Portmanteu

port·man·teau \pört-ˈman-(ˌ)tō\

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural port·man·teaus or port·man·teaux \-(ˌ)tōz\

1: a large suitcase



2: a word or morpheme whose form and meaning are derived from a blending of two or more distinct forms or words (as smog from smoke and fog)

Etymology:

Middle French portemanteau, from porter to carry + manteau mantle, from Latin mantellum — more at port

This week's show takes a quieter, mellower tone. The components of this
Deedlecast are each blends of two or more distinct sounds or songs,
portmanteaux themselves.



In fact, even the words Deedlecast and podcast are portmateaux.

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Portmanteau.mp3

Mixtape Essential

Once the cornerstone of hand-made mixing, the art of the mixtape essentially has been lost, a casualty of sometimes cruel technological progress and fickle fashion.  Somehow, a drag-and-drop iTunes playlist just doesn't have the magic of a lovingly and painstakingly crafted mixtape labored over for hours in unglamorous real-time analog.  The casette tape has gone the way of the dodo, and even the compact disk rides off into the technological sunset.

But there is life after life for the mixtape in the virtual afterworld: a place where every song is selected with utmost care, enjoyed in real-time, every minute savored, and variety and innovation transcending what many saw as the cramped and archaic medium of the cassette tape.   DJDeedle presents the mixtape essentials.  A salute to cassette culture.

Caution:  As with any good mixtape, there are few choice words in this one.

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Mixtape_Essential.mp3

The Hepcat Club

Hipsters, flipsters, and finger-poppin' daddies -- knock me your lobes.

Hipster or Hepcat, as used in the 1940s, referred to aficionados of jazz, in particular modern jazz, which became popular in the early '40s. The hipster adopted the lifestyle of the jazz musician, including their manner of dress, slang terminology, use of cannabis and other drugs, relaxed attitude, sarcastic humor, self-imposed poverty, and relaxed sexual codes.

What does it mean to be hip? The hip thing is to be able to perform the exactly appropriate action at all times, and that not easy, daddio.  When in doubt, be cool. That's all there is to it.

Regardless of whether you are hepcat or a square, this week, DJDeedle's got you covered and will get you into this 21st Century reinterpretation of the Hepcat Club.

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_The_Hepcat_Club.mp3

Macheesmo: Empowerment in the Kitchen

DJDeedle's friend, Nick, has launched a tasty new website all about food.  Nick calls his creation, "Macheesmo." 

What is Nick's website all about? 

Food
and cooking have become much too serious. This thing which should be
fun and somewhat whimsical, but at the same time essential, has been
lost to a world of processed, fast, and unhealthy food. The goal of
this site is to explore cooking and food and also show people that it
can be fun, exciting, and rewarding.

What does "Macheesmo" mean?  Let Nick tell you:

Macheesmo
is about empowerment in the kitchen. I want people to feel confident
around food. One thing that we can control is what we eat and what we
feed those we care about. That’s why the motto for this site is: Cook
something.

When
you proudly go out on a Saturday night in a black t-shirt with flour
stuck to it, that is Macheesmo. When you spend two days carefully
preparing ribs that your friends devour in ten minutes, that is
Macheesmo. When you can confidently cook for your girlfriend’s mom…
Well, you get the idea.

Get your Macheesmo on at:  http://www.macheesmo.com/

With My Own Hands

Just in time for Halloween, DJDeedle toys with the laws of nature, and with his own hands constructs a musical mash monster by sewing together pieces of other people's tunes and charging them with a sudden flash of inspiration.

It's alive!  ALIVE! 

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_With_My_Own_Hands.mp3

Evilry, by Kevin Powers

Just in time for Halloween, Kevin Powers has launched a website, Evilry, showcasing his macabre musings, movie reviews, as well as his photographic and video creations. 

Check it out at http://www.evilry.com/

Phantasmic

Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow
 
T.S. Eliot

This
week, DJDeedle crosses the streams and lets the shadows, ghosts,
spirits, and phantasms take over Deedlecast studios to dance and rattle
their chains and bones.

Caution: this Deedlecast contains a ghastly word.

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Phantasmic.mp3

Church of Cherry Chapstick

This
week, DJDeedle has saved you a pew in a church of a naughtier variety: 
The Church of Cherry Chapstick.  At this church, you may hear and do
some extraordinary things.  It feels so wrong, it feels so right. 

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Church_of_Cherry_Chapstick.mp3

[Re]Invented Radio

Radio, that venerated invention, has reinvented itself more times than Madonna. 

According to the radio experts, radio has had many incarnations:

Radio 1.0 - Martin Block / Make Believe Ballrooms, Classical Radio Drama.

Radio 2.0 - DJ’s and talk shows.

Radio 3.0 - Digital automation and radio groups along with the mainstreaming of public radio. 

Radio 4.0 – TBD

For radio, the times are always a-changin'.  This week DJDeedle salutes his friends in the radio industry who daily reinvent radio to keep it new and fresh, yet classic and familiar.  

Stop by and visit these radio pioneers: 

Todd Mundt at http://toddmundt.com/blog/

John Pemble at http://johnpemble.com/

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_ReInvented_Radio.mp3

Deedlecast Email Subscriptions

Now there is a new way to get your dose of Deedlecast.  In addition subscribing through iTunes or via your feed reader,
you can get an email update when a new Deedlecast posts.  Simply sign
up using the link below, and you should receive a note in your inbox
when a new show has arrived.

Subscribe to Deedlecast by Email


Questions or problems with subscriptions?  Contact me. 

Press "1" for Old School

It's time for school, old skool. This week, DJDeedle calls class to
order, so prepare to be schooled. Want to find out what is on the
syllabus?  Press 1 for Old Skool. 

A word of warning:  This Deedlecast contains adult language and is for advanced students only.  Freshmen should probably take an intro course or two first. 

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Press_1_For_Old_Skool.mp3

Transporter Room 2

Grab your communicator, phaser, tricorder, and that weird spinny lipstick thing Dr. McCoy uses, and report to Transporter Room 2 for immediate transport to another unexplored part of the Deedleverse.  Trust me, you'll be going to a place vastly more fun than that purple-sky planet on the Paramount backlot.  

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Transporter_Room_2.mp3

Metropolis

This Deedlecast, "Metropolis," is inspired by the recent news that key scenes from the controversial and somewhat inscrutable 1927 silent film,"Metropolis," have been rediscovered in Argentina.  Upon its initial release, according to Zeitmagazin, "the film flopped with critics and audiences alike. Representatives of the American firm Paramount considerably shortened and re-edited the film. They oversimplified the plot, even cutting key scenes. The original version could only be seen in Berlin until May 1927 – from then on it was considered to have been lost forever."  

Cutting key scenes and re-editing the film had the effect of making its true meaning opaque and the film nearly incomprehensible; but it created a haunting and mysterious work of cinematic art.  With these new scenes, the mystery of the true meaning of the film "Metropolis" and the controversy that has surrounded the timeless film since 1927 may finally have been laid to rest.  With the passing of this mystery, DJDeedle feels that the world loses something intangible, yet valuable, and creates a "Metropolis" soundscape filled with inscrutable and controversial electronic aural inputs he hopes are worthy of the look, feel, and mystery of this enduring cinematic masterpiece.  

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Metropolis.mp3

iRobot

Mad wicked Photoshop skills courtesy of Chris Spinosa



Modern demands and technology have made us all robots of one kind or
another these days. But even robots need music. Not unlike ourselves,
songs of love, loneliness, lust, loyalty, longing, and loss nourish
their circuits and gears. No matter what kind of robot you happen to
be, this Deedlecast will speak to you. All robots depicted in this
Deedlecast are purely fictional, and have no relation to me.



This Deedlecast features a treatment of Weekend Players' "I'll be There
for You." Take a moment and revisit DJDeedle's arrangment of this same
song at Tu ne's pas oublie.





Direct download: Deedlecast_-_iRobot.mp3

Telephony

Most US telephone customers are familiar with Jane Barbe (pronounced "Barbie") (July 29, 1928—July 18, 2003). Even though few of us ever met her, we have all heard her voice many times and know her as the "Telephone Lady" or the "Time Lady." Jane Barbe was an Americanvoice actress who did the later voice recordings for the Bell System. Her voice isheard by millions of people every day speaking for the telephone networks (changed numbers, disconnects, circuits busy, etc.), Bell Laboratory computers, The National Bureau of Standards, announcing ETC's Audichron® (formerly Audichron Company) time, temperature, and weather services, and on many voice mail systems nation wide. Her predecessor was Mary Moore, who was known for using a distinctive pronunciation of 9 (Ny-un) and 5 (Fy-uv). The distintive pronunciation was required because, on a poor quality line, "nine" and "five" can sound very similar.

DJDeedle dedicates this Deedlecast to these telephonic legends.

Just note. Those too young to remember who "Ma Bell" was may be too young for some of the language in this podcast.

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Telephony.mp3

Rock Steady

Now that the country at long last has begun to come to it senses, two sensible and fair-minded states in the union have decided, at least for the time being, that marriage should not be restricted solely to people like Britney Spears and strangers who met the day before on a reality television show. You know, heterosexuals. This sudden unexpected moment of openmindedness, although limited to two states and the always sensible Canada, has given gays and lesbians the urge to make solemn what long before had to remain secret, and more recently, less secret, but unsolemnized and unrecognized by the civil authorities.

Two couples who are dear friends of your humble DJ have chosen to do just that: make it solemn, and make it legal (void where prohibited, some restrictions apply, see store for details). This week's Deedlecast is a salute to these rock steady couples, and others like them, who comprise the new Rock Steady Group. Cheers and mazal tov! Dale and Kevin, Matt and Alex, DJDeedle wishes you many years of health and happiness.



Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Rock_Steady.mp3

Hip-Hop Summer Non-Stop

The calendar tells us that the summer season is winding down. But the
summer still has some partying to do, and on Deedlecast, the gritty
summer hip-hop doesn't have to end.


Note: Rude words in this one

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Hip-hop_Summer_Dont_Stop.mp3

Supremely Special, Supremely Ross

Today's musical landscape would be much different if not for the Supremes, and particularly, Diana Ross. The Supremes were the most popular "girl group" of the 1960's, and the most successful vocal group of the period after the Beatles. The Supremes released hit after hit, charting a dozen number one hits between 1964 and 1969. Ultimately, in 1969, the original group split up, with Diana Ross going more or less solo, touring as Diana Ross & the Supremes, though without Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson.

The influence of the Supremes was vital in shaping the Motown sound and R&B. Similarly, the influence of Diana Ross and her solo work on R&B and Disco cannot be understated. The sounds they pioneered can be found throughout today's music, and modern musicians, both female and male, owe them a debt of gratitude for their groundbreaking work. This week, DJDeedle salutes the queens of popular music, both as a group and in their solo careers, the supremely special Supremes.

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_Supremely_Ross.mp3

No Tempo Ordinario

Tempo Ordinario:

In music, either moderate speed or four beats in a bar (as opposed to alla breve, where there are two beats in a bar).

Brace yourself. This week's Deedlecast is definitely no ordinary tempo.

Direct download: Deedlecast_-_No_Tempo_Ordinario.mp3

iWood Touch

DJDeedle has always found something magical about juxtaposing the high-tech and the low-tech, the synthetic and the organic.

DJDeedle's friends at Miniot in Holland have obliged DJDeedle's fascination by fashioning a case for his iPod Touch out of mahogany. And to top it all off, they have stenciled the DJDeedle logo into the lid.