A TABLETALK UPDATE

On March 16 two wonderful artists will be joining me on TABLETALK. Fred Koehler and Jace Johnson.

If you click on the video below you will see the trailer for a brilliant film, LITTLE CHENIER. Filmed in the Bayous of Louisiana (co-written by Jace Johnson) and featuring Fred Koehler in a brilliant performance reminiscent of the great Charles Laughton in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. A Gothic tale filled with the most beautiful photography, the lilting dialect of the area (so well captured), and also the last views you will ever see of this gorgeous area. Thirty days after filming ended Hurricane Rita struck and totally wiped out this town.

While the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina remains with us Rita was no slouch in the devastation department and this area was never rebuilt.

In the film you will also hear the most beautiful Cajun music and a French version of Amazing Grace (which---you can also hear on TRADITIONS on March 9).

This is a film where the ending should not be revealed---so I won't. But do tune in to TABLETALK on March 16 at 8 A M Eastern Time or listen on the web at http://www.wfdu.fm/.

The film is now playing in only one theater in the NY area--The Quad. Having won numerous awards it will be in wider release shortly.

Just allow yourself to be engulfed by the music and the atmosphere and live once again in a place you will never see again. For good or ill.

Gift Giving Idea and a few more items.

A few weeks ago a CD came into my hands that truly impressed me by the concept and the execution. We all know about Hallmark Greeting cards amongst others; when some one comes up with a great idea for personalized music I do believe it is worth passing this information along since you may have an occasion---birthday, anniversary, tribute for a loved one, and who knows what more.

ERIK BALKEY has come up with just such a concept and has a CD out featuring some of the music he has created for people. All these songs are performed by others---handpicked for the occasion and all wonderful artists in their own right.

Below you will see a message from Erik's website explaining this concept and how it works:

About Family Album: Custom Songs by Erik Balkey

Make it a song! Words and music can capture a moment, express a feeling, and make it a timeless gift.
Erik will write a song for all occasions or purposes. He's written songs for birthdays, weddings, graduation, Mother's Day. He's written a song for a September 11 charity foundation, a song to accompany a personal story on discovery of spirit, and a song for a concert presenter on the occasion of his last show.

What is a custom song? A song can be written with the details that you provide. If you have an occasion, or wish to find a creative gift, a song can be a memory or feeling made timeless.

What do I have to do? Give Erik an idea. He will ask you some questions. Answer the questions, then sit back and wait for a song. Erik will do the rest. The melody, music and lyrics will be written incorporating the details you provide. And, more than just telling the story, it isn't a custom song if it doesn't also capture the heart.

What do I get? Erik will write the song. You can have it recorded simply with an intimate guitar and voice presentation and delivered on CD. Also, Erik works with a variety of singers and producers and can affordably deliver your song with a more 'full' sound. You can get one copy with simple text, but we can also provide multiple copies for your occasion (gift to wedding guests, for example), and some graphics to include photos.

Contact Erik for more information and rates - info@erikbalkey.com.

My thanks for the nice comments and calls regarding the idea of a segment with story songs---songs that are like a novel in 5 or so minutes. If you have any suggestions for artists, themes, or particular pieces please do e mail wfdutraditions@yahoo.com

Updates, Thanks and a Suggestion

Let us start with the suggestion. Click on the right to the "Playlist" page. There now are some great videos of Allan Sherman up there------always a big favorite on SUNDAY SIMCHA--and also the cognoscente of humor---join me in being a laughaholic and we can do a 12 step program together. Another video is of a person that is, not only a favorite on SIMCHA and TRADITIONS but an idol of mine since childhood thanks to a dear aunt who introduced me to the works of PAUL ROBESON.

By the way--in blogging's conversational style--note that I said "...introduced me to the works of PAUL ROBESON" as opposed to Mitt Romney's--"..my father marched with MLK"--he could have said he saw his father's support of MLK or some such thing.

I am not courting your vote---only your vote for WFDU's programming---and---yes, I am not hypocritical---the shows I host. That's honesty. Don't you just hate people who say things like--"...oh, you shouldn't have", "..I hate to ask, but..."? "Thanks so much for this award--I am so happy to be with such wonderful competitors" (The Oscars are coming--I await cliches).

Makes me think of that great Gilbert & Sullivan song from The Mikado---I've Got A Little List (next line---of society offenders who shall not be missed).

If you ever want to hear it---just e mail me with a request. I have no problem in adding G&S to the Traditions playlists---it is all great music.

OK--now for the thanks. All you loyal and I mean truly loyal pledgers who have helped us achieve our goal for TRADITIONS during the short fundraising effort this year. You are really "family" as your interest, loyalty, and support has shown over these many years. We also welcome some new names to the roster and are thankful for that.

SUNDAY SIMCHA --I want to add the same comments for that program as I said above---you surely do not want to read all this "chaverei" twice. As to the west coast listeners on the web---hey---schnorers are still welcome. What can I do---reminds me of a story. The question arose in this past NY Times "Ethicist" column of a community that had to chip in to erect fire protection for their community---and some did not. Were the supporters obligated to douse fires in homes of the non-payers? Yes--ethically they were but they should be sent a bill. Well---those of you who listen and e mail---there is no bill in the mail but just the suggestion that since others support the program, my devoting much time and energy at no recompense (save the love of YIDDISHKEIT), and perhaps the feeling of the "fire" in your Sunday Mornings should be paid for to show that it is a needed thing for SUNDAY SIMCHA to remain here. Ver Vaist---things could happen.

I change hats now---OK--I never wear one. Let me don the proverbial hat of the harbinger of some musical suggestions that you might feel worthwhile---no long reviews this time:

TOM PAXTON Comedians & Angels. His work just seems to get better and better. A full review is below.

RICHARD BERMAN You won't tap your feet but you will be moved with the lyrics and the insights of his music. The story songs are reminiscent of Harry Chapin without the beat.

EMILY KURN The voice and the sentiments---what more can I say

JASON PETTY If you like classic country music---this is your guy. Hank Williams re-incarneted---along with a lot of others

SUSAN WERNER The latest album nblew me away---The Gospel Truth

KIM & REGGIE HARRIS I cannot say more= early works, later works--like Tom Paxton---just keep getting better and better ---and more meaningful

I don't want to slight anyone---there are so many more--I should start my own award ceremony for ---how about alliteration here---MEANINGFUL MUSICIANS. So many---for beat and sound there are those, for Gospel and Rhythm there are many more, and for wonderful insightful lyrics there are those. They all have a place on TRADITIONS and so we shall go back to the regular programming this weekend.

A bit of a preview---commemoration of Black History Month w/ Laura Warfield, songs that are musical novels as opposed to just "songs", and also a bit of C/W in honor and dedication to a good friend at the station---it will be mentioned on the air.

Finally---if anyone wants to take the advice regarding joining the community you can pledge via e mail to:

TRADITIONS wfdutraditions@yahoo.com
SUNDAY SIMCHA sundaysimcha@yahoo.com
TABLETALK wfdutabletalk@yahoo.com (Hopefully you got a laugh this past Sunday w. the Capitol Steps program that took a while to compile). How much is the daily laugh to fight off torpor and sloth worth?

PROGRAM UPDATES

As the title of this page of the blog says--program notes---and, of course, updates. A few things that are being enthusiastically anticipated for the three programs I host. Let us start with

TABLETALK: The Sunday of February 10 promises to be an interesting event. A conversation with Jeff Sumerel, the filmmaker who's film "TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN" debuts at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) on 2/13 as part of their documentary film series. The subject is the incomparable Brother Theodore---who, as Mr. Sumerel says, was unique and we should help THEODORIZE THE WORLD.

Sunday, February 17 a musical celebration the lengthy
political campaign featuring The Capitol Steps.






MEET THE CAST












Check the right side of the page and see a sample of this great group.

TRADITIONS: As the fund raiser will be winding down in the next few weeks,and we hope that the support the program receives from the loyal listenership allows the program to stay where it is some wonderful guests are in the offing. Shortly, a live performance by Red Molly in the new performance studio is being scheduled in anticipation of the release of their newest CD. I hope to have the date firmed up within a week or so.

Additionally some other guests I am anxiously anticipating are Carey Creed and Emily Kurn. They will be seperate guests.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: My thanks for the support so far. Shortly we will be able to resume guests, Comedy Corner, and all the new material has come in---including some Jewish Surfing Music (anxious to hear what you think of that). As always we will stick with the old classical material and intersperse with such wonderful work that is being done to broaden the entire world of Jewish Music.

An aside here with regard to support of the program. WFDU has, basically, 3 "ethnic" programs. This program is 1 hour in length and to show proportionate support in that time frame in comparison to the one that is on for 4 hours each week---and a great show it is (and loyally supported) --I would say that Sunday Simcha will need at least $1,200 more prior to the end of this short annual (the only one during the year) fund drive.

You can call me this Sunday at 201 692-2012 where I and the volunteers will be delighted to talk with you. Another option is to e mail sundaysimcha@yahoo.com and I will enter your pledges. Please include a mailing address so that your packet can be mailed to you. If you care to use a credit card then you can go to http://www.wfdu.fm/ and pledge securely by clicking on the "pledging" tab.

Remember--this is the only show of its kind in the metro area and when I started it some 2 1/2 years ago some e mails arrived saying that _"....how great that old WEVD program is back". Well, it is not that but it surely is something that I believe is valued by many for varied reasons---so remember the slogan:

KEEPING YIDDISHKEIT ON THE AIR--WFDU

And for those of you who are web listeners the e mail and station link will be the best options.

Always remember the great Yiddish curse for those who do not help--- "May All Your Teeth Fall Out Except One---That One You Should Keep For A Toothache".

On a kinder and gentler note---there are other stations having fundraisers at this time and they seem to have them everytime you turn around. So---think about this. Pledge here we are not going to be back to you, unlike them, until next year. In addition think of this as well---this is the only station where, when you write or call, the person you want to communicate with responds directly to YOU.




A loyal Sunday Simcha listener and pledger who built his own violin.

You may want to slide over to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER and view some changed videos and some commentary on U Utah Phillips

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.