- Playing
- Life Stories - Memory
- From
- Jay Allison
These are public radio stories made over many years, by producer Jay Allison -- working together with Christina Egloff, and friends, colleagues, neighbors, strangers and whoever would take the loan of one of his tape recorders. They are are stories about life as we find it, and record it. HOST: Alex Chadwick In this hour: Beginnings (9:45) A chorus of artists recalling the moment they began. Jack Murdurian Sings (6:00) The sound of art and memory fused on an audio cassette. How many songs can he sing in 45 minues without stopping? Produced with David Greenberger. Jungles of Memory (23:15) A story of war and sanctuary, of beasts and obsession, the story of James McMullen and the Florida Panther. Lead Producer, Christina Egloff. Cypress Knees (12:55) The 70-year-old King of the cypress swamp has trouble remembering exactly where he is, even as he scampers barefoot along a single board catwalk suspended above the slough. Ghosts (4:00) Even though she's not sure there are, writer Carol Wasserman hopes there are ghosts next door. Produced with Viki Merrick.
More from Jay Allison
Dad and Sam (Locked in Brotherhood)
(00:04:43)
From: Jay Allison
A short meditation on the relationship between my father and his mentally disabled older brother, Sam.
Life Stories - Families: Fathers, Sons & Brothers
(00:59:04)
From: Jay Allison
Four stories of men and family
Life Stories - Jobs: Women at Work
(00:59:07)
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Three portraits of women working - A pastor, a seasonal worker, and a judge
Life Stories - Jobs: Teaching ("Educating Esme')
(00:59:03)
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The Diary of a First Year Teacher, "Educating Esme." One hour of a five-hour series of first-person portraits.
Life Stories - Families: Women and Children
(00:59:04)
From: Jay Allison
Three stories of young women - Concerning Breakfast, The Trapeze Artist, Alone Like a Stone. One hour of a five-hour series of first-person portraits.
Butterfiles of Michoacan (A Postcard from Mexico)
(00:03:17)
From: Jay Allison
Carmen Delzell tells about Michoacan and the Day of the Dead and the monarch butterflies. Like all Carmen's pieces, it's very personal, but reaches out with a delicate ...
Hotel Isabel (A Postcard from Mexico)
(00:04:33)
From: Jay Allison
Carmen Delzell writes about her travels in Mexico and one of her favorite enchanted cheap hotels, the Hotel Isabel "on the edge of time." This piece was produced in 1999, ...
Garden of Eden (A Postcard from Mexico)
(00:05:57)
From: Jay Allison
Carmen Delzell with another lovely meditation on the mysteries of travel and her semi-magical, melancholy life in Mexico. Like all these pieces it was recorded in the late ...
San Miguel (A Postcard From Mexico)
(00:04:17)
From: Jay Allison
In this essay, Carmen Delzell tells how she initially left Texas and moved down to Mexico with no ability to speak Spanish and $600 cash from used stuff she sold. She writes ...
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Piece Description
These are public radio stories made over many years, by producer Jay Allison -- working together with Christina Egloff, and friends, colleagues, neighbors, strangers and whoever would take the loan of one of his tape recorders. They are are stories about life as we find it, and record it. HOST: Alex Chadwick In this hour: Beginnings (9:45) A chorus of artists recalling the moment they began. Jack Murdurian Sings (6:00) The sound of art and memory fused on an audio cassette. How many songs can he sing in 45 minues without stopping? Produced with David Greenberger. Jungles of Memory (23:15) A story of war and sanctuary, of beasts and obsession, the story of James McMullen and the Florida Panther. Lead Producer, Christina Egloff. Cypress Knees (12:55) The 70-year-old King of the cypress swamp has trouble remembering exactly where he is, even as he scampers barefoot along a single board catwalk suspended above the slough. Ghosts (4:00) Even though she's not sure there are, writer Carol Wasserman hopes there are ghosts next door. Produced with Viki Merrick.
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Eric Nuzum
Posted on January 13, 2004 at 03:43 PM | Permalink
Review of Life Stories - Memory
The program flows incredibly well, seamlessly moving from piece to piece with musical breaks in between (which leads to my one criticism of the program: the music bridges are too long--it feels like the are filling time). Every element of this program illustrates why Jay has achieved his stature and reputation. The nat sound, writing, production, and editorial touch are generous, flawless, and evocative.
A favorite is a Lost and Found Sound piece by Jay with David Greenberger (author of the Duplex Planet 'zine and books) featuring "Jack," an elderly nursing home resident who claimed to have "more songs than Sinatra." Greenberger challenged him to sing for 45 minutes straight--the length of a cassette side. The piece's only audio (beside the narration) is Jack singing--and does throughout. It is odd, attention-grabbing, and somewhat humorous. Greenberger's narration provides all the back story and context over top of Jack's crooning. It feels natural, and his respectful and thoughtful comments weave nicely with the audio of Jack, pointing out the humor and quirks of Jack's worldview without passing judgment or making fun of him.
Another favorite is a Allison family trip to Florida that illustrates the beauty in unexpected experiences.
Impeccable production, highly listenable, and the most quietly engaging stories you'll find anywhere. Programs like this don't make the world bigger--it makes them smaller, and that feels good.
Folks, this is as close to perfection as it gets. Schedule the whole damn series.
One other thing: when offering an hour long series, it's always nice to offer a 30 second promo and some support materials to help stations promote your special/documentary.