Oh those neighbors to the north. They do have their quirks. This short essay tells us the story of bad santas. Those santas just not suited for the job. "There oughta be a law!" He says, and we learn that indeed in Canada, there is such a law.
A fun and fast romp of a story. Easy to throw in anywhere in a program schedule. The voice is friendly, fatherly, and - dare I say - "hung by the chimney with care!"
A straight-ahead short-story. Short and to the point. Tells us the metaphoric story of things going bad at the construction site of a gingerbread house.
The voice is alone, no effects, no ambience.
Great if you're looking to nab that candy store on main street as an underwriter!
Surprisingly quiet piece, (considering it was recorded on a New York subway.) First person story punctuated with sounds of the subway, the subject singing, and clear thought provoking moments. Somewhat in the TAL narrative style with the subject telling his own story.
There's an anachronistic quality of singing gospel on today's subway car. The subject singing, and sliding into the middle of If I Ever Knew The Lord Before the words "thank you," as someone gives him a buck.
Heavy use of stereo production techniques to provide a realistic image of subway travel. Maybe I'll see this guy next time I'm in the Big Apple.
Intriguing insights from a photo lab developer regarding the photos of people he has seen through the years. Suggests he's not seen any one family grow up, but has seen collections of many families. Pieces and parts of people lives, in successive convolutions.
Narration is minimal, just enough provide extra focus.
The subject is very serious about his work, and this makes the interview that much more interesting. Narrative chases the ironic aspects of this point of view.
This is a nice, simple, sound piece. Producer lets the subject tell his story with little interference. One gets the feeling this photo lab technician would espouse at length on any number of subjects given the opportunity.
Good choice of voices, nice variety. Good choice of music. It's a juiced up vox pop. No narration, short snippets of women talking about thier sisters. Sometimes the sisters sound so much alike between the crosscuts that its hard to tell them apart! Very sweet stuff. Not sure if there was plot developing - or other story line.
A straight on personal essay. Very personal. The mention of human teeth in this context is disturbing each time it is mentioned. It is a sideways political commentary using personal reference points from the writer's own family history. The shock value of the "teeth" serves to distract from the real point of the story, which is to show disgust with the American atrocities in Abu Ghraib prison, and provide a measuring stick for our own ability to inflict torture. A difficult piece to place on the air, and a little rough around the edges.
Not really an essay, more a prose poem piece, a la Stephen Dunn. Pretty in this way. The writing rhythmic, yet smooth on its edges. Ripe for some music in and out of the piece, but easily added by a station.
The narration is stark, yet the voice itself soft. And that lends to the dichotomy of the short plot. The story captures a moment we're all familiar with, that briefest of flirtations, a momentary crush, very much in a moment, then a reality check on our emotions, the doors open and off we go.
Comments by Bill Palladino
Comment for "Santa Laws"
Bill Palladino
Posted on December 14, 2004 at 10:35 AM | Permalink
Review of Santa Laws
Oh those neighbors to the north. They do have their quirks. This short essay tells us the story of bad santas. Those santas just not suited for the job. "There oughta be a law!" He says, and we learn that indeed in Canada, there is such a law.
A fun and fast romp of a story. Easy to throw in anywhere in a program schedule. The voice is friendly, fatherly, and - dare I say - "hung by the chimney with care!"
Comment for "A Cook's Notebook: Gingerbread Houses"
Bill Palladino
Posted on December 13, 2004 at 05:58 PM | Permalink
Review of A Cook's Notebook: Gingerbread Houses
A straight-ahead short-story. Short and to the point. Tells us the metaphoric story of things going bad at the construction site of a gingerbread house.
The voice is alone, no effects, no ambience.
Great if you're looking to nab that candy store on main street as an underwriter!
Comment for "Solo One"
Bill Palladino
Posted on December 13, 2004 at 05:51 PM | Permalink
Review of Solo One
Surprisingly quiet piece, (considering it was recorded on a New York subway.) First person story punctuated with sounds of the subway, the subject singing, and clear thought provoking moments. Somewhat in the TAL narrative style with the subject telling his own story.
There's an anachronistic quality of singing gospel on today's subway car. The subject singing, and sliding into the middle of If I Ever Knew The Lord Before the words "thank you," as someone gives him a buck.
Heavy use of stereo production techniques to provide a realistic image of subway travel. Maybe I'll see this guy next time I'm in the Big Apple.
Nice longer piece for a morning's listening.
Comment for "We see it all: life through the eyes of a photo developer"
Bill Palladino
Posted on December 12, 2004 at 06:19 PM | Permalink
Review of We see it all: life through the eyes of a photo developer
Intriguing insights from a photo lab developer regarding the photos of people he has seen through the years. Suggests he's not seen any one family grow up, but has seen collections of many families. Pieces and parts of people lives, in successive convolutions.
Narration is minimal, just enough provide extra focus.
The subject is very serious about his work, and this makes the interview that much more interesting. Narrative chases the ironic aspects of this point of view.
This is a nice, simple, sound piece. Producer lets the subject tell his story with little interference. One gets the feeling this photo lab technician would espouse at length on any number of subjects given the opportunity.
The piece draws you in. It's enjoyable.
Comment for "Sisters"
Bill Palladino
Posted on December 09, 2004 at 12:18 PM | Permalink
Review of Sisters
Good choice of voices, nice variety. Good choice of music. It's a juiced up vox pop. No narration, short snippets of women talking about thier sisters. Sometimes the sisters sound so much alike between the crosscuts that its hard to tell them apart! Very sweet stuff. Not sure if there was plot developing - or other story line.
Comment for "A Memento of War"
Bill Palladino
Posted on December 09, 2004 at 12:10 PM | Permalink
Review of A Memento of War
A straight on personal essay. Very personal. The mention of human teeth in this context is disturbing each time it is mentioned. It is a sideways political commentary using personal reference points from the writer's own family history. The shock value of the "teeth" serves to distract from the real point of the story, which is to show disgust with the American atrocities in Abu Ghraib prison, and provide a measuring stick for our own ability to inflict torture. A difficult piece to place on the air, and a little rough around the edges.
Comment for "The Q train" (deleted)
Bill Palladino
Posted on December 09, 2004 at 11:52 AM
Review of The Q train (deleted)
Not really an essay, more a prose poem piece, a la Stephen Dunn. Pretty in this way. The writing rhythmic, yet smooth on its edges. Ripe for some music in and out of the piece, but easily added by a station.
The narration is stark, yet the voice itself soft. And that lends to the dichotomy of the short plot. The story captures a moment we're all familiar with, that briefest of flirtations, a momentary crush, very much in a moment, then a reality check on our emotions, the doors open and off we go.