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Every Monday, Joe posts answers to questions he receives over at the Frankophiles Forum. Ask your question now, and come back Monday to see if it was answered.

March 12, 2007

music. it's a really, really important part of the mix for me when i listen to your shows. over the years, you have picked some damned fine music, as well as worked the hell out of good parts from not so fine music. how do you find what you use? what have you been listening to this month?
mercy

A. Hi Mercy. I agree with you that music has always been an integral part of my programs. It's been almost as important as the words, the ideas and the performances because of its power in deepening emotion and driving narrative momentum. Also, I've taken care to choose music that does not distract the listener by drawing attention to itself; it must serve only the interests of the material.

When I was producing my weekly radio show, it was a challenge to consistently find new music that worked, and I was often forced to fall back on pieces I'd already used. My situation in this respect was further complicated by my use of low harmonic drones to further enhance the emotion of the music. The drones were pitched to the key in which the music played; that key had to remain the same because if it changed it would have resulted in jarring dissonance.

To find new music, I listened to the nightly music shows on KCRW. What I was looking for was an evocative, instrumental section in one key that I could loop and that my drones could accompany. I haven't been listening to music lately, so there's nothing at the moment I can recommend. Thanks for writing.

Have you ever heard from Jack Kornfield regarding what he thinks of his speeches being included in your shows? It would be great to have heard you two debate and discuss life and how to deal with it. Secondly: Many of your shows deal with death and its mystery. If offered immortality (combined, I hasten to add, with good health) would you take it? I, too, fear death (sometimes to the point of panic), and I'd take it without hesitation... Thanks
hazmat70

A. I first heard a tape of Jack Kornfield just before the Karma Series. It occurred to me that his inclusion in the programs would create an interesting dynamic between the philosophical wisdom and serenity of his Zen Buddhist point of view and the confusion, craziness, unenlightened misery and dark humor of the rest of the characters (including me). I got the rights to use his tapes at my discretion, in exchange for a promotional plug for his cassette collections at the end of the show.

As it turned out, Jack provided a perfect countervailing voice. He was a wonderful story teller and a thoughtful, wise and amusing teacher.

I've never met or spoken to Jack. In fact, he says (according to fans who have contacted him) that he's never heard of me and has no idea who I am. As for debating him on the issue of "how to deal with life," I don't think it would be a good idea because Jack's been a Buddhist teacher for years and his vision is very clear while I, on the other hand, hardly know the answers and have a pretty hard time navigating life anyway. So how could I presume to advise anyone?

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