A nice little slice of life in eastern Kentucky, by way of interviews with a mom and her son, deftly mixed with a Gillian Welch song. He rides a bicycle, which is kind of a big deal around there, she started raising her family when she was 17, which is not such a big deal. The final mix is a visit with some friendly, thoughtful, charming folks, who will give your listeners some insight into how folks around Appalachia think and live. It's a kind of gentle telling, not forced too much, which is kind of how it's done in those parts...
Here's an unusual mix that's sure to turn a few heads: religion, children, and goat-killing. This story provides a fascinating glimpse into Appalachian family life and tradition as it weaves together the laughter of children, the the sweet but final bleats of a yearling goat, some heartfelt biblical testimony, and practical advice on raising and killing goats...
a story with a strong sense of place, tradition and culture.
China is the story of our time and what happens there in the next decade or so will surely shape the world we live in.
I think all journalism about China is incredibly important and this story adds quite a lot to what little I know about the people and the country. This piece could run cut down or perhaps as a series during Morning Edition or ATC; news pegs abound. It could use some smoothing out -- the naration and ambient levels were off in places.
When shopping for content to air on their stations, one important criterion many programmers use is whether pieces/programs offer something that a station could not do themselves. When listening to this program, it's hard to feel that this program meets that mark.
The program features a 29-minute telephone interview with a book author about the subject of her book-dyslexia. The content of the interview is pretty boilerplate, offering little surprise or engagement. The interview begins with the first question and rolls forward without much of a sense of purpose or direction.
The audio quality of the guest is an issue as well. Many stations avoid telephone-quality interviews with their own local material (let alone acquired material) unless it the information is too urgent or better facilities aren't available. Since the content of this interview is neither time-sensitive or is the doctor calling from a remote location, the quality standard should be higher.
The host is not as warm and dynamic as one would hope, sounding very restrained and stoic--especially when reading copy. The program does a good job of putting the content first, but perhaps too good a job. The host offers short, quick questions and let's the guests go, and go, and go. The host does ask for occasional clarification, but is hesitant to draw out, challenge, or question the ideas put forth by his guest.
This piece starts with a great hook and gives a wonderful focused look at San Francisco through the eyes of New Yorkers with brief moments of how NYC looks to a native SF woman. Having many friends who are tortured by this choice (my city of choice is SF, where people strip down and jump into hot tubs "more often than you'd expect," notes a New Yorker), I felt this piece was relevant to those of us who want to be in on a piece of the action here in America. Like Paris and Rome, SF and NYC are unique and pulsing with intense creative human energy. The piece could be tightened by focusing almost entirely on the thoughts of the New Yorkers who moved to San Fran. The music was grabbing in the beginning but somewhat distracting by the end. This piece would work well after a big winter storm when people in New York may be wondering what the grass looks like on the other side. (It's green and 65 degrees)
If you like parodies of old-time radio, this is snappy and well-produced. It's a continuing story, so if you're looking for a (limited) series as a drop-in for a news magazine or arts show, this would be a good choice.
The editing is impeccable. The content is a fictional conversation among three elders about cows, doorbells and other miscellany.
This is the kind of piece you would hear on Sunday Edition. If radio drama is your cup of tea then consider broadcasting this when you have the proper gap.
Interesting piece--good acts and tracks. I wanted to hear more comment about the differences between east coast/west coast mentalities. Thank goodness the narrator mentions (close to the end) that there is, in fact, a whole country of "other" places to live besides NY or San Fran.
This story would be perfect for the obvisous KQED or WNYC, but also other stations as well. Those of us who live in the vast "in between" are still acquaintened with the east vs. west quandry.
Joe Richman's "New York Works" series remind me of the best Murray Kempton columns. It's a sensitivity and a style not to mention a sound that's missing from our media and our lives. Richman champions real people who discourse knowledgeably and beautifully on the mundane and the notorious. This series would be a treat anytime; how about this summer during the Repbulican convention?
The metaphor is the message in this piece. The opera Kurt Weill wrote 75 years ago with Berthold Brecht "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" imagined a city of sin decades before Las Vegas became the capital of American decadence. The music from the opera is a wonderful flourish at the beginning and at the end of this piece but I tiredof hearing it throughout. The story would work best at a much shorter length; less of a documentary and more of a travelogue.
Pretty good, but linked to specific time (the announcement of the breakup). Becomes dated quickly, but worth a listen if lead-in could put it in time context.
First off, I'm so glad these Radio Diaries are available again.
There's a segment in here with Amanda talking to her parents about her sexuality. It is so real, and completely captures the essence of what children face when they confront their parents' traditional values. Something I love about this is that there's no resolution to the story. It ends in the middle, where Amanda is.
I'm planning to use this, along with other Teen Diaries, and stories from Blunt Youth to do a special program on teens.
An honest piece of self-exploration. Shows you the power of radio to tell an intimate, personal story that rings true. Simple production - one voice but Blunt Youth Radio is to be commended for providing an opportunity to the youth in this juvenile facility the tools to create some meaning and expression from a sad set of circumstances. There are a some technical problems at the end so it would need to be edited or faded out. This would be a good follow-up for any news magazine that might feature a juvenile crime or detention story. Access to these facilities is hard to get and every state has enough to make this a universal experience for any local station....Dmae
This story reminded me of when I participated in a race in Munich called "Sauf und Lauf", or "Drink and Run", in which contestants race around a track while charged with finishing an entire case of beer between 2 partners. I miss living in Germany a great deal and this story really tapping into those nostalgic feelings. For all the stereotypes that get pinned to the Germans, they are nothing if not fun-loving yet extremely earnest.
Production-wise, I am sorry, but the extremely rough recordings started to bother me. I could have let it go to highlight an act hear and there but to carry a 13 minute story it was a stretch.
Furthermore, the producer did a masterful job narrating the piece, but I wonder if he could have hit all of the important story elements and bits of fun "German-ness" while shorting the whole thing maybe 3-4 minutes.
This piece focuses on the only aspect of reality TV that is in anyway real, and as such it provides an interesting (if brief) insight into the life of a modern-day musician with all the hightech gizmos he relies on. It provides historical perspective against a backdrop of familiar TV theme tunes and throws in a few surprising details like the fact that the Simpsons is one of only a few TV shows that uses a full orchestra for it's soundtrack. It is engaging and moves along nicely though it ends rather abruptly.
Viagra and other medications that address erectile disfunction are so omnipresent on TV and the internet, and absent on public radio as far as I am aware, that this piece's time may have come. According to the subject of this interview, erectile dysfuction affects 52% of men over 40 to some extent. This suprising statistic makes the barrage of advertisments and emails that we are exposed to daily a little easier to accept. The piece comprises a very indepth interview that covers all apsects of the viagra phenomenom, from diagnosis and prescription, to overuse and abuse, and puts it in the context of heterosexual relations. It clearly deals with the subject matter from a male perspective and oversimplifies the female side of things a little, but nevertheless it is an important issue and this is an informative interview. As for airing, the subject matter is inevitably going to raise a few eyebrows, but it is dealt with in a mature fashion and is not overly graphic, so I wouldn't have any qualms about airing it at any time. I appreciated that the interviewee did not continually plug his book; I find it grating when every answer to a question is prefaced with "well in my book you will find....."!
"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Tolstoy probably turns in his grave every time this is quoted but how can you not quote Tolstoy when reviewing a show dedicated to exploring the family dynamic as portrayed in Children's Literature? This show is wonderfully eclectic. And it's structurally non-linear . This gives the show an unusual momentum; the pacing is brilliant as the content alternately appeals to adults and kids. You don't even have to like reading: their unconventional analysis of "Goldie Locks," could engage even the most hardened bibliophobe.
Broadcast this on the weekend; either Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
This is what radio is all about: informative, amusing, entertaining, engaging listening. The reporter tells his tale with a dry humor that does not corrode his respect and love for the subject. Even the poor sound quality of his clips somehow adds to the color of the story.
As for the Germans having a sense of humor...hell...they're funnier than the Dutch.
Great story, VERY entertaining! Being a Swede, I enjoyed the Swedish connection, but even more so the image of "big brother" Germany. I was laughing out loud watching the power point presentation, but since I started it a little late, and it was a little out of sync with the audio, I got lost in the many amusing details. I would love it to air in Sweden as well!
All Comments
Comment on piece: Too Curvy and Not Enough Shoulder
Phil Easley
Posted on April 02, 2004 at 08:21 AM | Permalink
Review of Too Curvy and Not Enough Shoulder
A nice little slice of life in eastern Kentucky, by way of interviews with a mom and her son, deftly mixed with a Gillian Welch song. He rides a bicycle, which is kind of a big deal around there, she started raising her family when she was 17, which is not such a big deal. The final mix is a visit with some friendly, thoughtful, charming folks, who will give your listeners some insight into how folks around Appalachia think and live. It's a kind of gentle telling, not forced too much, which is kind of how it's done in those parts...
Comment on piece: For the Blood Is the Life
Phil Easley
Posted on April 02, 2004 at 08:10 AM | Permalink
Review of For the Blood Is the Life
Here's an unusual mix that's sure to turn a few heads: religion, children, and goat-killing. This story provides a fascinating glimpse into Appalachian family life and tradition as it weaves together the laughter of children, the the sweet but final bleats of a yearling goat, some heartfelt biblical testimony, and practical advice on raising and killing goats...
a story with a strong sense of place, tradition and culture.
Comment on piece: City Lights
Mary McGrath
Posted on April 02, 2004 at 07:54 AM | Permalink
Review of City Lights
China is the story of our time and what happens there in the next decade or so will surely shape the world we live in.
I think all journalism about China is incredibly important and this story adds quite a lot to what little I know about the people and the country. This piece could run cut down or perhaps as a series during Morning Edition or ATC; news pegs abound. It could use some smoothing out -- the naration and ambient levels were off in places.
Comment on piece: Dyslexia: Identifying, coping and learning to read.
Eric Nuzum
Posted on March 31, 2004 at 12:16 PM | Permalink
Review of Dyslexia: Identifying, coping and learning to read.
The program features a 29-minute telephone interview with a book author about the subject of her book-dyslexia. The content of the interview is pretty boilerplate, offering little surprise or engagement. The interview begins with the first question and rolls forward without much of a sense of purpose or direction.
The audio quality of the guest is an issue as well. Many stations avoid telephone-quality interviews with their own local material (let alone acquired material) unless it the information is too urgent or better facilities aren't available. Since the content of this interview is neither time-sensitive or is the doctor calling from a remote location, the quality standard should be higher.
The host is not as warm and dynamic as one would hope, sounding very restrained and stoic--especially when reading copy. The program does a good job of putting the content first, but perhaps too good a job. The host offers short, quick questions and let's the guests go, and go, and go. The host does ask for occasional clarification, but is hesitant to draw out, challenge, or question the ideas put forth by his guest.
Comment on piece: Different Worlds - Moving From NY to San Fran
Rupa Marya
Posted on March 31, 2004 at 01:18 AM | Permalink
Review of Moving From NY to San Fran
This piece starts with a great hook and gives a wonderful focused look at San Francisco through the eyes of New Yorkers with brief moments of how NYC looks to a native SF woman. Having many friends who are tortured by this choice (my city of choice is SF, where people strip down and jump into hot tubs "more often than you'd expect," notes a New Yorker), I felt this piece was relevant to those of us who want to be in on a piece of the action here in America. Like Paris and Rome, SF and NYC are unique and pulsing with intense creative human energy. The piece could be tightened by focusing almost entirely on the thoughts of the New Yorkers who moved to San Fran. The music was grabbing in the beginning but somewhat distracting by the end. This piece would work well after a big winter storm when people in New York may be wondering what the grass looks like on the other side. (It's green and 65 degrees)
Comment on piece: Two-Minute Danger Theater 02: The Voice "Death Stalks at Midnight" Ch 2
Matthew Cowley
Posted on March 30, 2004 at 11:32 AM | Permalink
Review of Two-Minute Danger Theater 02: The Voice "Death Stalks at Midnight" Ch 2
If you like parodies of old-time radio, this is snappy and well-produced. It's a continuing story, so if you're looking for a (limited) series as a drop-in for a news magazine or arts show, this would be a good choice.
Comment on piece: Doorbells, . . Offramp
Chelsea Merz
Posted on March 30, 2004 at 09:42 AM | Permalink
Review of Doorbells
The editing is impeccable. The content is a fictional conversation among three elders about cows, doorbells and other miscellany.
This is the kind of piece you would hear on Sunday Edition. If radio drama is your cup of tea then consider broadcasting this when you have the proper gap.
Comment on piece: Different Worlds - Moving From NY to San Fran
Adam Allington
Posted on March 29, 2004 at 05:32 PM | Permalink
Review of Moving From NY to San Fran
Interesting piece--good acts and tracks. I wanted to hear more comment about the differences between east coast/west coast mentalities. Thank goodness the narrator mentions (close to the end) that there is, in fact, a whole country of "other" places to live besides NY or San Fran.
This story would be perfect for the obvisous KQED or WNYC, but also other stations as well. Those of us who live in the vast "in between" are still acquaintened with the east vs. west quandry.
Comment on piece: Charlie Zimmerman, Water Tower Builder
Mary McGrath
Posted on March 29, 2004 at 11:03 AM | Permalink
Review of Charlie Zimmerman, Water Tower Builder
Joe Richman's "New York Works" series remind me of the best Murray Kempton columns. It's a sensitivity and a style not to mention a sound that's missing from our media and our lives. Richman champions real people who discourse knowledgeably and beautifully on the mundane and the notorious. This series would be a treat anytime; how about this summer during the Repbulican convention?
Comment on piece: Weill and Vegas
Mary McGrath
Posted on March 29, 2004 at 09:02 AM | Permalink
Review of Weill and Vegas
The metaphor is the message in this piece. The opera Kurt Weill wrote 75 years ago with Berthold Brecht "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" imagined a city of sin decades before Las Vegas became the capital of American decadence. The music from the opera is a wonderful flourish at the beginning and at the end of this piece but I tiredof hearing it throughout. The story would work best at a much shorter length; less of a documentary and more of a travelogue.
Comment on piece: Sweet Phil from Sugar Hill
Dave Adox
Posted on March 29, 2004 at 08:47 AM | Permalink
Review of Sweet Phil from Sugar Hill
An engaging personal story with characters we really get to know and care about.
Steve Mathews
Posted on March 29, 2004 at 08:08 AM
Review of Barbie: Ken-Free (deleted)
Pretty good, but linked to specific time (the announcement of the breakup). Becomes dated quickly, but worth a listen if lead-in could put it in time context.
Comment on piece: Amanda's Diary: Girlfriend
John Dankosky
Posted on March 29, 2004 at 07:29 AM | Permalink
Review of Amanda from New York: Girlfriend
First off, I'm so glad these Radio Diaries are available again.
There's a segment in here with Amanda talking to her parents about her sexuality. It is so real, and completely captures the essence of what children face when they confront their parents' traditional values. Something I love about this is that there's no resolution to the story. It ends in the middle, where Amanda is.
I'm planning to use this, along with other Teen Diaries, and stories from Blunt Youth to do a special program on teens.
Comment on piece: Katie Becomes a Mom
Dmae Lo Roberts
Posted on March 28, 2004 at 04:30 PM | Permalink
Review of Katie Becomes a Mom
An honest piece of self-exploration. Shows you the power of radio to tell an intimate, personal story that rings true. Simple production - one voice but Blunt Youth Radio is to be commended for providing an opportunity to the youth in this juvenile facility the tools to create some meaning and expression from a sad set of circumstances. There are a some technical problems at the end so it would need to be edited or faded out. This would be a good follow-up for any news magazine that might feature a juvenile crime or detention story. Access to these facilities is hard to get and every state has enough to make this a universal experience for any local station....Dmae
Comment on piece: The Most German Day Ever
Adam Allington
Posted on March 28, 2004 at 05:29 AM | Permalink
Review of The Most German Day Ever
This story reminded me of when I participated in a race in Munich called "Sauf und Lauf", or "Drink and Run", in which contestants race around a track while charged with finishing an entire case of beer between 2 partners. I miss living in Germany a great deal and this story really tapping into those nostalgic feelings. For all the stereotypes that get pinned to the Germans, they are nothing if not fun-loving yet extremely earnest.
Production-wise, I am sorry, but the extremely rough recordings started to bother me. I could have let it go to highlight an act hear and there but to carry a 13 minute story it was a stretch.
Furthermore, the producer did a masterful job narrating the piece, but I wonder if he could have hit all of the important story elements and bits of fun "German-ness" while shorting the whole thing maybe 3-4 minutes.
A fun and informative piece none-the-less
Prost!
Comment on piece: Profile of a (Reality) Composer
Helen Woodward
Posted on March 26, 2004 at 12:02 PM | Permalink
Review of Profile of a (Reality) Composer
This piece focuses on the only aspect of reality TV that is in anyway real, and as such it provides an interesting (if brief) insight into the life of a modern-day musician with all the hightech gizmos he relies on. It provides historical perspective against a backdrop of familiar TV theme tunes and throws in a few surprising details like the fact that the Simpsons is one of only a few TV shows that uses a full orchestra for it's soundtrack. It is engaging and moves along nicely though it ends rather abruptly.
Comment on piece: Viagra: Medical and social effects of Viagra.
Helen Woodward
Posted on March 26, 2004 at 11:31 AM | Permalink
Review of Viagra:
Viagra and other medications that address erectile disfunction are so omnipresent on TV and the internet, and absent on public radio as far as I am aware, that this piece's time may have come. According to the subject of this interview, erectile dysfuction affects 52% of men over 40 to some extent. This suprising statistic makes the barrage of advertisments and emails that we are exposed to daily a little easier to accept. The piece comprises a very indepth interview that covers all apsects of the viagra phenomenom, from diagnosis and prescription, to overuse and abuse, and puts it in the context of heterosexual relations. It clearly deals with the subject matter from a male perspective and oversimplifies the female side of things a little, but nevertheless it is an important issue and this is an informative interview. As for airing, the subject matter is inevitably going to raise a few eyebrows, but it is dealt with in a mature fashion and is not overly graphic, so I wouldn't have any qualms about airing it at any time. I appreciated that the interviewee did not continually plug his book; I find it grating when every answer to a question is prefaced with "well in my book you will find....."!
Comment on piece: Family
Chelsea Merz
Posted on March 26, 2004 at 06:09 AM | Permalink
Review of Family
Broadcast this on the weekend; either Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Comment on piece: The Most German Day Ever
Jonathan Groubert
Posted on March 26, 2004 at 05:21 AM | Permalink
Review of The Most German Day Ever
This is what radio is all about: informative, amusing, entertaining, engaging listening. The reporter tells his tale with a dry humor that does not corrode his respect and love for the subject. Even the poor sound quality of his clips somehow adds to the color of the story.
As for the Germans having a sense of humor...hell...they're funnier than the Dutch.
Comment on piece: The Most German Day Ever
Claes Andreasson
Posted on March 25, 2004 at 09:41 PM | Permalink
Review of The Most German Day Ever
Great story, VERY entertaining! Being a Swede, I enjoyed the Swedish connection, but even more so the image of "big brother" Germany. I was laughing out loud watching the power point presentation, but since I started it a little late, and it was a little out of sync with the audio, I got lost in the many amusing details. I would love it to air in Sweden as well!