As was noted in the comments at the start of the Playlist for Traditions of March 20 (link is above) the audience for both Sunday Simcha and Traditions are truly knowledgeable in the music that is offered on the programs. It made me realize that while you are listening I am also getting an education in much of the material offered by your comments, suggestions, and also your questions. As an aside---your calls yesterday were certainly uplifting except for one caller (who some of you picked up on when I answered your calls---that person is in serious need of medical/mental intervention).
You will recall that yesterday I asked for which of the 3 versions of Rivers of Babylon that were played was the most popular among you. Having rcvd 10 votes I can tell you that it was close but by this tally---
FULL FRONTAL FOLK 4
BONEY M 3
LAURA WETZLER 3
You see who came out on top. But amongst all the calls there were some interesting comments regarding many other versions and one caller requested Bob Marley (which was not in our library and I did not have with me) and another pointed out that he believed that the original version was done by THE MELODIANS. All good points and I will on April 3 play some of those for you---So many others have recorded this gem---Don McLean, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Sinead O'Connor, Linda Rondstadt, and---you know--the famous many others.
It started out in 1970 when written and recorded by Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton for their group---The Melodians (a Rastafarian group) and its metaphorical interpretations have been used in many faiths (it is based on Psalm 137 of the Jewish Liturgy) and that is what attracted me to focusing on this piece. It is now used by Reform Jewish Congregations, Unitarians, Rastafarians, and more. Just as Amazing Grace, it transcends one particular culture or faith. You can be assured that it will get played (as it has) in one version or another on Sunday Simcha as well.
Since it was not possible to honor the requests yesterday on Traditions (on air) it will be featured next time as I said; but, in the meantime---the original group thanks to the input by one of our loyal and knowledgeable listeners---which is what this kind of radio station and programming is really all about:
If you have any particular piece of music in the format (which is pretty wide) for either program that you would like to have a focus in depth please let me know via e mail or comments on this page.
Since Rivers of Babylon and Babylon are metaphorical and there was a request for Bob Marley (which could not be honored) let us give a listen now to Bob Marley doing Babylon ---and its metaphorical meaning for all of us---even at this time of more wars in the Middle East
Stay In Touch---Stay Well!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
THURSDAY--Another Edition of....
A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon
NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......
1) Tragedy abounds and so does irony in the fact that Japan embraced nuclear energy as so much of the world did------including U S.
2) You have to know the expression “penny wise/pound foolish” is correct when you think of folks saving some pennies to ride the laxly operated buses from Chinatown. Bet they would not get on an airplane that had reckless, tired, criminal pilots—and the airlines are kept in check. That is worth some pennies for sure.
3) It is always such a delight and honor to find that the folks that have pledged to Sunday Simcha and Traditions always honor their pledges. Must be some sort of a wonderful record to have just about 100% fulfillment of pledges when most public stations are happy (I believe) to rcve. Some 20% or so in their efforts.
4) You really have to feel the pain of the Bronxville, NY homeowners having to support the salaries of teachers when they have to pay some $48,000 in R E taxes annually. It must be truly painful for them to maintain expensive exclusivity by hoping to deny a living wage to others.
5) What delight that in London a sunken galleon was found and it contained the original Round Table of King Arthur---the discovery was authenticated by the initials of the Knight who created it carved into its side---Sir Cumference
6) Tis the day of St. Patrick and we are all wearing the Green. With me it is my complexion. Anything to stay current.
7) The thought for the day is---let us forget history (which is hard to do) and mourn those who’s forebears wished us ill ---on both sides of this sad feuding world.
8) The other thought might well be---Always Stay On The Sunny Side---and keep a good sense of humor. That will get you through much difficulty. Always recall why the chicken crossed the road. Surely, you know.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
ANOTHER SUNDAY SIMCHA UPDATE
We have some really interesting things coming up on the program during next month or so----
March 20----A focus on the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirt Waist Fire with some music by Si Kahn who will be appearing in a commemoration of this tragic event at the Middle Collegiate Church on 3/26. Check the website www.circle.org for more information.
March 27----Adrienne Cooper joins us the day after her performing in the abovementioned event to talk of her newest recording (Enchanted) and her work withb The Three Divas
April 3----.We have an extended Comedy Corner as we present 30 minutes of THE CAPITOL STEPS in the exclusive NY NJ CT Metro presentation of their quarterly hi-jinks.
April 10---YALE STROM (Hot Pstrami) and Elizabeth Schwartz join us to talk of the very special program that will air next week with an all star cast.
April 17---A very special treat for the Passover Holiday. The entire program will be turned over to a brilliant radio drama with an all star cast starring Tovah Feldshuh. THE WITCHES OF LUBLIN. Basically---a holiday treat as in the Golden Days of Radio.
March 20----A focus on the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirt Waist Fire with some music by Si Kahn who will be appearing in a commemoration of this tragic event at the Middle Collegiate Church on 3/26. Check the website www.circle.org for more information.
April 3----.We have an extended Comedy Corner as we present 30 minutes of THE CAPITOL STEPS in the exclusive NY NJ CT Metro presentation of their quarterly hi-jinks.
April 10---YALE STROM (Hot Pstrami) and Elizabeth Schwartz join us to talk of the very special program that will air next week with an all star cast.
April 17---A very special treat for the Passover Holiday. The entire program will be turned over to a brilliant radio drama with an all star cast starring Tovah Feldshuh. THE WITCHES OF LUBLIN. Basically---a holiday treat as in the Golden Days of Radio.
Friday, March 11, 2011
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. | ||||||
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| For more information. www.folksbiene.org or find us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/folksbiene | ||||||
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Thursday, March 10, 2011
THURSDAY--Another Edition of.............
A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon
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.
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 5th 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.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
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 1st 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.
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