A SUNDAY SIMCHA UPDATE

Something I believe you listeners to SUNDAY SIMCHA will want to be aware of and the details are too long to announce on the program--On March 20 you will hear some other special events in detail on the program---meanwhile---

PRESENTING A Staged Reading of די ייִדישע ראַדיע שעה THE YIDDISH RADIO HOUR A workshop of a new production, set in the WEVD radio studio, featuring radio plays, musical performances, humor, vintage jingles, news and call in advice.

... In Yiddish with English and Russian translation supertitles FEATURING Leizer Burko, Richard “Ruvn” Kass, Daniella Rabbani, Miryem-Khaye Seigel, Dmitri “Zisl-Yeysef” Slepovitch, Steve Sterner, Suzanne Toren and Matt Temkin Directed by Motl Didner Musical Direction by Zalmen Mlotek . Tues. March 22 at 2pm at Lehman College, Lovinger Theater For tickets or information call (718) 960-8024. Wed. March 23th at 7pm at Baruch College, Engelman Recital Hall For tickets or information call (646) 312-5073 Mon. March 28th at 2pm at Queens College, Lefrak Recital Hall Advanced tickets not required. For information call (718) 793-8080 Thurs. March 31st at 12:30pm at Brooklyn College, Student Life Center - Gold Room. For tickets and information call (718) 951-5842 For Group Tickets call Itzy Firestone at (212) 213-2120 x204

For more information. www.folksbiene.org or find us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/folksbiene

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

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

   

1)  Why does NPR keep apologizing for firing Juan Williams?   I thought when you do the proper thing you do not apologize.

2)       I have often wondered why it is that folks try to make up for their transgressions to other people when they are facing serious personal problems.  That is like figuring that making amends will clear things up from some greater power just like figuring out a lottery number having something other than random significance.

3)       A person walked into a bar.   You really expected more because someone walked into a bar.  Well, if he walks out fairly sober that is a plus and a lousy punchline.

4)       Polka Party time has arrived at WFDU---and given the glitch on day one and last week’s glitch  I will avoid Polka jokes---though I am still trying to figure out who put the weed in the Kielbasa (credit Bob Franke for his song about the “Acid Polka”)

5)       On a serious note---try Bflat Minor. That is serious and portends bad things coming---musically.   Which brings us to DJs who work weddings, bar-mitzvahs, etc; and equate volume with quality.  Only happy people are Audiologists for the after effects.

6)       Thanks to technology and things like You Tube no one ever really dies or leaves us---only the person.   As some philosopher once pointed out ---reality is ephemeral. So, now to metaphysically speak with some folks I have missed for a long time---Kate Wolf, Harry Chapin---and most importantly---my wife.

7)       Speaking of music as we were before.  3 notes walk into a bar---but one leaves so that leaves a 5^th between and they lost their sobriety.

8)       Today’s numbers are numbing---Bronxville residents (who can, surely, afford it) pay an average of $43,000 in R E Taxes (NY Times) and I cannot fathom such numbers.

9)       Marriage is sacrosanct to the Right Wing folks such as Newt Gingrich.  It means so much to him that he has partaken of it 3 times.  This Newt really grew up to be a  big fish and is still trolling that old pond for partners----but they must be of the same gender (let us not mention sex---that is an act now, it seems). 

10)Donald Trump running for President would be like living in Rome when Nero played his Strad (OK Stradivarius came years later---poetic license).   Can anyone picture the head egotist on a level with the likes of even the worst of the Presidents---you choose.

           11)      Perfect Pres. ticket for 2012---Trump/Palin---either it guarantees a Dem. Win or we become a “has-been” nation being lead by scrapings of the bottom of a barrel that started with the cream---you know who they were---and were---until recently.

                            

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

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

   

1)         What wonderful support the pledgers to both TRADITIONS & SUNDAY SIMCHA  showed during our annual fund drive .   Meaning even more than the dollars garnered---“shekels”, I suppose for SUNDAY SIMCHA, were the truly kind and caring comments made by the callers---our radio family.

2)         Those of you who stuck around after Sunday Simcha for a while know I also stuck around with the bantering band of beatlemanics on Beatles 2x4 and joining us was Carl Kraus (Station Manager) and, as always Barry Sheffield (Program Director) and the leader of the band, Ghosty.  My thanks for all the kind words---and the good banter that ensued about the station, the hosts, and Sunday Simcha.

3)         Quite a few years back when I was still hosting TABLETALK I had the delight of having the wonderfully creative John Forster on the program.  He has created wonderful parodies ala Tom Lehrer, Children’s Music, and also a brilliant musical---ELEANOR.   You will surmise it is about Eleanor Roosevelt.    Requiring a large cast it is an expensive production to stage and, yet, there are regional theaters and schools that present it.  Now, having just attended a “reading”, it has been downsized so that it can be done at less cost with just a cast of 9.   Truly something not to be missed.  A whole new and wonderful take on Eleanor Roosevelt and how, truly, this was a 1^st Lady and a glowing constellation in her own right.

4)         Why do people (politicos, FOX news pundits,etc;) always invoke Hitler?   Would it not be better to let him rest in whatever hell he is, hopefully, in and not let us recall a maniac that is equal to Lybia’s maniacal and  irrational leader.   Sometimes it is best to let people enter the dustbin of history rather than keep their memory alive.

5)         Is it possible that the NY NJ CT metro areas charge the highest tolls in the nation and if so why?

6)         If most bridges and tunnels accept EZ Pass and read the license/ pass numbers why does the TBTA insist on keeping electronic arms (gates) on those lanes?  My theory is that it is just another means for them to harass the paying public and allow the “officers” to slowly amble over to malfunctioning ones and make sure that the driving public is further annoyed.

7)         What is so rare as a day in June?  Probably nothing after this horrible winter and a sweltering summer in future.

8)         The folks putting on the Spiderman fiasco are quite correct---don’t open, keep previewing, and keep raking in the money from the tourists and those who think they are on to something really special---and they are.  Something, it seems, pretty awful.  Hope that all the Medical Insurance premiums from the producers is up to date.

9)         Whatever happened to drama and musicals with depth and character and without special effects?

10)    See the comments above about “Eleanor”.

11)  When did the definition of "reasonable" for the cost things change?   At least it happened over time while in Argentina and Germany (1930s) it happened hourly.

Program Notes And A Few Updates

It is never too late to mail an e-mail pledge as the annual (and only)  pledge drive winds down. You can also call either program this Sunday to pledge---if you are listening on the internet we would love to know that.   At the present time my thanks for all the support you have shown both programs---SUNDAY SIMCHA & TRADITIONS. 

So far so good for that slogan for SUNDAY SIMCHA---KEEPING YIDDISHKEIT ON THE AIR---WFDU.  I am sure if you wanted such a bumper sticker---what car is complete without one---you can contact the station and they will order them.

Now for a few updates---both programs will be pre-recorded (but new material) on March 6 for reasons of some familial obligations---and as one would say for Sunday Simcha---some Nachas (sure cannot spell that--just pronounce it).  In fact those Nachas will be reflected on the Sunday Simcha program with a reading and some music that we have played before but fits here so well----and is so meaningful on the topic.   That airs at 10 AM Eastern Time---and, of course, streams on the web.  

Now to TRADITIONS---as always we start with some new recordings BUT one of those "new" recordings put me into mind of older material that should, like the great composers of other genres,, be considered classics.  We will be starting the program with a brilliant "new" recording of the re-mastered works of Stan Rogers from the vinyl days---and we will end the program with a great story song from him as well.   In between---well,  you know the features,  and those recordings and voices that we should not be forgetting about in the flood of wonderful newer material---well, some wonderful and, honestly, we don't play those for you.  But that is, of course, subjective but, I believe we know each other by now.  You will surely hear some favorites.

Speaking of your favorites.   Your requests via e mail are always welcome-- wfdutraditions@yahoo.com  You can call during air time as well but e mail is better since the show usually prepared in advance for a smooth flow of the material we have for you---and me----basically,  US.

We have, as many of you know, played music speaking to various subjects over the years---religion, politics, civil rights, etc;   Always in the hope that it might make a difference and also in general terms because each situation has its own unique issues.  Some songwriters have, as many of us do, knee jerk reactions to current events and feel that they have to offer us material that they believed fits the mold of "protest" music.   You won't hear it hear---I promise you.   As said; each situation is unique.   So as not to be obscure and also not to single out a particular topic let me just say---Unions are the general theme we would play and support--Unions on a specific issue such as the doings in Wisconsin are another issue and playing knee jerk reactions that some songwriters think is expected of them is something I will not do.  I know we can discuss this but this is not the forum---go to Facebook if you want to comment.   After all the programs are for entertainment---and hopefully---to leave you with some things to think about.  Something you do not get on mainstream radio.   That's another topic.

Since I mentioned both SUNDAY SIMCHA & TRADITIONS a few shots now from some music that you will be hearing----first on TRADITIONS--a sample of some great Stan Rogers material and then for SUNDAY SIMCHA the piece of music that puts the program into perspective given the Nachas I spoke of---and a representative of the organization you will hear about on the 3/65  program will join me in the near future---but this song will give you a hint of what is coming on 3/6




And now----for SUNDAY SIMCHA



As to Fred Small---I have to add a few comments. He has written so many marvelous musical moments that give us a historical perspective to things----including the Native Americans---and is now a Unitarian Minister, an attorney, and still writing great music.

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

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

   

1)     While recording some material for my radio program it came to me how sometimes it really pays to go in the collection of material from a while back and re-discover some of the wonderful work so many artists have done.  It should not be forgotten while the new is always the thing we expect will interest an audience there is a treasure trove of music that should not be forgotten.   If this station were WQXR the audience would expect Beethoven, Bach, and Brahms---so WFDU audiences will surely welcome hearing Seeger, Ochs, Wolf, Chapin, and Paxton---and let us not forget Small.  Classics are classics.

2)     I have always liked what my station manager once said to me about some interviews I had done.   The fact such interesting people come on the program is always a delight and honor and he—being humble about  WFDU—said, “ ...hell, if your  mic had the banner  W S H I T wrapped around it they would still come---it is radio”. Loved that line on many levels.

3)     There are classics of yore and newer ones.  While live theater and films of significance beat out the “special effects”  meaningless mess there are no TV programs of late that offer anything close to a moment of theater---save one---of quite a few years back.  Homicide---and, never shown in theaters, Homicide—the movie.  Not Shakespeare but classic for our day.  As classic as the ending of Mash.

4)     I am sick and tired of the people who equate the Wisconsin malcontents because they might have some of their over the top pay and benefits reduced to bail out an insolvent state (thanks to them to a great extent) to the Middle East rebellions (revolutions) by people under the yoke of various tyrannical dictatorships.

5)     Buck passing is becoming such a great career move---Firefighters (in NYC) blame cutbacks for a delayed response---that was NOT delayed.   Anyone in an emergency always think the response took too long when, in fact, it was in minutes---as was this.

6)     Is it called the “boob tube” because of the crap on the tube of for the porno (even HBO ) presentations?

7)     Great program on HBO this evening, the above notwithstanding.   Thurgood.   Enough said.

8)     Whenever you think you have run out of ideas some wonderful things fall into your lap---you will see the results if you tune in to Sunday Simcha and Traditions in the next few weeks.   I should really keep a pad and pen next to my bed while these ideas come abounding---beats those other pads I should be buying.

9)     The English language is truly hard to navigate for a non-speaker trying to master it.  Think of the letters “ch”.   How would one pronounce them?  “K” as in “ache”  or “TCH” as in “touch” of “choose”?  How about “gh”—“go” as in “ghost” or “F” as in “cough”?   Strange and tough choices.

10)                      A true linguistic story.   For years (having come from Europe and knowing that “PH” is pronounced as “F”---as in my friend’s name---Phillip I was certain that, when we went to look for a couch, I was correct in the pronunciation of what I was looking for---quality UFOLSTERY ---hey, “ph”.   Who knew?   Years went by and no one would believe I was serious.  Oh well, now back to thinking up schemes that might profit me in my search for some chemical items that my friend Phillip could use in his ufolstery cleaning while he wears his holster which is not ufolstered.   The Marx Bros. got it right. 

                                             

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

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon.

 NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

    

1)          I just figured out why dentistry upsets me more than medical procedures-----Insurance.

2)          Why are award programs so highly touted and viewed?   The real talent and meaningful material is always relegated to the off-camera moments and one can find those artists at local venues rather than what is celebrated by---as the novel of years back said---“The Great Unwashed”.

3)          Why is it that the meaningful moments at award ceremonies are usually not in “prime time”?   While award ceremonies, to me, are meaningless---just hype comparing apples to oranges   (I vote for Oranges) ---they seem to  draw an audience that feels a kinship to folks who don’t know of them or care about them---I believe the word is idol worship---or, possibly, penis envy.   You know what the good lord said about worshiping idols---as to the rest---have I offended enough folks now?

4)          It does seem that while some people can cause hard feelings for many years when “hard times” come to them they apologize for the bad deeds that they performed that caused the hard feelings.  While it is hard to apologize (and credit should be given) are they really doing it to please some super being that might help them through the hard times?

5)          What a great idea to pit a computer against the humans on Jeopardy.   The results are in---- but the interesting thing is how a computer can pick a category and a price----answering questions is another matter.

6)          Do you remember when people and nations were able to think logically about things before making instant judgments and decisions? Did not always work out properly but it was, at least, a considered matter and not a Tweet or Twitter or Chirp or whatever.

7)          Faith and Ritual can be a wonderful thing for people in distress. It is easier for someone who trusts in those things to cope with life’s many vicissitudes.

8)          With all the budgetary problems around the nation and individual states does the pittance of funding to NEA or CPB that is important to maintaining an oasis on that wasteland called TV matter to when all that pork is out there waiting for some reduction and might just help the budget?   After all---the fat cats could use a diet that does not include pork---great weight loss idea.

9)          When it comes to eclectic radio programming it is true that the “right place on the left side of the dial” is still WFDU---eclectic, volunteer, and given the partial results (the fund-raising goes on for only 1 more week) of the fund-raising efforts the audience seems to agree.  My admiration for all the fellow staff members for their expertise in the formats they present---not what other stations give you---let’s play the same songs but in a different order now.

10)  Why not have “Watson” try some other TV game shows---Dancing With The Stars, American Idol come to mind---after all even Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein could dance.