"11 Central Ave." #5 is better than the earlier efforts. The recording and mixing are (and have been) good. Some of the acting is good and some is uneven, which begs the director to take a stronger hand and/or quickly gain more experience, especially since different generations comprise the cast. Producing a weekly, original theatrical piece 4 minutes in length is challenging. Perhaps the series will improve further with sufficient time and patience. I think the single biggest and fastest advance would come with more deftly written scripts. The producer might find that relinquishing a hat or two, and delegating or collaborating more with respect to some tasks, would elevate the results.
An outstanding commentary delivered in clear, eloquent language from a man who speaks from personal experience. Here is a single voice creating a storyteller's images, while exercising a philosopher's power to place persistent questions in mind. After hearing the commentary once, I immediately listened to it again.
This is one of the best documentaries, of any length, I've ever heard. Edits convey the voices of several men to reveal their individual paths and characters while simultaneously underscoring their larger relation to a group. Brilliantly. At times, brief silences carry extra-ordinary impact and/or segue power. Women who have waited for the men's release speak from the depths of their souls. The woman who thanks God for the return of one man simply has to be heard. She will turn you inside-out. This piece deserves to be aired repeatedly, over time. It will engage the largest and most varied audience imaginable. If it were taken into the schools, I believe radio producers of the future would say "Huntsville Prison Blues inspired me to choose the career I'm in."
--Eric Brotman
There is always room for work like this, which can coax a smile and a laugh from listeners. This piece deserves to be licensed. A tasty morsel for those of us comprising the humor-hungry audience sector of public radio. People who sing Karaoke off-key on the radio aren't criminals. They're everyday folks seeking pleasure and fun, and it takes courage for the amateur singers herein to pursue those experiences in public. There's more in here than may first meet the ear. Whether you laugh, cringe, shudder, or feel a vicarious embarassment as you listen, the piece holds you. Bravo.
The opening bell sound and the little story that follows held my attention completely, while the timbre and cadence of Jackson's voice seem well-suited to the meditative, reflective tone of the essay. Bells heard in the piece are used sparingly, but to great effect and perfect punctuation. A skillful blend of verbal musing and evocative sound. I'd enjoy hearing this on the radio anytime, but most particularly in the early morning, when its soothing and thoughtful aspects would match the beginning of day.
Important for both old and young to hear. This audio document has the power to deepen knowledge and rock spirits. The British broadcaster who opens the piece describes the scene and provides a background in a way that elevates journalism to a level seldom, if ever, reached by reporters of today. As for the liberated prisoners of the concentration camp, their singing contains hell and hope at the same time. Most of us may never have heard anything like it. There are scars in their voices.
It's a measure of Ian's talent as a humorist that he can get laughs out of a subject as mundane as a study of the effects desks have on our health. This is a commentary virtually everyone who works behind a desk can appreciate. He also has performed a service by lampooning scientific studies filled with jargon and an absurd seriousness that people often accept as given--- until someone like Ian prompts us to consider them from a different perspective. Added to all of that is a pretty funny exit line.
Comment for
"Primary Sources - Grandfriends" (deleted)
Review of Primary Sources - Grandfriends (deleted)
This piece connects old and young generations, so right away it's providing subject matter too seldom heard on the airwaves today. The adjectives chosen for the tones reflect the honesty of the comments heard. We are not being told what we may want to hear, or expect to hear, but rather what a thoughtful person describes in a nuanced way, i.e., the label of "grandfriend" is both foolish and possibly helpful. I liked the introductory piano instrumental. The one minor weakness (to my sensibility) is the closing music. The lyrics seem neither to underscore nor act as ironic counterpoint to what has gone before it--- but that doesn't stop me from liking this piece.
Comments by Eric Brotman
Comment for "11 Central Ave. #5"
Eric Brotman
Posted on October 03, 2006 at 03:26 PM | Permalink
Review of 11 Central Ave. #5
"11 Central Ave." #5 is better than the earlier efforts. The recording and mixing are (and have been) good. Some of the acting is good and some is uneven, which begs the director to take a stronger hand and/or quickly gain more experience, especially since different generations comprise the cast. Producing a weekly, original theatrical piece 4 minutes in length is challenging. Perhaps the series will improve further with sufficient time and patience. I think the single biggest and fastest advance would come with more deftly written scripts. The producer might find that relinquishing a hat or two, and delegating or collaborating more with respect to some tasks, would elevate the results.
--Eric Brotman
Comment for "People Worth Remembering" (deleted)
Eric Brotman
Posted on May 22, 2006 at 01:57 PM
Review of People Worth Remembering (deleted)
An outstanding commentary delivered in clear, eloquent language from a man who speaks from personal experience. Here is a single voice creating a storyteller's images, while exercising a philosopher's power to place persistent questions in mind. After hearing the commentary once, I immediately listened to it again.
--Eric Brotman
Comment for "Huntsville Prison Blues"
Eric Brotman
Posted on March 03, 2006 at 11:42 AM | Permalink
Review of Huntsville Prison Blues
This is one of the best documentaries, of any length, I've ever heard. Edits convey the voices of several men to reveal their individual paths and characters while simultaneously underscoring their larger relation to a group. Brilliantly. At times, brief silences carry extra-ordinary impact and/or segue power. Women who have waited for the men's release speak from the depths of their souls. The woman who thanks God for the return of one man simply has to be heard. She will turn you inside-out. This piece deserves to be aired repeatedly, over time. It will engage the largest and most varied audience imaginable. If it were taken into the schools, I believe radio producers of the future would say "Huntsville Prison Blues inspired me to choose the career I'm in."
--Eric Brotman
Comment for "The Allure of Karaoke Singing"
Eric Brotman
Posted on February 13, 2006 at 12:22 PM | Permalink
Review of The Allure of Karaoke Singing
There is always room for work like this, which can coax a smile and a laugh from listeners. This piece deserves to be licensed. A tasty morsel for those of us comprising the humor-hungry audience sector of public radio. People who sing Karaoke off-key on the radio aren't criminals. They're everyday folks seeking pleasure and fun, and it takes courage for the amateur singers herein to pursue those experiences in public. There's more in here than may first meet the ear. Whether you laugh, cringe, shudder, or feel a vicarious embarassment as you listen, the piece holds you. Bravo.
Comment for "For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Eric Brotman
Posted on April 29, 2005 at 04:21 PM | Permalink
Review of For Whom the Bell Tolls
The opening bell sound and the little story that follows held my attention completely, while the timbre and cadence of Jackson's voice seem well-suited to the meditative, reflective tone of the essay. Bells heard in the piece are used sparingly, but to great effect and perfect punctuation. A skillful blend of verbal musing and evocative sound. I'd enjoy hearing this on the radio anytime, but most particularly in the early morning, when its soothing and thoughtful aspects would match the beginning of day.
Comment for "Bergen-Belsen"
Eric Brotman
Posted on April 21, 2005 at 12:18 PM | Permalink
Review of Bergen-Belsen
Important for both old and young to hear. This audio document has the power to deepen knowledge and rock spirits. The British broadcaster who opens the piece describes the scene and provides a background in a way that elevates journalism to a level seldom, if ever, reached by reporters of today. As for the liberated prisoners of the concentration camp, their singing contains hell and hope at the same time. Most of us may never have heard anything like it. There are scars in their voices.
Comment for "Is Your Desk Trying to Kill You?"
Eric Brotman
Posted on April 19, 2005 at 12:54 PM | Permalink
Review of Is Your Desk Trying to Kill You?
It's a measure of Ian's talent as a humorist that he can get laughs out of a subject as mundane as a study of the effects desks have on our health. This is a commentary virtually everyone who works behind a desk can appreciate. He also has performed a service by lampooning scientific studies filled with jargon and an absurd seriousness that people often accept as given--- until someone like Ian prompts us to consider them from a different perspective. Added to all of that is a pretty funny exit line.
Comment for "Primary Sources - Grandfriends" (deleted)
Eric Brotman
Posted on April 14, 2005 at 12:09 PM
Review of Primary Sources - Grandfriends (deleted)
This piece connects old and young generations, so right away it's providing subject matter too seldom heard on the airwaves today. The adjectives chosen for the tones reflect the honesty of the comments heard. We are not being told what we may want to hear, or expect to hear, but rather what a thoughtful person describes in a nuanced way, i.e., the label of "grandfriend" is both foolish and possibly helpful. I liked the introductory piano instrumental. The one minor weakness (to my sensibility) is the closing music. The lyrics seem neither to underscore nor act as ironic counterpoint to what has gone before it--- but that doesn't stop me from liking this piece.