More from Eve Abrams
Poetic Port of Entry
(00:05:34)
From: Eve Abrams
Meena means "port of entry" in Arabic -- a fitting name for the journal of poetry, art, and literature produced in the ports of New Orleans, Louisiana and Alexandria, Egypt, ...
Adult Play Time
(00:05:46)
From: Eve Abrams
This short documentary (with music!) provides a window into the costuming tradition in New Orleans.
Since The Flood
(00:02:51)
From: Eve Abrams
New Orleanians reflect on their lives in the three years since the failure of the Federal Levees resulting from Hurricane Katrina
Costuming for Mardi Gras
(00:05:30)
From: Eve Abrams
Costuming is a way of life during the Mardi Gras Season
A New Orleans Way of Life: Costuming, Volume I
(00:06:03)
From: Eve Abrams
Step inside the transformative world of costuming -- adult play time in New Orleans
A Mardi Gras Sisyphus Story
(00:05:50)
From: Eve Abrams
Living in New Orleans is like pushing a boulder up a hill
Are we moving yet? (The men of the Fulton Fish Market)
(00:06:40)
From: Eve Abrams
New York City's Fish Market, and its move to the Bronx, from the voices of those who work there.
Related Pieces
Piece Description
What is unique about New Orleans Brass Bands, and why is their sound so infectious and uplifitng? I take a stab at explaining my own addiction to this music, and in the process, share enough samples to to make you a fan too.
3 Comments
|
Review of In Praise of New Orleans Brass BandsThanks for providing a good look at one of New Orleans' most unique traditions. My only regret was that I wish it had been longer and covered more of the bands that make New Orleans their home. |
|
Review of In Praise of New Orleans Brass BandsIt took me a couple of times listening to this piece to decide if I liked it; in the end, I decided I did like it very much. The key to making it work is the writing and delivery of the essay. Producer Eve Abram's enthusiasm for New Orleans brass bands is infectious without being overdone. As a relative newcomer to radio production, she has made a great start. I like the sound of her voice and style of her writing. My only complaint is that she tries to do too much in a single piece, so it can lose its focus. The piece is set up well in the beginning as she is driving into New Orleans and she talks about her love for brass bands, but then it devolves into a funding pitch for WWOZ after an awkward edit. I think the piece would have been better if it had ended at 5:00 and kept the focus on the brass bands, but this is a great effort, and I'll look forward to hearing more from this producer. |
Transcript
An Homage to New Orleans, Home of the Brass Bands
The second time I drove to New Orleans from Brooklyn, I made sure to enter by way of the Causeway over Lake Pontchartrain. The Causeway is 24 miles long, which means that for 24 miles you glide over water, New Orleans either just behind you, or even better, ahead to the left. I love New Orleans. I love its Caribbean-ness and its craziness. But maybe more than anything, I love the brass bands. As I drove into New Orleans over Lake Pontchartrain my hand reached instinctively for the radio: 90.7, WWOZ. It was the brass band hour.
In my northern safety, I comb over my memories. I fill the air with music from the Crescent City. I flip through my photographs and pretend that those particular colors and shadows are still intact. It’s like a loose tooth I can’t keep my tongue from wiggling. Like feeding an addiction. I can’t stop t...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
Suggested host intro:
Before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the city was famous for its grille work, its food, and of course, its music. Considered by many the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans is also where a very particular type of brass music originates. Straight from the streets, springs the Brass Bands.
Musical Works
"Rolling Hard," The Soul Rebels, The Greatest Band of All Time;
1:02 (:14 and :09 in the clear)
"Rebels," The Soul Rebels, The Greatest Band of All Time; 1:42
(:05 and :07 in the clear)
"Santa Cruzin," The Soul Rebels, Let Your Mind Be Free, Mardi Gras 1020, 1994; :30 (:06 in the clear)
"Let it Roll," The Soul Rebels, Rebelution, Barn Burner Music, 2004; :35 (:08 in the clear)
"Where You From," Stooges New Orleans Brass Band, It's About Time, Gruve 1006, 2003; :57 (:18 and :09 in the clear)
"Old Man," Stooges New Orleans Brass Band, It's About Time, Gruve 1006, 2003; :59 (:06, :07, :24 in the clear)
Of 2 purchasers of this piece...
- 9 also bought:
- 9 also bought:
Dave Brubeck on Cultural Exchange (00:01:59) - 9 also bought:
Dave Brubeck on Russia and Jazz (00:02:00) - 9 also bought:
Dave Brubeck on the Oneness of Man and Music (00:01:29) - 9 also bought:
Noah Chandler
Posted on May 08, 2007 at 03:40 PM | Permalink
Review of In Praise of New Orleans Brass Bands
Overall, a good use of music and most definitely some great writing and narration. You provoke some great imagery in this piece!