raisingthestandards

Podcats LG in the studio

Such a great conversation with good friends. PodcatsLG joins us in studio this week. With Brian Bernasconi and Catherine Sommers, we discuss podcasting, PodcatsLG.com, being transparent and honest, and so much more. 
 
PodcatsLG.com to stream through the app or platform of your choice. 

You’ve Aged

…hello and welcome to Sunday Liner Notes.
Today’s edition is dedicated to my pal, Kenny “The Fishboy” who is a huge fan of this morning’s artist.
But first, an admission. I love the word, “Zany.” Along with, “Madcap” it describes a group of movies by the iconic Marx Brothers.
The six of them, yes, I said six (Manfred died in infancy) are considered the most influential comedic actors of the Twentieth Century.
From 1905 to 1949 they gave us fourteen feature films. Five of which are on AFI’s top 100 comedies lists and two, “Duck Soup” and “Night at the Opera” are in the top fifteen.
This morning from the 1939 production of, “At The Circus” the Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg’s brilliant, “Lydia The Tattooed Lady.”
“Oh, Lydia, oh Lydia say have you met Lydia
Lydia the tattooed lady She has eyes that folks adore so.
And a torso even more so”
Harburg’s lyrics cleverly capture the pop culture of the late 30s.
“She’ll give you a view of the world
In tattoo, if you step up and tell her where
For a dime you can see Kankakee or Paree
Or Washington crossing the Delaware”
Attached is a clip from, “At The Circus” with Chico at the piano, Harpo on the chandelier and Groucho, well, he’s just on.
Enjoy a bit of, “Zany” on me.

Sports talk with Andy Dolich

…good show Saturday.
We will chat with Sports Legend Andy Dolich, former MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL executive. How’s that for a resume?
Andy has a new book out with Dave Newhouse called, “Good Bye Oakland.” Since he was there during the glory years of the late 80s he knows of which he speaks.
We will pay a tribute to the late Astrud Gilberto with. We'll hear her version with Stan Getz of the Grammy Award winning, “The Girl From Ipanema.”
Join Rachael Shelton and myself for The Internet’s Finest Hour…anywhere.
“Raising The Standards,” on Santa Cruz Voice.
Streaming on www.SantaCruzvoice.com
Saturdays at noon and 5 PM.
Rachael Shelton Raising the Standards Santa Cruz Voice Andy Dolich

Cute Boys and Cute Haley Farmer

Haley Farmer (Rachael's cousin) joins Raising the Standards to discuss Haley's newest adventure in the restaurant business: helping Rachael's brother Joey and his business partner Michael start Pizzeria Forma, launched by Cute Boys Pizza. Haley has a Michelin background in restaurant management and has been an essential component to the launch. 
 
Follow for location and times:
https://www.instagram.com/formasantacruz/
https://www.pizzeriaforma.com/
 

Dr. John in the house

...good show this week.
A good and healthy show in fact. Dr. John Clark will join us in studio for a frank discussion on the state of medicine. John, as they say, has always, told it like it was and Saturday will be no different.
We'll talk about what you should know before you visit your doctor. The good, the bad and sometimes the ugly. Needless to say, the industry has changed since the days of Marcus Welby (ask your folks). It promises to be a fascinating hour.
We will also answer the musical question, "What do Hank Williams and Ravi Shankar have in common?" Clue, it's not The Grand Ole Opry.
Join Rachael and myself for "Raising The Standards."The Internet's finest hour...anywhere."
This Saturday at noon and 5 PM on Santa Cruz Voice
www.santacruzvoice.com
Raising the Standards
Rachael Shelton

Jacobi’s in the Big Apple

…hello and welcome to Sunday Liner Notes.
Alright, it’s our last day in New York and I’m faced with a bit of a conundrum. Do I do my research and come up with the unexpected or take the easy road and feature the obvious.
Well, hello obvious. Although, featuring the classic showstopper, “New York, New York” does make some sense on several levels.
I’ll give you three reasons why there’s a method to my, less than creative, madness.
One, I’ve just spent a week in Gotham City.
Two, on Wednesday I saw the Broadway production of the musical featuring several new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda and it’s fabulous.
And three, today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sinatra’s passing.
The tune, written in 1977 as the title track to the Martin Scorsese film, was composed by John Kander and Fred Ebb and introduced in the movie by Liza Minnelli.
Fun fact, if the Yankees lost, they used to play Liza’s version and if they won it was Frank. Now it’s Sinatra regardless of the outcome.
“Start spreading the news.
I’m leaving today
I want to be a part of it New York, New York”
Yet another fun fact, Robert Di Nero didn’t like Ebbs original lyrics and asked Scorsese to have him do a rewrite.
“These vagabond shoes Are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
New York, New York”
As luck would have it, my son and I were in town 25 years ago when Frank died.
The next day after seeing David Wells toss a perfect game at the stadium we caught Toots Thielemans at the Blue Note.
The show began with Toots playing the opening of, “All The Way” then saying, “ I know he’s listening.”
Just another weekend in a city that never sleeps.
Enjoy

Climatize with Will Wiseman - https://www.climatize.earth/about-us/

…hello and welcome to Sunday Liner Notes.
While I am winging it to New York City as I write this, my thoughts are in Texas. More precisely, Luckenbach and the great Waylon Jennings.
Since I am currently 30,000 feet above Utah I won’t dwell on the fact that Waylon, a former Cricket, gave up his seat to the Big Bopper on Buddy Holly’s ill-fated flight. Or at least until we pass Iowa.
A founding member of one of my very favorite groups, “The Highwaymen,” Jennings along with Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard all but invented, “Outlaw Country.”
As a soloist, he was pure Americana. What Hank Williams laid down, Waylon picked up.
There are fews songs that are as vintage Country as, “Luckenbach Texas.”
Written by Bobby Emmons and Chip Moman. The tune is a tribute to the town, the lifestyle and to the music.
“The only two things in life that makes it worth livin’
That’s guitars that tune good and firm feeling women
I don’t need my name in the marquis lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight Maybe it’s time we got back to the basics of love”
So join me, Waylon, Willie and the boys, as we go back to Luckenbach Texas.
Enjoy

G-Man

…good show this week.
We will catch up with our old buddy, Giacomo, Gates, jazz vocalist extraordinaire. A dear friend, with a marvelous backstory that involves the Alaskan pipeline and Sarah Vaughan. Always fun to chat with the “G”-man.
We’ll mark the birth anniversary of the great Duke Ellington with a couple versions of his songs including one by Giacomo and a Liner Notes with Mundell Lowe.
Plus some binging recommendations, a farewell to Tucker Carlson (yes, my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek) along with a few giggles.
Join me, Rachael and our buddy Brandon for ”Raising the Standards,” The Internet’s finest hour…anywhere.
Saturdays at noon and 5 PM on santacruzvoice.com and Spotify
Rachael Shelton
Giacomo Gates

Play Ball

… good show this week.
Since we are a hop, skip, and a slap shot away from the playoffs for Lord Stanley's trophy, I thought we'd talk a bit of hockey this week. Not that we know anything about hockey.
In fact, the only thing Rachael and I know about icing is when it’s on a cupcake. However, our buddy Brandon knows hockey as does my old friend and colleague Len Shapiro Len has been around Bay Area hockey since the 70s and has covered Bay Area sports for the past 50 years. Should be a fun chat.
DR. JOHN will join us to talk about a little of the trials and tribulations of being a doctor. It’s not Marcus Welby anymore my friends.
We will also talk binging, do a Liner Notes and remember the great Ahmad Jamal.
Join Rachael and myself along with our buddy Brandon for, “Raising The Standards” Saturdays at noon and 5 PM on www.santacruzvoice.com
and on Spotify. It’s The Internet’s finest hour…anywhere.
Rachael Shelton
Raising the Standards
Leonard Shapiro

Cold Cases

…good show this week.
In fact it promises to be a fascinating one.
Duffy Jennings, author and journalist, will join us in studio to chat about his collaboration with former San Francisco Homicide Inspector, Frank Falzon on the book, “5-HENRY-7.”
The book chronicles Falzon’s career in which he covered some the seventies and eighties most notable cases.
Frank will join us as well to share his story.
Plus a”Liner Notes” and a tribute to our old friend, songwriter Carroll Coates.
Join Rachael Shelton, our buddy Brandon and myself for, “Raising The Standards,” The Internet’s finest hour…anywhere.
www.Santacruzvoice.com
12 noon and 5 pm
Now on SPOTIFY...listen anytime!
Rachael Shelton
Raising the Standards
Duffy Jennings