What is Racist and what is not

Originally I was going to have you scoot over to the ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER but I realized that the video that I would have presented there now appears on the right side. So, let me give you some thoughts pertaining to the evolution of our culture and the "folk" music hook is that it too has evolved over the years---thank heavens.

Still fun to sit on that old front porch and sing those songs but most performers today call themselves "folk musicians" so we can stretch it, as they do, here and talk about a rare TV gem and do some explaining and thinking about it.

There was a time in the late 1930s and the 1940s when there was a radio program created and performed by two white men that captured the imagination of the country. Amos and Andy" as created by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correl. The water pressure, as recorded by various water companies, rose during commercials when this show was on the air. The nation was listening. Decidedly so. Was it racist? We will get into that a bit later. First watch something from their TV version on the right side of the screen.

OK --that is the TV version and I also hoped you saw the introduction of the Black (African American--being PC here) actors. They truly captured Amos, Andy, Kingfish, and all the rest.

Admittedly the parts were created and played on radio by two white men of great talent and insight. They also had the foresight to realize this could be transferred to Television and they did it admirably. The actors--if you watched the video of their introduction on the right side of the screen---shows how they truly captured the characters.

At this point let me make a few comparisons to what, I feel, would encompass, at this time, a "racist" presentation or a presentation of totally annoying people that create stereotypes. Think of The Jeffersons. A spinoff of All In The Family. From satire to stereotype is all I can think of regarding this inane program.

Amos And Andy had the distinction of being a program before its time. A program that was, not only, clever and funny but also satirical and gave much needed work to Black actors (who were superb in their roles).

Think about a few things that you may not recall or may be too young to know of in this era. There was a time when (Chrysler was the sponsor--when it could still dictate things) and cancelled a show because Harry Belafonte touched the female artist on the program--hard to believe. Yes, it was a different and a hard to believe time.

Amos and Andy ---after the radio years--came up with a truly wonderful program---now it would be called a sit-com---but best definition is a filmed version of a brilliant comedic enterprise with actors that truly encompassed their roles.

Let us realize that these were brilliant actors performing in well written pieces in the likes of many ethnic and well done pieces of that era. The Goldbergs, Abie's Irish Rose, Duffy's Tavern, and many more. Harmless fun that gave us insight to other ethnicities in an inoffensive way.

A picture of the star of Amos and Andy probably should follow:

TIM MOORE aka KINGFISH

SCOOT ON OVER

I do believe I have not paid attention to the 3d page of the blog--THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER . Well, if you scoot on over there---I could have put this here but thought you might find it interesting in that location.

Frankly, this site gets many more visits and if it remains so I shall cancel The Almost Daily Rooster and put everything on this page and on the Playlist page. Sort of the like the newspapers---combining and cutting back for efficiency and savings. That page was always intended for the non-folk items and should you decide not to visit it often then I shall use this page for both the folk and other items that I think might be of interest.

So,if you scoot on over there now---the link is above and on the right---you will see something that will either astonish you or you will appreciate a remembrance of an artist that was truly unique.

FIND OUT ON THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER

One last thing---the Harmonica. Tune in to Sunday Simcha in the next few weeks and you will find some amazing Harmonica works---in the Yiddish tradition---not only this person but the amazing Israeli trio---THE ADLER TRIO.

The Year of Icons

It has certainly been starting out as a year when we celebrate and commemorate some wonderful icons ---Pete Seeger with a wonderful 90th birthday tribute featuring an amazing and star studded line-up to benefit Clearwater at Madison Square Garden.

Theodore Bikel turned 85 on May 2---and as I said earlier that is the only thing we have in common--other than our birthplace--Vienna, Austria (to distinguish it from Virginia). On June 15 there will be a gala ---and a gala it will be, at Carnegie Hall. More on that in a moment

I am delighted to tell you that Theodore Bikel will be my guest on Traditions on May 17 and again on Sunday Simcha (the following week). Hopefully you will be tuning in to hear what this icon will have to say when we talk about this event, his career, and also have some of his timeless music---folk, Yiddish, show-tunes, and, perhaps, some segments of his dramatic roles. There were many.

Now back this gala event which will be a benefit for the Juvenile Law Center --- a cause that Mr. Bikel espouses and we shall talk about when we have our conversation next week.

The nice part of these events is that these icons have arrived at a time where they can support such good works--be it this or, in Pete Seeger's case, Clearwater. In addition, we are blessed to have them with us still to be able to do their good works as well as still see their dynamism on the stage---in this case supported by a bevy of wonderful artists from Theodore Bikel's past and present---and, in the case of Susan Werner--I would have to say the future. Or, as I say on

Sunday Simcha

--the eclectic sound of ---in this case Theodore Bikel at Carnegie Hall.

Here is a list of some of the performers and those of you who listen to both TRADITIONS and

SUNDAY SIMCHA will recognize many from the different programs===

TOM PAXTON
NOEL PAUL STOOKEY
PETER YARROW

SUSAN WERNER

DAVID AMRAM---Both programs
ARLO GUTHRIE--Both Programs

BEYOND THE PALE---Sunday Simcha
and from other areas:
ALAN ALDA
MICHAEL WEX (should have him on Simcha---you will see why)
and a whole bevy of surprises to celebrate the 85th birthday of another icon.

I am honored to be a small---a very small--part by having Mr. Bikel on the programs and that WFDU and the management supports these presentations.

A few pictures of the artists that will be appearing on June 15 at Carnegie Hall:

Tom Paxton

Noel Paul Stookey

Alan Alda

I hope that you will be there and also tuned in on the dates mentioned above on WFDU---89.1 FM--You know--the eclectic weekend sound of WFDU where you hear the interesting people sing and talk of interesting items that intrigue us all.

SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS AND PROGRAM UPDATES

You surely recognize an American icon---or, perhaps, given his career and life a World icon. Pete Seeger. You also probably know that on May 3 of this year he turns 90. The event will be commemorated by many "Sing For Pete's Sake" get togethers with the monies raised going to the Clearwater organization that was founded by Pete Seeger. The birthday will also be commemorated by a very special concert at Madison Square Garden (at 5 PM) and is, to my knowledge, sold out. Again, the proceeds--after expenses--will go to Clearwater.

On Sunday May 3 I plan to commemorate this memorable event in the 4 PM hour by playing for you some of Pete's works that will lead us through the years until today---from his folk traditions, to his political pieces, to his days with The Weavers, and to this event at this age. When I say "this event" I mean we shall play some of the artists appearing there. You will not hear Springsteen, Melancamp, and some others. You will, however, hear others that are more involved with Pete's past and share his concerns about many issues. I was surprised when I saw this amazing line-up or talent that many from Pete's earliest years were not included and some that, I felt, had no connection were. Perhaps there will be surprises at The Garden that day.

The hour on TRADITIONSwill open with a voice that could not be there but was as involved with important issues as Pete. Let that be a surprise for you since the piece this person will be singing is a tribute to Pete Seeger.

If you have any requests for this program please do e mail me at wfdutraditions@yahoo.com . Hopefully I will have the time to honor them because besides Pete the hour will also contain music by some of the artists performing. Some of those artists will be Guy Davis, Larry Long, Joan Baez, Tom Paxton, and Tom Chapin. And more. You know---the famous many others.

A few other thoughts now regarding SUNDAY SIMCHA. I could use a little help here. It is my understanding that May 13 is the 70th anniversary of the departure from Germany of the St. Louis. I would like to commemorate that tragic journey so well captured in the film--Ship Of Fools. There was, however more to the journey than the film showed---many of the passengers were allowed to enter Belgium, France, Holland, and Great Britain. Of course only the ones entering Britain survived. If you have any music or stories to share about this event please do send it to me at sundaysimcha@yahoo.com or if it is music by mail to PO Box 147 Orangeburg. NY 10962 . If nothing arrives I shall read an interesting story by a man I know who was a passenger on that ship.

One last Birthday announcement---Theodore Bikel and I share a birthday --May 2 and a birthplace---Vienna, Austria. That's about it. We do not share his amazing talent---music, drama, and political activism. He will be having a birthday commemoration later (than 5/2) at Carnegie Hall to benefit one of his important causes. The concert will feature myriad great talents from throughout his career. You will be kept posted on it.

One or two last thoughts about ticket sales for events like that or the one for Pete Seeger. It also applies to Broadway theater, Madison Square Garden events and all others. A ticket price is advertised and that is what you expect to pay. However, all of a sudden there are charges that have names like--theater restoration, convenience charge (what convenience---helping you pull dollars from your wallet?), etc; I seem to recall many years back, in the stone age, when I purchased tickets at the box office I paid the price. If I called on the phone I charged them on my credit card---still paid the listed price. OK--Internet sales might call for a small upcharge; though, I doubt it.

To add to the furor of this Ticketmaster (which seems to be the main seller for these events) also has another web-site which can offer you tickets for the same concert you requested at a higher price because Ticketmaster was "all sold out". The NJ Attorney General is looking into that. Amazing. Years back ticket scalpers committed a crime and now we have to try to prove that the electronic scalpers (Ticketmaster; et al) are doing the same thing which is now, it seems, legal.

On a personal note to prove the tale. I was told by a legitimate source that more tickets were being released (that been held back) for the Pete Seeger concert. Not in the $250 range. I went to the MSG website and was directed to Ticketmaster. Only the $250 range tickets were available and there was a surcharge over an above the ticket price---a convenience charge (whatever the hell that is).

Glad I can be with you on May 3 on WFDU and celebrate Pete, his music, and mention some of the other events that will be taking place this month and in the future. Things that are occurring because of his activism.

Icons by The Score

Besides giving you updates on the various programs I do try to let you know when something truly worthwhile arrives. There have been CDs and artists you have heard of and sampled here. Now, with the hope that it is realized nothing is put up here just for the sake of showing it, there is something I believe is truly worthy of your interest and time. Also, it is something you may well want to own or present to kids or grandkids in this era of TV and nothing but TV---OK, it is a DVD (got to go with the flow) but the content is so worthwhile.

Take a look and find out more after you see it:

You now know that this is a wonderful tribute to Ella Jenkins---a leading artist in the world of music for youths. The DVD is being put out by Smithsonian Folkways.

Besides it being a wonderful tribute it is something you can enjoy with your children or grandchildren and open them up to things other than Barney and such ilk. And it is not under water with a strange sponge like creature that does not make sense.

The DVD features a concert by Ella Jenkins and performances by the pantheon of family folk performers including--Tom Chapin, Tom Paxton, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, and --you know---the famous many others.

Just so you know---I have no commercial interest in this project as I don't in any of the others I have either reviewed or recommended.

SOMETHING TRULY WORTH VIEWING

I would ask you to click on the highlighted portion so you can see it. It is truly amazing and it will lead you to The Almost Daily Rooster. Since this page is for matters of folk music and program updates might I seduce you to the other page---truly worthwhile and please do feel seduced.

I would also urge you to tune in to SUNDAY SIMCHA this week when we commemorate Yad Hashoa (Holocaust Rembrance Day) at length. You will be moved. I truly believe that.

On

TRADITIONS

you will be regaled by our usual features, new material and a visit by some truly wonderful artists---MARA LEVINE and PAT WICTOR.

Since Earth Day is coming up this coming week have I ever let you go without a commemoration of a holiday or an event? No! We will spend some 10 minutes with some music for Earth Day from my dusty old archives--all upbeat, rhythmic, and thought inducing. From a few different genres.

One piece also for us to recall Holocaust Remembrance Day for those who do not listen to Sunday Simcha---and for those that do as well. Let us face it pomp and circumstance has been ably covered by the media this week, the tragedies around the world go on so it is proper to recall and remember an event such as this with the hope it never occurs again. Yet, sadly, it does.

For your remembrance we will only play one piece---a memorable voice which you instantly recognize. This voice shows us the sensitivity and humanity we are all capable of if we leave political promulgaters out of our affairs.

Now --------

See you on the other page