tidbits of some stuff that I have listened to today while doing work...

Throughout the course of my day I have a wide soundtrack going through my head. Its filled with NPR stories, countless new music that I get in the mail, and of course these podcasts. Right now, NPR has a few types of podcasts that we create: one being an aggregated collection of stories heard on NPR based on a topic, such as books or economy. The other being a new wave of original content we are developing specific to podcast. Both have their benefits I think. One listener might only be interested in certain NPR coverage about technology and therefore doesnt need to hear stories about health. While another listener only wants stories about pop culture. On some level I think these work because of these weekly (or biweekly) 'mixtape' collections.

As a musician and avid listener of music I am drawn to the NPR: Music podcast because of the way it weaves the many aspects of NPR's amazing music coverage into a relatively cohesive grouping. I am constantly seeking out new music, new genres and hear snippets of songs and records that I have yet to discover. As much as I get new music and find stuff, there is still stuff that somehow slips by my radar, or that I have heard the name but have yet to really listen. This podcast helps expose me to some new music by showing a diverse range of tastes and genres.

In a recent podcast episode I was treated to a review of the indie-pop sounds of Tilly and the Wall, a performance from upcoming band from the week's World Cafe: Next feature as well as interivews from bluesman Keb Mo and underground guitar hero Tom Verlaine (of the 80s post punk band Television). Each segment provides great chunks of new music, insightful interviews, thoughtful commentary. I am a huge fan of both Tom Verlaine and Tilly and the Wall, so it was nice to hear on the air. NPR is quickly shedding that image of stuffy jazz and classical music (both genres I love by the way).

There are also those podcasts, which we have just started producing, that are specificly not on air. These shows or segments serve as a way to give the vast ranks of NPR reporters, commentators and analysts to create a show that might not surface on air. At least that is the idea. One of the recent shows that was long in development was It's All Politics, a political commentary show from NPR's Washington Editor Ron Elving and Political Editor Ken Rudin. But do not discount this podcast because it conjures crusty droll banter and discussion of politics. This is not Face the Nation, nor Charlie Rose (both of which I love by the way).

This week I watched a taping of the show in the studio and the energy was incredible. Rudin is known for his quick humour and might be the funniest person in the building. The way these two well known commentators volley back and forth is much like two high school boys discussing and vamping on which Beatles record is the best (Abbey Road probably just so you know). It moved so quickly through the various topics of immigration and the Mexican elections that it was at times hard to keep up. It is what I would imagine a show would be like if TWO Robin Williams talked politics. On acid. It was incredibly ADD and humourously tangential but still very insightful and informative. Just the type of political show I can actually relate to.

Thats it for today I think. Soon I think it would be nice to talk about an issue or topic actually WITHIN these podcasts but that can come later I suppose.