Radio Free Rashaan

[Bright Moments]

I am reading "Bright Moments", the biography of Rashaan Roland Kirk and am enjoying it very much. I just read that RRK did several radio broadcasts where he programmed and presented the music of other jazz artists. These broadcasts were replayed after his death preceded by a 1/2 hour introduction by various jazz artists who knew RRK, speaking about him.

Now the million dollar questions:

1. Have any of you heard these broadcasts?

2. What were they like?

3. Are they available anywhere?

4. How can I get copies?

As always, thanks in advance for your help and comments. B-)

[Bright Moments]

nobody?

[relyles]

I have heard about them and know someone that I believe has copies of the broadcasts. I have not heard them myself, but I could probably get copies if I could get in touch with the person.

[Bright Moments]

surely mike fitzgerald can chime in here!

btw he is given an acknowledgement in the biography! B-)

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Anyone who is a serious fan of RRK should be on the bright-moments mailing that I started back in January 2000. See my website for subscription info. It is now run by George Bonifacio, the world's premier Kirk fan/collector/discographer/documenter. I am certain you can get all the information you ever wanted to know about Radio Free Rahsaan there.

BTW, the book was a huge disappointment. For an excellent review of it (by which I don't mean to say a "good review") see the fabulous 550-page Jazz Studies issue of Current Musicology (#71-73, Spring 2001-Spring 2002). I believe you can get purchase info by emailing current-musicology@columbia.edu.

I contributed some of my Kirk research, but facts and accuracy were of almost no importance to the author. There are so many errors it's ridiculous. And then there's the writing style. Here's a great quote from the above-mentioned review:

"Most of Kruth's writing, however, is simply pointless, goofy, and irritating."

Fortunately, there's a more serious book on Kirk in the works. Unfortunately it will be in French (at least to start out - hopefully it can be translated).

Mike

[stevebop]

Just noticed your post. "Radio F ree Rahsaan" were eight one-hour radio programs that Kirk recorded in 1973. They were finally distributed in 1984 by NPR. They were produced by Dorthaan Kirk and public radio producer Steve Robinson. Each of the shows were fleshed out to 90 minutes with a feature called "Memories of Rahsaan" where friends, admirers and colleagues talked about him and his music.

I have a copy of the first one-hour show as well as program descriptions of the entire series.

Let me know where to send it

[John B]

Bright Moments -

I think a lot of people here would be very interested in hearing this disc. If you get a copy from Steve would you be willing to start a tree to distribute it within Organissimo? I'd be willing to make copies and help share it.

edit - as long as Steve doesn't mind it being redistributed, that is.

Edited October 14, 2004 by John B

[Bright Moments]

if it's ok with steve, it's ok with me! B-)