This piece has three outstanding strengths: a beautifully accented voice (at least to these American ears), the charm of hearing a British citizen's perspective on current events (again, to this American), and rich production so the voice is resonate with personality. Sadly, the piece seems uneven in tone, attitude, and thought quality. I don't mind hearing a strongly opinionated person's thoughts, but I hope for a clearly articulated point of view with a commensurate (and consistent) tone. I had trouble telling where this guy was coming from. Nonetheless, it was worth my time to listen.
Strong production values (evoking a couple riding in a car) and good voices make listening to the vignette enjoyable. Theatre-of-the-air stuff. Clearly, the woman is more comfortable with intimacy than her partner. Sadly, the story line doesn't seem as developed as it might be--there's some missed potential. So the ride of the vignette is more enjoyable than the destination. (Not so much a "Huh?" reaction to the conclusion of the vignette as much as a "That's all?!" one.)
I really like the concept of "Delegate's Diary": on-the-spot interviews of people involved in the political process. This segment is interesting because of the jejune insights of a young delegate. (I don't mean "jejune" is a pejorative way, just descriptive.) The segment has a blog-like quality to it, and it's a little rough. I enjoy the rich atmosphere of background noises which evoke downtime at a public gathering.
Because I had not read the production notes carefully, I was surprised to find myself listening to fiction. I like to think my experience might duplicate that of a radio listener who happens upon the piece, without really knowing what he/she is hearing. I found myself intrigued because of the narrative and character development. (Of course, I’m always a sucker for plot.) The connections among the kitchen, the plum, and the tenuous marriage seem thoughtful and clear, despite the brevity of the piece. I might wish for richer production values. The recording sounds a little shallow (tinny?)–I’d like the reader’s voice to be recorded so its distinctive resonance comes through. A short story like this depends on voice (of both kinds . . . voice of the story’s narrator and voice of the story’s reader).
If one is looking for quick, factual capsules about each of the fifty states and if one wishes to hear easy-listening versions of state songs, then "The American State Songbook" is a good series. The formula of each program’s structure has a potentially comforting familiarity to it, and provides some painless education. The programs are not burdened with explanation or analysis, either of the political issues surrounding the selection of official states songs or of the distinctive musical styles of the various songs. It would be interesting to explore the cultural values that underlie state songs, perhaps both popular perceptions by state residents and a more disinterested examination by a historian. Some additional question might be explored, such as “Why does Kansas get to have 'Home on the Range' when it clearly should be Wyoming's state song?”
If one is looking for quick, factual capsules about each of the fifty states and if one wishes to hear easy-listening versions of state songs, then "The American State Songbook" is a good series. The formula of each program’s structure has a potentially comforting familiarity to it, and provides some painless education. The programs are not burdened with explanation or analysis, either of the political issues surrounding the selection of official states songs or of the distinctive musical styles of the various songs. It would be interesting to explore the cultural values that underlie state songs, perhaps both popular perceptions by state residents and a more disinterested examination by a historian. Some additional question might be explored, such as “Why did Nebraska get a new state song in 1967?” (
Answer: Centennial year.)
If one is looking for quick, factual capsules about each of the fifty states and if one wishes to hear easy-listening versions of state songs, then "The American State Songbook" is a good series. The formula of each program’s structure has a potentially comforting familiarity to it, and provides some painless education. The programs are not burdened with explanation or analysis, either of the political issues surrounding the selection of official states songs or of the distinctive musical styles of the various songs. It would be interesting to explore the cultural values that underlie state songs, perhaps both popular perceptions by state residents and a more disinterested examination by a historian. Some additional question might be explored, such as “Why does Arkansas have two songs?”
Comments by Deb Koelling
Comment for "Kill or Be Killed"
Deb Koelling
Posted on August 10, 2004 at 02:30 PM | Permalink
Review of Kill or Be Killed
This piece has three outstanding strengths: a beautifully accented voice (at least to these American ears), the charm of hearing a British citizen's perspective on current events (again, to this American), and rich production so the voice is resonate with personality. Sadly, the piece seems uneven in tone, attitude, and thought quality. I don't mind hearing a strongly opinionated person's thoughts, but I hope for a clearly articulated point of view with a commensurate (and consistent) tone. I had trouble telling where this guy was coming from. Nonetheless, it was worth my time to listen.
Comment for "We're Lost"
Deb Koelling
Posted on August 10, 2004 at 02:19 PM | Permalink
Review of We're Lost
Strong production values (evoking a couple riding in a car) and good voices make listening to the vignette enjoyable. Theatre-of-the-air stuff. Clearly, the woman is more comfortable with intimacy than her partner. Sadly, the story line doesn't seem as developed as it might be--there's some missed potential. So the ride of the vignette is more enjoyable than the destination. (Not so much a "Huh?" reaction to the conclusion of the vignette as much as a "That's all?!" one.)
Comment for "Delegate Diary-Joshua Davis"
Deb Koelling
Posted on August 10, 2004 at 01:55 PM | Permalink
Review of Delegate Diary-Joshua Davis
I really like the concept of "Delegate's Diary": on-the-spot interviews of people involved in the political process. This segment is interesting because of the jejune insights of a young delegate. (I don't mean "jejune" is a pejorative way, just descriptive.) The segment has a blog-like quality to it, and it's a little rough. I enjoy the rich atmosphere of background noises which evoke downtime at a public gathering.
Comment for "A Cook's Notebook: The Plum"
Deb Koelling
Posted on August 10, 2004 at 01:37 PM | Permalink
Review of A Cook's Notebook: The Plum
Because I had not read the production notes carefully, I was surprised to find myself listening to fiction. I like to think my experience might duplicate that of a radio listener who happens upon the piece, without really knowing what he/she is hearing. I found myself intrigued because of the narrative and character development. (Of course, I’m always a sucker for plot.) The connections among the kitchen, the plum, and the tenuous marriage seem thoughtful and clear, despite the brevity of the piece. I might wish for richer production values. The recording sounds a little shallow (tinny?)–I’d like the reader’s voice to be recorded so its distinctive resonance comes through. A short story like this depends on voice (of both kinds . . . voice of the story’s narrator and voice of the story’s reader).
Comment for "Wyoming"
Deb Koelling
Posted on August 10, 2004 at 01:21 PM | Permalink
Review of Wyoming
If one is looking for quick, factual capsules about each of the fifty states and if one wishes to hear easy-listening versions of state songs, then "The American State Songbook" is a good series. The formula of each program’s structure has a potentially comforting familiarity to it, and provides some painless education. The programs are not burdened with explanation or analysis, either of the political issues surrounding the selection of official states songs or of the distinctive musical styles of the various songs. It would be interesting to explore the cultural values that underlie state songs, perhaps both popular perceptions by state residents and a more disinterested examination by a historian. Some additional question might be explored, such as “Why does Kansas get to have 'Home on the Range' when it clearly should be Wyoming's state song?”
Comment for "Nebraska"
Deb Koelling
Posted on August 10, 2004 at 01:16 PM | Permalink
Review of Nebraska
If one is looking for quick, factual capsules about each of the fifty states and if one wishes to hear easy-listening versions of state songs, then "The American State Songbook" is a good series. The formula of each program’s structure has a potentially comforting familiarity to it, and provides some painless education. The programs are not burdened with explanation or analysis, either of the political issues surrounding the selection of official states songs or of the distinctive musical styles of the various songs. It would be interesting to explore the cultural values that underlie state songs, perhaps both popular perceptions by state residents and a more disinterested examination by a historian. Some additional question might be explored, such as “Why did Nebraska get a new state song in 1967?” (
Answer: Centennial year.)
Comment for "Arkansas"
Deb Koelling
Posted on August 10, 2004 at 01:13 PM | Permalink
Review of Arkansas
If one is looking for quick, factual capsules about each of the fifty states and if one wishes to hear easy-listening versions of state songs, then "The American State Songbook" is a good series. The formula of each program’s structure has a potentially comforting familiarity to it, and provides some painless education. The programs are not burdened with explanation or analysis, either of the political issues surrounding the selection of official states songs or of the distinctive musical styles of the various songs. It would be interesting to explore the cultural values that underlie state songs, perhaps both popular perceptions by state residents and a more disinterested examination by a historian. Some additional question might be explored, such as “Why does Arkansas have two songs?”