CONFLUENCE OF SOME INTERESTING PROGRAMMING

Since the site is about "Program Notes" let me tell you about a few of the things coming up on the various programs I host and feel you will be truly interesting to you if you tune in to WFDU for any or all of them.


Let us start with SUNDAY SIMCHA: This coming Sunday you will, once again, be regaled by some Allan Sherman material you probably have not heard before. In addition there will be some rarities as always. The week after, on June 8, a treat is in store.

A new CD just released by The Jewish Music Group which features some of the all time favorite musical pieces as performed by current artists that you might not expect to be doing them. There will be a question for a randomly selected CD ---can you name the artist you are hearing? The first 2 correct e mail responses will receive the CDs. You will be surprised by some of the artists---and you will recognize some of the voices. You will be quite surprised who they are.

Moving on now. TABLETALK. A well in advance heads up now. On Sunday, June 15 the writer, creator, and narrator of a truly interesting film--HOME will be my guest and we shall talk of how this film came to be and how he was able to get the interesting people he did to talk of their love for New York--people like Liam Neeson, Frank McCourt, David Amram (you will recall he was my guest a while back) and so many more people of lesser fame--the New Yorkers so to speak.

If you want a copy of this film prior to its major release you can write to:

The Home Film Company, Inc.
PMB # 140
3602 Quentin Road
Brooklyn, NY 11234
or you can e mail:

ducinema@aol.com

I do hope you will be tuning in for this conversation and some insights into what makes a film like this come into being, how all the people in it agreed to appear--from celebs to "us folks", and also about the brilliant cinematography you will see in this film. I am not a reviewer but can tell you from a personal note---it blows the mind. It is not a travelogue with a helicopter over New York. It is the "on the ground" filming of faces, places, and scenes.

Looks like we are finally up to TRADITIONS.

I had hoped to be able to bring HUNGRYTOWN to you and talk of their brilliant new CD but scheduling and some technical issues will preclude that. Their work will, however, be featured in the next few weeks.

Father's Day will, as always, not be forgotten here---and Groucho will once again make his annual appearance. Along with some other pieces of interest. I am sure one of those will be a Harry Chapin thought on that.

If you have any music that you think appropriate for Father's Day and you find meaningful to you---please e mail me the request and also any personal story you would like told with it. Please send it to wfdutraditions@yahoo.com I must have those prior to June 3---you have to prepare you know.

One last thought--as always---stay in touch and stay well.

UPDATE ON SOME GUESTS

It is always such a thrill to know that some of the people that have graced TRADITIONS over the years and, sometimes, were just starting when they came on the program. People like MARY GAUTHIER, PAT WICTOR, RED MOLLY, MODERN MAN,and a bevy more.

A short while back those of you who had tuned in will recall that my guests were a new group :

GATHERING TIME

(pictured here)

They are now, I am delighted to say, progressing and garnering many appearances in the area. Shortly they will be opening for AZTEC TWO STEP at The Minstrel Coffee House in Morristown, The date is June 20.

Rather than put a video of them right here in the dead center as I have done with Kate Wolf I thought it better to give a sample of their work that gives a few samples. If you click on the right side of the screen---they will have replaced the brilliant group The Foremen for a while in the hopes that you will get more familiar with their wonderful harmonies and material. It has to be said that the sound quality may not be the best due to technical recording reasons but, surely, worth a view.

A MUSICAL AND SENTIMENTAL TREAT

Those of you who know my proclivities on TRADITIONS over the years in presenting artists know full well that there are some wonderful new artists that we are priviliged to present. CHeck the right side of the screen to see an example.

You also know that this page was intended for thoughts on programming, items of interest in the radio programs I host, and some personal things that you might find interesting. I hope you find KATE WOLF as meaningful and as interesting as I do. You will recall that a number of years back I had the delight of having her children as my guests on the program to talk of her life and her work. You will further recall my sentimental attachment to NINA GERBER and her music about Kate's Guitar (Song Title).

Let us now enjoy a few musical moments with the wonderful and sentimental voice of KATE WOLF and Nina Gerber thanks to the wonderful age we now live in---that, sadly, she is no longer a part of. I also know that she is one of the most requested artists on the TRADITIONS program.

This is from a 1985 Austin City Limits Program and posted on You Tube by another caring person for the late great Kate Wolf.

A SUGGESTION

Why not click on the right side of the screen where you see the link to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER. I think you will enjoy what you see there while also enjoying some music from some very charismatic artists.

I would also urge you to tune in to TRADITIONS on Sunday May 18 when my guest will be ANDREW CALHOUN. You will recall, hopefully, that he is the creator of the wonder project that I have aired featuring the music of the Gullah people and also an appearance of him and is group which you can see on this very site---just scroll down.

HISTORY WITH A GREAT SOUND REVISITED

Once again---the beautiful cover of the CD I described in an earlier post and will not go into again. Scroll down and you will see my comments.

While the video you will see does not do the CD justice photographically I do believe you will find the feeling of the CD and what a concert with Andrew Calhoun and Campground feels like.

I am also happy to say that Andrew Calhoun will be my guest in the near future on TRADITIONS so we can discuss this terrific work at more length and also re-visit some of the tracks on it. For ordering info on this terrific piece of work just go to WATERBUG RECORDS .

For now get a small feel of what this music feels and sounds like from the first live concert the group has done since this work came out:

A Critique and A Heads Up

OK--this is not Tevye it is the late Shlomo Carlebach aka the ordained Rabbinical Jewish Rock Star. I made that up.

On May 4 on SUNDAY SIMCHA you will be regaled with comments and music from a wonderful new musical now playing a limited run--SHLOMO THE MUSICAL-- at the Museum of The Jewish Heritage in lower Manhattan (in a setting that boggles the mind). It is also fitting that at this point it is being performed in a limited engagement at this venue which is in sight distance of Ellis Island. More on that later.

I have the distinct honor of having Daniel Wise, writer and producer of this work on TABLETALK with me on May 11 where we speak of this terrific piece of work and also on SUNDAY SIMCHA May 4 with some music from the show.

While this is a limited engagement at the Museum (after many successful presentations at various venues--Folksbiene among them) a Broadway production is planned in the autumn of this year.

My radio program(s) cannot possibly encompass the program and what one can get from it visually. It behooves me, then, to try to mention and describe some of the visual things that make this an "event" one would not want to miss. Note I said programs. Reb Carlbach encompasses both the Jewish tradition and the folk and music of peace you all know I have featured many times on all programs---from Pete Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary, Phil Ochs--to Rabbi Kligler and Kim and Reggie Harris---and NOW the music of Shlomo Carlbach as done by him (later) and by members of this brilliant cast.

Without giving much away I have to relate a great bit of business from the show. An agent who represents, among others Peter, Paul, and Mary approaches Carlbach to offer him his services by telling him that he represents PP&M---Carlbach replies that he is sure that is good but that he, Shlomo, is not well versed in the new testament.

The interviews you will hear if you tune in to the programs mentioned before will be with Daniel Wise--book/producer--of

SHLOMO THE MUSICAL.

Putting on my "reviewers" hat now I can tell you that this past day I went down to this wonderful venue and viewed a show I thought might be interesting but not more than that. There I was, once again, wrong. Not to compare shows but to give you an idea of the quality---think Fiddler on The Roof combined with Al Jolson as the Jazz Singer.

Do you like Gospel Music? I do. Do you like Jewish liturgical music with a beat? I do. This show has it all---let us say Jewish Gospel and also the Nina Simone connection.

Dance. You cannot want more. Talisim used as both, Talisim, Flags, Shawls, Color, you name it.

Is there a fault? Sure. My only problem was ---sitting close--realizing that some of the "male"dancers were women with fake beards--who doubled as the female congregants. They were good but the sad fate of sitting too close is seeing that blemish. You won't notice it after Row J.

The performers were an amazing group of Tony nominated artists and I just want to single out 2 here---even though the entire cast is laudable:

Thursday Farrar who played the part of Nina Simone.. Yes, Shlomo Carlbach was a compatriot of Nina Simone prior to her rise to fame and rose to fame along with her. Ms. Farrar brings a great gospel sound to the show---though a bit miscast in an early scene with "Chassidic" hat.


David Rossmer as Shlomo---you can believe me he does not look like that in the show---look at the top and you have him as Shlomo. Having appeared in many productions, he has also been on Law & Order SVU--and who has not. An industry unto itself.

At this point I just want to add the name of one other performer because, while I cannot mention them all I single her out for her involvement with the works of Eliz. Swados ( my guest on TABLETALK--and how it started years back). That would be Josie Di Guzman (mother) who created the character she portrayed years ago in Swados' RUNAWAYS and now does a brilliant piece of work as Shlomo's mother.

If you can see this show prior to its ending of the limited run on May 9 I believe you will be delighted. Hopefully, a Bway run is planned for late fall.

A few sidelights now regarding some personal observations and---call it an essay. I do hope you speak Yiddish---I will translate the end.

ELLIS ISLAND

How fortuitous that SHLOMO,THE MUSICAL is being performed just across the street.

The other day I had the pleasure of spending the day with my daughter and grandchildren going to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (more interesting---enough said) after enduring the over 2 hour wait (normal procedure) to view these wonderful historical sites.

My compliments to the Park Service, the Boat operators, and all involved with the operation for their patience and courtesy---that includes the most pleasant security screeners (who really are efficient)you meet prior to embarking for the Statue. WOW---Embarkation. Seems like my embarking for the USA those many moons ago went faster.

So, a few brief thoughts. The statue was, as always, an impressive sight which, now, one cannot really enter anymore. Ellis Island, to me, more interesting with the great renovation and historical presentations offered.

Now a tale of something that has "bugged" me since being there---and which, to some extent, SHLOMO, The Musical addresses. Follow this shortened story:

Ellis Island. 4 PM Film on the history of immigration to the USA. Doors Close
4:10 Knock on the Door to Auditorium
4:12 Pounding on Door
4:15 Viewer of film opens door and in stream some 30 or so Hasidim. Lights go on. Seats grabbed and people stepped on.
4:20 I say--Turn off the lights --the show started 2omin. ago.
4:20 (response) We don't care--we want to see it--its a free country.
4:21: (me) Since I am Jewish you will understand this---"it is free no thanks to you---you are "grob Yidn" and should be ashamed of yourselves".
4:22 I and my family left.

The thought here is twofold---the Ranger Service should not leave the theater unattended --they do a really great job in all other areas. The other thought is that this is exactly the kind of situation that brings about the generalizations that lead to bigotry. Black or White. Jew or Gentile. I am sure, hopefully, that these boorish representations of Hassidism are not the norm.