SOME RANDOM---TRULY RANDOM--BRAIN DROPPINGS ALONG WITH SOME INFORMATION

Hopefully you will be sticking around for the end which is where there will be some program updates.   Prior to that some random "brain droppings" as mentioned.

1)   Check out the cover of this week's New Yorker.  It says it all about the NYC bike program.   A great metaphor for the NYC population.
2)    Speaking of NYC I must relate a nice conversation with a fellow---dare I say a suberbanite of good intellect.  She pointed out how one of her children thinks that kids in the suburbs (and she --the daughter-- is a brilliant author) feel privileged and yet she, who lives in a posh area of NYC doesn't think that her kids are.   So, some thoughts about that---membership in posh athletic facilities,  being driven to them, etc;  Sounds like privilege to me.   There is a privilege in the suburbs---going to a tennis court and playing and not waiting for hours and no charge (OK you did pay taxes), lack of parking problems, and being in close proximity to what many think of as the center of the universe.  I think that is called Xenophobia (actually that has to do with nations---but you get the point.)   OK enough NYC bashing. 
3)   I have stopped giving any donations to PBS.   Think about it---fundraisers without end that seem, to me, to occupy more time than commercials on the Networks and re-hashed music with guys with bad toupees singing their annoying golden oldies..   NPR has the decency to do fundraisers just 2 or 3 times a year and present programming even more meaningful than PBS---though I admit that today people want visual.  Would that they stay tuned to radio---I love the WNYC slogan---Never Turn It Off.I am delighted to say that my station (WFDU) has one fundraiser a year---one. Period.   Then there is another station on the left side of the now defunct "dial" that seems to have one every other week.   Granted, that station has NPR affiliation and that costs mucho dinero.   It also precludes freeform programming.
 4)  On a positive note I must say you really should read "FDR and the Jews".   It is a very readable and insightful book that opened a lot of memories to me and explained some things I knew not of---and gave me a whole new take on Eleanor and her evolution to the "heroine" she became
 5)   Back to the beginning in more detail---The NYC Bike Program.   Hoboken (which, admittedly, is smaller) has it right.   Not the complex inane set up of NYC.   Great advtsg for Citibank  and that about covers this fiasco---think about this---bike lanes were around under Koch (not well rcvd) and now there are bike lanes that make left turns (for cars) hard and dangerous to all and parking in the middle of a street.  A few thoughts about who is going to partake of this fiasco---CEOs---no---Mid level execs--not unless they shower at work---tourist---sure --they will think it the in thing for a month, the average citizen---will take a subway, a bus, or rent a bike (if  one is not owned) from a bike store.   Mayor Bloomberg's idealism is ever so wonderful and I can only assume he will be pedaling around town soon---only in  a rickshaw w/ pedaler  I am certain.

OK--You have stayed for the bitter end of this so a few program updates and notes---

JUNE 2----SUNDAY SIMCHA  will present one of our funniest Comedy Corners yet---and many listeners had requests---they will be fulfilled .  

JUNE 9---TRADITIONS will be visited via tel. by a terrific talent with a new and very autobiographical CD out now. DEBORAH HOLLAND.   I do hope you will join me for this---she is an amazing talent who personifies the strength of the female gender.  In addition we will also present the regular features and the new addition of Comedy Corner.

I do believe we need a sample of one of the artists in one of our regular features----

A FEW MORE BRAIN DROPPINGS & UPDATES

Starting with the programs and the music a few updates and comments.   On Mother's Day (with the apostrophe) as opposed to Mothers Day---surely we think of our own---I interspersed some material throughout the program.  I am delighted to have rcvd a note from a listener how moved she was by the Joe Heukerrott piece (MOTHER). Unfortunately he never released that CD (his last one to date).  It contained some other wonderful pieces including "SARATOGA SPRINGS", which was a perfect description of a weekend we all spent there back in the 1990s when he performed at Cafe Lena.

That is age for you.   I said--"..back in the 1990s..".   The millenium seemed beyond the horizon and we all were not going to get any older.   Well, not to be too morbid, we did but one of our group did not.  Nuff said there.

So, I was delighted with the audience reception of the Mothers Day (no apostrophe) program for all the other material as well.   Memorial Day will soon be upon us and I hope you will enjoy the offerings on TRADITIONS that day---one piece is a perennial and think about what that will be.

This might be a good point to offer some thoughts about WFDU and the fact that you will find nothing like it anywhere else on the radio dial---of which are none.  No dials.  Just buttons.  Think about it. What station do you know that is like WFDU that allows knowledgeable people ( in their genre of material) to do a program of their own creation?   No censorhip, no input, no criticism.  Merely acceptance of creativity.  The closest I can come to this is WNYC ---very programmed but variatal, WQXR---very programmed but within a given genre.  Other than WFMU can you think of another station that offers you Jewish (Yiddish) programming and some intense Gospel as well?   Why that is I know not.  Why I do it I do know and appreciate the support of the management of  WFDU.

One last programming thought.   As much as I do love TRADITIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA there is now a program that follows SUNDAY SIMCHA that I urge you to tune  in for.  THE VINTAGE ROCK &POP SHOP.  I even said to the host--Ghosty---you are a great lead in to TRADITIONS.  You will not only love the program you will adore the host.

So now for a few varied brain droppings of no particular significance----

  1) Have you noticed that PBS (Channel 13) keeps putting up pop-up about 50 YRS.   There is more history than that---when it was the local WNET (NY/NJ) it did some truly classic programming including "The Play of The Week" that introduced us to some great works of drama
2) If you are watching a program on the boob tube--especially a serious one---are you not annoyed with the constant pop-ups for the next program? 
3)  The wheel was a great invention---the DVR as well.   Woe to the advertisers who are truly wasting the big bucks.   What would Don Draper do?   Probably shtup another encounter.
4)  What started as a really good program has now evolved into a truly annoying 2d rate Soap----Mad Men
5) The recently published book "FDR & THE JEWS" is a really terrific piece of writing that opens up a whole new view of FDR---and Eleanor.  Eleanor truly surprised me.  No spoiler alert--just read the tome.
6)Summertime is almost around the corner so I think that a bit of music by Kate Campbell is called for

                                            

Some Updates and Memorandums Not Always About The Music

Is it memorandi?   Let me know.

A request from some listeners to TRADITIONS to add a Comedy Corner to the program along the lines of SUNDAY SIMCHA has been made and I will certainly be honoring it.  It will start on 5/12 with some material from The Smothers Bros., Alan Sherman, and Modern Man.   It will be oriented for a more diverse audience than the every loyal Sunday Simcha folks.   Here is something along the line of humor that will not be on the program---truly some brilliant material and the kind of thing we no longer see on what is now truly---the boob tube.


So, a few brain droppings now.  Merely random thoughts along the lines of Nobody Asked Me But...

1) If you are from New Jersey would it be "nobody axed me....'?
2) Privacy.  I went to my local ATM machine and it said the team wishes me a Happy Bday.  I never knew I had a team and since I do why are they not sending me some cash from their vast stock. If they sent it I would keep it and, as Charlton Heston said---they would have to pry it from my cold dead hands.  OK--I care not about guns.  Dollars---whole other thing.
3) Do we ever wonder about where our clothing is made?    A recent survey showed that people chose, when the price was equal, the items that were made in humane conditions (there were signs next to each item).   Sales fell off when prices went up on the "humane" items.    The supply chain is long but, perhaps, one should ask the major marketers---you all know who they are---to investigate their supply chain.  Does alleged fashion have to equal death and poverty for y'all (love the southern dialect) for style.
4)What a delight and wonder to have a new non-powerful king in Belgium to collect many ducats to be there.
5) Deanna Durbin died.   Those of you of a certain age may recall her---me, all deaths are sad but I do not think it worthy of a great obit  in the NY Times.
6) I do believe, since we speak of obits, a clip from someone who was a giant and who I and Jerry Treacy (WFDU) hade the honor of chatting with years back at The Great Hudson River Revival (Clearwater)\

A FEW MORE BRAIN DROPPINGS---

In fact it is rather hard to spare these brain droppings since I have only a limited supply of them and it is running short.   That said, there are a few things I really want to mention and we start by keeping it in a musical vein and then  move on---

Hopefully, you were tuned in today to TRADITIONS and our celebration of Tom Lehrer's 85th Bday.   Aside from the wonder of this artist I am amazed as how topical his music (and it is gentle satire) is to this day.  As is the music of Phil Ochs.  It says more about our society and humankind  and the intransigence it has for unity and civility.

Another musical note is the big fanfare for the song by Brad Paisley about Racism.   Pure nonsense. It only works with the aid of a "rapper" when there is a perfect song that, frankly, I and mainstream media, do not give airplay---Grant Peeples--Nigger Lover.  Say the words and then listen to the song---it is amazing.   It is also a hell of a lot more meaningful.     I will air it if enough of you make requests---see how cowardly I am. .Due to the title. It misleads us about the content.

As to non-musical comments I do want to mention and mourn the passing of one of the great comics and wits of our time---Jonathan Winters.   I cannot commemorate him on the air due to format but for those of you old enough to recall his work you surely recall his genius.  For those too young and only remember his role on Mork & Mindy that is too bad--- a sad coda for a creative consumate artist.  Perhaps, in a positive note, he was trying to help his protege (Robin Williams) on a failing show.

On a personal note I want to mention how saddened I was to see the piece in the NY Times today regarding the Bronx and the "crashing" of the justice system there.  I grew up there and had always hoped that it would recover.  I thought that, to some extent, it had.  I won't go into the piece in the NYT  but it certainly makes one wonder.   It also makes you realize that "justice" does not work equally there or in Manhattan (for example).   Forget Law & Order.    Once again one has to wonder how we, as a nation or as a state got to where we are given the division and pandering to self interest.

Finally, it brings me to my growing up in a "bubble" that I have created in my thinking recently.   It was a time of reasonable (for the time) medical insurance, Social Security on the horizon, and schools that were safe and the fear of mass killings seemed non-existent.   Times do change.  Now, it seems, that the above items are all in play.    Sometime I will post another piece of those fond memories but for the meantime let us leave that thought stand and realize that  things do not have to be the way they are.    Yes, life was simpler then.   Perhaps that is part of the problem.  Perhaps alleged progress is part of the problem.  The bottom line (now I realize how effective was the naming of that defunct bistro) is that are we to allow us to be less involved with every new technology that comes down the pike and every new fad and focus more on core and simple values that seemed to have strengthened us before.  They have also instilled our core values in us.    Instant gratification as delivered by electronics is not part of that.  Diplomacy amongst nations is hurt by all this as well---but, that is another topic.   Thought and patience is required in our new and multi media world.

SOME MORE BRAIN DROPPINGS---BETTER THAN BIRD DROPPINGS FOR SURE

I do hope you navigated over from the Playlists---which were non-existent for Sunday Simcha this week.  Since I realize that the Playlists page gets more viewers I hope to get you here since I did not have a play list to offer---and, frankly,  playlists make no sense.  They are out of context of what was talked about---on both programs.  That is honesty.   You do, however, get to know what was played if that is of interest to you.   You do not, however, get the context.  That said, I do appreciate that you view them and see what was presented.  You  may, however, listen to the archived program for 2 weeks--- go here.

Now for a couple of the "brain droppings" that certainly are more sanitary that the bird droppings we  have heard of.

The world---or more certainly the Catholic world has a new  Pope.   The question to me that arises is why does this make it the most newsworthy item of the moment for various media.   Would the world or the media be this concerned by a new leader in the Muslim(well, a disclaimer there--leader or terrorist?) world, in who was the Chief Rebbe in Israel, etc;   I doubt it.   The Catholics of the world have a new Pope.  The rest of the world is still going along its merry way.   The media, as usual, is creating "hype" that is truly , as it is said, "over the top".    My hopes, certainly, for his success as Pope and leader of the Catholics.   

Is it not amazing how seriously we have all taken this.  So, on a lighter note, let me refer you to some other thoughts-- 

This coming Sunday is St. Patrick's Day and on that day we are all honorary (at least) Irish---well, at least most of us.  If you tune in to TRADITIONS this Sunday during the 4 PM hour you will have  the opportunity of hearing a truly funny bit of music from some old favorites which will explain the "some of us" line---equal opportunity skewering for many nationalities is in store.  On SUNDAY SIMCHA I will presenting  a Comedy Corner segment that, I do believe, will have you splitting your sides laughing (sent any bills for torn pants or shirts somewhere else).  The comic you will be hearing was an acquaintance of mine who died at a tragically young age.  He was just on the cusp of true fame after having won so annual "stand-up" awards and appearances of quite a few of the late night talk shows of the time.

The National Yiddish Theater (Folksbiene) is still continuing presenting wonderful programs in Yiddish (w/ English super titles) as it has done for almost 100 years now.   SUNDAY SIMCHA will keep you posted on what they are doing and when.  Just last Sunday some of our listeners and I (seperately) attended a wonderful afternoon of music put on by the creator of GHETTO TANGO.  Zalmen Mlotek is the musical director and guiding force of Folksbiene.

Here is a video of a discussion and some scenes of an earlier production---both Mike Burstyn and Zalmen Mlotek have been guests on SUNDAY SIMCHA.   If they ever present this again it is not to be missed---it has already been brought back 2 times by popular demand.


  
 

SOME UPDATES AND BRAIN DROPPINGS---WHICH ARE NEEDED

I do hope I will be seeing many of you this Sunday at The museum of the Jewish Heritage in NYC (Battery Place).  Should be a great show and we have played much music from it on SUNDAY SIMCHA,   

A few thoughts about some of the artists that have appeared on both of my programs---SUNDAY SIMCHA & TRADITIONS.   I want to offer my thanks for being able to play, for you, such wonderfully talented people.  As someone once said to me---"...you and your voice are so wonderful radio--"  NO--it is the talent I able to present and the wonderful conversations with the truly talented people that appear on both programs.

You may note that I never "share" them with you---I present them.  The difference, and the point. is these are the talents and I am honored to present them to you.  Hopefully you appreciate them as I do.  

For some future references----I am planning to have some interesting guests on both TRADITONS & SUNDAY SIMCHA---as they say TBA.   You know that, recently, we have had the filmakers of KOCH and HAVA NAGILA (hope you saw this---a joy)   

NOW---if you have any suggestions for St. Patrick's Day music (TRADITIONS) do let me know---I have a few and we do start with Allan Sherman---our one listener who finds such selections objectionable is not a listener I hope to attract---I want to attract out listeners w/ a sense of humor and an appreciation of variety,

One final thought regarding TRADITIONS.   Many years back there was a fellow on the station---Larry Hopper.  I do not claim any Hank William expertise.  Only a love of his talent.   Should you want an hour devoted to some rarities and some popular items let me know---we will, as it is said, work it out.