An enchanting character study. Leila Day has a great eye for detail (the smell of a used bookstore, the bright pink lipstick and Mardis Gras beads), and though the narrative is subtle, the stakes were just enough to keep me listening.
Comment for
"Never too late to change: the story of a gangster" (deleted)
Chuck O'Connor lived a harrowing and inspiring life, and the tandem narrations from O'Connor's editor and adopted grandson capture the story with a vested emotional tone. Near the end, hearing how much Chuck meant to Todd and Todd's mother, I wish I heard more of that early on. It's a powerful framing device--this isn't just history, this is someone who was a major part of Todd's family. The lessons Todd takes away speak to the universal appeal, and it would help to tell us more about that emotional entry point right from the start.
It’s never easy to process a stranger’s grief. But with her story of Elaine and Francis, Carolyn Barnwell finds an unexpected joy and lightness, a relationship that earns our involvement before meditating on the loss.
"Death Bear" has so much going for it, with surprising images and emotional turns, but it could use the producer’s narration just to keep it cohesive. That would also open it up to be nonlinear. Start with the tears and stabbing. Let us care about Nate and wonder what’s going to happen before going into the exposition about Death Bear. Once we’re hooked on the story, we’ll wait for the explanation. I'm all for the elliptical and the askew, but as it is, these fragments make me wish for something more complete.
At first, the piece is a little disorienting. Is the ambi natural? Did the producer interview the guest on a beach? Then it's clear that the sounds are a poetic accompaniment to the story, story that starts open and anonymous and soon becomes particular, vivid, and devastating. Greg's details were enough to bring me to tears, and I only wish I knew more: We need an introduction that tells the listener who Isabelle was, who Greg is, and what prompted him to share his story.
A touching portrait of a mother and son's relationship, nicely weaving narrative and a capella lullabies. Hillary Frank is clearly present and empathetic in the interview. That said, I anticipated a lullaby reprise at the end of the piece, but instead it cuts off abruptly. Just one more verse at the end would have been perfect.
Comments by Jeremy Richards
Comment for "The Love Boat"
Jeremy Richards
Posted on March 07, 2011 at 05:07 PM | Permalink
Laughter and Suspense
Rich and wacky, with all the scheming of a classic farce. When I wasn’t laughing, I was captivated by what would happen next.
Comment for "The Nest"
Jeremy Richards
Posted on March 01, 2011 at 07:35 PM | Permalink
Delicate, charming, and well-observed
An enchanting character study. Leila Day has a great eye for detail (the smell of a used bookstore, the bright pink lipstick and Mardis Gras beads), and though the narrative is subtle, the stakes were just enough to keep me listening.
Comment for "Never too late to change: the story of a gangster" (deleted)
Jeremy Richards
Posted on February 07, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Redemption and Reflection (deleted)
Chuck O'Connor lived a harrowing and inspiring life, and the tandem narrations from O'Connor's editor and adopted grandson capture the story with a vested emotional tone. Near the end, hearing how much Chuck meant to Todd and Todd's mother, I wish I heard more of that early on. It's a powerful framing device--this isn't just history, this is someone who was a major part of Todd's family. The lessons Todd takes away speak to the universal appeal, and it would help to tell us more about that emotional entry point right from the start.
Comment for "Sing and I Will Hear You "
Jeremy Richards
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 06:38 PM | Permalink
A song we want to hear
It’s never easy to process a stranger’s grief. But with her story of Elaine and Francis, Carolyn Barnwell finds an unexpected joy and lightness, a relationship that earns our involvement before meditating on the loss.
Comment for "Death Bear Goes Visiting"
Jeremy Richards
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 07:38 PM | Permalink
Death and Purgatory
"Death Bear" has so much going for it, with surprising images and emotional turns, but it could use the producer’s narration just to keep it cohesive. That would also open it up to be nonlinear. Start with the tears and stabbing. Let us care about Nate and wonder what’s going to happen before going into the exposition about Death Bear. Once we’re hooked on the story, we’ll wait for the explanation. I'm all for the elliptical and the askew, but as it is, these fragments make me wish for something more complete.
Comment for "The Saddest Day"
Jeremy Richards
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 06:47 PM | Permalink
A strong emotional core
At first, the piece is a little disorienting. Is the ambi natural? Did the producer interview the guest on a beach? Then it's clear that the sounds are a poetic accompaniment to the story, story that starts open and anonymous and soon becomes particular, vivid, and devastating. Greg's details were enough to bring me to tears, and I only wish I knew more: We need an introduction that tells the listener who Isabelle was, who Greg is, and what prompted him to share his story.
Comment for "Your Singing Really Interferes With My Going-To-Sleep Process"
Jeremy Richards
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 06:09 PM | Permalink
So Close
A touching portrait of a mother and son's relationship, nicely weaving narrative and a capella lullabies. Hillary Frank is clearly present and empathetic in the interview. That said, I anticipated a lullaby reprise at the end of the piece, but instead it cuts off abruptly. Just one more verse at the end would have been perfect.