Bruce Eisenbeil Trio

[Lazaro Vega]

Scott Sherman’s article “Good Gray NPR” published in the essential May 23, 2005 edition of The Nation, an issue titled “Radio Waves/New Sounds of Unmanaged Democracy,” cites several critics of National Public Radio.

He writes, “A third group of critics takes issue not so much with NPR’s political orientation but with its monotonal sound quality; its often bland and homogeneous programming; its lack of aural experimentation; and its diminished cultural coverage – which, they note, was an integral part of NPR’s founding mission. These critics, many of whom work in the world of public radio, lament that on the road to becoming a ‘primary news provider’ NPR has neglected its original mission to provide a wide array of top-notch, eclectic cultural programming….”

This, no doubt, is met with a chorus of “well look here”'s from local affiliates.

Robert Krulwich is quoted in the article as issuing “ a blunt critique of NPR’s programming – and by implication, its audience – at a staff retreat” where he bullet points the following:

“Scared of Audience. The habits of your audience shouldn’t be your habit. NPR writes too much for our expected listeners. We should disturb the audience occasionally. Tell them what they don’t already know and what they don’t want to hear.”

As it relates to jazz, Blue Lake’s answer is to agree with Krulwich and provide a place for live music by such artists as guitarist Bruce Eisenbeil and solo musician Tom Abbs, both of whom are heard Wednesday in two special live performances from our woodland studios.

From 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, May 18th please join www.bluelake.org as we take part in guitarist Bruce Eisenbeil’s “Into the Sun” tour by broadcasting a live performance of his collective, improvisational music with Katsu Itakura from Japan on keyboards and Brian Osborne on drums. Into the Sun next radiates at the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor on May 19th.

At midnight, our second live performance take us “Out On Blue Lake” venturing into realms of music inspired by Nada Yoga and the paintings of Michael Landis as Tom Abbs second annual “Multifarious Solo Tour” hits the airwaves and the heliocentric world of cyber space. Primarily a bassist frequently heard in New York’s Greenwich Village this time Abbs is playing bass, didgeridoo, tuba and tambourine…often simultaneously...

Lazaro Vega

Blue Lake Public Radio

WBLV FM 90.3 / WBLU FM 88.9

300 East Crystal Lake Road

Twin Lake MI 49457

www.bluelake.org

radio@bluelake.org