Icons by The Score

Besides giving you updates on the various programs I do try to let you know when something truly worthwhile arrives. There have been CDs and artists you have heard of and sampled here. Now, with the hope that it is realized nothing is put up here just for the sake of showing it, there is something I believe is truly worthy of your interest and time. Also, it is something you may well want to own or present to kids or grandkids in this era of TV and nothing but TV---OK, it is a DVD (got to go with the flow) but the content is so worthwhile.

Take a look and find out more after you see it:

You now know that this is a wonderful tribute to Ella Jenkins---a leading artist in the world of music for youths. The DVD is being put out by Smithsonian Folkways.

Besides it being a wonderful tribute it is something you can enjoy with your children or grandchildren and open them up to things other than Barney and such ilk. And it is not under water with a strange sponge like creature that does not make sense.

The DVD features a concert by Ella Jenkins and performances by the pantheon of family folk performers including--Tom Chapin, Tom Paxton, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, and --you know---the famous many others.

Just so you know---I have no commercial interest in this project as I don't in any of the others I have either reviewed or recommended.

SOMETHING TRULY WORTH VIEWING

I would ask you to click on the highlighted portion so you can see it. It is truly amazing and it will lead you to The Almost Daily Rooster. Since this page is for matters of folk music and program updates might I seduce you to the other page---truly worthwhile and please do feel seduced.

I would also urge you to tune in to SUNDAY SIMCHA this week when we commemorate Yad Hashoa (Holocaust Rembrance Day) at length. You will be moved. I truly believe that.

On

TRADITIONS

you will be regaled by our usual features, new material and a visit by some truly wonderful artists---MARA LEVINE and PAT WICTOR.

Since Earth Day is coming up this coming week have I ever let you go without a commemoration of a holiday or an event? No! We will spend some 10 minutes with some music for Earth Day from my dusty old archives--all upbeat, rhythmic, and thought inducing. From a few different genres.

One piece also for us to recall Holocaust Remembrance Day for those who do not listen to Sunday Simcha---and for those that do as well. Let us face it pomp and circumstance has been ably covered by the media this week, the tragedies around the world go on so it is proper to recall and remember an event such as this with the hope it never occurs again. Yet, sadly, it does.

For your remembrance we will only play one piece---a memorable voice which you instantly recognize. This voice shows us the sensitivity and humanity we are all capable of if we leave political promulgaters out of our affairs.

Now --------

See you on the other page

Some Entertaining Possibilities

You always get the updates on who is appearing where on the radio program(s)--TRADITIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA. Now a few entertaining things on this web site and its accompanying cohorts: PLAYLISTS and THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER . You will find on this page, and on the accompanying ones, some interesting videos featuring artists that have been on both programs--TRADITIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA (either in person or recorded presentations)---both current and older obscure pieces. You will also find some filmed archival material imported for your pleasure and interest on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER.

As to programming updates:

The Hurdy Gurdy Folk Club has a wonderful concert this weekend featuring Red Molly and a wonderful opening act--Steve Kirkman.

TRADITIONS : On April 19 we will have the pleasure of a visit by Pat Wictor and a new "discovery"---Mara Levine. That is in addition to the usual features and requests (which can be made by e mail to wfdutraditions@yahoo.com )

It seems many of you like the little nostalgia trip every other week--you know--"...tops in pops, best in the west, and thrills of the hills".

SUNDAY SIMCHA : As always the old and the new and the comic and the tragic. Since Klezmer is a favorite and many requests come in we will once again be featuring the great group from Texas "The Austin Klezmorim", padnuh. As you know the CD is entitled "East of Odessa and West of Palestine"---referring to Texas and not the Home of Pogroms. But they had horses there as well.

Since it is said a picture is worth a thousand words a photoshop shot should be worth triple that number or you cannot trust photography anymore

Speaking of pictures---I have shot of a train that has a history---for more on it visit the website in a few days and find out all about it and also where an antique version can be had.

Holidays and Circulation Issues

We will fore go the folk and program content for the moment but return to it in a moment. As you probably know that newspapers are having circulation problems and many are closing or publishing on line. The circulation on this page can use a boost and here is the plan: Below you will find a link which, I believe, you will find clever and apropos for the season we are entering. Why not send the link to this page-- http://www.billhahnprogramnotes.blogspot.com/ to your contacts and they too can enjoy this commemoration of Passover---trust me on this---they will enjoy it. So, the link-- http://9a4440c5.fb.joyent.us/haggadah/ultraModern2.php


Now that the circulation is larger let us talk of the radio programs:


TRADITIONS: This Sunday---April 5 I welcome Phillip Bimstein to the program and we feature much music from his brilliant creation---RED ROCK RONDO In addition we have the usual features and some wonderful new material and a look back at some people we have not heard in a while and also some of the people who graced the stage at TRADITIONSFEST this past weekend. Let's see--who were some of them---



ZOE LEWIS
TOM CHAPIN & BAND

ALONG WITH A CAST OF THOUSANDS



SUNDAY SIMCHA: The Pre-Pesach Program---don't you love alliteration. It was one of the commandments but lost in the transport from Mt Sinai along with the other 4 of the original 15 commandments. This one was "Thou Shalt Always Alliterate". I believe another was "Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Wife---Just Go For Her Discretely".

The program has some really great versions of music for Seder in different genres and also, at the final half, some wonderful ecumenical offerings by Rabbi J. Kligler, Kim and Reggie Harris and more. That, by the way, comes from the Appleseed CD "Let My People Go" and is something you should really own.

Hopefully you checked (and passed on to your friends this page) the item I mentioned at the start. In keeping with that let me tell you two quick stories-

When the Red Sea parted the Jews said--and I quote (sort of)---"Hey Moishe, there are not enough graves in Egypt---we need to die in the desert?" .

Moses spoke unto his people and urged them to put on hip boots because-as he said---"I have never tried this trick before".

So, in conclusion, a photo of the elders who debated if we should celebrate the days--or the nights --or the days and the nights---you know what----Let's Eat!

In all seriousness now---A Joyous and Sweet Passover to you all. The Manischewitz wine this year is a really good vintage---we have cleaned the bathtub and the taste is Zoi Shmecklich---if you are diabetic make sure you take insulin before drinking.

Kudos, Bravos, and All Other Compliments

My heartfelt thanks to all of the people who turned out today for TRADITIONSFEST. Since the NY Times will not be reviewing this program it is incumbent upon The Almost Daily Rooster to do so--on this more visited page.

You made it an SRO show (but no standees were allowed) and you also got a bargain in the entertainment by a group of dedicated and talented artists.

A tip of the proverbial hat to my co-host (I don't wear a hat so it is a "virtual" one I am tipping) Ron Olesko for his efforts in putting this together, to the board of the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Club for authorizing it, and, not least the artists who honored us with their presence and talent.

The artists in the order of appearance:
Pat Wictor Gave his usual brilliant performance and had the audience wishing there was more time for him to remain on stage. Whisky Vacation (from his latest CD) was a real show stopper.

ABBIE GARDNER/ ANTHONY DA COSTA: Abbie brought here great musical talent that she so generously shares with so many people to stage with the brilliant young Anthony DaCosta. Her musical talents and his ability in songwriting at his young age is truly inspiring.

GATHERING TIME
What can one say about a group of individuals who's harmonies bring to mind the great trios of yesterday and today and claim territory of their own. One of the members is aptly named--Hillary Foxsong. True--that is her very apropo name. Their appearance on the stage underlines and emphasizes what wonderful new musicians are coming down the pike---or as some movie star said "...I just got discovered---it took 20 years". Well, we have discovered them earlier than that time-frame.

ZOE LEWIS We thank Zoe for filling in at the last minute for the ill Julie Gold. Her performance was remarkable from start to end; and her start was one of the cleverest things. The audience having been told that Julie Gold was ill and that Zoe will be filling in at the last minute started by saying how sorry she was Julie could not be there---"..but not to disappoint this is what Julie might have sounded like--(hoarse voice now) From a distance, god is watching us". It was all great material after that quick start. The big finish after the story--and she is a great teller of stories---The Day Snowhite Said the "F" Word.

CHRISTINE LAVIN What can I say other than what I said when I introduced her---a truly renaissance person. She writes, she sings, she knows science, she has books published, and now, in her 25th year of her career, is learning sign language. An amazing person and a truly amazing persona on stage. As always she captured the audience with her stories, insights, and music.

All of us new age sensitive guys got up to add to the festivities with her.

TOM CHAPIN and BAND The perfect ending to a perfect program. On a personal note I have to add I had De Ja Vu. Back in 1983 I had produced some benefit concerts in which he was the prominent act after the Hudson River Sloop Singers. Talented as they were he brought the program to a whole new level His ---if one can call them that--sidemen Michael Mark and Jon Cobert lifted it all to a newer level as well. An anecdote now---Michael Mark asked me for the names of all the performers and I asked him why. Jon Cobert said it is because he has an anal impulse for retention---WELL!---during the finale of the program Tom asked us all to come on stage for "Circle" (what a thrill--yes, I too am in awe at that) and one of the verses was led by Michael Mark who had rhymed every name in the cast along with WFDU.

Finally, my thanks, once again for the great talents who donated their time and talent to this event. My thanks to Ron Olesko and the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club for sponsoring and supporting WFDU in this way . I, also, am delighted and honored to be a party to all this.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE

Would you believe this is a Klezmer Band---yes---Klezmer. If you have been listening to SUNDAY SIMCHA you know I have "discovered"--how pompous is that--THE AUSTIN KLEZMORIM. Hailing from Austin, Texas they do some great Klezmer music in their own style and you will be hearing it on SUNDAY SIMCHA. More about them after you view this:



OK---there was the group (sorry I have no pictures of them for you) doing a bluesy number inspired by Prof. Longhair, Dr. John, Louis Jordan, etc; If you tune is, as I said, to SUNDAY SIMCHA you will hear them in their full blown Klezmer take on things such as Tumbalaika, Sha Shtil, and much more. You can purchase their music on http://www.cdbaby.com/ or on their own website.

A few comments now about an interesting show I saw last week called Shpiel, Shpiel, Shpiel---it is in Yiddish (for the most part) and is truly clever. Three short plays by Murray Schisgal and directed, among others, by Gene Saks and Bob Dishy. It is being presented at the Folksbiene Theater in NYC (The JCC of NYC) in a truly intimate and wonderful theater.

The first two short pieces are comic in their presentation and, for me, a bit overlong. Albeit very clever with superb acting. The third and final piece is a dramatic one which was so intense that I had wanted it to continue for an even longer amount of time. Also brilliantly acted and, without spoiling the surprise, there was a moment where one of the characters started to "davign"(pray)---an audience member decided to pray along---it was not a sing-a-along . That shattered the mood of a most moving moment in the play---or, perhaps, it enhanced it by so involving an audience member. Oh, those matinees with the elderly ladies and gentlemen. Oy ve.

In all sincerity I can truly recommend this for your enjoyment and whether you speak Yiddish or not there is no impediment given the amount of English and the Supertitles in both English and Russian. I was also impressed by the fluent knowledge of Yiddish by a young cast---and a particular member of the third short play who, surely, learned it phonetically. How he did it shows what a great actor can do. That will be your surprise when you see Shpiel, Shpiel, Shpiel.

A few other pieces of comment to communicate:
1) PETE SEEGER turns 90 on May 3 this year. The event will be marked by a huge benefit for CLEARWATER at Madison Square Garden that day. Artists from Springsteen to Richie Havens to Tom Paxton to-----you name them will be there. Best to go to http://www.clearwater.org/ for more information.

2) BUSKIN & BATTEAU---Just a very brief reminder that they will be joining me this Sunday on TRADITIONS. You do not want to miss these two marvels.

3) MARCH 29--Not a holiday. It is, however, a day of some great music to benefit a great station that gives us all what I call "...the eclectic weekend sound". WFDU. Go to http://www.hurdygurdyfolk.org/ to see if there are any tickets left. They are reasonably priced at $15 (where can you get such a bargain for some great talent---not MSG). The talent includes Tom Chapin, Julie Gold, Christine Lavin, and a lot more. The show will be hosted---ever so graciously--we hope--by myself and Ron Olesko on Sunday March 29 at 2 PM in Fairlawn NJ. Join us there and watch Fairlawn become the entertainment capitol of the East Coast---OK it is a PR hype. But---the show will be great.