Many movies have been made about leaving behind a predictable existence and hopping trains. But this audible program, this sound compilation, is real. Real: unlike any images folks may have seen. There is wonder; there are smells and chilling cold; there is the rythm of music... or is it a train?
Barrett's shows for this series cast a very wide sonic and thematic net for each topical half-hour. This one, about trains, starts with a very funny and quirky interaction between Amtrak's sort-of-human but really mechanical telephone ticket attendant and a mixed-up, not-quite-sure-where-to-go-next actually human potential passenger. From there it's on to Pullman Porters, an amazing hobo story, pure sound and music -- with the elements flowing from one to the other with a kind of intuitive grace. (By the way, if Barrett rides the trains again for this series, it would be worth checking out Reverend A.W. Nix's incredible "Black Diamond Express Train To Hell" sermon.) This is the kind of show that sends your mind and spirit off to some very unexpected place when it pops out of your radio. Public radio in general used to do that a whole lot more than it does these days. Maybe, one day, it will again. We can always hope...
Comments for The Train Plan
This piece belongs to the series "The Plan"
Produced by Barrett Golding/KGLT
Other pieces by Hearing Voices
Rating Summary
2 comments
Sandra Smallwood-Beltran
Posted on April 02, 2006 at 06:12 PM | Permalink
Review of The Plan- Trains
Many movies have been made about leaving behind a predictable existence and hopping trains. But this audible program, this sound compilation, is real. Real: unlike any images folks may have seen. There is wonder; there are smells and chilling cold; there is the rythm of music... or is it a train?
Gary Covino
Posted on March 01, 2006 at 08:05 PM | Permalink
Review of The Plan- Trains
Barrett's shows for this series cast a very wide sonic and thematic net for each topical half-hour. This one, about trains, starts with a very funny and quirky interaction between Amtrak's sort-of-human but really mechanical telephone ticket attendant and a mixed-up, not-quite-sure-where-to-go-next actually human potential passenger. From there it's on to Pullman Porters, an amazing hobo story, pure sound and music -- with the elements flowing from one to the other with a kind of intuitive grace. (By the way, if Barrett rides the trains again for this series, it would be worth checking out Reverend A.W. Nix's incredible "Black Diamond Express Train To Hell" sermon.) This is the kind of show that sends your mind and spirit off to some very unexpected place when it pops out of your radio. Public radio in general used to do that a whole lot more than it does these days. Maybe, one day, it will again. We can always hope...