Laine goes beyond the boring staid boundries of usual reporters to find the local meaning of an exceedingly important local story. I particularly like that she didn't focus on the obvious iconic building but she went across the street to talk with the neighbors and ran into the Montana family matriarch. For this important story, only Laine will capture the "WHY" of the who, what, when and why.
Yes everyone makes an audio documentary at CDS but for me, learning the craft was secondary to experiencing the best of radio for a wonderful week.
The CDS staff and nationally celebrated producers curated a week of classics radio productions for our listenings. For the first time in my life, radio wasn't a solitary experience. It was a celebration with fellow radio-philes and the leaders of the field.
Sure, I made my first and second documentaries at CDS and they were a thrill. However, I will always consider myself a listener, instead of a producer of radio and CDS was (and will be again in the future) my mecca for experiencing great radio.
These guys consistently turn out great documentaries on topics that only regional insiders know about. They capture Americana culture that is dying for exposure and merits the highest artistic accolades yet somehow never makes it outside of neighborhood adulation. Isn't that the highest form of documentary?
A Radio Diaries piece is like the vintage 1960's Zenith portable radio I keep next to my bed - "The quality goes in before the name goes on." This is another wonderful piece from those folks with the great ears at Radio Diaries.
John has this knack for finding the obvious, compelling stories that are hidden in plain sight. More to the point, he presents stories of the forgotten people. Prisoners, the exiled, military wives, farm workers - people without a voice. With John's great treatment, these forgotten people's plights are voiced and the injustice is beautifully addressed because John's pieces don't just sing, they sing opera.
This racial cleansing story is great example of John's eye for a story. In our youth, we Americans were all taught about the Civil War and its bloody aftermath but somehow we fooled ourselves into believing that our terrible history was as far away and long ago. John's recasting of this sanitized history updates our understanding. There was racial cleansing, a Southern guerrilla movement that restored much of the pre-Civil War government, and the results remain evident today. Thanks to the clear vision of John Biewen, we can learn from the history of our country.
Comments by Jamie Dell'Apa
Comment for "Hep Harmony/ Vocal Jive"
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on December 11, 2020 at 11:48 PM | Permalink
Doug the JItterbug Fan
Every show of Doug's is a joy to hear.
Comment for "The Second Battle Of New Orleans"
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on April 03, 2018 at 11:04 PM | Permalink
Grateful for Laine's Pieces
Laine K-L does spectacular radio.
Comment for "Dogs"
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on November 01, 2017 at 12:39 AM | Permalink
Underdog
Especially love the Underdog theme song!
Comment for "" After The 2nd GOP Debate: It's The New Fall Season For Everything...Everything But Politics" ( Told Through Narration, Music and Soundbites."
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on September 23, 2015 at 12:38 AM | Permalink
Always nice to hear this series is going
And I'm still laughing at the musical selection pairings...
Comment for "7th Ward Residents Await the Return of Circle Food Store"
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on January 12, 2014 at 02:30 PM | Permalink
Another Wonderful Piece of my Hometown by Laine Kaplen-Levenson
Laine goes beyond the boring staid boundries of usual reporters to find the local meaning of an exceedingly important local story. I particularly like that she didn't focus on the obvious iconic building but she went across the street to talk with the neighbors and ran into the Montana family matriarch. For this important story, only Laine will capture the "WHY" of the who, what, when and why.
Comment for "Southern Slices: Summer Institute Stories from CDS"
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on September 03, 2012 at 12:49 AM | Permalink
CDS Memories
Yes everyone makes an audio documentary at CDS but for me, learning the craft was secondary to experiencing the best of radio for a wonderful week.
The CDS staff and nationally celebrated producers curated a week of classics radio productions for our listenings. For the first time in my life, radio wasn't a solitary experience. It was a celebration with fellow radio-philes and the leaders of the field.
Sure, I made my first and second documentaries at CDS and they were a thrill. However, I will always consider myself a listener, instead of a producer of radio and CDS was (and will be again in the future) my mecca for experiencing great radio.
Comment for "A Black History Month Special Program: "Truckin' My Blues Away""
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on January 01, 2011 at 10:35 AM | Permalink
Excellent documentary
These guys consistently turn out great documentaries on topics that only regional insiders know about. They capture Americana culture that is dying for exposure and merits the highest artistic accolades yet somehow never makes it outside of neighborhood adulation. Isn't that the highest form of documentary?
Comment for ""The 7 Words You MUST Say on Television". (Feb 2012 Update/Remix)"
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on January 01, 2011 at 02:44 AM | Permalink
This is fun radio.
Great production to weave ideas through script and music. A bit like my hero, Charlie Brooker, but in audio.
Comment for "Juan's Diary, Part 1: Looking at the Rio Grande"
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 06:49 PM | Permalink
Zenith of Radio
A Radio Diaries piece is like the vintage 1960's Zenith portable radio I keep next to my bed - "The quality goes in before the name goes on." This is another wonderful piece from those folks with the great ears at Radio Diaries.
Comment for "Racial Cleansing in America"
Jamie Dell'Apa
Posted on February 27, 2009 at 07:10 PM | Permalink
John's Eye For a Story
John has this knack for finding the obvious, compelling stories that are hidden in plain sight. More to the point, he presents stories of the forgotten people. Prisoners, the exiled, military wives, farm workers - people without a voice. With John's great treatment, these forgotten people's plights are voiced and the injustice is beautifully addressed because John's pieces don't just sing, they sing opera.
This racial cleansing story is great example of John's eye for a story. In our youth, we Americans were all taught about the Civil War and its bloody aftermath but somehow we fooled ourselves into believing that our terrible history was as far away and long ago. John's recasting of this sanitized history updates our understanding. There was racial cleansing, a Southern guerrilla movement that restored much of the pre-Civil War government, and the results remain evident today. Thanks to the clear vision of John Biewen, we can learn from the history of our country.