raisingthestandards

Hiding chickens... Happy Easter!

...good show this week.
In fact, one of our favorite programs of the year, "The Baseball Show." Yes, It's Spring and we'll catch up with our old friends, Jeff Idelson and Jean Fruth. He's the former President of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and she's one of the preeminent sports photographers in the country. Together they are Grassroots Baseball.
Their two books, "Grassroots Baseball Where Legends Begin" and "Grassroots Baseball Route 66" are simply terrific. We will talk about the new season, the new rules and their new project, "Grassroots Baseball Women."
And as an extra attraction we will cat h up we our old pal Mike Howard from the Inn at Tres Pinos, our favorite spot.
We will treat ourselves to a bit of Horace Silver, and a Liner Notes' along with the usual giggles.
Join Rachael and me for The Internet’s finest hour…anywhere. “ Raising The Standards.” Saturdays noon and 5 PM on www.santacruzvoice.com
and on Spotify.
Rachael Shelton
Jeff Idelson
Grassroots Baseball
Raising the Standards
The Inn at Tres Pinos

Hey Lady

…good show this week.
Yes, it’s a bit late for Mardi Gras but we wouldn’t want to miss a chance to talk to our old friend, John Fitzpatrick, Concierge at The Westin Hotel in New Orleans.
No one knows The Big Easy like John and it’s always fun to chat with him about where and how to party down.
Dr. John Clark will make a, “House Call” and tell us about sleep disorders. Since I am writing this at 3 AM, for me a timely subject.
Finally, we will give a nod to the great George Benson who turned 80 this week.
Oh and don’t forget, in addition to www.santacruzvoice.com
, you can now catch, “Raising The Standards” on Spotify
Join Rachael Shelton and myself Saturdays noon and 5 PM for The Internet’s finest hour…anywhere.
www.santacruzvoice.com
Raising the Standards
Rachael Shelton
The Westin New Orleans

Oscars, baby showers, and musical theater

…good show this week.
It’s been quite a week. The Oscars, March Madness, a time change, a bank collapse and a cameo appearance by the sun.
We’ll look back and look forward to a new season for our friends at Children’s Musical Theater as we chat with our great pal, Dana Zell Director of CMT.
We will treat ourselves to some music from the extraordinary John Scofield along with our weekly binging recommendations. Yes, Ted Lasso is back (finally).
Plus, Rachael and I will have a big and very exciting announcement. So stay tuned. Which, of course, is the idea isn’t it?
Join us at Saturday at noon and 5 p.m. at www.santacruzvoice.com
for “Raising The Standards.” The Internet’s finest hour.
Santa Cruz Voice
Raising the Standards
Rachael Shelton

Eighteen feet of snow

…hello and welcome to Sunday Liner Notes.
I don’t know if in fact that water, like cottage cheese, has an expiration date but I gotta tell you, this rain is getting old.
So old, that I thought I’d do something completely different today…comedy.
And not just any comedy routine mind you. Rather it’s one of my very favorites. One guaranteed to brighter your day no matter how grey.
Nominated for a Grammy in 1971, “Ajax Liquor Store,” by Hudson and Landry is simply brilliant.
Having spent some time in my youth doing stand up with a pal of mine, I have special place in my heart for comedy teams. Although it turned out, that since we both liked eating better than performing, we choose to pursue different careers.
I have, however, continued to write over the years, occasionally selling material to some major players such as Dennis Miller and Jay Leno.
In the early seventies, while I was beginning my broadcast career, Bob Hudson met Ron Landry at KGBS Los Angeles. Ultimately becoming a very successful morning team, they also freelanced as comedy writers for the likes of Jim Backus and Lily Tomlin.
They went on to appear on The Flip Wilson, The Smothers Brothers and The Steve Allen Show.
All right, enough with the Wikipedia, I love this bit and challenge you to find a funnier 2 minutes and 59 seconds.
If you do, drop me a note. Lord knows, I too could use a giggle.
Enjoy

Crawling before we run... and then Dr. John

...good show this week.
Rachael is back, we're getting used to the new studio and Readers Digest just mailed me this month's adlibs. Yes, things are getting back to normal.
Our resident doctor, John Clark from Prime Care will join us to talk about something (anything) other than COVID. John is my personal physician and I'm still alive, so you know he's got to be good.
We will play some Bill Evans and Tony Bennett and talk about what to binge along with sharing a new Liner Notes featuring the great Stephane Grapelli.
Join us for the Internet finest hour...anywhere. "Raising The Standards."
www.santacruzvoice.com
Saturdays...noon and 5 pm pacific
Raising the Standards
Rachael Shelton
Santa Cruz Voice

Such an exciting endeavor

…good show this week.
Rachael is taking a day off so we’re going to do something a bit different. A round table discussion on the state of the media.
From broadcast to print, from films to books, and all the stops in between, it promises to be a fascinating hour.
Joining me will be our good friend, Sal Pizarro from The Mercury News whose column, “Around Town” has been a mainstay in the South Bay since 2005.
In studio as well is our own author and program host of “ Food Chain,” Michael Olson.
Finally, we’ll chat about CInequest’s upcoming virtual series.
Join us Saturdays at noon and 5 PM at www.santacruzvoice.com
for “Raising The Standards,” the Internet’s finest hour…anywhere.
#salpizarro
#michaelolson

Rosie Chalmers joins Raising the Standards

…hello and welcome to Sunday Liner Notes.
This morning a composition and performance that are both quite stunning.
Written in 1933 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, “Stormy Weather” was first introduced that same year at The Cotton Club in Harlem by Ethel Waters.
Embraced by four generations of vocalists, it is the quintessential torch song.
“Don’t know why There’s no sun up in the sky.
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain’t together
Keeps raining all the time”.
Fast forward a decade as 20th Century Fox releases, “Stormy Weather” one of two films featuring African American casts (the other being MGM’s “Cabin in the Sky”).
The picture starred, Lena Horne, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Cab Calloway along with a young actor/musician named Dooley Wilson who five years later would make history as the piano player at Rick’s American Cafe in “Casablanca.”
“When he went away The blues walked in and met me
Oh, yeah if he stays away
Old rocking chair’s gonna get me
All I do is pray
The Lord above will let me.
Walk in the sun once more”
The attached clip from the movie in which Calloway conducts the orchestra accompanying Miss Horne is simply magic and she is the very definition of elegance.
Oh, and watch until the end. If you’ve haven’t seen the movie, you are in for a surprise.
Enjoy.

Whale Sounds and Beta Fish

Rough start but worth the wait. First Raising the Standards on Santa Cruz Voice. Episode trimmed for you, not to worry. 
 
…hello and welcome to Sunday Liner Notes.
Let’s see, over the last couple years we’ve done Pop and Rock, Jazz and Country. Film trailers and Symphonies and even some Blues. So unless I’ve missed my guess, it’s high time we give a nod to Folk Music.
And I can’t think of a better nod than one toward the wonderful Glenn Yarbrough.
I used to see him in the mid seventies at The Cellar in Los Altos and later at The Circle Star Theater and was literally thrilled by his voice.
Lead singer of The Limeliters in the late fifties and early sixties, Yarbrough went on to have successful solo career before becoming disenchanted with the industry and retiring to a life of sailing and working with orphans.
This morning a tune by Rod McKuen, “I’ve Been To Town.” If you’re a Sinatra fan, you are probably familiar with the album, “A Man Alone” (if you’re not familiar with it, do yourself a favor and get a copy or download one) which includes the song.
“I’ve been to town
I’ve walked the highways and the harbors too
I’ve done some things I never thought I’d ever do
Now as I stand here looking down at you”
I happen to like Rod McKuen and Hallmark cards. Walks on the beach and long wet kisses, puppies…and Glenn Yarbrough.
“You ask me why it is I frown
I guess it’s ‘cause I’ve been to town.”
Enjoy