Speechification » wnyc

Radio Lab: stochasticity

Steve Bowbrick — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:14:23 +0000

This is factual radio that'll make you giggle out loud with pleasure. So assured, so clever, so wise. And Jad Abenrad and Robert Krulwich do this practically every week (MP3).

And you might want to give some money to WNYC to help pay for the production of this stuff - since they don't have an inflation-protected licence fee to depend on.

Birds and the Battlefield

Steve Bowbrick — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:59:40 +0000

This is just lovely. It's got the stuff you want from radio feature-making: something you didn't know, an unexpected insight, evidence that people you thought you knew all about aren't what you thought they were. It's about soldiers and birdwatching: specifically birdwatching done in warzones, birdsong on battlefields. Twitchers in uniform—and in peril of death. Moving and enlightening (web page, MP3). (Here comes the clunky link). And while we're talking about sound (we were talking about sound weren't we?), you should get over to the WNYC web site and listen to this really gorgeous show (there's a link to the MP3 on the page) from the Radiolab team (from the end of 2007) about the way they work with sound to tell stories. Clever and humane communication.

Imagining Them and Open Outcry

Steve Bowbrick — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:59:13 +0000

Two New York gems. A really lovely afternoon play (you don't hear that very often round her do you?) called Imagining Them from Judith Kampfner and a glorious RadioLab. Kampfner is an unusual creature: transatlantic radio talent. She makes programmes for the BBC and for Public Radio via an independent production company grandly called The Corporation for Independent Media.

The play, which is in three parts—written and performed by Wendy Spero, Meg Wolitzer and David Cale—is so New York it hurts. It really stood out from the schedule this afternoon (it originally went out in February last year). The short RadioLab is an aural treat recorded by Ben Rubin on the open outcry trading floor at the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Now, pay attention: here's an MP3 of Imagining Them and here's one for the RadioLab show. Only Imagining Them will show up in the podcast and the RadioLab might go away at some point because I've linked to the MP3 at the WNYC web site. You could get an MP3 of your own by subscribing to RadioLab's podcast, which I would recommend. And while you're at it you could make a donation to WNYC funds here. And while I'm going on and on: the credits below are for Imagining Them.

Radio Lab – Salles des Departs

russell — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:14:54 +0000

Partly because of speechification, and partly for work reasons, I've been thinking a lot recently about how radio might, and should, change. One of the great and exciting possibilities it seems to me is for radio to show more of its working, to let you peek behind the scenes a little. iPM is doing that very well, and Pods and Blogs (and presumably the presence of Chris Vallance doing both programmes is not a coincidence) but I also have to say hats-off to WNYC's RadioLab for what they're doing with their podcast.

They're not on air at the moment, they're working on series 4, but they're still podcasting; letting you hear some of what would seem to be raw material for the shows they've got coming up. Interviews, features etc. They're not finished and polished with the same Piers Plowright meets Art Of Noise sonic intensity of their regular shows but they're still great little listens, and they maintain your relationship with the show while they're off air. This tiny little feature on what composer David Lang did when asked to write music for a morgue is a perfect, and touching example. MP3 here.

Radio Lab: The Ring and I

Steve Bowbrick — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:26:31 +0000

I've been meaning to post this mesmerising episode of WNYC's Radio Lab since I listened to it late at night while working through a mountain of New Year washing-up a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it was the drink (drink had been taken) but I think this is the best single radio programme I've heard in years. It's about Wagner's Ring Cycle. Gorgeous, joyful radio (MP3).

Radio Lab – Space and Musical Language

russell — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:39:10 +0000

I'm sure I've raved about Radio Lab (from WNYC) before, but in case you can't take a hint, here's another opportunity. There are two programmes here that are as good as any you'll ever hear, especially in the tiny world of science broadcasting. The first is Space (MP3) which attempts to explain our tininess in the universe's massiveness through devices like really affecting interviews with Carl Sagan's widow. The second is about Musical Language, (MP3) and contains fascinating stuff about how the brain adapts to new musical sounds (using the Rite Of Spring as an example). The site also has some great links to things like Diana Deutsch's audio illusions. Both programmes are well, well, worth listening to.

And if you're a bit more of an audio/radio nut, you can listen to this lecture/conversation at the Apple store in New York where they talk about how they make the programme, with the helpful addition of genius film editor Walter Murch on the elements of storytelling. Makes you glad to be alive in the age of radio.