Program Notes as the Title Says--And Some Other Items

First off a few updates on the up-coming programs:

TABLETALK: Since we had a nice scoop with my interview with Susan Quinn about her book FURIOUS IMPROVISATION and NPR a few weeks later raved about it as well we shall, this Sunday (8/10)have an encore presentation.

Here now are a few comments that describe the book and, frankly, our discussion of that and events occurring today might be found quite interesting---or perhaps not. Best to tune in at 8 AM Eastern Time (or on the web)---



In Furious Improvisation, Susan Quinn brings to life the challenges of this desperate era when Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and the tough-talking idealist Harry Hopkins furiously improvised programs to get millions of hungry, unemployed people back to work. Quinn’s compelling story of politics and creativity reaches a dramatic climax with the entrance of Martin Dies and his newly-formed House Un-American Activities Committee, which turned the Federal Theatre Project into the first victim of a Red scare that would roil the nation for decades to come.
Furious Improvisation is a vivid and engrossing portrait of the turbulent 1930s, rich in humor and anecdotes which combine to tell not only the story of the theatre project but also of the Great Depression and government intervention in a time of national peril, a time when the still-pressing issues of discrimination, injustice and the meaning of liberty commanded center stage.



SUNDAY SIMCHA: As always a few surprises in Comedy Corner and also a visit to the dusty archives that seem to be so popular---but also the newest in what can be termed "Jewish " music---of music in a Jewish vein---not a Jewish artery since that is clogged with chicken fat.



TRADITIONS: The segment about WPAT in the 1950s---The Dave Miller Show show has proven quite popular amongst listeners so who am I to cut it short (Oh those "Thrills of the Hills, Tops in Pops, and Best in The West")---we do an extended version this Sunday---have you heard Moon Mullican combined with Jo Stafford (that was a request by the way--Temptation)? In addition Smithsonian Folkways is a true treasure trove of wonderful archival material and they have, graciously, sent over recordings that will represent some of the great Calypso material :
















We shall also commemorate the sad passing of Erik Darling. Ron Olesko will have a more full commemoration the week after given his interviews and personal contact with this wonderful artist.

For the segment about stories (novellas) in under 5 minutes or so---there is a new person you have to hear. I then await your comments as to who he reminds you of. If time allows in that segment the master story teller will once again be on the air.

As to other "items" I think it best you go to the right side of your screen and click on The Daily Rooster and find out a few other items that, perhaps , you will find of interest. This is not really the place for them--they are, however, "G" rated.

Bruce Adler---Sad News

For those of you who might follow the playlists on Sunday Simcha I am sorry to say that I was informed last evening of the demise of Bruce Adler. Too late for me to commemorate the sad event on this week's program since it was already recorded. Next week I do plan to devote the last half of the program to Bruce Adler. I do hope you tune in at 10 AM Eastern time.

Mr. Adler was a brilliant star of both the Yiddish Theater as well as Broadway (i.e. American musicals). The son of prestigious Yiddish performers and related to many legendary artists in the genre he performed since his earliest childhood years with some of the legends---Molly Picon, Irving Jacobson, etc; He was also the recipient of Drama Desk Awards for some of his work in the Broadway arena.I was delighted to have met him a number of times and amazed at his versatility. The last time I saw him perform was doing a Cole Porter Musical in New Jersey where he resided until a few years ago. He was also a guest on WFDU a number of times before I hosted the current program.

He will be sorely missed by those who appreciated his great talent and, mostly, by his family, since he recently was blessed with the birth of a child.

The clip you will see below is just what one might call the tip of the talent iceberg. It is from the Cole Porter Musical "Anything Goes" which I had the delight of seeing him in a number of years back at the Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey. That is Chita Rivera with him.

Seeing him backstage afterwards I was enthralled by the warmth and sincerity of this man. Unfortunately I do not have a video to place here showing his Yiddish talents---tune in to the program on August 3 and you will hear some of that.

Bruce Adler was 64.

CALYPSO--Not the Boat

TRADITIONS is, as you know, a "folk" music show. Folk encompasses so many genres and is not relegated to just our nation---or our singer/songwriters.

Reggae is an off-spring of Calypso, as you may well know. You may also know that Calypso had a large political content---Harry Belafonte not withstanding. Each year in Trinidad (the home of Calypso) there is a wonderful contest of Calypso music performers during Carnival. There are performers with amazing talent and names---some long gone now---Lord Invader, Lord Kitchener, The Mighty Sparrow, and so many more.

If you check the videos on the right and also on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER you can see more samples of their work.

Now---your input is needed. On TRADITIONS --do you think a segment of Calypso to add to the other features---you know, The Dave Miller segment (Thrills of The Hills, Tops in Pops, etc;), Novellas in song in about 5 minutes, this would be something you would like to hear---some great rare recordings that preceded our current political songs?

Please e mail me at wfdutraditions@yahoo.com if you have a thought on this. You can also leave a comment here.

Check out some of the videos and enjoy some of the music and also do not forget to join me this coming Sunday when Roy Zimmerman joins me--Roy Zimmerman---a great satirist and raconteur.

A Satirical Appearance Update

Having just received an e mail from Roy Zimmerman I felt it incumbent upon me to let you know that he will be appearing at The Becton Theatre (on the grounds of Farleigh Dickinson Univ.--right next to our studios) on July 27 at 7 PM. I anticipate that he will also be my guest on TRADITIONS that day.

Roy, at another point in time, organized a group known as THE FOREMEN. Those of you who have been TRADITIONS listeners know that I have played muc of their great satirical pieces. Here you will find one of them from You Tube and that also has been aired on my program.

Roy will be featured on SUNDAY SIMCHA and, hopefully, will be with me on TRADITIONS on July 27 before his appearance at Becton Theatre. As to Sunday Simcha--hey---Yiddishkeit comes in all shapes, sizes and colors---which is why you will also be hearing Paul Robeson and Nina Simone.

Some Campaign Music

Tough choice to make. Place this brilliant parody here or hope you will click over to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER. I made an executive decision after consulting with myself--nice chat I had there.

This is a great parody of a Dylan piece that Jib Jab has created and I guarantee you will laugh with this. You may want to share it with friends so you can either go to the Jib Jab page or send the link to mine to your ---as Hank Williams used to say---"....friends and neighbors".

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

A SLIP SLIDING SUGGESTION AGAIN

Forgetting Program Notes and Folk Music--heaven forefend but there is more---I suggest a slip slide over to The Almost Daily Rooster (link on the right--or just click on the link before this).

I think you will find the video and the comments appropriate to the times we have evolved into.

Enough said---hope to have you join me this Sunday on TRADITIONS when my guests will be HUNGRYTOWN and also on TABLETALK when we exclusively air the CAPITOL STEPS quarterly topical revue.

On July 20 I am delighted to welcome Susan Quinn to TABLETALK. We talk about her wonderful work on the book Furious Improvisation---a history of the WPA and the Federal Theater Project. Ever so readable and educational. The website for FURIOUS IMPROVISATION