This is about as simple as a radio piece can get, and there's great beauty in that simplicity. I wish the bagpipes hadn't been playing the way-cliche "Amazing Grace", but the charm of the portrait far outweighs that tiny complaint.
Though far from cutting edge (ATC did a similar story on mashups in June of 2002) this story is an interesting and comprehensive overview of this phenomenon. It was a really smart decision to integrate the interview with "The Freelance Hellraiser" so heavily in the piece. The interview highlights the deejay's charisma and personality, as well as his expertise at this practice.
A few editorial notes:
* The piece would be stronger if the reporter would walk through the clear definition of mashups up front. This definition doesn't come until two minutes into the piece. Even then, to someone unfamiliar with mashups, it may not fully explain the concept.
* The piece assumes a knowledge of the source music--which may be a dangerous assumption. How many people know Destiny Child's or Eminem's repertoire well enough to know that what we're hearing is an alteration? Some listeners will get this immediately. Most won't.
* The order of some of the interview cuts could flow a bit better. For example, about 2:30 into the piece, the interviewer asks about any reaction to mashups from record labels. A logical follow-up, about the reaction from artists, doesn't come until several questions later, at 8:15 into the piece. These two questions should have been placed together for a more logical flow.
This short monologue is worth airing for the ending. It is very affecting. In a few sentences, this South African women communicates the importance of voting in a truly affecting radio moment.
If you air this, and assuming it's okay with the producers, I'd recommend ending on her words, and following with music or some other breather before she identifies herself. The change in tone is awfully abrupt as it is. Alternatively, your local host could do the back announce. -J.A.
Moving, quiet piece. The narrator brings us inside with her sadness and feelings of loss. One hopes her mother can hear her heart. Good for any aged people to hear honest reflection by a young writer. sl
A strange, and I fear, accurate portrait of a person by the person. Well timed with the film. I can stand to hear him even after I've seen him, and because I like radio, I think this piece is a clearer 'picture' of Pekar. New adjective: Pekarish.
A thorough saunter through music and life. Very BBC-ish. The brevity-bug in me wants to say it can work shortened as well. Something to listen to while you're doing something else kind of piece. Well researched and produced, learned a lot the more I review the piece in my head. Will be interested in the next installment.
very unbalanced view from a child who sounds coached - it was a good idea, but by just profiling one child, it seems more like one odd kid and not a view from someone every young who, unlike many adults, is interested in politics
very very nice look into why people people run for office - fantastic use of a strong personality to get a point across - also showed both sides to the issue - thumbs up
So brief, but so full. The sounds do something lovely to your body and mind. Like when you are deep in the day-to-day and suddenly look out the window just in time to catch an amazing sunset. Stop, hold the image. This has that quality. sl
Good, clear reporting accompanied by lively soundbed and an excellent range of community voices. Immigrant communities around the country have these very problems, so this piece would be valuable listening for much of the nation. Education has lost coverage since our latest war, but it's still a pressing concern for voters, so it will be forever timely. sl
This piece isn't innovative or cutting edge--it doesn't need to be. It doesn't need any additional sound or music. It is a simple piece of good storytelling, plainly told. In describing a recipe for canning peaches, she describes the method for removing the fruit's skin as "like peeling skin off a sunburn." With language like that, any production aesthetic added to this piece would just get in the way of it's powerful words.
While this piece is a dead-ringer for the style of commentary you'd hear in an NPR magazine, it is refreshing to see a piece like this produced with the restraint necessary to highlight the natural beauty of the story.
A few other notes:
Seasonal: The producer indicates this would be good for August. I'd expand this to fall use as well. Even though it deals with a summer peach stand and canning--listening to it now (in October), it still feels topical. I'd see this as being a useful piece from mid-July though October.
Music: The description mentions theme music, but the piece is unscored.
ok, give it four minutes to get started, but once Ben Walker connects with the official listener he's seeking you won't be able turn it off. Fresh, and free from irony, this endearing ramble is sure to bring smiles to left-of-center listeners.
Despite the big idea title this a sensitive, insightful exploration of seldom-discussed metaphysical beliefs about the mind/body/spirit connection in music. Hosted with an honest integrity, this program has a sound that would fit well in a weekend slot when audiences are relaxed and more generous with their time. A great antidote to the poison of pop music celebrity.
The next time I hear someone say that public radio can't innovate while maintaining its Core Values, I'm going to make them listen to this piece.
I've heard this piece before (on Weekend Edition?). Every time I hear it--it has the same effect: I am sucked in, teleported to the streets of Oakland, and the rest of the world seems suddenly unimportant and small.
When I hear a story like this, I want to drop down on my knees and thank God that I get to work in the same industry as these kids and have an opportunity to offer their efforts to my listeners.
Innovative, provocative, inspirational. This is an amazing piece of work; an accolade-laden review can never do it justice. Listen.
All Comments
Comment on piece: Singing in St. Andrews
Noah Miller
Posted on October 20, 2003 at 12:14 PM | Permalink
Review of Singing in St. Andrews
This is about as simple as a radio piece can get, and there's great beauty in that simplicity. I wish the bagpipes hadn't been playing the way-cliche "Amazing Grace", but the charm of the portrait far outweighs that tiny complaint.
Comment on piece: UK Bootlegs and Mashups
Eric Nuzum
Posted on October 17, 2003 at 05:31 AM | Permalink
Review of UK Bootlegs and Mashups
A few editorial notes:
* The piece would be stronger if the reporter would walk through the clear definition of mashups up front. This definition doesn't come until two minutes into the piece. Even then, to someone unfamiliar with mashups, it may not fully explain the concept.
* The piece assumes a knowledge of the source music--which may be a dangerous assumption. How many people know Destiny Child's or Eminem's repertoire well enough to know that what we're hearing is an alteration? Some listeners will get this immediately. Most won't.
* The order of some of the interview cuts could flow a bit better. For example, about 2:30 into the piece, the interviewer asks about any reaction to mashups from record labels. A logical follow-up, about the reaction from artists, doesn't come until several questions later, at 8:15 into the piece. These two questions should have been placed together for a more logical flow.
Comment on piece: Democracy, American-Style: "Mandela...Bush"
Transom Editors
Posted on October 15, 2003 at 03:39 PM | Permalink
Review of Democracy, American-Style: "Mandela...Bush"
This short monologue is worth airing for the ending. It is very affecting. In a few sentences, this South African women communicates the importance of voting in a truly affecting radio moment.
If you air this, and assuming it's okay with the producers, I'd recommend ending on her words, and following with music or some other breather before she identifies herself. The change in tone is awfully abrupt as it is. Alternatively, your local host could do the back announce. -J.A.
Comment on piece: Jehovah's Witness
Transom Editors
Posted on October 14, 2003 at 11:32 AM | Permalink
Review of Jehovah's Witness
Moving, quiet piece. The narrator brings us inside with her sadness and feelings of loss. One hopes her mother can hear her heart. Good for any aged people to hear honest reflection by a young writer. sl
Jake Warga
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 11:04 PM
Review of Who Is Harvey Pekar? (deleted)
A strange, and I fear, accurate portrait of a person by the person. Well timed with the film. I can stand to hear him even after I've seen him, and because I like radio, I think this piece is a clearer 'picture' of Pekar. New adjective: Pekarish.
Comment on piece: Meaning of Life Show: Episode 1 - Music
Jake Warga
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 10:55 AM | Permalink
Review of Meaning of Life Show: Episode 1 - Music
A thorough saunter through music and life. Very BBC-ish. The brevity-bug in me wants to say it can work shortened as well. Something to listen to while you're doing something else kind of piece. Well researched and produced, learned a lot the more I review the piece in my head. Will be interested in the next installment.
Comment on piece: Cyber Democracy and Civic Discourse
Aries Keck
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 10:37 AM | Permalink
Review of Cyber Democracy and Civic Discourse
Interesting and liked the ancedotes, but could have been broader on implications for the implications for the internet overall in government
Comment on piece: Never Too Young
Aries Keck
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 10:10 AM | Permalink
Review of Never Too Young
very unbalanced view from a child who sounds coached - it was a good idea, but by just profiling one child, it seems more like one odd kid and not a view from someone every young who, unlike many adults, is interested in politics
Comment on piece: Lessons From the Fall: A Losing Candidate's Reflections
Aries Keck
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 10:00 AM | Permalink
Review of So You Want to be a Politician?
very very nice look into why people people run for office - fantastic use of a strong personality to get a point across - also showed both sides to the issue - thumbs up
Comment on piece: Arab Americans: Democracy in a New Land
Aries Keck
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 09:42 AM | Permalink
Review of Arab Americans: Democracy in a New Land
nice scenes, gave good view of how Arab Americans view U.S. government, but didn't really say anything new
Comment on piece: The Next Generation: Democracy on Campus
Aries Keck
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 09:34 AM | Permalink
Review of The Next Generation: Democracy on Campus
Nice use of natural sound - the ending was a bit weak - but did give a good idea of what college political groups are like now
Comment on piece: What it Takes to be a Good Citizen
Aries Keck
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 09:24 AM | Permalink
Review of What it Takes to be a Good Citizen
Very good use of natural sound - maybe a little long for its subject matter - but a nice look into two different people's lives
Comment on piece: Democracy Yes, Change No
Aries Keck
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 09:22 AM | Permalink
Review of Democracy Yes, Change No
A good idea - but wish the piece was more compelling - using more natural sounds and building scenes to tell the story
Comment on piece: Welcome to Redistricting Hell
Aries Keck
Posted on October 13, 2003 at 08:59 AM | Permalink
Review of Welcome to Redistricting Hell
good effort - but dry - no good nat sounds or 'scenes' to make the piece glisten
Comment on piece: Damascus Peace Meditation
Transom Editors
Posted on October 10, 2003 at 02:51 PM | Permalink
Review of Damascus Peace Meditation
So brief, but so full. The sounds do something lovely to your body and mind. Like when you are deep in the day-to-day and suddenly look out the window just in time to catch an amazing sunset. Stop, hold the image. This has that quality. sl
Comment on piece: SF school split
Transom Editors
Posted on October 10, 2003 at 02:45 PM | Permalink
Review of SF school split
Good, clear reporting accompanied by lively soundbed and an excellent range of community voices. Immigrant communities around the country have these very problems, so this piece would be valuable listening for much of the nation. Education has lost coverage since our latest war, but it's still a pressing concern for voters, so it will be forever timely. sl
Comment on piece: A Cook's Notebook: Peach Pit Jesus
Eric Nuzum
Posted on October 09, 2003 at 12:51 PM | Permalink
Review of A Cook's Notebook: Peach Pit Jesus
While this piece is a dead-ringer for the style of commentary you'd hear in an NPR magazine, it is refreshing to see a piece like this produced with the restraint necessary to highlight the natural beauty of the story.
A few other notes:
Seasonal: The producer indicates this would be good for August. I'd expand this to fall use as well. Even though it deals with a summer peach stand and canning--listening to it now (in October), it still feels topical. I'd see this as being a useful piece from mid-July though October.
Music: The description mentions theme music, but the piece is unscored.
Comment on piece: call to canada
Michael Joly
Posted on October 09, 2003 at 09:43 AM | Permalink
Review of call to canada
Give it a sec...
ok, give it four minutes to get started, but once Ben Walker connects with the official listener he's seeking you won't be able turn it off. Fresh, and free from irony, this endearing ramble is sure to bring smiles to left-of-center listeners.
Comment on piece: Meaning of Life Show: Episode 1 - Music
Michael Joly
Posted on October 09, 2003 at 09:23 AM | Permalink
Review of Meaning of Life Show: Episode 1 - Music
Despite the big idea title this a sensitive, insightful exploration of seldom-discussed metaphysical beliefs about the mind/body/spirit connection in music. Hosted with an honest integrity, this program has a sound that would fit well in a weekend slot when audiences are relaxed and more generous with their time. A great antidote to the poison of pop music celebrity.
Comment on piece: Oakland Scenes: Snapshots of a Community
Eric Nuzum
Posted on October 09, 2003 at 06:47 AM | Permalink
Review of Oakland Scenes: Snapshots of a Community
I've heard this piece before (on Weekend Edition?). Every time I hear it--it has the same effect: I am sucked in, teleported to the streets of Oakland, and the rest of the world seems suddenly unimportant and small.
When I hear a story like this, I want to drop down on my knees and thank God that I get to work in the same industry as these kids and have an opportunity to offer their efforts to my listeners.
Innovative, provocative, inspirational. This is an amazing piece of work; an accolade-laden review can never do it justice. Listen.