Category Archives: Hit That Never Was

Ungrateful Kids, Forgiveness, A Dylan Cover & New Music

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Many parents struggle to find the means to say “no” to their often over-stimulated, over-indulged kids. Amy McCready says she knows the methods for parents to connect with their kids in a way that allows them to better learn to be respectful, responsible, and ready to meet a world where frankly, it’s not all about them. McCready explains to Norman B why her new book The Me, Me, Me Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World is essential reading for parents. 

Megan Feldman Bettencourt met a father who forgave the man who killed his son, she was both moved and puzzled. How did he do it? And why? She asked. Forgiveness has long been touted by religious leaders as a moral imperative. But Megan wanted to know exactly what it means from a scientific perspective, how it plays out in various situations, and why more and more people seem to be choosing the peaceful option in response to catastrophe. She joins the program to talk about her experiences, as recounted in her engaging book, Triumph of the Heart: Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World.

We are constantly impressed by the amazing selection you, (our listeners) suggest for the Hit That Never Was. This week’s is no exception, “I discovered an incredible double album, celebrating Elektra Records 40th anniversary,” writes Andrew, “There is such a lot of great music on it, but my big favorite is a cover of Dylan’s Going Going Gone by Bill Frisell, Robin Holcomb & Wayne Horvitz. It’s really cool. I hope you’ll play it because I think it should have been a hit…probably in another universe, but a hit none the less!” This distinctive version of Going Going Gone by Bill Frisell on guitar, Robin Holcomb on vocals and keyboards & Wayne Horvitz on keyboards, was included on the 1990 double album Rubaiyat: Elektra’s 40th Anniversary. Other artists doing their spirited cover versions, range from The Gypsy Kings to The Cure, Billy Bragg to The Kronos Quartet and Phoebe Snow to Happy Mondays and many more. This is a true collectors item, and we thank Andrew for selecting a cut from it for the Hit That Never Was.

For your listening pleasure, Norman B likes to occasionally, squeeze in someNAMUUNA of his new music discoveries. In this edition of Life Elsewhere, we begin with Berlin-based singer-songwriter Namuuna. Her name comes from the Mongolian word “namuun”, which means pure/soft/smooth, which fits this self-proclaimed bedroom vocalist perfectly. Namuuna says, her music shows you some insights of her soul, her thoughts, her life, just real stuff she is going thru, so people can relate and feel with her. that’s the most important purpose of music in her opinion: to vibe together. But beside music she also likes to be creative in other areas (photography, painting, video editing, dance etc.). The track Norman selected is fittingly titled Cool.

Allie-Birthday-Boy-I-Cant-WaitNext up, it’s Birthday Boy & allie, a talented duo, who hail from one our favorite cities, Toronto. The track is titled, I Can’t Wait, we love the combination of techno-tension-tease, with the line, “Take your time now but baby don’t be late, I can’t wait.” The smooth vocals are complemented by a tight beat that never gets in the way.

If Feels by Wolftyla does not make you sit up and pay careful attention, then perhapsWolftyla you’re not awake. The samples are used economically, as is the reverse tracking. This is an attention getter. Based out of New York City, “Wolftyla is yet another reason I’m so encouraged by the amazing young talent that abounds today!” Says an enthusiastic Norman B.

Recently, we devoted one whole edition of Life Elsewhere to an interview and the music of an exceptional talent, Siv Jakobsen. During the program, Norman B asked the Norwegian artist if she would select the Hit That Never Was. Siv did not hesitate and picked a relatively new release from American Country artist, Liza Anne. We were impressed with Siv‘s choice, Liza Anne‘s album Two is packed full of beautiful haunting songs, Oceans being one of them. Arrangements are in the works for an  exclusive Life Elsewhere interview with Liza Anne.

Life Elsewhere airs:
Sundays at 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3  
Mondays at 7.00pm ET at WROM Radio
Mondays at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

Recent editions of Life Elsewhere can be heard at our Soundcloud page

Cecil The Lion. Donald The Caricature. Mama Africa.

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Gareth Patterson
Trump by Steve Brodner for Time
Miriam Makeba

The death of Cecil the lion resulted in headlines around the world, filled with outpourings of concern for the welfare of African wildlife. Gareth Patterson has dedicated his life to caring for and understanding African wildlife. From his home in a remote location on the edge of the Knysna forest, in South Africa, Gareth joins the program for an informative chat about Cecil, African lions, the elusive Knysna elephants and the truth about big game hunting. If you are curious to know the full story about hunting lions like Cecil and the fate of African wildlife, you won’t want to miss this exclusive interview with Gareth Patterson on the next edition of Life Elsewhere.

“Donald Trump is the ultimate caricature”, says esteemed satirical illustrator, Steve Brodner, who has been putting pen to paper for a long time to craft memorable political caricatures. Steve is a master of the editorial idiom, his work has appeared in most major magazines and newspapers in the United States, such as Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Esquire, Time, Playboy, Mother Jones, Harper’s, Mother Jones, The Atlantic. To help us understand why political illustration has become so popular recently, and the fascination with Trump, Brodner, a man who adroitly articulates his insights and opinions, will join the next edition of Life Elsewhere.

For this week’s Hit That Never Was, we could not resist playing a request that came as the news of Cecil the lion was breaking: Mbube* by Miriam Makeba. The revered South African singer and civil rights activist, who died in 2008, was nicknamed Mama Africa, was the first artist from Africa to popularize African music around the world. She recorded and toured with many popular artists, such as Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon and her former husband Hugh Masekela. She was a fervent campaigner against apartheid, which resulted in the South African government revoking her passport in 1960 and her citizenship and right of return in 1963. As the apartheid system crumbled she returned home for the first time in 1990. Makeba died of a heart attack on 9 November 2008.
*Mbube  means lion..it has been sung for centuries in South Africa. In the West, it is better known as The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

The illustration of Donald Trump by Steve Brodner, was created for the latest edition of Time, used by kind permission of the artist. 

Life Elsewhere airs:
Sundays at 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3  
Mondays at 7.00pm ET at WROM Radio
Mondays at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

Recent editions of Life Elsewhere can be heard at our Soundcloud page

 

Tana French On The Secret Place & Richard Citroen On Lola Dutronic

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Tana French
Richard Citroen – Lola Dutronic
Stephanie B. – Lola Dutronic

Detective Stephen Moran has been waiting for his chance to get a foot in the door of Dublin’s Murder Squad. He sees an opportunity when a sixteen year old girl from an elite private school brings him a curious photo. Moran has to team up with an unlikely partner, the abrasive Antoinette Conway a Detective who is proud of her rough working-class background. So begins The Secret Place, the intriguing new novel, just released in paperback, from Tana French, Norman B talks with the author from her home in Dublin, Ireland.

Lost In Translation is the splendid new album from electronic duo, Lola Dutronic, filled with clever homages to icons of a bygone era, including Serge Gainsbourg, Françoise Hardy, Brigitte Bardot and John Barry. Yet, these are hardly pastiches, but inspired interpretations. To achieve their signature sound, Lola Dutronic have adopted a unique multi-step method of making music, British-born producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Richard Citroen composes and compiles the instrumentation at his Toronto studio, then sends the MP3 tracks to vocalist Stephanie B, who works her magic from her home in Dusseldorf. Norman B will talk with Richard Citroen, about his new album, collaborations, the importance of retro and explicit lyrics.

Kelly De Martino is an actress, a fashion designer and a musician who has produced two excellent albums. Her plaintive Bumblebees from her 2005 LP Radar, is this week’s Hit That Never Was.

Life Elsewhere airs:
Sundays at 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3  
Mondays at 7.00pm ET at WROM Radio
Mondays at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

Siv Jakobsen – The Interview.

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Siv Jakobsen pic 1“I was entranced by her voice and her ability to use silences or pauses so effectively.” Says Norman B about Siv Jakobsen, a talented new musical artist from Norway. The Life Elsewhere host’s unbridled enthusiasm led to a request for an interview with the Oslo-based musician. Arrangements were quickly made, and with disarming candor, Siv  chatted with Norman B for twice as long as the scheduled interview time. “Listen carefully to her lyrics,” Mr. B continues, “Siv  displays a maturity, way beyond her years. Plus, she is able to introduce a fresh, emotive take on a well-known and often-covered song, like Dolly Parton’s Jolene.”

Toward the end of the interview, Norman B asks Siv Jakobsen if she would select this week’s Hit That Never Was. With unsurprising confidence, Siv does not hesitate by selecting a relatively new release from American Country artist, Liza Anne. “I know it’s not old,” says Siv , “but I really believe Take It Back should have been a hit!”

After the interview, Norman B reflected, “It’s rare that you come across an artist who is so self-assured, yet completely down-to-earth and without pretension.” We are predicting you will be hearing a lot more from Siv Jakobsen. Make sure you do not miss this up-close and personal interview on the next edition of Life Elsewhere.

Siv Jakobsen’s most recent EP, The Lingering is available now. Below is the beautiful video for the single How We Used To Love.

Music is a major part of Life Elsewhere, we purposely, do not adhere to just one genre or generation, in an upcoming edition we will talk with legendary Heavy Metal guitarist, Marty Friedman. Known for his tenure as the lead guitarist for Megadeth, Friedman has resided in Japan since 2003 where he has become a popular TV personality. And at the other end of the musical spectrum, are Electronic duo, Lola Dutronic, who have a splendid new album, Lost in Translation. We will talk with one half of the duo, Richard Citroen, about his new album, collaborations and the importance of retro.

Life Elsewhere airs:
Sundays at 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3  
Mondays at 7.00pm ET at WROM Radio
Mondays at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

Sex & Drugs & Rock ’n’ Roll & …er…Math!

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Sex

In the next bumper-packed edition of Life Elsewhere we’ll talk with Mandy Smith who recounts in explicit detail, her life as a Virgin Flight attendant. Mandy will tell us the good, the bad and the downright naughty tales of life in the air. Her book, Cabin Fever, The Sizzling Secrets of a Virgin Air Hostess, has just been released in paperback.

Drugs

Dr. David Casarett‘s new book, Stoned: A Doctor’s Case for Medical Marijuana, brings a welcome objectivity to contentious topic by applying a unique mix of science, humanity, and even humor to effectively dispel common myths and misconceptions about medical marijuana. Dr. Casarett joins the program and we’ll ask the important questions, including, “How stoned is too stoned?”

Rock ’n’ Roll

The Hit That Never Was this week features an English rock band who formed inSiv Jakobsen 1963 and were professionally active between 1964 and 1967. They were a popular live attraction at the time, rivaling such groups as The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds, although, despite releasing a clutch of singles and an album, their record sales never reflected this popularity. The band took their name from the singer, who was the eldest brother of another rock musician who later found fame with the Faces and the Stones. If you can’t name the band, make sure you don’t miss the next Life Elsewhere to find out who is this week’s Hit That Never Was. Also in music, Norman B will introduce you to a talented new singer-songwriter from Norway, Siv Jakobsen. “I’m entranced by Siv’s voice and her adroit use of silences or pauses in her work.” Says Mr. B. who will play two two cuts from her EP, “The Lingering”, a unique cover of Britney Spears’ Toxic and How We Used To Love, which is also released as a single with a beautiful video to promote it. “Siv has that ethereal, haunting quality that reminds me of Life Elsewhere favorite, Barzin.” Adds Norman B.

Math

“I believe you have Discalculia”, mathematics Professor, Jordan Ellenberg tells Norman B, who admits to having difficulty with numbers and being daunted by interviewing the author of How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking. The professor’s book, now out in paperback is all about math, but not the math we learn in school which can seem like a dull set of rules, laid down by the ancients and not to be questioned. Instead Jordan Ellenberg explains to us how terribly limiting this view is. “Math isn’t confined to abstract incidents that never occur in real life, but rather touches everything we do—the whole world is shot through with it, the math.” the professor says.

Life Elsewhere airs:
Sundays at 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3  
Mondays at 7.00pm ET at WROM Radio
Mondays at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

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