Piece Comment

Review of Cigar Stories: El Lector - He Who Reads


Another fantastic piece from Jay Allison and the Kitchen Sisters. This piece is sound rich and full of information. Well done! Even you heard it when it aired six years ago, it is worth hearing again.

I knew little about the Lectors before hearing this piece. With the interviews and archive tape, the sound told the story - one of the best things about public radio. The story flows well and keeps the listener engaged. The focus is tight and has a strong narrative. The interviews also help the listener paint a picture of the cigar rollers and the Lectors - another wonderful thing about public radio.

This piece would work well on a local news magazine or as a holiday special. It could also work as a format-breaker for a holiday version of ATC.

An easy way to make an hour would be 5 minute NPR/BBC newscast, this piece and then a 29 minute special.