"The Making of the War of the Worlds Broadcast"

Though 20 years old, this program, like the original War of the Worlds, still rates a listen. Thankfully, the producer interviewed WOW producer John Housman not long before he died (on Halloween of…
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Cars, Scars and Handlebars

Lively, engaging look at the world of bike messengers. Perfect for biking season. Interviews conducted at Chicago biker bars, messenger bars, that is, are entertaining, as are person-on-the-street…
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11 Central Ave #83. Plagiarism, written by James Reiss.

I happened to be in Chicago when this aired during mid-morning news programming and it was a refreshing break from the madness of the day. Two parents, one slightly more neurotic than the other, fret…
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Asian-American Special - Don Ho Tribute (58:59 or 59:59)

Hearing Ho?s version of ?Tiny Bubbles? has heretofore been the limit of my Don Ho experience. No more. I am not about to rush out and buy Don Ho?s greatest hits, mind you, but this smoothly produced…
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An Angel-headed Hipster's Howl

This lively reflection on the origins of "Howl" manages to be both lyrical and analytical, and is a great way to commemorate the 10th year of Ginsberg's corporeal absence from the planet. Poets who…
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ONLY IN AMERICA: Program 6. No Dogs or Jews Allowed: The Story of Antisemitism in America.

This is a very interesting hour of informative, fast-moving narrative skillfully threading together interviews, archival audio, and on-the-money music -- well edited, and thoughtfully produced. The…
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For Kindred Spirits

What a very lovely compilation of stories about animals, feeling and being connected in this world. We hear about everything from elephants to porcupines, along with lots of cat and dog tales, of…
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Shabbat: Conserving the World - An Earth Day Special

Agnostic that I am, I found this an interesting, though restless-making hour. Which is ironic, since Shabbbat is all about slowing down. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch does a fine job of explaining the…
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Caught Live in the Act

I am always happy to hear live music, off-key, off-mic, included. This year-end offering of some of the best live performances recorded by KUT is a pleasing, well-produced hour. David Brown hosts in…
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Mary Jo's Kitchen - Hand-dipped candy

There is no "tones" choice labeled: mouth-watering, but Mary Jo's crisp enunciation, well-paced delivery, and clear directives have left me hankering after chocolate coated pecans and I am not…
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Cool Yule

I have to admit, Aimee Mann does not spring to mind as a Christmas music kinda gal, nor does the Hawaiian born Bette Midler, come to think of it. But they, along with emotive Canadian…
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My Favorite Things

An amusing rumination that wanders from a look at one reason Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic, "My Favorite Things," (originally sung in a summer rainstorm) is such a holiday classic, to Hanukkah's…
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Baby, It's Cold Outside

Such a great song, and to hear Margaret Whiting's nightclub booze and smoke-cured sounding voice tell the back-story to the song's origin and her own recording is a fine winter story. Not a…
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Turkey Hunting Tips

Pleasing oral history nugget. This is a man who knows and understands the nuances of turkey mind: "Believe it or not, turkey's not a lot different than people." He has what I call a true accent, and…
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The Man Who Didn't Die

Dick Meister opens his compelling history nugget with the 1915 execution of Joe Hill, condemned organizer for Industrial Workers of the World, and moves back in time to explain what the fiery labor…
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