Said.fm is Listening

Photo by Flickr/Nizam_Uddin

This evening I've been listening to 'The New Frontiers of Jazz' by NPR's On Point.  

Tom Ashbrook's provocation begins with him talking to John Comerford, producer of a documentary entitled 'Icons Amongst Us: Jazz in the Present Tense'.  The programme includes genius tracks and contributions from the musicians behind them, all giving their take on where and what Jazz is now... even if it's still called Jazz at all.

Music is often difficult to define and this On Point episode expands on the confusion. It also opens up an interesting conversation: a great musical movement started in America called 'Jazz'... are we still in that movement?... is it evolving?... has Jazz come to mean something else to the masses?... 

Swing, european jazz, bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, free jazz, latin jazz, post bop, soul jazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz, acid jazz, nu jazz, jazz rap, punk jazz... Does it matter?... Listen and see what you think.

Link to Podcast:

The New Frontiers of Jazz

Related Links:

NPR On Point

Icons Amongst Us: Jazz in the Present Tense

Jazz

Charlie Parker

Soulive

Skerik

The Roots

Loading mentions Retweet

Photo by Flickr/frozenchipmonk

Today, I've started my day by listening to a very interesting programme on interfaith conversation.  

The podcast hails from the series 'On Point' by NPR, and centres around an interview with the 'Interfaith Amigos', a rabbi, priest and imam.  These three amigos have taken it upon themselves to improve dialogue and relationships between these three religions across America.  Presenter Tom Ashbrook conducts a great interview, whilst callers call in with probing questions.

After listening, I am impressed by what these three amigos have taken upon themselves, and wouldn't we better off if more people had their perspective.

Link to Podcast:

On Point: The Interfaith Amigos

Related Links:

The Interfaith Amigos

NPR

Tom Ashbrook

Loading mentions Retweet

Photo by Flickr/3n

If you're a short person then I'm sure you are well aware of all the disadvantages... but could there be an advantage?...

In the programme I listened to today, which is another one of Robert Kulrwich's sciencey bits but this time from NPR's 'All Things Considered' they discuss a rather interesting benefit of being short.  Guest and neuroscientist on the show David Eagleman proposes that your sense of time is slightly better if you're short.  

So, my fellow short people, have a listen, be entertained and equip yourselves with a rather amusing and admittedly useless argument on the advantage of being short.

Link to Podcast:

The Secret Advantage of Being Short

Related Links:

NPR

Robert Krulwich

David Eagleman

Loading mentions Retweet

Photo by Flickr/Kubina

A mini audio gem from NPR examining if, why and how ants can count.  I for one, have a fascination with these little creatures and really enjoyed listening to this informative 6 minute programme.

As always the audio quality and editing are as brilliant as many of NPR's diverse programmes.  This particular audio is a snippet from the series 'Morning Edition' which is presented by Robert Krulwich, who also co-hosts one of my favourite shows, Radio Labs.

Link to Podcast:

Ants that Count!

Related Links:

NPR

Robert Krulwich

Wikipedia on Ants

Wikipedia on Emergent Behaviour

Loading mentions Retweet

Photo by Flickr/trec_lit

As an 80's child, the Cosby Show is way up there on my favourite nostalgia trips down memory lane.  Catching an episode of this brilliantly successful sitcom, even today, gives me that warm fuzzy feeling.

So, I'm delighted that NPR's Op-Ed have an episode all about the Cosby Show.  The programme examines if it Redefined The Black Family or at least perceptions of it in pop culture.  Personally speaking, growing up as part of an ethnic minority family myself, the Cosby Show probably did make me feel re-assured as a child, simply for seeing a different family on a mainstream sitcom.  However, as a highly successful show with mass appeal, the race issue probably became a sub-conscious statement.

Have a listen and reminisce, whilst hearing lots of other people reminiscing and talking about this great show.

Link to Podcast:

'Cosby Show' Redefined The Black American Family

Related Links:

NPR Op-Ed

NPR

The Cosby Show

Loading mentions Retweet

Photo by Flickr/headsclouds

Ok, so it's Sunday lunchtime and I'm nearing the end of my 4 hour train journey... you've probably guessed I have food on the brain!...

In order to wet my appetite and think about the sandwich I'm going to tuck into soon, what better programme could I listen to than 'Rectangles Vs. Triangles: The Great Sandwich Debate' by NPR.  As a triangle girl myself, I was curious to hear if anyone favours the rectangle at all - I'm not going to give anything away as I think you should listen to this fun little 5 minute podcast to find out for yourselves.

Link to Podcast:

Rectangles Vs. Triangles: The Great Sandwich Debate by NPR

Related Links:

NPR

Loading mentions Retweet

Photo by Flickr/sporkist

Today I've been listening to a rather fascinating talk from NPR's On Point program discussing if the act of cooking has made us human.  

Primatologist and Anthropologist Richard Wrangham examines the role of cooking and argues that it is at the heart of human evolution. Wrangham's theory is both unique and intriguing, making for a good listen and his ability to answer the caller questions with clarity and on topic really help in understanding his point of view.   

On Point is a series which covers a diverse range of topics and the host, Tom Ashbrook, is good at cohersing lively conversation around each episode's topic.  As a two hour podcast, I think it would entertainingly and informatively fill the time whilst driving or travelling.

Link to Podcast:

On Point: How Cooking made us Human

Related Links:

On Point

NPR

Tom Ashbrook

Richard Wrangham

Catching Fire: How Cooking made us Human by Richard Wrangham

Loading mentions Retweet

Photo by Flickr/JS Sebastian

Yay! - it's Friday!

Seeing as the week is grinding to an end, this morning I had a listen to the 'Nine to Five' episode from NPR's Hearing Voices.  This episode features audio bytes from a variety of people on what they do during their work day.  On listening, you'll find diverse insights through stories from traders to cab drivers to those who work with brasseries, dead bodies, lost golf balls and underground economies.

The programme, which is the first of a two part episode, sets the tone by opening with a brilliantly humorous poem from writer Meryn Cadell entitled 'Job Application'.  Whilst gaining some pleasure from voyeuristically hearing about peoples' working days, you also get to appreciate how others earn a living either through choice, circumstance or luck.

NPR's Hearing Voices is, as described by them 'a sixty minute stream of driveway moments connected by a central theme, with the help of a guest host'.  Each episode is a mix of sound portraits, broadcasts and found-sound, making for a uniquely enjoyable show with a nostalgic radio audio quality.

Link to Podcast:

Hearing Voices: Nine to Five

Related Links:

NPR Hearing Voices

Ann Heppermann and Kara Oehler

Meryn Cadell

Poem: Job Application by Meryn Cadell

Loading mentions Retweet

Photo by Flickr/Loz Flowers

By now you may have noticed from my blog postings that I'm usually in near reach of a tasty beverage or snack whilst writing, so you may have also guessed I have a slight food fetish... I'll come clean and tell you that it's more of an obsession!!

Today I've been listening to Hidden Kitchens, an NPR series, produced by The Kitchen Sisters who bring inspiring food stories to your ears from the unexpected yet enigmatic underground kitchens across America.  This particualr episode, Sugar in the Milk: A Parsi Kitchen Story, was recorded during Parsi New Year in 2008 and features Nilafour Ichapouria King, a Parsi who now lives in San Francisco.  Nilafour with her demure measured accent speaks on her Parsi traditions, food and more food, giving a glimpse into this endangered culture.  

The mere mention of Falooda has got my mouth watering and I for one will be nipping into the indian supermarket on my way home, to make this nostalgic drink from my childhood (which I now know the origin of).  If you like to explore and try food from all over the world then Hidden Kitchens is great for bringing you insights into real food from people's experiences, taking you beyond the usual food fads or conventional hoity-toity food scene.

Link to Podcast:

Hidden Kitchens: Sugar in the Milk: A Parsi Story

Related Links:

Hidden Kitchens

Kitchen Sisters

Wikipedia on Parsi

Falooda Recipe

My Bombay Kitchen Cook Book

Loading mentions Retweet