Yes! A great piece to add to a New Year's special. Being that it's family, and it's a secret recording, and you've heard a taste of what the sound will be like, the suspense ends up being absolutely intense. I love it. You're just dying to hear the sad geese sound and then you get it and it lives up to the suspense. I do enjoy this piece.
Comment for
"Alcoholidays (or, "Facing the holidays...without booze")" (deleted)
Review of Alcoholidays (or, "Facing the holidays...without booze") (deleted)
This is a good general look at alocholics, but with so many voices, it's more of a great vox pop than an in-depth story. I'm thinking I'd like to hear from just one person and I'd like to hear the entire night of New Year's. That is, I guess, if that person actually went to a new year's party. And was she nervous before? And then during the night, as people get drunker and drunker, you could show her reactions or how boring it is. That's just one idea. It was a nice glimpse at some alcoholics but I feel there could be deeper stuff there that I'm not hearing.
Engaging and upbeat is an understatement. It's James Brown! Lovely lovely piece. It will be perfect to air on New Year's Day. That is- the 6:30 piece. So smart of you all to make pieces of so many different lengths. This story is basically just fans talking about the man (The Mr. James Brown, of course); then hearing what it's like in the concert; then fans reactions after. But with great writing and description about the concert and James Brown. And for people like me, who have been listening to James Brown for so long but never went to see him play, this piece gives you a taste of that experience.
I'm really enjoying the SF/NY dialogue. At first I tried to figure out - is that just cause I'm constantly talking about this east vs. west issue? But I think it is relevant for the rest of the country (especially after reading the rest of the reviews) and actually, it really fits the Seattle vs. east discussion, too. The story does do a good job of broadening it to a life question, not just a city-specific question.
Comment for
"New Life for Old Running Shoes" (deleted)
Review of New Life for Old Running Shoes (deleted)
Good environmental news story. Would be good for a mix of stories about the environment, or perhaps a mix of stories about specific charities or way to take action or donate to charities.
How about also including a description of the hip hop haggadah? I wasn't familiar with it and now I'm dying to hear more of it. Of course-it'd be even better if you could offer it for stations to download and broadcast- and then they could air them back to back. The hip hop seder (or at least some of it) and then this story.
I'm left just really craving hearing more of the music- even just 40 seconds or one full minute of it! If you could get permission, then what about adding that to the end of the story?
Otherwise- it's great- as far as the story, the interview, and the mix -all well done.
The cigarette discussion right at the beginning was a good idea. Makes it hit home how tough this is. (and throwing in a cut from him in the middle "going to the car for cigarettes." ) Then there's a double-whammy of getting that idea at the end when, after all this trouble, he says he actually isn't worried about anything because he's just happy to be alive. Great piece. Great mix- of sound as well as what cuts you chose to use.
It could use some music at the end to give it a conclusion but I'm guessing that's not on there because it was produced for an hour-long show -and a station can easily add that.
It would be good to add to a show about reflection or storms or New Orleans or personal struggle. It's heartfelt- that's also why it's good. You feel lucky to hear this guy's intimate thoughts.
I just love this story. It reminds me of high school. Not in a way I've gotten through books, movies, anything. I mean I really feel my friends in high school, and us driving around talking about stuff. Once again, because it's radio it's probably moreso true than it would be in a movie, because I imagine these guys looking like MY friends.
And the way Sean's best friend is frank w/him. Maybe that also hits home for me and reminds me of old high school friends.
It flows naturally from scene to scene, and feels effortless. And it's sad without being too obvious.
One thing I will say is that it's unclear what happened to Sean. I'm afraid that "Sean left us" means he passed away although I hope it just means he left for the army. I will find out soon from Tatiana.
Lovely lovely story. So much emotion, so much sadness without spelling it all out for you. I thought I'd hear from the son at the end of the story, but then as the story progressed I realized the son was already gone. If that was a conscious choice, it was a good one because the son IS gone for Sturge so we sort of feel that emptiness, too, cause WE never get to hear from him.
Comments by Sara Lerner
Comment for "A Clandestine Recording of My Parents at New Year's"
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 29, 2006 at 02:20 PM | Permalink
Review of A Clandestine Recording of My Parents at New Year's
Yes! A great piece to add to a New Year's special. Being that it's family, and it's a secret recording, and you've heard a taste of what the sound will be like, the suspense ends up being absolutely intense. I love it. You're just dying to hear the sad geese sound and then you get it and it lives up to the suspense. I do enjoy this piece.
Comment for "Alcoholidays (or, "Facing the holidays...without booze")" (deleted)
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 29, 2006 at 10:52 AM
Review of Alcoholidays (or, "Facing the holidays...without booze") (deleted)
This is a good general look at alocholics, but with so many voices, it's more of a great vox pop than an in-depth story. I'm thinking I'd like to hear from just one person and I'd like to hear the entire night of New Year's. That is, I guess, if that person actually went to a new year's party. And was she nervous before? And then during the night, as people get drunker and drunker, you could show her reactions or how boring it is. That's just one idea. It was a nice glimpse at some alcoholics but I feel there could be deeper stuff there that I'm not hearing.
Comment for "In Search of James Brown: An Appreciation (58:00 / 53:00 / 29:00 or 6:30 Feature)"
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 29, 2006 at 08:33 AM | Permalink
Review of In Search of James Brown: An Appreciation (58:00 / 53:00 / 29:00 or 6:30 Feature)
Engaging and upbeat is an understatement. It's James Brown! Lovely lovely piece. It will be perfect to air on New Year's Day. That is- the 6:30 piece. So smart of you all to make pieces of so many different lengths. This story is basically just fans talking about the man (The Mr. James Brown, of course); then hearing what it's like in the concert; then fans reactions after. But with great writing and description about the concert and James Brown. And for people like me, who have been listening to James Brown for so long but never went to see him play, this piece gives you a taste of that experience.
Comment for "Different Worlds - Moving From NY to San Fran"
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 19, 2006 at 12:58 PM | Permalink
Review of Different Worlds - Moving From NY to San Fran
I'm really enjoying the SF/NY dialogue. At first I tried to figure out - is that just cause I'm constantly talking about this east vs. west issue? But I think it is relevant for the rest of the country (especially after reading the rest of the reviews) and actually, it really fits the Seattle vs. east discussion, too. The story does do a good job of broadening it to a life question, not just a city-specific question.
Comment for "New Life for Old Running Shoes" (deleted)
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 19, 2006 at 12:11 PM
Review of New Life for Old Running Shoes (deleted)
Good environmental news story. Would be good for a mix of stories about the environment, or perhaps a mix of stories about specific charities or way to take action or donate to charities.
Comment for "Final Exit"
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 19, 2006 at 12:01 PM | Permalink
Review of Final Exit
I second that. Great piece. The music adds to it in just the right way. And the piece is definitely not limited to airing around New Year's.
Comment for "Time- Sands"
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 15, 2006 at 09:21 AM | Permalink
Review of Time- Sands [Joe Frank]
Lovely lovely lovely.
Comment for "Hip-Hop Passover"
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 14, 2006 at 01:40 PM | Permalink
Review of Hip-Hop Passover
How about also including a description of the hip hop haggadah? I wasn't familiar with it and now I'm dying to hear more of it. Of course-it'd be even better if you could offer it for stations to download and broadcast- and then they could air them back to back. The hip hop seder (or at least some of it) and then this story.
I'm left just really craving hearing more of the music- even just 40 seconds or one full minute of it! If you could get permission, then what about adding that to the end of the story?
Otherwise- it's great- as far as the story, the interview, and the mix -all well done.
Comment for "Katrina Photojournalist John McCusker"
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 14, 2006 at 12:55 PM | Permalink
Review of Katrina Photojournalist John McCusker
The cigarette discussion right at the beginning was a good idea. Makes it hit home how tough this is. (and throwing in a cut from him in the middle "going to the car for cigarettes." ) Then there's a double-whammy of getting that idea at the end when, after all this trouble, he says he actually isn't worried about anything because he's just happy to be alive. Great piece. Great mix- of sound as well as what cuts you chose to use.
It could use some music at the end to give it a conclusion but I'm guessing that's not on there because it was produced for an hour-long show -and a station can easily add that.
It would be good to add to a show about reflection or storms or New Orleans or personal struggle. It's heartfelt- that's also why it's good. You feel lucky to hear this guy's intimate thoughts.
Comment for "Off to the Army"
Sara Lerner
Posted on May 24, 2006 at 06:57 PM | Permalink
Review of Off to the Army
I just love this story. It reminds me of high school. Not in a way I've gotten through books, movies, anything. I mean I really feel my friends in high school, and us driving around talking about stuff. Once again, because it's radio it's probably moreso true than it would be in a movie, because I imagine these guys looking like MY friends.
And the way Sean's best friend is frank w/him. Maybe that also hits home for me and reminds me of old high school friends.
It flows naturally from scene to scene, and feels effortless. And it's sad without being too obvious.
One thing I will say is that it's unclear what happened to Sean. I'm afraid that "Sean left us" means he passed away although I hope it just means he left for the army. I will find out soon from Tatiana.
Comment for "Measure, Measure, Measure"
Sara Lerner
Posted on April 25, 2006 at 09:54 AM | Permalink
Review of Measure, Measure, Measure
Lovely lovely story. So much emotion, so much sadness without spelling it all out for you. I thought I'd hear from the son at the end of the story, but then as the story progressed I realized the son was already gone. If that was a conscious choice, it was a good one because the son IS gone for Sturge so we sort of feel that emptiness, too, cause WE never get to hear from him.