A FEW COMMENTS AND THANKS

First of all we start with the THANKS. Getting the ball rolling a few pledges for SUNDAY SIMCHA have arrived via e mail---the address is in a post listed below. SO---thanks. TRADITIONS listeners---we surely can use your support as well and that address is listed below. TABLETALK listener(s) you too could be in good company---and---anyone pledging via e mail will receive in addition to any of the premiums that are being offered (just e mail me about them) an Internet Valentine created by yours truly that is in sound and ably abetted by BROTHER THEODORE from the brilliant documentary TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN. That film and the film-maker are the topics of the Feb. 10 edition of TABLETALK and the film can be seen at MoMa on Feb 13---the debut. Perfect for Valentine's day.

Check the various e mail addresses below.

I could give you a litany of reasons to pledge to the station. The obvious ones about maintaining equipment, upgrading the latest in technology (which seems to come faster and faster), and the fact that all the on-air people are unpaid which means that we all donate our time and effort in a labor of love so that there is an alternative on the radio dial to the--leave the rest unsaid--.

An idea of what you have done with your pledging in previous years:

A shot of GATHERING TIME as they appeared with me in the new performance Studio--Studio "C". The Atomic Underground which is really above ground. Thank heavens.

I thank them and also Margot Leverett and The Klezmer Mountain Boys for coming by for two of my programs---SUNDAY SIMCHA for Margot and TRADITIONS for GATHERING TIME. I also thank them for their nice comments on the various websites. As NOEL PAUL STOOKEY said in our interview with regard to meeting the most interesting people because of Folk Music---"...hey bill, I don't want to gild your Lily but..." (I like my like my Lily gilded--I told him) I want to gild all those lily's of the great people who give us the gift of their great talent.

On another topic---Tennis. This is not the spot for it and it is also a bit political. Why not scoot over to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER (link on the right of the page) we can talk about it there.

Hope to hear from you with regard to keeping our radio family growing and celebrating many years of programming together.

AN OFFER THAT YOU WON'T REFUSE--IT IS HOPED

Many radio stations have fund-raisers a few times a year. A local one in the NYC area seems to do it unceasingly. WFDU comes to you but once a year and, even then, it is for an abbreviated period----3 weeks.

Don't leave me now--the offer is coming up.

Before I give you the reasons for support let me give you the offer---if you pledge prior to the fund-raiser (1st 3 weeks in Feb) via e mail it is promised that on my programs 15 minutes of "pitching" on each program will be eliminated for every 10 pledges rcvd. this way. SO --where to pledge via e mail:
TRADITIONS: wfdutraditions@yahoo.com
SUNDAY SIMCHA: sundaysimcha@yahoo.com
TABLETALK: wfdutabletalk@yahoo.com

We have premiums to offer your as incentives---$40.00 gets you a CD and more gets you more CDs---check the WFDU website for info on that. For Sunday Simcha---double Chai (36.00) gets you the same deal. As to reasons---the slogans below will explain that in a more succint way. The bottom line to it all is---where on the radio dial can people of intellectt and interest find content to relate with---sort of like what PBS and NPR are to their listeners and viewers--we are to our listeners. And---NO COMMERCIALS--AND FUND RAISING JUST ONE SHORT TIME PER YEAR to support a facility that is expensive to maintain and present programming that is meaningful.

On a personal note I thank all the artists who have so generously donated the fruits of their labors as evinced in their CDs as premiums to offer you.

Slogan Time Now:
SUNDAY SIMCHA: Keeping Yiddishkeit on the air on WFDU
TRADITIONS: Meaningful Music on the Meaningful Station
TABLETALK: Interesting People on the Interesting Station

All with your support---both for yourself and for us. US are the unpaid people who present this programming to you---not found anywhere else on the dial---or as Ronnie Gilbert (former Weaver) says in her ID---The Right place on the LEFT side of the dial.

>Nuff said.

Kudos, Comments, and Suggestions

The Kudos come first and the recipient of them is MODERN MAN .

The occasion for that is that the group has been won one (like that?--one/won-) of the NYC Nightlife Awards and will be awarded same---along with pats on the heads-- a rather celebrated group of presenters. This all takes place at Town Hall in NYC on January 28 and will no doubt be televised nowhere. It only proves to me that David Buskin lied when I asked when they find time to rehears and his comment was---"Rehearse?". Looks like they did---and rather well at that. Glad to see that the arc is still in the ascendancy and here he and I had thought that WFDU was the pinnacle. Turns out it was only a rung on the lower end of the ladder.

Some upcoming appearances by these rather serious minded musicians are:

January 26 Towne Crier Cafe Pawling NY

March 1 Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club Fairlawn NJ

March 8 Cafe Lena Saratoga Spring NY

April 13 Orangeburg Library (2 PM) Orangeburg NY (This is a re-scheduled show from February and I thank them for working it out with me.)

One more kudo---gad--I am giving out kudos like kudzu in the south. My co-host Ron Olesko on his nomination for the Broadcast award by the Folk Alliance.

NOW--for the suggestions of where to go. Not that far (had you worried?)just to the right side of the page and click on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER. There you will find a video of some appearances by BROTHER THEODORE in anticipation of the film maker Jeff Summerel joining me on TABLETALK (Feb.10)to talk about his film TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN , about BROTHER THEODORE. The film debuts at MoMa on Feb 13--and as Mr. Summerel and I hope --the world shall be THEODORIZED.

You might also click on the PLAYLISTS PAGE where you can now see a video of on of my latest "discoveries"--at least to me---Robin O'herin. If you like gospel, blues, and ballads---all done in a unique blues-like style she is your cup of tea---or something stronger.

As to comments. I don't want to call it a review. APPLESEED RECORDINGS has once again presented us with a most meaningful and wonderful piece of work from an artist who's body of work seems endless. TOM PAXTON .

The CD you see on the left--Comedians & Angels is scheduled for release on February 19 and you will surely have it previewed on TRADITIONS this month.

As to the title of the CD; it refers to the last track. More about that later.

Basically these are love songs in the broadest terms for the word "love" . Love of family --wife and children --in songs such as " Home to Me". Jennifer and Kate", and a charming re-working of The First Song Is For You". Love for the heroes of the l960s and their activism in the song "How Beautiful Upon The Mountain". Love for those in this musical field that are now gone in the final track--"Comedians & Angels".

Love songs, as said, with the word "love" in all its wide contexts and all done in a great musical performance.

This CD does not contain any of Tom Paxton's brilliant "short shelf life" material. Rather, it contains 15 songs of meaning and sentiment that, perhaps, are the kind of thing one hopes to find in an artist celebrating another decade passing. These things are so rarely found in today's commercial world of pap. A musically refreshing breeze of new songs and revisited older material.

One piece was co-written by Geo. Wurzbach (of Modern Man). There are guest artists on this album that will both surprise you and amaze you---let that be a surprise when you get this CD. Truly a CD one needs to complement a Tom Paxton collection.

There have always been songs by him that, even if they were written for personal reasons, many can relate with. "Getting Up Early" , "Even A Gray Day", and "The First Song Is For You" (on this CD as well) among so many others. That just proves that in a musical pantheon he has to be the equivalent of writers of great literature such, say, Arthur Miller that relate the human condition to us.

Finally a quick reminder of some of the upcoming shows on WFDU which I will be presenting in the next few weeks==shows I feel are exceptional because of the people that will be involved with these programs:

SUNDAY SIMCHA: January 20 Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mtn Boys (Live)

TRADITIONS: January 27 Noel Paul Stookey (live)

TABLETALK: February 10 Jeff Summerel re: BROTHER THEODORE (live)

FINALLY: Some suggestions---FROM YOU. If there are artists that you feel that either we have not played often enough or that you would like featured at some time please e mail wfdutraditions@yahoo.com or just make a comment (signed) here.

Reviews & Updates

Since the Holiday season is now behind us the lilting voice and video of Emily Kurn has now been replaced on the right side of this page by an artist who, if you have been listening to TRADITIONS over the years, know I have featured many times. RICHARD BERMAN .

His CDs are imbued with such great insights about life, love, and destiny as well as humor that they are really in the "knock your socks off" department---the department I have founded ever since I ran out of socks that have been knocked off by some of the great artists that have joined us on TRADITIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA---not to denigrate TABLETALK.

I am sure that once you view the video on the right you will understand the great talent this artist possesses.

The stories in his songs touch on the various stages of a life, a strange career choice in the Mexican waters, and a great joke set to music---who woulda thunk it.

Yesterday's edition of TRADITIONS, as you know from the playlists and listening, featured a new group. A wonderful trio GATHERING TIME . Rest assured you will he hearing a lot about this group. I can only compare their sound to that of some of the best known groups we have today---or have had in the past. The group is made up of Stu Marcus who I met a number of years back at a NERFA gathering (and having been alerted by my daughter to listen to this fellow), Glen Roethel, and Hillary Foxsong (great name for a foxy lady).

On the left is a shot of their appearance in WFDU's new performance studio---the photographer was not at the top of his game ---but he was busy doing the interview---that would be yours truly.

You will also probably recall that a few artists were featured on the program of January 13. Jackie Morris and Emily Kurn have been presented before. The two that I wanted to introduce to the listeners were both surprises to me and new to a larger audience. WOLF KRAKOWSKI has been played on the SUNDAY SIMCHA program many a time. He has, however, a whole other side to the Yiddish and liturgical music. What can be best described as country/folk-rock with meaningful lyrics with a great style and voice.

ROBIN O'HERIN is a recent pleasant discovery. A graphic artist and an amazing performer of gospel, folk, blues all done in her distinctive style that leans heavily on old time blues.

If you have read the previous notes (below) you know of the updates and the programs promise to be truly unique and interesting. Briefly the line-up of guests:

SUNDAY SIMCHA JANUARY 20: A very special program featuring a live concert by MARGOT LEVERETT &THE KLEZMER MTN.BOYS

TRADITIONS JANUARY 27: We are honored to have NOEL PAUL STOOKEY visit the program some music and talk of ---as the saying goes--"..of things and of cabbages and kings" It is promised we will leave out the cabbages---kings--well---he is a king in the musical and socially responsible world.

TABLETALK FEBRUARY 10: JEFF SUMEREL joins us to talk of his new film--TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN. This is a documentary and biography of the great performance artist --intellectual and tragic figure--THEODORE--later known as BROTHER THEODORE.

While this site is dedicated to news and comments regarding the 3 radio programs along with commentary about new releases, memorable events in this genre, and other bits of miscellany I would suggest that should you have an artist that you appreciate and want featured on any of the programs to contact me either by making a comment (signed) here or e mail to wfdutraditions@yahoo.com

You might also click on the right side of this page to view more videos and see playlists for the various programs or more videos on The Almost Daily Rooster. All links are explained on the right side of this page.

Now the time has come to read of all the business opportunities I am receiving from Nigeria.

TIME FOR WHAT THE TITLE SAYS--UPDATES

A few notes on the upcoming things planned for the three programs I am delighted to be producing and hosting. Other items will be saved for future listings. This is to give an early "heads-up" in the hopes you are anxious to hear these programs for the really interesting people and things that will be presented.

We start with TRADITIONS: On Sunday January 13 it is a pleasure to be able to welcome Stuart Markus and his group into our live performance studio for some interesting conversation and music. Here is a quote that David Buskin gives regarding Stu:

Stu Markus? The dude sings good, plays good, writes good, and on top of that, he's funny. The crowd loved him - in fact, speaking as someone who had to follow him onstage, ignore previous sentence. Why should I risk losing work just because he has talent and he practices?"- David Buskin

What can you expect from a musician who claims he does not practice---trust me Mr. Buskin does and is a virtuoso. His humility will get him----well, into my heart in any case. You know him as a solo artist and as member of Modern Man.

Moving a bit further ahead now--you get an early "heads up"--NOEL PAUL STOOKEY --joins me on JANUARY 27 for a wide ranging conversation abut his new CD--FACETS---and much much more. It will include his telling us of Mary Travers battle with cancer---a successful one, thankfully.

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Smiles all around and also a heads-up to remind people to visit the web site of The Public Domain Foundation to find out about the Music To Life contest and the purpose for it all.

In all honesty I do believe you will find him to be the most open, sincere, and moving person we have had on the program in many a moon. His insights into his life and how they seem to be almost universal is quite moving. In addition I would urge you to check his web-site ( by clicking on his name above) and you will discover the most honest biography I have seen by any artist on the web---and you can also find out about his newest work---FACETS.

Now we turn our attention to SUNDAY SIMCHA: The program has taken many new turns since its inception and on January 20, thanks to the help of our listeners (to WFDU) and the creation of our performance studio "C" (The Atomic Underground) it is going to be a delight a special event to be able to present to you--LIVE--the group that opens each show-- MARGOT LEVERETT & THE KLEZMER MOUNTAIN BOYS
Margot and the group have graciously agreed to join us at this early hour for some live music and conversation. So---get out some coffee--get some bagels and some spread--get up early enough so as not to miss a concert that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else on the radio dial or in a venue near you.

The band is made up of master musicians that have performed with the greats of Klezmer, the gems of Jazz, the greats of Country, and much more.

If you are still using a sun-dial then look for the shadow that says 10 AM in the morning on January 27 and tune your dial (if you still use a tuner) to 89.1. If you don't have a tuner then just push the button---long gone are the days of "...ah ah ah don't touch that dial---stay tuned for----".

Finally we arrive at TABLETALK: On January 13 an encore presentation of an interview for a book that was finally reviewed in the NY Times and discussed on WNYC after we presented the author. The book is DOUGH. This is an interview you do not want to miss and a book you do not want to miss reading. DOUGH refers to, not only, money but also to the dough used in bread. It is a memoir that will, hopefully, become a film at some point.

On February 10 ---a very early "heads-up" JEFF SUMMERELL joins the program to talk about his documentary that will premiere in February at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa). OK---you ask what is this film about--picture first:

The film is entitled---TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN. It is about a great and tragic figure who was a true intellectual with a huge cult following and was a "performance artist" before that term came into general usage.

In keeping with what this artist might have done I will withhold his name and offer you a gift of a randomly selected CD if you can supply that name by mailing it to me at wfdutabletalk@yahoo.com .

The film truly captures the essence of the man and his history. I had the privilege of spending time with him for an interview in his humble apartment in NYC some 11 years ago. He died when he was well into his 90s and still performing.

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.