Re-Routing!

Friends-

I am leaving on this site what's already here, but as of March 28, 2014, I am asking you to listen to past, present and future Cultural Curmudgeons by going to: http://www.prx.org/series/33670-cultural-curmudgeon.

If you are a radio person or know one, the PRX.org site is a fantastic place to search for and listen to individual shows and series like the Curmudgeon that you can acquire for air and/or internet play on your station.

Thanks!

Steve

9 Reasons Not to Eliminate the Soprano Sax From the Face of The Globe

Now, to be honest with you, the Curmudgeon is not very fond of the soprano sax. He thinks it is often out of tune, squacky, honky and lacks tonal range. However, let no one say that he is not able to see all sides of a question. It is in this spirit that I give you 9 Reasons To Not Eliminate the Soprano Sax from the face of the earth.

Here we go:  

1. Need something to listen to when on infinite hold with Verizon.

etc.

Here's the 2:10 audio.

Curmudgeon Car Talk

All of the Boston driving chaos is engineered by a cabal of public transportation experts at the State House, whom we should thank for figuring out new and ingenious ways to get us off the roads and onto the T.

Listen to the show. (2:00)

A Visit to Lost New Orleans

Old Absinthe House. Fats Pichon was house pianist for years. Sweet Emma played there with Percy & Willie Humphrey plus Cie, circa 1961. (Info on the picture from my people at the Facebook New Orleans Music Group). 


Going to New Orleans always has a somewhat dreamilke quality. This Curmudgeon piece is just an extension of that.


Listen Here.  (2:00)

A Message from the NRA (National Rock Association)

We know there are ignorant people who don't know the difference between a hand rock, a hunting stone and an assault boulder and it is the misplaced moral judgements of these pathetic liberals that threatens to force rock throwing into the dark, uncontrolled underworld environment, where the building of satanic stone cairns and altars flourishes...

Listen Here.

The Riffmaster-2000 (patent-pending)

The Next Step in data management, devised by the Curmudgeon in cooperation with the NSA. Believe me, this is a hell of a lot more than just muzak-to-make-you-shop-faster-at-Walmart's, baby-this is putting your Prism dollars to work!

Here "IT" is.

The Media's "Death-Of" Industry

                               
"The media megalopolis thoughtfully provides us with an endless stream of top ten best and worst lists, but one of the media’s most thriving sub-industries is the Death-of industry, which has the schaden-freudian task of informing us which precious cultural commodity is about to kick the bucket."

Listen.

Our Lady of The Price is Right

” Five days a week, soaring audio, screaming graphics, and dizzying camera shots herald this fervent ministry. The names of the chosen few are called out in demographic perfection-perky coeds, a black or two, Latins, Marine sergeants, and Sun Belt retirees. Exhorted to "Come on Down!" they spring from their seats like human Pop-Tarts and race to their places at the bidding pews. Released from purgatory, they have taken the first step on the path to ultimate redemption-the Showcase Showdown." 

Price_is_Right-1.26.14.mp3 (5'23")

The Demise of Pawn Shops

"Unfortunately, in the space of a few ill-conceived years, Cambridge not only got rid of its scrofulous pawn shops, it also eliminated rent control and turned Harvard Square into a suburban mall..."

Pawn Shops-1.26.14.mp3 - 3 MB   (2'15")