THURSDAY---Another Editions of.......

The flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

1)      What a great “Biography” the other day about Richard Pryor.  Truly a comic genius albeit an eccentric one.  Perhaps that is what it takes.

2)      It surely is tough to be “new” when TV and the internet never let anything pass away.

3)      It is time to do more “self deprecating” Jewish humor on Sunday Simcha---it always seems to work.  Take this one---Pre WW2 a Jew is reading “Der Sturmer” in a coffee shop (the anti Semitic Nazi paper) and his friend asks him why he reads such trash---because, he says, all I see in the Jewish papers is how we are suffering and this tells me how we are controlling everything---truly uplifting.

4)      Tom Lehrer was right in his piece about National Brotherhood Week---the names change but the attitudes remain.  Sad!

5)      Agree or disagree about the Islamic Cultural Center in NYC but tell me where I am going to get a bargain in a coat now with the Burlington Coat Factory not being landmarked.  Joe and Paul would be turning over in their fictional graves.

6)      Must I carry on my Harry Chapin Song Night hopes with only Stuart Marcus as a supporter (and the leader)?

Some tales have great morals ala Aesop—

An old man, a boy & a donkey were going to town.

 The boy rode on the donkey & the old man walked.

 As they went along they passed some people

 who remarked it was a shame the old man

 was walking and the boy was riding.

 The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right,

 so they changed positions.

  Later, they passed some people who remarked,

 'What a shame, he makes that little boy walk.'

 So they then decided they'd both walk!

 They passed some more people who thought

 they were stupid to walk when they had a

 decent donkey to ride.

So, they both rode the donkey.

Now they passed some people

 who shamed them by saying how awful to

 put such a load on a poor donkey.

 The boy and man figured they were probably right,

 so they decide to carry the donkey.

 As they crossed the bridge,

 they lost their grip on the animal

 and he fell into the river and drowned.

The moral of the story?

 If you try to please everyone,

 you might as well...

 Kiss your ass goodbye!

7)      Why do artists who send in material try, many times, to say who they will remind you of?  Uniqueness and originality is what got the people they refer to where they are.

8)      In my attempt to alienate most people I will say that any artist who thinks he or she reminds me of Dylan is a real turn-off since you may have noticed he is not on any of my playlists.

9)      The “vast” readership of this weekly blog is invited to an annual get-together and given the numbers we could meet at a Telephone booth of their choosing---while they are still there.

10)                    But---if you are leaving on a Jet Plane these days have you figured out that the fare is cheap and the incidentals will break you?  Fly naked with not baggage!   Seems like pleasurable air travel has gone the way of dramatic train travel---sooner or later space travel will lose its mystique.

THURSDAY---Another Edition of ...............

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon.

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

1)      Last Sunday’s “Lives” in the NY Times Magazine section struck a chord since most of them don’t—to me.

2)      How about a survey?   Harry Chapin’s compositions compared to later (or even those of that time) writers.   All things are subjective, obviously. Feel free to comment.

3)      PBS gives us “Live At Lincoln Center” and the networks give us re-runs of Law & Order, Law and Order SVU, Law & Order CI. Are there any of these shows that have overstayed the time they were good that I have left out?  Please do not say “Homicide”—would that quality writing and acting were still with us.

4)      Is it not interesting how different critics have different takes on the same production?   The Big C on Showtime---one says the writing is awful and the cast is good and the other says the cast is not good (save Laura Linney) and the writing brilliant---best to stick to your own thoughts as with most things.   You don’t get paid and they do which should tell us something.

5)      The John Lindsay exhibit at the  Museum of The City of NY is a marvel and closes in a bit over a month---not to be missed.  An underrated and misunderstood mayor who still believed ---then—that doing the right thing was the right thing to do. I have one item that I think should be his crowning glory---any one have a thought on that?

6)      Radio is not what it was so many moons ago when there were dramas and one or two hours devoted to “children’s” programming.  What is really left now---Garrison Keilor (PRI), WNYC week-end programming (albeit too many repeats of Studio 360 ad nauseum), and WFDU with eclectic and free-wheeling programming.

7)      That was a wonderful Live at Lincoln Center---but, still, seeing a show “live” at the theater is still better.

8)      For the first time, after all these years, I found something in South Pacific that did not ring true---just one thing that Hammerstein put into the book that made no sense at all----it has to do with Emile DeBeque and his secret and dangerous mission.

9)      If you are a “big fish in a little pond” it is best not get a swelled head because you just might bump it into the sides of the pool.

10)                    Shakespeare was so far ahead of his time in the field of Urology and gets so little credit for it.  Recall the famous soliloquy in Hamlet==”To Pee or not to Pee---that is the question.  Whether tis better to suffer the slings and cramps of continence or to relieve oneself”.  

THURSDAY ---Another Edition of.....

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

1)         The Sunday NY Times Magazine piece re: “shrinks” , patients (the writer) sure struck some chords---reinforcing many of my negative opinions about having to do with this topic---not in particular order---Pomposity, Money, Nonsense, and Self Reliance, and people who say they are emotionally needy but mostly for attention since they function quite well.  And, of course, the “practitioners” who take full advantage of that.

2)         There are rare exceptions to the above mentioned “charlatans”---I knew of one.  Just one.

3)         One of the greatest story tellers who has amazing creativity, insight, and timing (and where he gets the time and energy for new material each week I know not) is Garrison Keillor. 

4)         Do you still want to know the answer to the “news item” of last week about the lesser known Knight of The Round Table that was responsible for its design---and his initials were carved into it when discovered in a sunken Galleon?

5)         My hat ---the one I never wear---is tipped to Stu Marcus for producing his 6^th annual “Wild About Harry” show in LI this past Monday.  

     They get better year after year and this year was         surely exceptional given the plaque unveiled in Harry Chapin’s honor at the site.  Nice that no one corrected the local “happy to make a few comments politico” when he proceeded to introduce Sandy Chapin (who was there to witness the plaque installation for her husband) as---“...honored that his daughter is here with us tonight”.

6)         Phil Ochs song nights are just great and it set me to wondering why there are no Harry Chapin Song nights given his huge and brilliant repertoire (with only 2 or 3 known to most people).

7)         What strange priorities we have.   The world is in turmoil with issues of great import all over the planet and the NY Daily News (I suppose the current rag known as the NY Post as well) have a front page devoted to the flight attendant story.  A piece that is, properly, relegated to page gimel in the NY times for a paragraph of so. Good thing is that he is a disgruntled employee and did not murder his passengers and crew.

8)         Patrick Smith made some valid points on the Leonard Lopate program (WNYC) Wed.  Folk Heroes are made by tabloids (my comments) and there was wrong on all sides---passenger and attendant.  His other comments re: safety, security, turbulence, and what frightens people and not pilots is truly fascinating. Hint---Turbulence does not frighten pilots---passenger discomfort does.

9)         The romance of the skies seem to be gone and we cannot blame that on some deranged miscreants of September 11.   Think of this—do you remember when passengers applauded upon landing?  Do you recall prop planes that had 2 levels with a spiral staircase (Stratocruiser)?  Do you recall the DC3 (still a workhorse and a safe one)?   Do you recall the drama of Pan American World Airways (forget Pan Am, its later publicity conscious incarnation)? Do you remember when meals (even in coach) were served with real napkins and silverware (hard to cut my over cooked crap served now with the nail clipper I could not bring aboard)?

10)   The airlines are doing something so positive the cable companies still have to catch up on this---they have turned a negative to a positive for the purchaser----can you figure it out?

11)   If you want folk music memorandums on this site they will be appearing---just not on Thursday.  Well, sometimes even Thursday.

12)   GM is getting ready for a Stock offering and the news stations report that they are recovering from a bruising bankruptcy. Seems to me the main bruising was to the shareholders and the employees.

 

THURSDAY ---Another Edition of.....

The weekly flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

1)         “Cocktails” mean different things to different people---live-saving moments for recipients of AIDS cocktails, death to recipients of Molotov cocktails (remember him?), and socializing for the lucky and still not alcohol addicted during The Cocktail Hour at The Cocktail Party.

2)         Would it not be nice if the AIDS cocktails were administered in a social setting so that it could also be called a “cocktail party”?

3)         After the discovery of the shipwreck in England that held the remnants of “The Round Table” and the inscription of the designer (one of the lesser known members of King Arthur’s Round Table) it made me wonder if anyone knows the name---comment if you like and it will be posted next week.  

4)         It was nice to hear of such an ecumenical wedding that took place last week in Rhinebeck, NY and even more impressive the openness of the religious representatives that officiated.   I don’t know much about the Minister but the Rabbi has traveled a long path from non-religious to devout to pragmatism.   Sounds like a plan to me---why, though, bother with the props of Tallis and Yarmulke?  It’s Showtime, Folks!

5)         There is so much controversy regarding the proposed Mosque near Ground Zero (truly a poor expression) and there are pros and cons on each side.  One argument has never been uttered----December 7.  Would a Shinto Shrine or Japanese Cultural Center be welcomed at Pearl Harbor after all these years?  The answer to that might prove enlightening.

6)         So good to hear that the U S auto companies are doing so well given that the taxpayers paid for their years of “crap” products in the bail-out.  Not unlike the financial folks receiving huge bonuses and huge profits after sinking the economy and now reaping large profits.  What about the poor “shlob” down the street?

7)          I still don’t think that a Yugo would have been a better option---unless you used it for a garden planter.

8)         Just a reminder that you should tune your TV (or set your DVR) to August 18 on PBS for the live performance (no commercials) of “South Pacific”. A memorable event.

9)         Speaking of TV---was it not a better era when kids had less choice of programming and were there for the “children’s hour” (or 2) on radio instead of constant cartoons and commercials?  Quality not quantity should be the watchword.

10)    The Sunday NY Times Real Estate Section makes you realize that, perhaps, John Edwards (with all his shortcomings) had a point---there are two different and distinct Americas.  Perhaps even more given the prices that some people pay for a place to sleep----and expletives excluded—ranging from over 25Milion dollars to a minimal number that is mentioned in the Gray Lady.  Then there are still SROs.   Not usually mentioned.

                                         

A Blast From The Past---and a Concert Update.

Prior to his most untimely death Harry Chapin was working on a musical (1981).   The Gospel set in Atlanta, GA with the terrific title---Cotton Patch Gospel.   The book and story were the creation of Tom Key (who also starred in it) and Russell Treyz and the music was all by Harry Chapin.

The very brief synopsis is that is is the Gospels  of Matthew and John set in the rural South of Georgia---hence, Cotton Patch Gospel.   Leaving the story aside for the moment---and as a critic noted---an under appreciated gem that ranks with Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell---let us focus on the music that Harry Chapin created for this.   The music is memorable and brilliant and a far cry from his more well known works---which, I add, should be better known (aside from the 2 or 3 "hits").

In truth I first heard the song back in 1984 when I was producing some benefit concerts for a local library in Rockland County, New York and Tom Chapin was our headlined.  He invited Scott Ainslie (an original cast member and the lead singer then) to join him on the stage to perform the piece---and tell the story of the musical. Besides myself  I have to admit that it blew the entire audience away. 

It is too long to go into here but suffice it to say that the music in that production ---in addition to Jubilation---is a brilliant piece of work.  It is revived in many local productions, it can be performed with a small or a large cast,  and the music and story lend themselves to some great interpretations .  An example;  I will be featuring Scott Ainslie (from the original cast album)  on my SUNDAY SIMCHA program on WFDU on August 8 and also on TRADITIONS that same day.   It is amazingly non-sectarian and yet makes some wonderful points.

This all leads me up to a mention of an event that will be happening on August 9 and I am happy to say that Judith Zweiman has accepted my suggestion to perform JUBILATION as her piece for the 6th Annual "Wild About Harry" program at Eisenhower Park in Hempstead, NY.   It promises to be a great evening of great Harry Chapin music with some truly impressive artists.  Price of admission---some food for the LI food pantries.   Get there early because it is justifiably well attended event and my sincere plaudits to Stuart Marcus for organizing and keeping this event going year after year.

While all the music will be of major moment let say that Judith Zweiman covers a wide gamut of genres and I have played her Jewish material on SUNDAY SIMCHA, her Sea Shanties on TRADITIONS, but she does some amazing Gospel music as was witnessed last year by the attendees at the Wild About Harry Program---Harry Chapin's take on Gospel.   You will not want to miss her take on JUBILATION

While the original cast is not available on video Tom Chapin and an original cast member--the amazing and talented Michael Mark---are. 

JUBILATION

THURSDAY ---Another Edition Of.....

 The weekly tip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon :

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

1)      Why would news outlets make a point of talking about how certain individuals (BP Exec) are not getting golden parachutes since a pension of over one million a year and a payout of the rest of his contract ( another few million) when the average reader/listener makes less than $75,000/per annum and has to pay exorbitant medical insurance costs (among other things)?  Hard to believe that empathy or even comprehension of this outrage is expected.

2)      The line between Madoff machinations and the legal corporate compensation for failure is a really thin one. 

3)        I always wanted to be a “Mad Man” back in that time and now I doubt I would have handled the changes very well.  Though I did have a great idea for the premiums for the radio offers for the kid’s programs between 5-6 PM.

4)      Does anyone recall when you tested tubes and did not have the instant gratification the internet world and solid state world gives us?  Patience is a virtue; it is said.

5)      Amazingly a sandwich at The Meadowlands race-track costs over $15.00, hot dogs not much less---Yankee Stadium and Shea (CitiPark) ditto, pretzels $7.00 .  For a bargain and some good food for reasonable prices try the Cyclones Ball Park in Bklyn.  Better yet---eat before you go---if you must go.

6)      Allan Sherman had it right when speaking (singing) of high price Kosher sandwiches---“...you better be able to see the pastrami coming through the rye”.

7)       It is amazing to realize that some films that are my favorites are anywhere from 10-50 years old now---and one that I had never seen but recently saw the DVD version of the 1934 film---Here Comes Tomorrow.  Just brilliant.

8)      If you love Harry Chapin’s work and you also want to help the food pantries in Long Island you might want to go to the free concert on Aug. 9 at Eisenhower Park (Hempstead NY).  Put together by Stuart Marcus the price of admission is some canned food for the pantries---the name of the concert---Just Wild About Harry.