PROGRAM UPDATES

As the title of this page of the blog says--program notes---and, of course, updates. A few things that are being enthusiastically anticipated for the three programs I host. Let us start with

TABLETALK: The Sunday of February 10 promises to be an interesting event. A conversation with Jeff Sumerel, the filmmaker who's film "TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN" debuts at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) on 2/13 as part of their documentary film series. The subject is the incomparable Brother Theodore---who, as Mr. Sumerel says, was unique and we should help THEODORIZE THE WORLD.

Sunday, February 17 a musical celebration the lengthy
political campaign featuring The Capitol Steps.






MEET THE CAST












Check the right side of the page and see a sample of this great group.

TRADITIONS: As the fund raiser will be winding down in the next few weeks,and we hope that the support the program receives from the loyal listenership allows the program to stay where it is some wonderful guests are in the offing. Shortly, a live performance by Red Molly in the new performance studio is being scheduled in anticipation of the release of their newest CD. I hope to have the date firmed up within a week or so.

Additionally some other guests I am anxiously anticipating are Carey Creed and Emily Kurn. They will be seperate guests.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: My thanks for the support so far. Shortly we will be able to resume guests, Comedy Corner, and all the new material has come in---including some Jewish Surfing Music (anxious to hear what you think of that). As always we will stick with the old classical material and intersperse with such wonderful work that is being done to broaden the entire world of Jewish Music.

An aside here with regard to support of the program. WFDU has, basically, 3 "ethnic" programs. This program is 1 hour in length and to show proportionate support in that time frame in comparison to the one that is on for 4 hours each week---and a great show it is (and loyally supported) --I would say that Sunday Simcha will need at least $1,200 more prior to the end of this short annual (the only one during the year) fund drive.

You can call me this Sunday at 201 692-2012 where I and the volunteers will be delighted to talk with you. Another option is to e mail sundaysimcha@yahoo.com and I will enter your pledges. Please include a mailing address so that your packet can be mailed to you. If you care to use a credit card then you can go to http://www.wfdu.fm/ and pledge securely by clicking on the "pledging" tab.

Remember--this is the only show of its kind in the metro area and when I started it some 2 1/2 years ago some e mails arrived saying that _"....how great that old WEVD program is back". Well, it is not that but it surely is something that I believe is valued by many for varied reasons---so remember the slogan:

KEEPING YIDDISHKEIT ON THE AIR--WFDU

And for those of you who are web listeners the e mail and station link will be the best options.

Always remember the great Yiddish curse for those who do not help--- "May All Your Teeth Fall Out Except One---That One You Should Keep For A Toothache".

On a kinder and gentler note---there are other stations having fundraisers at this time and they seem to have them everytime you turn around. So---think about this. Pledge here we are not going to be back to you, unlike them, until next year. In addition think of this as well---this is the only station where, when you write or call, the person you want to communicate with responds directly to YOU.




A loyal Sunday Simcha listener and pledger who built his own violin.

You may want to slide over to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER and view some changed videos and some commentary on U Utah Phillips

A FEW COMMENTS AND THANKS

First of all we start with the THANKS. Getting the ball rolling a few pledges for SUNDAY SIMCHA have arrived via e mail---the address is in a post listed below. SO---thanks. TRADITIONS listeners---we surely can use your support as well and that address is listed below. TABLETALK listener(s) you too could be in good company---and---anyone pledging via e mail will receive in addition to any of the premiums that are being offered (just e mail me about them) an Internet Valentine created by yours truly that is in sound and ably abetted by BROTHER THEODORE from the brilliant documentary TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN. That film and the film-maker are the topics of the Feb. 10 edition of TABLETALK and the film can be seen at MoMa on Feb 13---the debut. Perfect for Valentine's day.

Check the various e mail addresses below.

I could give you a litany of reasons to pledge to the station. The obvious ones about maintaining equipment, upgrading the latest in technology (which seems to come faster and faster), and the fact that all the on-air people are unpaid which means that we all donate our time and effort in a labor of love so that there is an alternative on the radio dial to the--leave the rest unsaid--.

An idea of what you have done with your pledging in previous years:

A shot of GATHERING TIME as they appeared with me in the new performance Studio--Studio "C". The Atomic Underground which is really above ground. Thank heavens.

I thank them and also Margot Leverett and The Klezmer Mountain Boys for coming by for two of my programs---SUNDAY SIMCHA for Margot and TRADITIONS for GATHERING TIME. I also thank them for their nice comments on the various websites. As NOEL PAUL STOOKEY said in our interview with regard to meeting the most interesting people because of Folk Music---"...hey bill, I don't want to gild your Lily but..." (I like my like my Lily gilded--I told him) I want to gild all those lily's of the great people who give us the gift of their great talent.

On another topic---Tennis. This is not the spot for it and it is also a bit political. Why not scoot over to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER (link on the right of the page) we can talk about it there.

Hope to hear from you with regard to keeping our radio family growing and celebrating many years of programming together.

AN OFFER THAT YOU WON'T REFUSE--IT IS HOPED

Many radio stations have fund-raisers a few times a year. A local one in the NYC area seems to do it unceasingly. WFDU comes to you but once a year and, even then, it is for an abbreviated period----3 weeks.

Don't leave me now--the offer is coming up.

Before I give you the reasons for support let me give you the offer---if you pledge prior to the fund-raiser (1st 3 weeks in Feb) via e mail it is promised that on my programs 15 minutes of "pitching" on each program will be eliminated for every 10 pledges rcvd. this way. SO --where to pledge via e mail:
TRADITIONS: wfdutraditions@yahoo.com
SUNDAY SIMCHA: sundaysimcha@yahoo.com
TABLETALK: wfdutabletalk@yahoo.com

We have premiums to offer your as incentives---$40.00 gets you a CD and more gets you more CDs---check the WFDU website for info on that. For Sunday Simcha---double Chai (36.00) gets you the same deal. As to reasons---the slogans below will explain that in a more succint way. The bottom line to it all is---where on the radio dial can people of intellectt and interest find content to relate with---sort of like what PBS and NPR are to their listeners and viewers--we are to our listeners. And---NO COMMERCIALS--AND FUND RAISING JUST ONE SHORT TIME PER YEAR to support a facility that is expensive to maintain and present programming that is meaningful.

On a personal note I thank all the artists who have so generously donated the fruits of their labors as evinced in their CDs as premiums to offer you.

Slogan Time Now:
SUNDAY SIMCHA: Keeping Yiddishkeit on the air on WFDU
TRADITIONS: Meaningful Music on the Meaningful Station
TABLETALK: Interesting People on the Interesting Station

All with your support---both for yourself and for us. US are the unpaid people who present this programming to you---not found anywhere else on the dial---or as Ronnie Gilbert (former Weaver) says in her ID---The Right place on the LEFT side of the dial.

>Nuff said.

Kudos, Comments, and Suggestions

The Kudos come first and the recipient of them is MODERN MAN .

The occasion for that is that the group has been won one (like that?--one/won-) of the NYC Nightlife Awards and will be awarded same---along with pats on the heads-- a rather celebrated group of presenters. This all takes place at Town Hall in NYC on January 28 and will no doubt be televised nowhere. It only proves to me that David Buskin lied when I asked when they find time to rehears and his comment was---"Rehearse?". Looks like they did---and rather well at that. Glad to see that the arc is still in the ascendancy and here he and I had thought that WFDU was the pinnacle. Turns out it was only a rung on the lower end of the ladder.

Some upcoming appearances by these rather serious minded musicians are:

January 26 Towne Crier Cafe Pawling NY

March 1 Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club Fairlawn NJ

March 8 Cafe Lena Saratoga Spring NY

April 13 Orangeburg Library (2 PM) Orangeburg NY (This is a re-scheduled show from February and I thank them for working it out with me.)

One more kudo---gad--I am giving out kudos like kudzu in the south. My co-host Ron Olesko on his nomination for the Broadcast award by the Folk Alliance.

NOW--for the suggestions of where to go. Not that far (had you worried?)just to the right side of the page and click on THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER. There you will find a video of some appearances by BROTHER THEODORE in anticipation of the film maker Jeff Summerel joining me on TABLETALK (Feb.10)to talk about his film TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN , about BROTHER THEODORE. The film debuts at MoMa on Feb 13--and as Mr. Summerel and I hope --the world shall be THEODORIZED.

You might also click on the PLAYLISTS PAGE where you can now see a video of on of my latest "discoveries"--at least to me---Robin O'herin. If you like gospel, blues, and ballads---all done in a unique blues-like style she is your cup of tea---or something stronger.

As to comments. I don't want to call it a review. APPLESEED RECORDINGS has once again presented us with a most meaningful and wonderful piece of work from an artist who's body of work seems endless. TOM PAXTON .

The CD you see on the left--Comedians & Angels is scheduled for release on February 19 and you will surely have it previewed on TRADITIONS this month.

As to the title of the CD; it refers to the last track. More about that later.

Basically these are love songs in the broadest terms for the word "love" . Love of family --wife and children --in songs such as " Home to Me". Jennifer and Kate", and a charming re-working of The First Song Is For You". Love for the heroes of the l960s and their activism in the song "How Beautiful Upon The Mountain". Love for those in this musical field that are now gone in the final track--"Comedians & Angels".

Love songs, as said, with the word "love" in all its wide contexts and all done in a great musical performance.

This CD does not contain any of Tom Paxton's brilliant "short shelf life" material. Rather, it contains 15 songs of meaning and sentiment that, perhaps, are the kind of thing one hopes to find in an artist celebrating another decade passing. These things are so rarely found in today's commercial world of pap. A musically refreshing breeze of new songs and revisited older material.

One piece was co-written by Geo. Wurzbach (of Modern Man). There are guest artists on this album that will both surprise you and amaze you---let that be a surprise when you get this CD. Truly a CD one needs to complement a Tom Paxton collection.

There have always been songs by him that, even if they were written for personal reasons, many can relate with. "Getting Up Early" , "Even A Gray Day", and "The First Song Is For You" (on this CD as well) among so many others. That just proves that in a musical pantheon he has to be the equivalent of writers of great literature such, say, Arthur Miller that relate the human condition to us.

Finally a quick reminder of some of the upcoming shows on WFDU which I will be presenting in the next few weeks==shows I feel are exceptional because of the people that will be involved with these programs:

SUNDAY SIMCHA: January 20 Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mtn Boys (Live)

TRADITIONS: January 27 Noel Paul Stookey (live)

TABLETALK: February 10 Jeff Summerel re: BROTHER THEODORE (live)

FINALLY: Some suggestions---FROM YOU. If there are artists that you feel that either we have not played often enough or that you would like featured at some time please e mail wfdutraditions@yahoo.com or just make a comment (signed) here.

Reviews & Updates

Since the Holiday season is now behind us the lilting voice and video of Emily Kurn has now been replaced on the right side of this page by an artist who, if you have been listening to TRADITIONS over the years, know I have featured many times. RICHARD BERMAN .

His CDs are imbued with such great insights about life, love, and destiny as well as humor that they are really in the "knock your socks off" department---the department I have founded ever since I ran out of socks that have been knocked off by some of the great artists that have joined us on TRADITIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA---not to denigrate TABLETALK.

I am sure that once you view the video on the right you will understand the great talent this artist possesses.

The stories in his songs touch on the various stages of a life, a strange career choice in the Mexican waters, and a great joke set to music---who woulda thunk it.

Yesterday's edition of TRADITIONS, as you know from the playlists and listening, featured a new group. A wonderful trio GATHERING TIME . Rest assured you will he hearing a lot about this group. I can only compare their sound to that of some of the best known groups we have today---or have had in the past. The group is made up of Stu Marcus who I met a number of years back at a NERFA gathering (and having been alerted by my daughter to listen to this fellow), Glen Roethel, and Hillary Foxsong (great name for a foxy lady).

On the left is a shot of their appearance in WFDU's new performance studio---the photographer was not at the top of his game ---but he was busy doing the interview---that would be yours truly.

You will also probably recall that a few artists were featured on the program of January 13. Jackie Morris and Emily Kurn have been presented before. The two that I wanted to introduce to the listeners were both surprises to me and new to a larger audience. WOLF KRAKOWSKI has been played on the SUNDAY SIMCHA program many a time. He has, however, a whole other side to the Yiddish and liturgical music. What can be best described as country/folk-rock with meaningful lyrics with a great style and voice.

ROBIN O'HERIN is a recent pleasant discovery. A graphic artist and an amazing performer of gospel, folk, blues all done in her distinctive style that leans heavily on old time blues.

If you have read the previous notes (below) you know of the updates and the programs promise to be truly unique and interesting. Briefly the line-up of guests:

SUNDAY SIMCHA JANUARY 20: A very special program featuring a live concert by MARGOT LEVERETT &THE KLEZMER MTN.BOYS

TRADITIONS JANUARY 27: We are honored to have NOEL PAUL STOOKEY visit the program some music and talk of ---as the saying goes--"..of things and of cabbages and kings" It is promised we will leave out the cabbages---kings--well---he is a king in the musical and socially responsible world.

TABLETALK FEBRUARY 10: JEFF SUMEREL joins us to talk of his new film--TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN. This is a documentary and biography of the great performance artist --intellectual and tragic figure--THEODORE--later known as BROTHER THEODORE.

While this site is dedicated to news and comments regarding the 3 radio programs along with commentary about new releases, memorable events in this genre, and other bits of miscellany I would suggest that should you have an artist that you appreciate and want featured on any of the programs to contact me either by making a comment (signed) here or e mail to wfdutraditions@yahoo.com

You might also click on the right side of this page to view more videos and see playlists for the various programs or more videos on The Almost Daily Rooster. All links are explained on the right side of this page.

Now the time has come to read of all the business opportunities I am receiving from Nigeria.

TIME FOR WHAT THE TITLE SAYS--UPDATES

A few notes on the upcoming things planned for the three programs I am delighted to be producing and hosting. Other items will be saved for future listings. This is to give an early "heads-up" in the hopes you are anxious to hear these programs for the really interesting people and things that will be presented.

We start with TRADITIONS: On Sunday January 13 it is a pleasure to be able to welcome Stuart Markus and his group into our live performance studio for some interesting conversation and music. Here is a quote that David Buskin gives regarding Stu:

Stu Markus? The dude sings good, plays good, writes good, and on top of that, he's funny. The crowd loved him - in fact, speaking as someone who had to follow him onstage, ignore previous sentence. Why should I risk losing work just because he has talent and he practices?"- David Buskin

What can you expect from a musician who claims he does not practice---trust me Mr. Buskin does and is a virtuoso. His humility will get him----well, into my heart in any case. You know him as a solo artist and as member of Modern Man.

Moving a bit further ahead now--you get an early "heads up"--NOEL PAUL STOOKEY --joins me on JANUARY 27 for a wide ranging conversation abut his new CD--FACETS---and much much more. It will include his telling us of Mary Travers battle with cancer---a successful one, thankfully.

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Smiles all around and also a heads-up to remind people to visit the web site of The Public Domain Foundation to find out about the Music To Life contest and the purpose for it all.

In all honesty I do believe you will find him to be the most open, sincere, and moving person we have had on the program in many a moon. His insights into his life and how they seem to be almost universal is quite moving. In addition I would urge you to check his web-site ( by clicking on his name above) and you will discover the most honest biography I have seen by any artist on the web---and you can also find out about his newest work---FACETS.

Now we turn our attention to SUNDAY SIMCHA: The program has taken many new turns since its inception and on January 20, thanks to the help of our listeners (to WFDU) and the creation of our performance studio "C" (The Atomic Underground) it is going to be a delight a special event to be able to present to you--LIVE--the group that opens each show-- MARGOT LEVERETT & THE KLEZMER MOUNTAIN BOYS
Margot and the group have graciously agreed to join us at this early hour for some live music and conversation. So---get out some coffee--get some bagels and some spread--get up early enough so as not to miss a concert that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else on the radio dial or in a venue near you.

The band is made up of master musicians that have performed with the greats of Klezmer, the gems of Jazz, the greats of Country, and much more.

If you are still using a sun-dial then look for the shadow that says 10 AM in the morning on January 27 and tune your dial (if you still use a tuner) to 89.1. If you don't have a tuner then just push the button---long gone are the days of "...ah ah ah don't touch that dial---stay tuned for----".

Finally we arrive at TABLETALK: On January 13 an encore presentation of an interview for a book that was finally reviewed in the NY Times and discussed on WNYC after we presented the author. The book is DOUGH. This is an interview you do not want to miss and a book you do not want to miss reading. DOUGH refers to, not only, money but also to the dough used in bread. It is a memoir that will, hopefully, become a film at some point.

On February 10 ---a very early "heads-up" JEFF SUMMERELL joins the program to talk about his documentary that will premiere in February at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa). OK---you ask what is this film about--picture first:

The film is entitled---TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN. It is about a great and tragic figure who was a true intellectual with a huge cult following and was a "performance artist" before that term came into general usage.

In keeping with what this artist might have done I will withhold his name and offer you a gift of a randomly selected CD if you can supply that name by mailing it to me at wfdutabletalk@yahoo.com .

The film truly captures the essence of the man and his history. I had the privilege of spending time with him for an interview in his humble apartment in NYC some 11 years ago. He died when he was well into his 90s and still performing.