Mary McCaslin's Roundup

Aug 22, 2002

TV SONGS

How many times have you sat through the credits of a television show, all the way to the end, just to see the name of a great song that was featured during that episode? Finally the "IATSE" Union label appears, signaling the end of the credits, and you are left without a clue as to what song it was or who performed it. It's fun to guess, but it's very frustrating to know you may never find out what song you heard.

I mean do we really need to know the names of the hairdressers and accountants who worked with the production? Their contributions are important, but I am far more likely to remember the tune to a song than the name of an accounting firm.

Here are some examples: Remember Northern Exposure? At the end of the very last episode, Iris Dement's beautiful song "Our Town" was heard over the final scenes and through the credits. It's a good thing I recognized the song because neither she nor the song were listed anywhere in the credits.

We are big fans of the West Wing at our house. Last year at the end of the season's final episode we were treated to Mark Knoffler's "Brothers in Arms". My husband and I recognized the song and the artist imediately, as I believe most people would, but it still would have been good to see it shown in the credits.

This year we weren't so lucky. This season's last West Wing episode ended with a song that had "Allelua" in the refrain. It was not to be found in the credits. We looked on line and discovered any number of songs that may have been the one. The most likely possibility is a song by Leonard Cohen, but we don't know for sure. We may never know.

It's unbelievable that this happens at all, given the clout of the songwriters associations ASCAP and BMI. You would think that they would take issue with this lame practice and do something to change it. If someone's recording is used on television or in a film, they are paid. It would be nice if they would receive mention in television credits.

I guess the film people are more disposed to making sure all the songs and artists heard are shown in the credits because often soundtrack recordings accompany movie releases. The only releases of music heard on television are collections of TV themes.

As much as we like to think of it as an all-knowing oracle, the internet does not provide the answer to every question and often searches of television shows' web sites do not yield the names of songs used for various episodes. You're in luck if you want to find out what songs have been used in TV ads, though. Just go to www.songtitle.info and type in the product. So why is there no listing of songs used on television shows?

It's time to let them know that we're tired of this and won't take it any more.

AS THE DIAL TURNS

By now most public radio listeners are aware that station KAZU has endured yet another calamitous setback. A couple of weeks ago the business that is located above the radio station had a fire. It was extinguished before much damage could occur. But water used to douse the fire seeped through the ceiling of KAZU below and seriously damaged their equipment. The station was knocked off the air.

Right after the fire I spoke with Mike Eckstrom, who lost his long running blues show when KAZU recently went to almost all NPR programming. He was planning to spend a day at the studio wiping CDs and drying out the booklets that come with them. I asked why he didn't just let station manager John McNally and his crew take care of the CDs and he told me yet one more KAZU horror story.

Robin Roberts and J. T. Mason, who co-host one of the only remaining local shows on KAZU, the Roadside Cafe, had to take a stand to keep McNally from removing all or most of the CDs from the library. From what Mike told me, things got pretty heated, but Robin and J. T. managed to prevail.

However, it turnes out that the water soaked CDs were boxed up and sent to a company to be professionally cleaned and dried and presumably returned to the station. This is a small ray of good news in what otherwise has been a run of dismal events.

For those who have not kept up with this issue, John McNally and the CSUMB management have basically taken KAZU away from the local programmers who made it a great station. They have turned KAZU into yet another National Public Radio outlet, dumping almost all of the local programming in favor of running NPR shows that can already be heard on KUSP and KQED.

If you want to sign one of the petitions to be sent to the Chancellor of California State University to ask that local programming be returned to KAZU's airwaves, they will be circulating at music events and can be found at some music stores. A thousand signatures have already been collected, so there certainly is a groundswell of support to return KAZU to it's beloved local format.

COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER

On Saturday, Sept. 7th the Otter Opry bluegrass series presents the David Thom Band and Batteries Not Included. The show takes place at the First United Methodist Church, 250 California St. in Santa Cruz. These are two fine fine bands.

The David Thom Band has received praise from David Grisman and Batteries Not Included is best known for their stunning three part harmonies. The show starts at 7:30 pm. Call 338-0618.

Acoustic guitar fans have a chance to hear a "fingerstyle feast for the ears" when Akorn Studios and Sylvan Music present Mark Hanson and Doug Smith in concert on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Mark Hanson is the former editor of Frets Magazine and has many guitar instruction books to his credit. His playing is very inventive. Doug Smith is a hot finger style player.

The concert takes place at Akorn Studios in Scotts Valley and starts at 7:30 pm. Seating is limited. Tickets are on sale at Sylvan Music. Call 438-7900 for directions.

Make sure to check out the Snazzy Productions lineup. They're sure to bring the best of the best to us. Call 479-9421 to find out what musical treats they have in store.

MUSICAL SWAP MEET & JAZZ JAMS

The Jazz Society of Santa Cruz County is hosting a Music Swap Meet on Saturday, Sept. 14th at the Calvary Church across from the Nickelodeon Theatre in downtown Santa Cruz. Sellers are welcome to bring anything music related: CDs, records, sheet music, books, musical instruments and accessories. This is a chance to find some great deals.

The Swap Meet runs from 9 am to 3 pm, with set up at 8 am. Advance registration is advised. Call 426-8449 for information.

If you want to spend a Sunday afternoon jamming with some fine local jazz musicians, stop by Bocci's Cellar on Encinal St. in the Harvey West area of Santa Cruz. These jazz jams take place from 3 to 7 pm. Jazz players are welcome to sit in with Bocci's rhythm section, and singers are encouraged to bring charts if they have them. And of course, listeners are also welcome!

If you would like to know more about the Santa Cruz Jazz Society's activities check out their web site at www.santacruzjazz.org.

That's about it for this time. Stay in touch. Happy trails.

Contact Mary McCaslin at roundup@marymccaslin.com