07/19/2007
"I never was so happy in my life" (in music & sound)
Lately, I've been reading a lot about old radio comedy programs, brought on by a spell of listening to Jack Benny tapes whilst shaving (me, not Jack Benny). There's another favorite series I collected for a while, Vic and Sade. This show ran ... Read More
07/10/2007
Elderly Man River by Stan Freberg (and Daws Butler) (in music & sound)
Who on earth is Stan Freberg ? Begin with voiceover talent for Warner's and Disney; add comedian, writer, songwriter, radio star, TV pioneer and character actor, and, arguably, the first person to use actual humor - you know, genuinely funny ... Read More
07/05/2007
Updated playlists at WFMU.org (in music & sound)
I don't know how many people care about this, but I've finally gotten my fat butt in gear and updated the archive playlists for my show at WFMU. If you've been wondering what song I was mumbling about when you streamed the show, the answers a ... Read More
06/21/2007
Always For Pleasure and then some (in music & sound)
I'm working on my radio show for WFMU; this program's about the Mardis Gras Indians of New Orleans. To do a feeble job at summing up a wonderful, complex story in a few words: Some of the most compelling dance music in the world (in my opini ... Read More
06/19/2007
June 26th: A moment of silence for Internet radio (in music & sound)
It's only appropriate; Internet radio is about to die. The US Government: Killing non-corporate media like a noxious weed. Read More
06/06/2007
I'm on vacation for a week Pt. 4: Reynaldo Rey (in music & sound)
There's a vast world of underground, somewhat "blue" comedy LP's, and a whole lot of them (50's/60's vintage) came out on Laff Records, from Los Angeles. Reynaldo Rey, seen overground on BET, the old Match Game, and in several movie and TV ro ... Read More
I'm on vacation for a week Pt. 3: Fred Allen (and Tallulah Bankhead) (in music & sound)
Perhaps you've heard the name Fred Allen? One of the most popular and funny radio personalities of the 40's and early 50's, Allen detested almost everything about the medium that made him so famous; sponsors, networks, advertising agencies, t ... Read More
I'm on vacation for a week Pt. 2: Jerry Clower (in music & sound)
Now, consistency has never been a strong point of mine, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that while I certainly have great affecion for mad comedians like Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, one of my absolute favorites is an unabashed, straight-up re ... Read More
I'm on vacation for a week Pt. 1: Selma Diamond (in music & sound)
Selma Diamond is a woman you may recall from various character acting parts in the movies and on TV; gravel voiced, not exactly gorgeous, and extremely funny. If you saw the excellent film All Of Me, with Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin, Ms. Diamon ... Read More
06/05/2007
William Shatner: the high-speed remix (in music & sound)
William Shatner was doing personal PR on Conan one night, toting dashboard-cam footage of himself driving a racecar. Some extremely observant and talented person watched the show. Hats off to excellent work. Read More