Good therapy is, as we now know, to have a laugh a day---have to keep those endorphins happy and moving. So---skip on over to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER----some laughs await and some memories from where Monty Python et al evolved.
Hopefully you will be joining me and my co-host Ron Olesko this coming Sunday for our look back on the year in music---our and your musical niche. Not a top 10 or 20 but, rather, an afternoon of what we found truly interesting and probably have neglected some pieces. Feel free to e mail if you have some that you, after hearing the show, felt should be included.
A picture is worth at least 10 words---not really a thousand so to intrigue you to go to the link above:
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
THURSDAY--Another Edition of......:
And a flip of the fedora to JIMMY C ANNON....
Nobody Asked Me But:
1) I still remember a time when on Christmas Eve most restaurants, movies, etc; were closed. Times change and sometimes for the better----sometimes not so. Open facilities is a change for the better.
2) TV just seems to get less and less creative as there are more and more channels. Too much of a “good” thing?
3) A brief list of the “best of” in TV past and present: PRESENT: Curb Your Enthusiasm, House (silly but fun), Monk (now gone), Mad Men (season over), Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert (his audience reaction is an annoyance—controlled by him), Jeopardy (the eternal program with the blandness perfected host).
PAST: St. Elsewhere, Homicide—Life On The Streets, Married With Children, Sherlock Holmes (via BBC)---and then there was the Golden Age produced by gas operated cameras---Philco Playhouse, Studio One, and more.
4) The controversy about Pope Pius XII and sainthood has to make one wonder about one thing---who cares? If there is a God then who are humans to decide and if there is not a God---well---who cares?
5) I surely hope that newspapers are not relegated to the trash bin because of the internet. Google does not replace insightful commentary and instant communication is not an improvement over a slower and more insightful communiqué.
4) The controversy about Pope Pius XII and sainthood has to make one wonder about one thing---who cares? If there is a God then who are humans to decide and if there is not a God---well---who cares?
5) I surely hope that newspapers are not relegated to the trash bin because of the internet. Google does not replace insightful commentary and instant communication is not an improvement over a slower and more insightful communiqué.
6) The best films are still the ones without the big special effects but excellent acting where the actors inhabit the characters---Merryl Streep is that perfect example.
7) Who cares about Tiger Woods and his affairs---other than the tabloids and the “great unwashed” (quote from an old novel on the topic) who buy those fish wrappers.
8) Lobbies of buildings really should be cleared to be able to use the space for all the holiday symbols everyone wants displayed---Christmas Trees, Menorahs, Kwanzaa, and I am sure Muslims will chime in at some point---
9) A brief start for a song that might be appropriate which some talented songwriter might finish—“Clear the halls of boughs of Holly and save your fa la las for some other folly. Blow the candles out and let the Macabees pout---all the while you can wear a smile knowing that---“Here Is Where the songwriter is needed.
10) I truly wish all a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah (however it is spelled), Joyous Kwanzaa( and do not deny that the candles are not similar to Chanukah candles---in this newest holiday creation), and happy whatever Athiests commemorate at this time of year---would not a Joyous Solstice suffice for all of us on this small part of space---the days are now getting longer---always things to look forward to.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
THURSDAY and another edition of....
And the weekly flip of the fedora to JIMMY CANNON
Nobody Asked Me But:
1) The end of the year always brings 10 best lists for the media when most things are subjective so why not just have hosts come up with “My Personal Favorites”---they may not be yours.
2)The
3) .If Hannukah is “The Festival of Lights” and Christmas celebrates a birth in a simple manger how come Hannukah only has a menorah and most neighborhoods celebrating Christmas can support a utility company with electricity used for all the lights?
4) .Perhaps Tiger Woods will find a product that is the opposite of Viagra that will let him endorse it if he uses it. Good for them both, it would seem.
.
5) .Some great artists and athletes leave the world too soon to lose the luster they have gained---then again some might not lose it at all---I am thinking of Arthur Ashe.
6) wonder if “server” farms have to have virtual farmers milk them or harvest them from time to time.
7) Who remembers the decade when banks were giving 10% + interest and you got a toaster for depositing funds. Now you get a toaster and they give you a bank---well, a failed one.
8) Some banks are too big to fail---is that like the fat cat being to large to die?
9) How many “apps” does a phone need before it is not a phone anymore? Probably the same amount of roads a man must walk before they call him a man---but at least he can talk while walking without crashing---just walk into traffic instead.
10) My hat is off to the woman who turned lemons into lemonade when she had a mastectomy and then started a line of T-shirts with uplifting and clever comments on them about Cancer.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
SOME COMMENTS AND UPDATES
I have to start with TRADITIONS this past Sunday. My thanks to the truly complimentary and interested callers to the program. Perhaps it seems to be a rushed conversation at times due to not having a "producer" (inside joke) and having two hands and only one brain. That being the fact I have to say that I appreciate the input and the requests---some of which will be addressed in January. Except for the video which is presented here since I was asked for more guitar music by Junior Brown:
The woman playing guitar ---or is it guit--is his wife. Some time back I saw him open for John Prine in a show that proved to be, well, "over the top".
Aside from the nice input I have to say I am looking forward to December 27 when Ron and I will both be present to present to you---I don't share a damned thing being a real Capitalist--our favorite recordings of the past year. Not "The Best". Music is subjective and even our picks as to our favorites may not always coincide. Surely, even some will be left out that we both had hoped to include. Are they Grammy nominees--probably not. Some--maybe. It matters not since, as far as I am concerned, Grammy matter not a whit when it comes to true talent in a meaningful musical vein.
This could of course lead me into a comment I made this past Sunday regarding venues. You can pay big bucks for name performers---mainstream performers--but you can have an evening (or day) finding performers you never heard of that will grab you even more and for a fraction of the cost-----hell, as I said, you might even win a backstage pass. That was the joke----they are open to the audience.
Now, to get to SUNDAY SIMCHA . This coming Sunday I will give you a quick preview of one item and then tell you of something that touched me quite a bit. As to the preview---on Traditions I thought about this piece and felt it was appropriate for Sunday Simcha---as well as Traditions. So it was played there as well. The Capitol Steps, you all know, are a group I believe has some brilliant satirical material and I am happy that WFDU has the exclusive airings of their quarterly presentations since I arranged that. The other Public (or "community" stations) do not present them. The piece you will hear on Sunday Simcha (in Comedy Corner) will be one you also heard on Traditions----Deck The Halls With Bows To Allah. Topical, satirical, and gentle as opposed to other outlets for wit. Satire was gentler in the Tom Lehrer days but this is a true successor to that---have a peek:
The Capitol Steps and their unique brand of comedic talent that it is a delight to be able to present quarterly on WFDU.
Getting back to Sunday Simcha again. I received some requests this week and also one note I must tell you of because it was truly a delight to receive. The young---and I say "young" because she made that point---lady was delighted that she discovered The Weavers while listening to the Hannukah program. Given her age she had never heard of them. She made me realize that I do believe I have hit on the proper mix---old and new, traditional and non-traditional. My belief is that we have to open ourselves up to listening, accepting, and enjoying music from different generations. I admit to not wanting to hear or play the work of Matisyahoo and that is my fault and narrowness. Admittedly. Just as I won't play "rap" on Traditions and, yet, Woody Guthrie was the original rapper.
Playing newer versions and older versions of songs that might be considered "traditional", playing Jewish themed music, and playing newer music created by Jewish composers/ artists seems to open people up to an acceptance of things that have evolved with time. Be it music, literature, and, as always, Comedy Corner.
There is always a place to enjoy---and"kvell" ---with the Sholom Secundas but we also can enjoy the newer things---I won't say "shticks" because that is not what this is about---say something like this:
An insightful discussion into the metamorphosis of "Shtick" to comedy into a newer world---and someday I would love to give you some insights into Richard Belzer into the other participants.
The last comment on that subject is Lenny Bruce---like Richard Pryor---a person before his time ( or perhaps of his time) and not fully appreciated then.
OK---we close with a few comments:
Oral Roberts died a brief time ago---sadly at his University they were never able to play any recordings because he was so effective that when anyone touche a record the hole healed.
Hannukah is the festival of lights and as Jon Stewart, so aptly, showed on his program of 12/14 it seems the Christmas Lights beat a few small candles in that realm. Yet---I am still hoping for the Miracle Of The Oil so that my gas tank will last for eight weeks and not one.
The woman playing guitar ---or is it guit--is his wife. Some time back I saw him open for John Prine in a show that proved to be, well, "over the top".
Aside from the nice input I have to say I am looking forward to December 27 when Ron and I will both be present to present to you---I don't share a damned thing being a real Capitalist--our favorite recordings of the past year. Not "The Best". Music is subjective and even our picks as to our favorites may not always coincide. Surely, even some will be left out that we both had hoped to include. Are they Grammy nominees--probably not. Some--maybe. It matters not since, as far as I am concerned, Grammy matter not a whit when it comes to true talent in a meaningful musical vein.
This could of course lead me into a comment I made this past Sunday regarding venues. You can pay big bucks for name performers---mainstream performers--but you can have an evening (or day) finding performers you never heard of that will grab you even more and for a fraction of the cost-----hell, as I said, you might even win a backstage pass. That was the joke----they are open to the audience.
Now, to get to SUNDAY SIMCHA . This coming Sunday I will give you a quick preview of one item and then tell you of something that touched me quite a bit. As to the preview---on Traditions I thought about this piece and felt it was appropriate for Sunday Simcha---as well as Traditions. So it was played there as well. The Capitol Steps, you all know, are a group I believe has some brilliant satirical material and I am happy that WFDU has the exclusive airings of their quarterly presentations since I arranged that. The other Public (or "community" stations) do not present them. The piece you will hear on Sunday Simcha (in Comedy Corner) will be one you also heard on Traditions----Deck The Halls With Bows To Allah. Topical, satirical, and gentle as opposed to other outlets for wit. Satire was gentler in the Tom Lehrer days but this is a true successor to that---have a peek:
The Capitol Steps and their unique brand of comedic talent that it is a delight to be able to present quarterly on WFDU.
Getting back to Sunday Simcha again. I received some requests this week and also one note I must tell you of because it was truly a delight to receive. The young---and I say "young" because she made that point---lady was delighted that she discovered The Weavers while listening to the Hannukah program. Given her age she had never heard of them. She made me realize that I do believe I have hit on the proper mix---old and new, traditional and non-traditional. My belief is that we have to open ourselves up to listening, accepting, and enjoying music from different generations. I admit to not wanting to hear or play the work of Matisyahoo and that is my fault and narrowness. Admittedly. Just as I won't play "rap" on Traditions and, yet, Woody Guthrie was the original rapper.
Playing newer versions and older versions of songs that might be considered "traditional", playing Jewish themed music, and playing newer music created by Jewish composers/ artists seems to open people up to an acceptance of things that have evolved with time. Be it music, literature, and, as always, Comedy Corner.
There is always a place to enjoy---and"kvell" ---with the Sholom Secundas but we also can enjoy the newer things---I won't say "shticks" because that is not what this is about---say something like this:
An insightful discussion into the metamorphosis of "Shtick" to comedy into a newer world---and someday I would love to give you some insights into Richard Belzer into the other participants.
The last comment on that subject is Lenny Bruce---like Richard Pryor---a person before his time ( or perhaps of his time) and not fully appreciated then.
OK---we close with a few comments:
Oral Roberts died a brief time ago---sadly at his University they were never able to play any recordings because he was so effective that when anyone touche a record the hole healed.
Hannukah is the festival of lights and as Jon Stewart, so aptly, showed on his program of 12/14 it seems the Christmas Lights beat a few small candles in that realm. Yet---I am still hoping for the Miracle Of The Oil so that my gas tank will last for eight weeks and not one.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
THURSDAY and another edition of......
With the weekly flip of the fedora to JIMMY CANNON
And apologies for the sloppy formatting since The Site Host seems to be having HTML Coding problems---enough of tech stuff---and read it as best you can-
And apologies for the sloppy formatting since The Site Host seems to be having HTML Coding problems---enough of tech stuff---and read it as best you can-
Nobody Asked Me But:
1)Hannukah (spell it any way you prefer) is upon us and the reality is that it is a minor holiday made major to compete and add to the commercialism of the “holiday season”---aka Christmas. Kwanzaa has joined the crowd.
2) I, for one, am hoping the miracle of the oil works for me the next time I fill my gas tank and it lasts for 8 WEEKS
3) Avoiding some new Tiger Woods jokes is a priority---I have added too many to Facebook already---some my own and fairly double entendre. He won't get or need a Viagra endorsement
4) Many times Off and Off Off Broadway is better than Broadway and the same can be said of local venues that feature some great talent.
5) Last weekend with Buskin & Batteau, Kelly McKenzie, and Gathering Time (at 2 different venues) was truly more than one can get for the price of a seat at a “major” concert. I bet you could even win a backstage pass on Traditions.
6) Here is a great career move---picking up discarded tickets at the bankrupt OTB sites and winning mucho dinero as Jesus Leonardo has done to support his family. Who said you need degrees to succeed? A good back and a good eye seem to work for the Saviour’s namesake.
7) Wonderful piece on NPR about a child’s reaction to his peers comments because his parents are 2 moms. Hopefully the incoming governor in NJ heard it---I doubt he even gives a damn since sensitivity is not his strong suite. So it seems.
8) I have always wondered how this nation came to be so rich and powerful given the divisions in governmental debates today and have to surmise that the same occurred during the founding years. States v Federalism.
9) Do you remember when flying was an adventure and fun? When Pan American was the flag carrier airline and an exhilarating experience to fly on---locally or internationally---it was always exotic. Right after great train travel and before airlines became cattle cars of the skies?
10) I am going to miss Monk and certainly not appreciate the newest Sherlock Holmes flick. You know, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Jeremy Brett was, to me, the best Holmes and respected his Dr. Watson. Well done and done over and over again on WLIW---thankfully
11) If you like old classic TV programs one of the quality ones was Homicide---Life On The Streets---beats the later models by a mile or two. I found it on BET---and finally realized why it was there. Great program with great actors in wonderful character studies---but why do they bleep out words that were not bleeped on terrestrial TV and are not offensive? Family Guy does worse---love that show as well.
12) Why do reporters have to stand in front of a building or in a rainstorm to tell us what happened in the building or that it is raining when the news reader can do that at his pretentious desk in his pretentious voice?
13) I have to wonder if Thomas Jefferson would have thought that “democracy” and “populism” were over the top with the internet and so much misleading content taken for fact.
Most blogs do not have the double-checking that goes into print reporting----The Star and its kin excluded from that bit of praise. Unless you believe that Oprah is dying, that Jesus came back and left again, and that poor alien baby which finally got adopted. If so then I have a bridge that I was commissioned to sell to a prospective buyer---care to make an offer.
Monday, December 7, 2009
PROGRAM UPDATES AND NEWS
The news is that this past weekend proved to be exactly as I expected. That would be being a member of an admiring audience to some great artists. Saturday evening was spent in what has to be a "folkie" heaven. The Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club is located, now, in a truly posh place in Fairlawn NJ that befits super stars and the artists appearing there should be in that category. But, what's in a name anyway---Folk and Superstar never seem to be in the same sentence===save for a very few exceptions (I can think of only 2 and Dylan is not one). The evening's superstars were Buskin & Batteau ably opened for by the newcomer Kelly MacKenzie. You can see them on The Almost Daily Rooster Page. How much easier can I make it?
In fact, if you click or clicked over there you will find another surprise which is explained there.
Sunday the Orangeburg Library presented Gathering Time and a truly yeoman like performance was presented by this greatly talented ensemble. An afternoon of music totally tailored for the audience. Shades of classic rock, touch of traditional, and their own compositions to touch the audience where it counts. I guess that would be their hearts---given the age of the audience I think that was a total risk. Joking aside---they were loved and surely know how to reach varied audiences. Their LI appearances for Harry Chapin Night and for Classic Rock night were light years away from this program.
More news can be found on The Almost Daily Rooster if you click over to it. If not---well, you missed a few things that may well not be of interest to you at all.
TRADITIONS: This coming Sunday (Dec. 13) we have one great story song set prepared along with a person--again, check the other page, that I had the pleasure of meeting after the Gathering Time Concert. He could be in the story song section but will be with some artists you have heard earlier in the year---think Calypso. Don't think the boat of Cousteau---and also don't sink the boat of Cousteau. Some satirical holiday music is in store since all the other material is in stores. Which this time of year is all about in this era---it seems. Ah, for the joys of the simpler days---or, maybe, it was just my childish simple mind.
SUNDAY SIMCHA: Sunday (Dec. 13) our Channukah Party ---spell it any way you like and always recall that, besides the miracle of the oil, how it is a minor holiday only meant to compete with the commercialism of the season. Kwanzaa is included in that. Actually, Mel Brooks captures it in his 2000 Year Old Man sketch which you will hear on the program. We shall, this Sunday, play the material so loved by all and leave Comedy Corner for the proper commentary. I will just add---Joyous Chanukah and keep those Jones' not that many steps ahead on your trek (or is it drek?) to Wal Mart, K Mart, Any Mart for just the right piece of material to spoil the little ones.
One last thought about the miracle of the oil. If only that happened to me---fill my gas tank and it lasts more than 8 days with just a few drops. The oil companies would zilch the formula for sure.
In fact, if you click or clicked over there you will find another surprise which is explained there.
Sunday the Orangeburg Library presented Gathering Time and a truly yeoman like performance was presented by this greatly talented ensemble. An afternoon of music totally tailored for the audience. Shades of classic rock, touch of traditional, and their own compositions to touch the audience where it counts. I guess that would be their hearts---given the age of the audience I think that was a total risk. Joking aside---they were loved and surely know how to reach varied audiences. Their LI appearances for Harry Chapin Night and for Classic Rock night were light years away from this program.
More news can be found on The Almost Daily Rooster if you click over to it. If not---well, you missed a few things that may well not be of interest to you at all.TRADITIONS: This coming Sunday (Dec. 13) we have one great story song set prepared along with a person--again, check the other page, that I had the pleasure of meeting after the Gathering Time Concert. He could be in the story song section but will be with some artists you have heard earlier in the year---think Calypso. Don't think the boat of Cousteau---and also don't sink the boat of Cousteau. Some satirical holiday music is in store since all the other material is in stores. Which this time of year is all about in this era---it seems. Ah, for the joys of the simpler days---or, maybe, it was just my childish simple mind.
SUNDAY SIMCHA: Sunday (Dec. 13) our Channukah Party ---spell it any way you like and always recall that, besides the miracle of the oil, how it is a minor holiday only meant to compete with the commercialism of the season. Kwanzaa is included in that. Actually, Mel Brooks captures it in his 2000 Year Old Man sketch which you will hear on the program. We shall, this Sunday, play the material so loved by all and leave Comedy Corner for the proper commentary. I will just add---Joyous Chanukah and keep those Jones' not that many steps ahead on your trek (or is it drek?) to Wal Mart, K Mart, Any Mart for just the right piece of material to spoil the little ones.
One last thought about the miracle of the oil. If only that happened to me---fill my gas tank and it lasts more than 8 days with just a few drops. The oil companies would zilch the formula for sure.
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