sent in to air on the program. I want to thank, in particular, Arthur Levy (producer) for some wonderful recordings of the early and later years of Yiddish material, Alberta (I won't mention her last name since she may not like being published here) for the information and the recordings she sent, and also all of the people who have e mailed suggestions and offered the financial support during fund-raising to keep this program growing.

The audience also has to be applauded for opening their minds and hearts to the inclusion of material that encompasses Judaism and Jewish music today--as it evolves, as all music does, over the years. Welcoming artists such as Carey Creed, Mere Winningham, and so many more we have added to the playlists you see each week. That also includes Kinky Friedman, Shelley Posen, and Schlock Rock. All book ends for the older Yiddish material (always to be recalled) and wonderful liturgical material by the famous cantors and other performers.

The longest and longest running has to be saved for last.

TRADITIONS : You might want to check the new videos on the right since the program will be honored by the presence of these two artists on different dates during the year. NOEL PAUL STOOKEY will be joining me in January--stay tuned--or check in--to find out the exact date. EMILY KURN (one of my choices for our picks for meaningful works this year) will be joining me later in the year. In addition a lot of other very special guests will be on board---including some live concert presentations in the new Studio "C".

On December 30 Ron Olesko and I will be doing the year end program which will feature our 10 choices each for the recordings that ---for want of a better word---touched us more than most. NO 10 BEST--10 memorable ones, if you will. Many others did as well, but time constraints won't allow for more. They were hard choices and some of our choices over-lapped. To find out more about them you will have to tune in next week to hear them and our commentary. The playlist will, as always, be posted later.

Thanks have to go out for all the wonderful artists that have, as said earlier, graced these microphones. I won't repeat the bad joke. This year I would like to mention a few that joined me for music and talk--and I will include a few pictures---no room for them all. Though, you can see most of them by clicking on the right for the picture gallery.

In no particular order:

Beppe Gambetta
---you have to love the lyrical lilt of the Italian dialect.




Laurie Lewis for some great music in the studio--and some insightful conversation.

Clay Eals for a program that needed two weeks to complete because of the fascinating nature of his work on Steve Goodman.

Modern Man for giving the program the classical sound of The Three Tenors---after Pavoratti's demise and the joy of The Marx Bros without Zeppo (that makes 3).


Noel Paul Stookey, Annie Dinerman, and Arlon Bennett for their making music for a great cause and for sharing it with us. They were the winners of The Music To Life Foundation's songwriting (for songs of social significance) competition.

David Amram for his great talent and for sharing it on all three programs--his Jewish music is a joy to behold, his involvement with Steve Goodman a merging of some great talents, and his Tabletalk chat covered the entire gamut of his wide area of expertise. Problem was---30 minutes cannot contain him.

Surely there are others that I have neglected to mention but they are in my thoughts and in my heart as well. Of course, in my heart I only hope that they are not clogging up the arteries.

Those were guests we spoke of. Never forget all the wonderful music that has come over the transom this year and all the previous ones. Whether people have been guests or not the product of their talent is such a joy and honor to present. Many of them you will hear on December 30. Those from this year. I would just add a few last notes on that subject.

In the past week I have received some wonderful material that is too late to include but you will be hearing it at the start of January--Jackie Morris, a brilliant songwriter with a great voice who will be featured on TRADITIONS and has a piece just perfect for SUNDAY SIMCHA--tune in to find out why(in the meantime click on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER on the right to see a video of her)--Laura Wetzler has sent in material for SUNDAY SIMCHA that features her and also a guest from a while back on TRADITIONS--Rande Harris.

A little appetizer of things to come---or as might be said on SUNDAY SIMCHA--a vorshpeis.

Looking ahead as promised. MARGOT LEVERETT and her Klezmer Mountain Boys will be joining me for a 1 hr. special on SUNDAY SIMCHA that will air in either late January or early March (if Fund raising works out). Stay tuned. STUART MARCUS and his trio will be joining me live---(they should live and be well--don't want Stu to miss his Mom's advice--also eat) on January 13 if all goes according to plan. On that same day NOEL PAUL STOOKEY will be in the studio for a chat about his newest work and some live music.

As always many surprises and "people of interest" will be joining us during the year. As to the "people of interest". I am in constant touch with the NYPD to find them for us.

My best wishes for a happy, healthy, and very peaceful new year to one and all.

AND A HAPPY HOLIDAY WISH FROM THE WHOLE FAMILY---MAY YOU ALL HAVE A GOOD AND HEALTHY AND PEACEFUL YEAR.

A MOVING PIECE FOR THIS TIME

A note by a friend and talented artist--Rik Palieri was sent to a group of radio hosts and I felt this so apt and so important I am posting it here:


Dear Friends & Folk DJ , Erik Darling, banjoist and 12 string guitar player , who played with the Weavers & Roof Top Singers , sent me this very moving video he just posted on You Tube.

If you take a look on the right the video Rik speaks of is viewable. His link did not work so I thought the best thing was to post the actual video here. (You will find that it does not play---you may, however, click on the title of the song below the panel that does not play and you will see directly on You Tube)

Please do tell your acquaintances about it since Erik Darling is a brilliant musician and songwriter and this piece really has something to say to us all---and especially to those who think there are no singer/songwriters that anything meaningful to say in this time we are living in.

Memorable Moving Moments--Dan Fogelberg

photos: Jean Fogelberg

As the year winds down it seems almost eerie to lose the writer of Same Old Lang Syne at this time.

Dan Fogelberg died this past week at the age of 56. Sadly, he joins those who have left us way to early---Harry Chapin, Kate Wolf, Phil Ochs, Steve Goodman and, surely, many more.

A full and moving obituary can be read in the NY Times of December 17,2007 . For that reason I thought I would spend just a few moments with some personal thoughts---not reminiscences since I never met the man. Yet he made me reflect on things and for that reason some thoughts rather than an "obit" seems appropriate.

My musical tastes are eclectic and range from Classical, Semi-classical, Light Opera, and tend to focus on what can be termed "folk". That said I have to admit my appreciation of the newer artists have to be attributed to my daughter who introduced me to the music of Dan Fogelberg and Harry Chapin and opening my ears and mind to many other artists.

My original thought was ---"another rocker". But--No---those words really made one take notice. Insights about life and well told stories to a beat might be an apt description. In fact his writing was more than that. In many ways it was--as I had said many times in regard to Harry Chapin---an entire novel done musically in a few minutes.

The song that comes to mind that has always seemed to me to be his most touching is Leader of The Band. While it was written for his father it has a wonderful metaphorical sense. The listener can relate it to one's own feelings of an older generation and, then, can relate it to one's self--as one ages. I know I do.

Artists who practice what they preach really do stand out and in the later years Dan Fogelberg's involvement with environmentalism and writing music to that end is the type of thing that makes a person meaningful and not just of the moment.

On the right there are a few videos---and Leader of The Band is one of them.

Not ever having met Dan Fogelberg is my loss---discovering him in his heyday is my gain.

PROGRAMS AND POSERS

I guess this has grabbed your attention---it is also the poser in the title. My caption for this shot would be "...before the exorcism". Perhaps you can actually tell me what is happening in this shot. If you can and you are the first one to e mail me ( it is time stamped) at wfdutraditions@yahoo.com you will receive a randomly selected CD. If, on the other hand (where there are 5 fingers) you e mail sundaysimcha@yahoo.com you will receive a Jewish oriented CD.

Credit for this picture goes to one John Sanders. He is a talented voice-over artist, former program host on WFDU, and also, when on traffic television is known as Lane Closure. Which brings me to a great story that Mr. Sanders does with great timing----I related a tale to him of a former news-caster at WFDU who, while being a real intellect, dressed in a most shabby way. One day, aside from torn pants, worn shoes lacking shoelaces, and other such things he was holding his pants up with a rope as a belt. Mr. Sanders said to me :

"what color is the belt"

My response:

"hemp color--rope color--what did you think?"

PAUSE

Sanders:

"Damn---I gave him a beautiful blue rope for Christmas".

OK--you have the question. For a CD let us see if you know the answer. A non-musical query. Next time we'll do a musical one---and congratulations to the winner of the CD about Hank Williams other persona---Luke The Drifter.

A few program updates now:

SUNDAY SIMCHA: The year is rapidly drawing to a close. For a program like Sunday Simcha I guess it has to be added I am not talking of Rosh Hashonah. If you e mail me ( sundaysimcha@yahoo.com ) requests for artists or pieces you heard on the program I will do an all request program on the first Sunday in January,2008 ---you know BCE.

Stay tuned for announcements as to when we will do a special featuring Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys. It will take place either at the end of January or early March---since in February you will have to help to keep "Yiddishkeit on the air". If you have a better slogan we can use let me know---but, most importantly, let us keep Yiddishkeit on the air and that will, in February require your help. I am doing my best and WFDU has obligations--so---we have to carry our share of the load. As Bluegrass, Country, and all the other genres do. So--let us show that Yiddishkeit is right up there with the loyalists---and there are many---to the above genres. Even Folksbiene does its best to keep tradition alive---and they are succeeding---let us succeed. Together.
.

Menasha Skulnik and Richard Whorf (not Jerry Ohrbach)

TRADITIONS: On December 30 Ron Olesko and I will be presenting the 10 recordings that really impressed us this year. That is not to say that this is going to be 10 best since we both had overlapping ones and also had more than the 20 between us that there was time for.

Additionally, it has to be said, that TRADITIONS is about more than the newest things to come down the pike. They are important but we never want to forget from whence this all derives.

TABLETALK: On the right you see some videos of THEODORE. To the later entrants into the Theodore Cult---BROTHER THEODORE. The film maker who has just finished a bio/documentary on this performance artist and intellect will be my guest in January. Stay Tuned! We will also find out why the film is entitled--- TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN. It will have its debut performance at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) in February.

On the subject of debuts. I am delighted that TABLETALK was able to introduce authors and other artists to you this year prior to being taken on by the mainstream or larger media. The author of DOUGH comes to mind. Some time back others come to mind---Daniel Silva, Michael Oren, Liz Swados, The Siegels, and so many more.

My thanks to them all for their presence and their insight and talent.

Getting to the end of the year a few more thanks are in order--

WFDU and all the people there. For the freedom of expression an creativity that only this station allows its staff in the pursuit of ---to steal a phrase from Paul Bain's Let There Be Country---Radio as radio should be.

Paul Bain---we wish him well and comfort in his trials and tribulations

To the support people who keep all things in such shape so as we on-air people can present programs with ease.

To the audience that supports this station so that we are truly in a 21st century mode with equipment. Many artists that have visited and commented on how impressed they are with the facility compared to others they visit.

To Major Armstrong. He built a really nice tower---among a lot of other things. (An Aside---new play on Bway--The Farnsworth Invention---Gen. Sarnoff of RCA tried to steal that patent along with that of Major Armstrong's FM invention) So---we thank Major Armstrong for FM radio.

The Fellow on The Left and a ProgramNotes Poser

No sense in putting his picture here---the fellow on the right in a video is Jason Petty. Many of you may believe that Hank Williams has passed on and in one sense that is true. In the other sense there is Jason Petty. A number of years back he appeared in an off Bway show ---"Lost Highway--The Story of Hank Williams". Having seen the show and having had the privilege of going backstage and interviewing him and the rest of the cast I can say that Hank Williams is alive and well in the skin of Jason Petty. He has captured the pure essence of the man.

A short while back he obliged me with a copy of his newest CD autographed---"..Bill from ole Hank?". That CD is entitled Me and My Honky Tonk Heroes and Jason captures Hank Williams and a few others.

When he tours in this area again in his latest production he will surely be making an appearance on TRADITIONS with me.

The videos on the right do not capture his total incarnation of Hank Williams since he does these as a spoken word. You might want to visit JASON PETTY by clicking on this link and listening to the re-incarnation of Hank Williams. My review of LOST HIGHWAY was published a ways back but, suffice it to say, he, the cast with minimal scenery totally evoked the era, the person, and the music.If, at an appropriate time, anyone wants a re-airing of this interview please make that request by e-mail to wfdutraditions@yahoo.com . You can also leave the request right here.

NOW--The program notes poser----for that click on the right side red link to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER. Have to entice you to visit there for some other things than music.

PROGRAM NOTES & UPDATES

Perhaps it is the time of year but the schedule for all 3 programs promises to be a full one for December.

TRADITIONS: December 2 playlist has been posted and you probably noted that we started the month off with a nice little Hanukkah party (oh--spell it anyway you like) that touched on some broader aspects of the occasion---as evinced by the Laura Warfield piece.

Trying to get a few tears from you with our friend the "horse" with some of the most touching songs on that subject I could think of. I doubt that the fellow on the left is an Appaloosa and he certainly is not one of the poor equines from the Eric Bogle song.

He could, however, be Stewball. Prancing and Dancing.

Mention must be made about one of the requested artists---Toby Walker. He appeared the night before this program at the HURDY GURDY FOLK MUSIC CLUB with Pat Wictor. Pat described him as a force of nature---well, that makes two such forces that were on the stage that night. While I was more than happy to honor the request it was in fact on my schedule of things to air---a performer would say "set list". I do not have the talent to presume I can have a "set-list" ---merely list of talent that I, merely a conduit, can present to you.

Coming up on TRADITIONS we commemorate the birth of Harry Chapin on the Dec. 9 program ---he was born on December 7, 1942. Doing the math he would have been 65---and, like so many, a voice taken too soon. If you have any Chapin pieces that are meaningful to you please let me know and I shall try to get them on. Just write wfdutraditions@yahoo.com

The rest of the month will include Ron Olesko's annual Christmas program and we join together for our year end program to talk about and play the pieces (among many we will not have time for) that we found most meaningful this past year.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: The month started with the Hanukkah program which, from e mails, seemed to have been particularly appreciated. The good thing there is that with all the songs about Latkes you were only ingesting them in a virtual way so your cholesterol levels remained where they were. All that oil left over when the Maccabees lit those lamps was probably used to fry up the latkes so you can imagine how lucky they were that they did not know about cholesterol then.

You probably noticed that one of the mainstays of our Hanukkah program was Joy Katzen Guthrie. She is multi-faceted and will be my guest on Dec. 9 when she will talk of her musical career and if you click on her name here you can find out more about her varied interests and projects. One, in particular, will be discussed on TABLETALK--more about that later.

TABLETALK: December has proved to be quite full and fascinating. Joy Katzen Guthrie (link above) joins me on Dec 9 --prior to the SIMCHA appearance to talk of the tours she guides to China where tour members explore the Sino-Jewish experience throughout history. The conversation will be found to be fascinating and, who knows, you may want to join her on the tour in March. I admit to telling her that she should run the tour in December so that on Christmas Day the Jewish folks on the trip could get some really authentic Chinese food.

Elizabeth Swados joins me for what this program is aptly titled. We have a conversation about her career and her upcoming projects with special attention to the program at Joe's Pub on December 21.

December and year's end brings about certain feelings of nostalgia and this might be the right time to relate the tale of Tabletalk and Elizabeth Swados.

Liz Swados is the renaissance spirit that creates musicals, writes books, and teaches---among other things. Many years back she created, among other things, such works at the Public as Hagaddah, Dispatches, Runaways, and more. Her hero--you will hear in the interview---Dylan and, happily, she included Phil Ochs in that category.

So how is Liz Swados the subject of a tale of Tabletalk and Liz Swados. In 2002 she was going to appear at The Bottom Line and I wanted to meet this person and do an interview. Allan Pepper of Bottom Line arranged it and the question now was where to air it. It did not fit on TRADITIONS and there was no SUNDAY SIMCHA yet (where it did not fit either). I was offered a 1 shot on Radio Omnibus by Barry Sheffield (program director of WFDU). As you can see---it went well and so the rest is history---albeit not world shattering history.

So---we have come full circle and on Dec. 16 Liz is back and the program is what it was always intended to be---conversation---Tabletalk.

GIFT GIVING TIME: This is the time of year for that so I am going to offer some if you can answer a question---since the question will be posted on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER you will have to click on the link on the right (oh--OK you can click on this title as well).

Finally, thanks to Carey Creed for her nice comments about the THEODORE notices, all of you who have visited this site---hope you enjoyed the virtual Vodka I offered--, and to all the many artists who have been kind enough to share their talent and knowledge on all these 3 programs--- they exist because of you.

Now---the question---it is on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER