Okay, here we are plugging along at Day Number 8. Thanks for the donations so far, they are helping, but we really gotta keep it going. While C&L will be covering the 2012 elections, Newstalgia will be looking at elections going back to the 1920's to give you historic perspective on how this system works (or doesn't) and why.

But it costs to make these posts happen and there's no money to do it. Time and effort really eat up and storage alone is a huge cost every month, and a lot of months we can't make it and we're always threatened with some sort of reprisals. That's why donations really matter, no matter how much.

Look - I know we're all going through financial crap at the moment and if we didn't absolutely need it in order to keep this site going, we wouldn't do it. Sadly, AOL isn't waving any checkbooks at us and no other big-time website wants to give us the right time of day. We don't do stories about the Kardashians and we could give a shit less what Justin Bieber had for breakfast this morning. We're trying to pique your curiosity, we're trying to give you useful information, useful background and historic perspective on the important issues happening in this rather haywire world so you can get some idea what's going on and what's happening and how it's affecting you and why people do the same thing over and over. Insanity? Sure. But there are those who hope you don't remember and don't realize the same argument has been happening over and over again. And you won't notice. It's that old "not learning lessons from the past and being doomed to repeat them" scenario that keeps playing.

It's really simple actually. History isn't something that's dead and buried - it keeps going. It's when you forget it that it invariably comes up and bites you on the ass.

Most people are surprised at the current goings on - the Healthcare debate, for example. But if you read Newstalgia from 2009 (when we started), you would know this argument has been going on since the 1930's and the same arguments against it and the same people screaming loudly against it have been at it over 70 years. Different players, certainly, but the mantra is exactly the same. You would know that and it wouldn't come as a surprise to you.

That's what we're trying to do. Let you know that some things don't change unless you change the argument.

So this is what we're up against. Trying to keep this site going. Trying to not only give history, but some difference from the mainstream, which is why we do music and arts and out of the way tidbits as a way of turning you on to things you may not be familiar with. Hoping somehow to make a difference.

And you can help with that. And I would love your help with that. And I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support I've gotten so far from you. It's the ones on the fence I'm talking to - the ones who do a lot of downloading from the site and don't chip in some as a way of thanks. If you chipped in half as much, or even a quarter as much as you pay for iTunes downloads, I'd be thrilled. But even iTunes doesn't have what Newstalgia has and that's what makes us doubly unique and that much more vital to continue.

I'm here as long as you're here and as long as there's interest I'll be around. When I stop you'll know I just couldn't keep it going. But I'd rather not stop. So if you can, please donate what you can.

And while you're mulling it over, a little blast of music from the movie Z.

Update: Since it's Sunday night, it's slowed down a bit. We're still at 3/4 of the way to our goal and the deadline is getting uncomfortably close (Tuesday). I can't thank those of you enough who have donated, and donated whatever you could. You have made a huge difference. But we're not quite there yet and there's still a little ways left to go before we can breathe again. It's a nail-biter, I will admit. But I have faith we'll get through this crisis, and come out the other end. If you haven't made a donation yet, please consider whatever amount you can afford. I know these are tough times - this Fundraiser is proof of that right now. I need your help. We're slowly getting through this and you're making a huge difference. Thank you all for your help so far - I could not have come this far without you.

If you've just discovered Newstalgia for the first time (and you're scrolling through the 3,000+ posts since we got started in 2009), you'll notice the weekends are mostly made up of music; a lot of different kind of music. The weekends at Newstalgia are usually reserved for Popular Culture and flat-out Culture. Live rock concerts from the 1960's all the way to last week. Jazz Concerts (like this one) and a thing called Weekend Gramophone, which originally stared out as a place to play Classical 78's, but which has wound up in recent months as a sort of showcase for early radio broadcasts of some rare and seldom heard performances from the world of Classical music. The weekends at Newstalgia are rather eclectic and it sort of works that way.

Tonight it's a live concert, broadcast by NET (the forerunner to PBS) on July 5, 1970 featuring Jazz-Blues singer Joe Williams in one of his typically great concerts, but this time for a TV audience.

It's the audio-only portion of the concert that we're playing today. And if you've never heard Joe Williams before, or only casually heard about him in connection with Count Basie, now's your chance to hear why he was such a popular singer, among not only the audience, but with other singers.

Sadly, TV ran on a strict time schedule and the half hour program came to an abrupt end, just as Williams was getting ready to wrap up and truly wonderful set. So it fades out at the end.

Still, a great concert by one of the legendary figures of the Jazz-Blues contingent.

Enjoy.

Five days into this urgent appeal and we're almost at the one-third mark in our emergency donation drive. I know it's a pain to keep hearing it over and over, but this is serious and I'm afraid if we don't raise the bare-bones minimum in order to stave off what is shaping up to being a disaster, we'll cease to exist.

What's at stake is a lot. As you all know, Newstalgia is a site based on my archive of sounds and voices going back to the 1890's and continuing up to today. Recordings, some of them one-of-a-kind, are all part of that archive. It is a huge task to keep running and rents have been increasing in order to house the collection. Since Newstalgia as a site isn't making any money from advertising, or day to day support, I have been faced with a situation where there is no money to pay the rent and no money to keep the site up and running - unless you help.

Many of you have pitched it. I am beyond grateful for the donations that have come in so far. A lot of you have been very generous and many more of you have given what you can. It is all desperately needed and it is all profoundly appreciated. The amount doesn't matter. The fact that you are willing to support what I've been trying to do here the past three years means an incredible amount to me.

So I'm asking you to please consider making a donation to keep Newstalgia the diverse and vital website it has come to be. I have tried, in my way, to make a difference by offering a historic take on current events - letting you know that history is very much a living thing. I have tried to offer a wide range of historic and cultural posts as a way of expanding your point of view of the world. As it has mine over the years.

If you enjoy it and have, in some way benefitted from it or gained a different perspective on our present world because of it, please consider helping keep it going by making a donation.

Any amount is gratefully appreciated. We're getting closer. Our goal is $5,000.00 and we're 1/3 of the way so far. We can do it. We can make it happen.

Gordon

Hat in hand, tin cup, on one knee - beggin' beggin' beggin'. Day Number 3 of the Newstalgia Fund Drive. It's going to a completely worthy (and, somewhat noble I might add) cause; keeping the Archives alive and keeping Newstalgia up and running. The costs are horrific and the bills are mountainous. We're broke and history can be expensive.

I wish I had coffee mugs and t-shirts like our sister site C&L has, but no. Newstalgia can't offer anything but more rare stuff, more complete news and speeches (not like the clips you hear everywhere else - a big 30 seconds worth), and more stuff you just won't hear anywhere else, maybe on the planet.

Let's put it this way - where else can you go where you can hear Adlai Stevenson and Father Coughlin Monday through Friday, some Mahler on Wednesday, Radiohead on Saturday and Miles Davis on Sunday?

Yeah, I thought so - no place. That's what Newtalgia is all about. Trying in our weird way to make your life a little more interesting, a little more involved and a little more informed.

But I really need your help doing that. Anything you can do is appreciated. And a big round of applause to the people who have already made contributions. You're making a difference and I'll be around as long as you're around.

And while you're mullin' it over and kickin' the tires, Roscoe has a word or two . . .

It's that time again. It's always a pain asking for money to keep this site going, but I have to. Unfortunately, it costs to keep everything running. The archive (where all the sounds for most all the stories you see) is a pretty expensive proposition to keep up. The building is expensive and the time and labor it takes to digitize the library is time consuming. It all takes money to keep happening and most of the time there just isn't enough. Rent gets late and landlords get crazy. Equipment breaks down (especially all the vintage recording gear that costs a lot just to keep running) and I have to either get it repaired or look for replacements.

The average story takes anywhere from 4-14 hours to put together, and unfortunately it's just me doing the writing, the editing, the digitizing, the cataloging, the layout - the whole works.

It's a labor of love, but sometimes love needs to pay the bills.

So anything you can give all goes straight to keeping Newstalgia and the Archives up and cranking. I'm doing my best to keep history alive and sometimes it needs a boost.

Thanks for all your help and support in the past - you've made a huge difference. Hit the Donate button if you like and if you can and help me keep Newstalgia going.

As always,

Gordon Skene
Newstalgia
Gordon Skene Sound Collection

(yup, Newstalgia is passing the hat)

(. . . Or you can turn the page)

As much as you hate reading about it is about as much as I hate asking, but the fact of the matter is - Newstalgia really needs your help.

It's been very difficult of late to maintain the blog, keeping bills paid and staying current with the rent. I wish this was the only thing I did every day, but sadly it's not.

This summer has been a dismal time, coupled with the current economy even freelancing has stopped. And we are often tempted to throw our hands up and walk away, but the fact of the matter is, the archive (where all the material you hear comes from) just can't be abandoned. It's reason for existence is because most all of these materials were tossed in the trash and destined for destruction in the first place. I have devoted a goodly part of my life and resources preserving this collection so that people like yourselves can benefit from it, not only now but for years to come.

Many of you have been generous in the past and my gratitude is heartfelt and sincere - it has made a enormous difference and has allowed me to carry on.

But money dissipates and bills accumulate. And putting off that phone call no longer works.

At present we need to raise $10k in order to pay back rent and keep the electricity on. There is no realistic way that amount can be raised via Newstalgia - right now it's really just a matter of what ever can be raised will be of great help.

This is a tough time for a lot of us - now more than ever before it seems. If you can make a donation, no matter how small - it would be lifesaving. If you can't, I more than understand.

No matter what, Newstalgia will continue and strive to give you the best of history presented in the best sound, with no "sound bites" or excerpts where possible. The best and most complete available.

Because . . .well, that's just what we do.

Peace,

Gordon

No doubt, some of you have been wondering where Newstalgia has gone. Well, it's gone. After 3 years it's time to move on and test new waters. Some of you have noticed another site, Past Daily, which has been running posts quite similar to this. Well, that's who we are now and that's where we've set up shop for the past couple of weeks. Same history, same historic audio, same concerts, same rarities - only a new site, a new look and a new audience. We're working on the look and tweaking features here and there. In essence, we're still moving in.

A lot of you have been very supportive over the years, and I would like to say it's sad to leave. But in truth, nothing has changed, only the location. So if you like me as Newstalgia, you'll like me as Past Daily. And I will be continuing to offer you rare material you won't hear anywhere else. So nothing has really changed, only I am now no longer affiliated with Crooks and Liars.

It's been fun. It started as an experiment, and for the most part it worked. Now it's time to move on.

Drop by Past Daily if you get a chance and say hi. I still take requests and I still read e-mails.

A special thanks to my pals at C&L - you made it all fun and interesting and I was proud and delighted to be part of the team, especially Neiwert, Karoli, Blue Gal, Susie and Nicole.

And like I always say - you ain't seen the last of me.

Be well and stay sane,

Gordon Skene

Update: We're about $1,200.00 away from our goal. Even for a normally relaxed Sunday night, donations have come in and your support and encouragement continue to amaze and energize. I can't tell you how much your support and generosity mean to me and to Newstalgia. With two days from deadline, it's been a nail-biting experience. But we're in the final stretch and I still need your help for these final days. If you haven't yet made a donation, no matter how small or insignificant you think your contribution may be, it is huge and every cent is needed. The people donating $1.00 and $5.00 all add up, and the result has made a difference. Your contributions to help keep this site up and the archives safe are beyond appreciated. My gratitude to all of you who have made donations can't really be put into words. Suffice to say I am humbled and touched. If you haven't made a contribution yet, please consider it - we're so close and we can do it. I need your help. We're going to make it. We really can.

For the newcomer to Newstalgia - Sunday nights, aside from classic Jazz is also classic Classical, by way of the Weekend Gramophone. Originally, it was supposed to be the place all the old 78's and early lp's were going to be posted. But lately it's shifted to showcase some of the amazing radio recordings that have not been commercially released. Such as tonight's post, which features the famed French Pianist Yvonne Lefebure in two Debussy pieces, recorded in the studios of the ORTF in Paris (French radio pre-1968). These recordings were made in the early-mid 1950's, and sadly there are no concrete dates of recording as there is nothing to indicate when they were recorded on the disc labels, only when they were aired. According to when the disc was broadcast, it appears to be 1955.

The two pieces featured are:

1. Debussy - from Images, Book 1 - Hommage à Rameau
2. Debussy - from Preludes - Danseuses de Delphes

More discoveries next week. In the meantime, enjoy.

Update: We passed the half-way mark late this morning and things are looking a lot better than they were 24 hours ago. My most heartfelt thanks and admiration to all of you who have donated so far, including my colleagues at Crooks and Liars, you are all amazing. We're not out of the woods yet, and there is still a ways to go - not as far as yesterday at this time, but we still need to get the other half in order to save the Archive from destruction and Newstalgia from becoming extinct. Any amount you can afford to give will be appreciated beyond words. The donation amounts so far have run from between $1.00 to $100.00 and they are ALL gratefully appreciated. Any amount of money is money desperately needed at this point. I cannot thank you enough, to those who have donated so far. I cannot tell you how much your support means, to those who haven't yet. We're a lot closer to making this happen, and with your continued support we will succeed!

If you've just run across Newstalgia for the first time, please take some time to scroll down the page and check out the some 3,000+ posts, running the gamut from historic speeches (like this one) and historic events (like 3-Mile Island) to weekly Jazz, Rock and Classical concerts and everything in-between. It's all about history, all about information and all about our world.

I ran across an article about Eugene Debs the other day. Considered by many to be the first Socialist leader four-time candidate for President in the early 20th Century, firebrand labor leader and one of the more notable figures on the political scene from the 1890's until his death in 1926.

Here is an address, which has been attributed to an actor (Len Spencer) at the time, recorded shortly after he originally gave it in 1904.

Debs was renown for his public speaking, and his dramatic addresses were legendary. Although this is most likely not the real voice of Debs, Len Spencer was well aware of Debs' oratorical skills and was said to have captured the spirit of a Debs address quite accurately. Obviously, that isn't anything anyone can actually verify in 2012, so we'll have to take their word for it.

Here is the transcript of that address, as the original cylinder and recording techniques make it hard to understand at times:

Continue reading »

Update: We are slowly inching towards the half-way mark. With gracious donations and your kind words about Newstalgia, we may have a shot at reaching our goal. But I still need your help. Half way is still half-way and unfortunately I can't talk the landlords into half the amount needed in order to take off the lien. And so, I keep appealing for whatever amount you can give - any amount at all, in order to save Newstalgia (and the archive) from extinction. I know these times are tough and the future is, at best, uncertain. And I don't want to cause anyone any hardship - if you can't afford to donate, you can't and I would rather have you use one of my posts for your history class than to have you leave and not come back. But if you can afford it, please consider making a donation. As I said, any amount is a great amount to me and to helping save something I hope you feel is worthwhile. We can do it - we're doing it. You're making a difference!

Over to Neuss Germany this week for a chamber concert featuring The Ebène Quartet in music of Mozart, Borodin and Schubert. It was recorded on December 4, 2011 by WDR.

Hard to imagine the Ebène Quartet have only been together since 1999, as they sound like an ensemble who have been together for at least twice that long. They have been characterized in the press as "taking the music world by storm" and gaining a huge audience in the process.

The concert has been broken up between two players - the top player fetures the Mozart and Borodin and the bottom player features the Schubert.

For you note keepers:

wdr 3 Kammerkonzerte in NRW

wolfgang amadeus mozart: Divertimento D­dur KV 136

alexander borodin: Streichquartett Nr.2 D­dur

franz schubert: Quintett C­dur für zwei Violinen Viola und zwei Violoncelli D 956

Quatuor Ebène
Pierre Colombet · Violine
Gabriel Le Magadure · Violine
Mathieu Herzog · Viola
Raphaël Merlin · Violoncello
und Nicolas Altstaedt · Violoncello

Aufnahme vom 4. Dezember 2011 aus dem Zeughaus, Neuss

Since it is Anti-Road Rage Wednesday, I think it's a safe bet this one works for that.

Relax, the week is almost over.