This small piece carries emotional heft for any Mexican immigrant or Mexican-American who identifies with La Virgin de Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas, in the Roman Catholic Church. With a nice and varied blend of voices, the producer captures the sound of people’s devotion to The Lady of Guadalupe and the sense of protection they gain under her spiritual shield. The fact that there is a torch relay from the Basilica in Mexico City all the way to New York tells us how important carrying her flame is. It is as important as being Mexican. The mariachi music at the end with the impassioned “Viva Mexico” says it all. This little gem is worth running between now and December.
This report about a Latino oral history project in Colorado Springs doesn’t delve into the personal side of giving family accounts. Except for two brief recountings from two subjects, the narrative relies too much on the project director’s perspective. There should be more from people relating their stories, framed by historical events in Southern Colorado. Unfortunately, the subjects were poorly recorded compared to the director. This technical weakness stands out. Also, the reporter makes several time references about the opening of the project, which makes it obsolete for an evergreen. The topic deserves more exploration than just a surface treatment.
The lyrical and soothing voices of these exiled Chilean musicians belie their scars of imprisonment during the U.S. backed 1973 coup d’etat against President Salvador Allende. As one of the musicians said, they were “Che wannabes” who were angered about their country’s repression. A couple of them were sixteen and seventeen when they were sent to concentration camps. Remarkably, the musicians found the times to be difficult, yet liberating because they could pursue their creative expression.
This documentary is well-crafted, bolstered by archival tape of rallies and the sound of Allende’s voice as he tried to calm his country during upheaval. As expected, good interludes of music allow the musicians’ political perspectives to flow.
After the Chileans were exiled, they serendipitously ended up in Berkeley, where they performed and became active with a cultural center. They take a clear-eyed look at the times with passion and wryness. They also feel marked by having endured Chile’s 9/11—the day of the coup—and the American 9/11. Both days, they believe, were about terrorism.
The only short-coming of the documentary is its ending. It’s too loose and doesn’t leave this listener with a sense of completion. A note to programmers: The program is part of National Radio Project’s” Making Contact” series and it is introduced and tagged as such. If it were a stand-alone piece it might be more versatile. It is worth airing, nevertheless, because of its nice execution and interesting take on history.
This piece is part of Richard Paul’s series, “People Who Work.” It offers a glimpse into how this bus driver, Carmen Costello, performs her job seriously, and also makes time to enjoy it. The producer certainly brings the sounds of driving a bus to the fore, but I wish he had edited more of her narration to be self-contained. Instead, it has a question and answer quality that can get in the listener’s way. Her statements about being proud to drive bus and caring about the passengers as much as she cares for her own children are moving.
The producer offers a shorter version of this piece, and I prefer it. I like its tautness. Programmers would be able to bundle the series better with the short pieces.
This piece is part of Richard Paul’s series, “People Who Work.” It offers a glimpse into how this bus driver, Carmen Costello, performs her job seriously, and also makes time to enjoy it. The producer certainly brings the sounds of driving a bus to the fore, but I wish he had edited more of her narration to be self-contained. Instead, it has a question and answer quality that can get in the listener’s way. Her statements about being proud to drive bus and caring about the passengers as much as she cares for her own children are moving.
The producer offers a shorter version of this piece, and I prefer it. I like its tautness. Programmers would be able to bundle the series better with the short pieces.
Developing a personal story for an audio a piece can be fraught with difficulties since a producer has to determine what is of universal interest to a listener and what remains on the cutting floor. The producer here acknowledges she has little experience in putting together a piece, but has the courage to jump in and ask for constructive criticism.
The storytelling in this piece could be enhanced by recording better audio, and by making austere edits. Knowing what to cut and how to make a piece tighter takes advantage of editing. On equal footing with good audio is good writing. It should illuminate and be concise. The producer shows promise with some vivid writing, but she needs to be more consistent. And finally, there should be some good mixing; the know-how for that also comes with practice. The producer created this piece for podcasting on her site, but she would need to re-do for broadcasting. Riding a Streetcar with Grandma is a valiant first attempt.
This piece describes two solutions for making a large city cooler: planting trees and using a new mix of porous concrete for parking lots and drive ways. Both solutions, of course, make a lot of sense and seem obvious, but it is good to hear how people are taking steps to improve their urban environment. Also, the piece is clear that any city of any size has an urban heat problem. The producer uses decent sound to illustrate some of the activity. Though this piece could stand alone, it would be stronger alongside the other pieces in the Soundprint series.
Comment for
"Literary Friendships #4: Sandra Cisneros & Joy Harjo" (deleted)
Review of Literary Friendships #4: Sandra Cisneros & Joy Harjo (deleted)
Garrison Keillor’s conversation with novelist Sandra Cisneros and poet Joy Harjo about their friendship formed against the grain of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop has the folksy overtones of “A Prairie Home Companion.” But this is no Lake Woebegone. The sparkling narrative belongs to the women. They make their own space by setting up their stories, delivering each others punch lines and reflecting on their ethnic identities. Harjo is Native American and Cisneros, Mexican-American. Their dynamic can range from the understated to the hilarious, and the audience is in their hands.
The best reason to hear this program is to luxuriate in their readings. When Harjo reads her poem, “Fear,” she is transforming. You understand why poetry must be spoken. She sings and chants her lines in such a way, it is shamanistic. With her words and rhythms, you can feel her hurt and healing. Cisneros brings wonderment and humor to the excerpts she reads from her novels. Her small, girlish voice delivers a dramatic punch that knocks you out. As a Mexican-American, I can attest that she captures the best, the most endearing and the quirkiest part of our culture worth exposing. Her language is so rolling and precise, it’s pure delight. The only thing that could be better would be to listen to her with a steaming cup of chocolate mexicano. Grab one and settle into a comfortable chair. Cisneros and Harjo belong in our cultural firmament.
Reporter Josue Melgar gives voice to a rarely discussed problem regarding immigrants: the tension between the ones who have assimilated and those who haven’t. By looking at the situation in his high school, Melgar provides a sense of how it feels to be truly on the outs, beyond the regular feelings of simply being a teenager. The assimilated kids feel superior and pick on the new ones. As a student Carlos says with pride, “it’s tradition,” and Carlos has only been in the U.S. for 4 years. Jincho is the derogatory name given to a student who can’t speak or read English. Painful as it is for them to experience, these young people understand the ascendancy of language and how it shapes identity. I appreciate the sound of their accented voices, fighting to be heard above the surety of those who feel comfortable. This is commentary adults should hear.
Comment for
"Religion: Latino Evangelists" (deleted)
KALW's attempt to dispel stereotypes about Latinos’ religious beliefs is admirable. The more listeners can understand that Latinos are not monolithic, the more comprehensive the composite of a people can be. The producer presents clear information, but I’d hoped for a better delineation between evangelicals who are already here, and evangelicals who have emigrated. Evangelization of Latinos hasn't only occurred in the U.S. –evangelization has a large foothold in Central America. A mention of how Latinos may combine folk beliefs for faith healing (curanderismo) would have been good to add too. However, the basic information is there. The sound and voices could have been more varied. All in all, an interesting piece.
Comments by Yolette Garcia
Comment for "Carrying a torch for the Lady... of Guadalupe"
Yolette Garcia
Posted on November 09, 2005 at 05:03 PM | Permalink
Review of Carrying a torch for the Lady... of Guadalupe
This small piece carries emotional heft for any Mexican immigrant or Mexican-American who identifies with La Virgin de Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas, in the Roman Catholic Church. With a nice and varied blend of voices, the producer captures the sound of people’s devotion to The Lady of Guadalupe and the sense of protection they gain under her spiritual shield. The fact that there is a torch relay from the Basilica in Mexico City all the way to New York tells us how important carrying her flame is. It is as important as being Mexican. The mariachi music at the end with the impassioned “Viva Mexico” says it all. This little gem is worth running between now and December.
Comment for "De Donde Eres?"
Yolette Garcia
Posted on November 06, 2005 at 07:06 PM | Permalink
Review of De Donde Eres?
This report about a Latino oral history project in Colorado Springs doesn’t delve into the personal side of giving family accounts. Except for two brief recountings from two subjects, the narrative relies too much on the project director’s perspective. There should be more from people relating their stories, framed by historical events in Southern Colorado. Unfortunately, the subjects were poorly recorded compared to the director. This technical weakness stands out. Also, the reporter makes several time references about the opening of the project, which makes it obsolete for an evergreen. The topic deserves more exploration than just a surface treatment.
Comment for "Chile's 9/11" (deleted)
Yolette Garcia
Posted on November 06, 2005 at 06:41 PM
Review of Chile's 9/11 (deleted)
The lyrical and soothing voices of these exiled Chilean musicians belie their scars of imprisonment during the U.S. backed 1973 coup d’etat against President Salvador Allende. As one of the musicians said, they were “Che wannabes” who were angered about their country’s repression. A couple of them were sixteen and seventeen when they were sent to concentration camps. Remarkably, the musicians found the times to be difficult, yet liberating because they could pursue their creative expression.
This documentary is well-crafted, bolstered by archival tape of rallies and the sound of Allende’s voice as he tried to calm his country during upheaval. As expected, good interludes of music allow the musicians’ political perspectives to flow.
After the Chileans were exiled, they serendipitously ended up in Berkeley, where they performed and became active with a cultural center. They take a clear-eyed look at the times with passion and wryness. They also feel marked by having endured Chile’s 9/11—the day of the coup—and the American 9/11. Both days, they believe, were about terrorism.
The only short-coming of the documentary is its ending. It’s too loose and doesn’t leave this listener with a sense of completion. A note to programmers: The program is part of National Radio Project’s” Making Contact” series and it is introduced and tagged as such. If it were a stand-alone piece it might be more versatile. It is worth airing, nevertheless, because of its nice execution and interesting take on history.
Comment for "Bus Driver-Long Version"
Yolette Garcia
Posted on October 24, 2005 at 07:09 PM | Permalink
Review of Bus Driver-Long Version
This piece is part of Richard Paul’s series, “People Who Work.” It offers a glimpse into how this bus driver, Carmen Costello, performs her job seriously, and also makes time to enjoy it. The producer certainly brings the sounds of driving a bus to the fore, but I wish he had edited more of her narration to be self-contained. Instead, it has a question and answer quality that can get in the listener’s way. Her statements about being proud to drive bus and caring about the passengers as much as she cares for her own children are moving.
The producer offers a shorter version of this piece, and I prefer it. I like its tautness. Programmers would be able to bundle the series better with the short pieces.
Comment for "Bus Driver-Short Version"
Yolette Garcia
Posted on October 24, 2005 at 07:02 PM | Permalink
Review of Bus Driver-Short Version
This piece is part of Richard Paul’s series, “People Who Work.” It offers a glimpse into how this bus driver, Carmen Costello, performs her job seriously, and also makes time to enjoy it. The producer certainly brings the sounds of driving a bus to the fore, but I wish he had edited more of her narration to be self-contained. Instead, it has a question and answer quality that can get in the listener’s way. Her statements about being proud to drive bus and caring about the passengers as much as she cares for her own children are moving.
The producer offers a shorter version of this piece, and I prefer it. I like its tautness. Programmers would be able to bundle the series better with the short pieces.
Comment for "Riding A Streetcar Wtih Grandma"
Yolette Garcia
Posted on October 12, 2005 at 05:33 PM | Permalink
Review of Riding A Streetcar Wtih Grandma
Developing a personal story for an audio a piece can be fraught with difficulties since a producer has to determine what is of universal interest to a listener and what remains on the cutting floor. The producer here acknowledges she has little experience in putting together a piece, but has the courage to jump in and ask for constructive criticism.
The storytelling in this piece could be enhanced by recording better audio, and by making austere edits. Knowing what to cut and how to make a piece tighter takes advantage of editing. On equal footing with good audio is good writing. It should illuminate and be concise. The producer shows promise with some vivid writing, but she needs to be more consistent. And finally, there should be some good mixing; the know-how for that also comes with practice. The producer created this piece for podcasting on her site, but she would need to re-do for broadcasting. Riding a Streetcar with Grandma is a valiant first attempt.
Comment for "Tales...Story 5:The Urban Heat Island: Problems and Solutions"
Yolette Garcia
Posted on October 11, 2005 at 07:44 PM | Permalink
Review of Story 5:The Urban Heat Island: Problems and Solutions
This piece describes two solutions for making a large city cooler: planting trees and using a new mix of porous concrete for parking lots and drive ways. Both solutions, of course, make a lot of sense and seem obvious, but it is good to hear how people are taking steps to improve their urban environment. Also, the piece is clear that any city of any size has an urban heat problem. The producer uses decent sound to illustrate some of the activity. Though this piece could stand alone, it would be stronger alongside the other pieces in the Soundprint series.
Comment for "Literary Friendships #4: Sandra Cisneros & Joy Harjo" (deleted)
Yolette Garcia
Posted on October 06, 2005 at 08:25 PM
Review of Literary Friendships #4: Sandra Cisneros & Joy Harjo (deleted)
Garrison Keillor’s conversation with novelist Sandra Cisneros and poet Joy Harjo about their friendship formed against the grain of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop has the folksy overtones of “A Prairie Home Companion.” But this is no Lake Woebegone. The sparkling narrative belongs to the women. They make their own space by setting up their stories, delivering each others punch lines and reflecting on their ethnic identities. Harjo is Native American and Cisneros, Mexican-American. Their dynamic can range from the understated to the hilarious, and the audience is in their hands.
The best reason to hear this program is to luxuriate in their readings. When Harjo reads her poem, “Fear,” she is transforming. You understand why poetry must be spoken. She sings and chants her lines in such a way, it is shamanistic. With her words and rhythms, you can feel her hurt and healing. Cisneros brings wonderment and humor to the excerpts she reads from her novels. Her small, girlish voice delivers a dramatic punch that knocks you out. As a Mexican-American, I can attest that she captures the best, the most endearing and the quirkiest part of our culture worth exposing. Her language is so rolling and precise, it’s pure delight. The only thing that could be better would be to listen to her with a steaming cup of chocolate mexicano. Grab one and settle into a comfortable chair. Cisneros and Harjo belong in our cultural firmament.
Comment for "Jincho"
Yolette Garcia
Posted on October 03, 2005 at 08:33 PM | Permalink
Review of Jincho
Reporter Josue Melgar gives voice to a rarely discussed problem regarding immigrants: the tension between the ones who have assimilated and those who haven’t. By looking at the situation in his high school, Melgar provides a sense of how it feels to be truly on the outs, beyond the regular feelings of simply being a teenager. The assimilated kids feel superior and pick on the new ones. As a student Carlos says with pride, “it’s tradition,” and Carlos has only been in the U.S. for 4 years. Jincho is the derogatory name given to a student who can’t speak or read English. Painful as it is for them to experience, these young people understand the ascendancy of language and how it shapes identity. I appreciate the sound of their accented voices, fighting to be heard above the surety of those who feel comfortable. This is commentary adults should hear.
Comment for "Religion: Latino Evangelists" (deleted)
Yolette Garcia
Posted on October 03, 2005 at 07:09 PM
Review of Religion: Latino Evangelists (deleted)
KALW's attempt to dispel stereotypes about Latinos’ religious beliefs is admirable. The more listeners can understand that Latinos are not monolithic, the more comprehensive the composite of a people can be. The producer presents clear information, but I’d hoped for a better delineation between evangelicals who are already here, and evangelicals who have emigrated. Evangelization of Latinos hasn't only occurred in the U.S. –evangelization has a large foothold in Central America. A mention of how Latinos may combine folk beliefs for faith healing (curanderismo) would have been good to add too. However, the basic information is there. The sound and voices could have been more varied. All in all, an interesting piece.