Portland Yiddish Hour
(it's not in Yiddish!)

Jewish, Yiddish,
Ladino, Klezmer,
Israeli, Mizrahi and Sephardic Music and Culture
Please give us your feedback on the Comments page! You can comment on the show in general, or comment on a specific show by starting at the playlist for that date ... look below for a small link called "Comments"
If you would like to publicize an event on the Yiddish Hour, send it to pdxyiddish@yahoo.com.
To send an email to any of the hosts, click the host's name in the box at the upper right corner of this page.
Many thanks to DJ Emeritus Jack (Yankl) Falk for 31 years of radio hosting! If you'd like to contact Jack, use the link above for Reva and she'll forward the email to him.
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The Portland Yiddish Hour needs a new name
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We are meeting a lot of potential listeners who assume our show is in Yiddish; as a result, some folks don't tune in because they don't speak Yiddish. Since we feature music and culture from the entire Jewish world, we have decided that we need a name (in english) that reflects our diverse and eclectic programming. If you have a suggestion, send it to us at pdxyiddish@yahoo.com. Remember that we are a local radio show and our name should reflect our ties to Jewish community here in Portland.
Upcoming Shows
Sept 5 Reva hosts
Sept 12 Liz hosts
Sept 19 Barry hosts
Sept 26 Ed hosts
Oct 3 Liz hosts (membership drive)
Oct 10 Ed hosts (membership drive)
Oct 17 Liz hosts
Oct 24 Reva hosts
Oct 31 Barry hosts
For ARCHIVED AUDIO of past shows, check the bottom of this page.
Ed's Jewish Public Affairs show Shalom Portland has archived past shows available to download. If you like them let Ed know via the email link at the top of this page.
Also check out the article about us in the Jewish Review.
PLAYLISTS: To view playlists for past Yiddish Hour shows, click the grey colored word Playlists. Don't click the blue one that says "View all Playlists," unless you want to see every playlist for every show ever aired on KBOO (trust us, you don't want to do that).
Audio
Where Are Your Guns?
A story by Howard Fast, read by radio actor George Lederer. First broadcast on the Yiddish Hour on July 11, 2010.
- Artist: George Lederer
- Title: where are your guns
- Genre: Other
- Length: 18:40 minutes (17.08 MB)
- Format: MP3 Mono 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
The 10th Man
A short story by Sholem Aleichem, read by radio actor George Lederer. Originally broadcast on the Yiddish Hour on June 6, 2010.
- Artist: George Lederer
- Title: The 10th Man by Sholem Aleichem
- Album: @KBOO 6-6-2010
- Genre: Speech
- Length: 13:14 minutes (12.12 MB)
- Format: MP3 Mono 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
Yeshiva Boy - A Short Story By David Fuks
In this original story, a young Jewish boy learns the true power of prayer.
Originally aired on the Portland Yiddish Hour January 17, 2010
- Length: 5:43 minutes (9.16 MB)
- Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 224Kbps (CBR)
Rabbi Aryeh Hirshfield - His Musical Roots and Legacy
Portland's Rabbi Aryeh Hirshfield was a Rabbi, a musician, and a tireless activist for global peace and interfaith dialogue.
Sunday December 27th 2009 was the first yahrtzeit, or anniversary of his death. On this special Yiddish Hour we explore the roots of Reb Aryeh's music, and learn of his journey from musician playing Dylan and Spanish protest songs in Ghirardelli Square, to Rabbi and composer of liturgical music.
This program focuses on the musical origins of Reb Aryeh's music, as well as the activist roots behind his choices of sacred text. There are recordings of music both old and new by Reb Aryeh and friends, and interviews with Rabbis Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin and Moshe Shur, both of whom are themselves composers of liturgical music used today in many Oregon synagogues.
It's funny now that the show is finished, less than half of the music featured is from Rabbi Aryeh, but I hope that this program helps people already familiar with Aryeh's music to get a fuller picture of his musical and activist influences.
Rabbi Aryeh's music including the CD Batee L'Ganee can be purchased through this website http://www.rebaryeh.com and you can find links there to much more information about his life and his work as a rabbi and as an activist for justice and peace. The new digitally remastered two CD set Wings of Peace & As The Deer Yearns is now also available!
Rabbi Shur's CD A Shur Thing can be found at www.jewishjukebox.com ... and you can contact him through the Hillel program at Queens College in New York City.
Rabbi Yitzhak gave me a copy of his CD Treasure Each Day when I visited Temple Beth Israel in Eugene to record the interview. I don't know if they sell the CD there, but you can call TBI at (541) 485-7218 and find out.
- Artist: Portland Yiddish Hour
- Title: Portland's Rabbi Aryeh Hirshfield was a Rabbi, a musician, and a tireless activist for global peace and interfaith dialogue.
- Length: 56:13 minutes (51.47 MB)
- Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
Happy Hour with Sholem Aleichem
A special Yiddish Hour featuring the Jewish Theatre Collaborative's production of "Happy Hour with Sholem Aleichem," directed by Sacha Reich, with music by Yankl Falk and Courtney von Drehle. Thanks to my co-host Ed Kraus for help with editing the audio.
- Title: Happy Hour with Sholem Aleichem
- Length: 36:53 minutes (33.77 MB)
- Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
Oregon Holocaust Memorial 5th Anniversary
Five years ago the Oregon Holocaust Memorial in Portland's Washington Park was dedicated, to leave a legacy of hope for all citizens in our community and to teach what hatred and bigotry can do when an entire government endorses those ideologies. A fifth anniversary event from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm Sunday August 30th 2009 at the memorial will feature teachers, political dignitaries, clergy, students, survivors, and musical interludes.
Lisa Kaner from Friends of the Oregon Holocaust Memorial and Miriam Greenstein from the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center speak with Yiddish Hour host Ed Kraus about the message of the memorial ... acceptance of diversity, and to protect the civil rights of each other.
- Artist: Portland Yiddish Hour
- Title: Oregon Holocaust Memorial 5th Anniversary
- Length: 13:34 minutes (12.42 MB)
- Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
This Will Never Work Out
From the stories of David Fuks, This Will Never Work Out
David Fuks shares with us a hilarious short story of young love in Detroit, Michigan. The story was recorded and mixed for radio by Yiddish Hour host Ed Kraus. This story first aired on May 24th, 2009.
- Artist: David Fuks
- Title: This Will Never Work Out
- Length: 10:19 minutes (9.45 MB)
- Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
Holocaust Art and Music - Interview with Cantor Ida Rae Cahana
April 19, 20, and 21 2009 are the dates for Portland's Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Day) Community Commemoration.
This event is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Portland, The Archdiocese of Portland, Ecumenical Ministries of Portland, University of Portland, and others. For this year, instead of religious services the Holocaust experience will be explored through art, music, and film. In particular the paintings, letters, and poems of survivor Alice Lok Cahana will be presented and discussed. Alice Cahana is the mother of Rabbi Z. Michael Cahana of Congregation Beth Israel.
Cantor Ida Rae Cahana (daughter in law of Alice) was interviewed by host Ed Kraus on the Portland Yiddish Hour. The upcoming performance Through My Mother's Eyes was discussed, along with the meaning for the Cahana family of making Alice's experiences public art and performance.
The picture shown is No Names, part of the art that will be on display through May 24th at Portland Center Stage and at the Oregon Jewish Museum.
- Title: Cahana Interview
- Length: 14:03 minutes (12.87 MB)
- Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
Jews, Food and Ethics
This show focuses on the intersection of Jews, food and ethics. Host Liz Schwartz interviews Rabbi Arthur Waskow, a major proponent of the eco-kashrut movement. Eco-kashrut expands on traditional kosher dietary practices by incorporating the ethics of sustainable growing systems, humane animal production and fair treatment for farm workers and meat processors. Also featured is Rabbi Morris Allen, who founded the Hekhsher Tzedek, an ethical certification seal that will appear on kosher food products. Finally, Liz talks with two of Portland's Jewish organic farmers.
- Artist: Liz Schwartz
- Title: Jews, Food and Ethics
- Length: 50:37 minutes (46.35 MB)
- Format: MP3 Mono 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
Yuval Ron Interview

Composer and musician Yuval Ron is the leader of the Yuval Ron Ensemble, a musical ensemble that builds musical bridges between people of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths by performing sacred music of Arabic, Israeli, Jewish, Moslem, Sufi, and Armenian Church traditions. Yuval Ron was interviewed on the Portland Yiddish Hour March 15, 2009 by host Ed Kraus. This interview covers a wide range of topics including the origins of his ensemble, the musicians and the instruments they play, musicology of Arabic music styles, and thoughts about the relevance of reaching out to others in this time of extreme violence and suffering.
More information about the Yuval Ron Ensemble can be found at www.yuvalronmusic.com
- Title: Track 01
- Length: 32:32 minutes (29.79 MB)
- Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
Playlists
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 08/29/2010
| Artist | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Naftule Brandwein | Turkishe Yalle Vey Uve | King of the Klezmer Clarinet |
| Amsterdam Klezmer Band | Terk | Amsterdam Klezmer Band Remixed |
| Naftule Brandwein | Freilicher Yomtov | King of the Klezmer Clarinet |
| Yuval Ron Ensemble | Laz | Under the Olive Tree |
| Margie and Ilene | Zaide | Reflections |
| Di Naye Kapelye | Borey Olam | A Mazeldiker Yid |
| Di Naye Kapelye | Borey Olam (instrumental) | A Mazeldiker Yid |
| Ot Azoi Klezmer Band | Freilach Fun Odessa | Klezmer from Kishinev |
| Ot Azoi Klezmer Band | Turkische Yalle Vey Uve | Klezmer from Kishinev |
| Shicky Gnarowitz | Red Headed Waltz | Shicky Gnarowitz and the Transparent Wings of Joy |
| Shicky Gnarowitz | Romanian Bulgar | Shicky Gnarowitz and the Transparent Wings of Joy |
| Moscow Klezmer Band | Rumenye | Klezmer is Dead |
| Klezmatics | Heyser Tartar-Tants | Jews With Horns |
Host Ed Kraus
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 08/22/2010
| Artist | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Klezmer Juice | Freylach in D | Actions Speak Louder Than Words |
| Waltz Medley | ||
| Araber Tanz | ||
| Slow Melody #8 | ||
| Freylach #15 | ||
| Red Hot Chachkas | Avinu Malkenu | Family Album |
| Erev Rav | Fun Tashlich | Oly Shtetl Klezmer |
| Davka | Yo Semite | Judith |
| Judith | ||
| Jericho | ||
| Lerner Mogvilevsky Duo | Tati und Mami Tanz | Basavilbaso |
| Sirba |
Hosted by Barry
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 08/15/2010
| Artist | Title | Album | Label | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Klezmer | Heiser Tartar Bulgar | Manichalfwitz | Gert Town | www.klezmers.com |
| Naftule Brandwein | Heyser Bulgar | Yikhes | Trikont | www.klezmershack.com |
| Klezmocracy | Miami Beach Rhumba | Klezmocracy | Entrance Records | www.klezmocracy.com |
| Ramon Tasat | Una Tarda del Verano | FAU Jewish Sound Archive | n/a | faujsa.fau.edu |
| Davka | Hamsin | Judith | Shirim | www.davkamusic.com |
| Jo Amar | Layl Kaitz | FAU Jewish Sound Archive | n/a | faujsa.fau.edu |
| Idan Raichel Project | Brong Faya | The Idan Raichel Project | Helicon | www.idanraichelproject.com |
| Bustan Abraham | Hamsin | Live Concerts | Nada Music | www.youtube.com |
| Scott Gerber | Bin Ich Mir a Schnayderyl | Songs of A Jewish Cowboy | n/a | www.bonnieburt.com |
| Scott Gerber | Dad's Song | Songs of a Jewish Cowboy | n/a | www.bonnieburt.com |
| Ofra Haza | Sof Hakaitz | n/a | n/a | www.youtube.com |
| Klezmer Conservatory Band w/Itzhak Perlman | Der Heyser Bulgar | In the Fiddler's House | EMI Angel | www.klezmershack.com |
Hosted by Liz Schwartz. An hour of songs about heat, summer and fire to celebrate our 90+ degree weather.
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 08/01/2010
| Artist | Title | Album | Label | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brave Old Wolld | The Band | Blood Oranges | www.braveoldworld.com | |
| Kat Parra | Fiestaremos | Dos Amantes | www.katparra.com | |
| Lerner & Moguilevsky | Freilaj Rumani | Sobriviente | Los Anos Luz | www.klezmerbuenosaires.com |
| Sid Beckerman | Freylekhs in D | Klezmer Plus! | ||
| Lerner & Moguilevsky | Bam Rebin | Sobriviente | Los Anos Luz | www.klezmerbuenosaires.com |
| Richard Kaplan | Niggun of the Besht | Turning The Soul | Four Gates Music | www.kaplanmusic.com |
| Brave Old World | Wailing World | Blood Oranges | www.braveoldworld.com | |
| Richard Kaplan | Tiskabeyl | Turning The Soul | Four Gates Music | www.kaplanmusic.com |
| Shawn's Kugel | Dancing with the Little Ones Medley | Most Precious of Days | ||
| Lawrence E. Frank | Scenes from the Jewish Sabbath | An Evening of Jewish and Secular Music | none |
Host Ed Kraus
visiting were Avital Rutenberg-Schoenberg, Michael Biesanz and Ilana Walder-Biesanz ... in a preview of
Neil Simon's You Ought To Be In Pictures ... Aug 12, 13, 14, and 15 at The Headwaters Theatre in NE Portland. For tickets and more information www.bit.ly/ioughttobe or 503 929 6169.
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 07/18/2010
| Artist | Title | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Curtis Klezmer Quartet | Troublesome Freylach | Street Song | Louie Records |
| Jewish Wedding Band | Rumania, Rumania | Songs of Love and Chutzpah | Shtetltown |
| Nitnahmen Shtick | |||
| Accordion Doina/Rumanian Hora | |||
| Duckmandu | Bring the Schmuffle | Shut the Duck up and Play the Accordion | Duckmandu |
| Terkish Yale V’Yove Tanz | |||
| Erev Rav | Naphtaly’s Freylach | Oly Shtetl Klezmer | Erevravmusic |
| Please Varshaver My Skotchne | |||
| Red Hot Chachkas | Sarah’s Bulgar | Family Album | Red Hot Chachkas Productions |
| Dulitski’s Skochne | |||
| Shtetl Swing | |||
| Kolomeyke | |||
| Mike Curtis Klezmer Quartet | A Klezmer Wedding | Street Song | Louie Records |
Hosted by Barry.
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 07/11/2010
| Artist | Title | Album | Label | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helene Engel | Leben zol Kolumbus | Errances | USA 92 | www.helene-engel.com |
| Helene Engel | Kesl Gardn | Errances | USA 92 | www.helene-engel.com |
| George Lederer | Where are Your Guns? | live in-studio reading | ||
| N. Carlos Nakai & Udi Bar-David | Prayer from Jewish Life | Voyagers | Canyon | store.canyonrecords.com |
| Golem | Citizen Boris | Citizen Boris | JDub Records | www.golemrocks.com |
| New Orleans Klezmer | Urban Turk | Manichalfwitz | www.klezmershack.com | |
| Abe Schwartz | Die Greene Cousine | Abe Schwartz: Klezmer King | Columbia/Legacy | www.cduniverse.com |
| Cindy Paley | Greenhorn Cousin | Florida Atlantic Sound Archive | faujsa.fau.edu | |
| Aaron Lebedeff | A Khazendl in Amerika | Florida Atlantic Sound Archive | faujsa.fau.edu | |
| Benny Goodman/Peggy Lee | My Little Cousin | Okeh/reissued Columbia Legacy | www.peggylee.com |
Hosted by Liz. In honor of American Independence Day last week, this show features music from the Jewish immigrant's perspective, as well as a story by Howard Fast, "Where Are Your Guns?," read by radio actor George Lederer.
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 07/04/2010
| Artist | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Lazer Lloyd Blumen | Tel Aviv Blues | You Tube |
| Mickey Katz | Mamaliege Dance | Simcha Time |
| Mickey Katz | Berele's Shrele | Simcha Time |
| Shamalamacord | Russian Sher #5 | Shamalamacord |
| Shamalamacord | Yiddische Martsche | Shamalamacord |
| Chava Alberstein | ||
| Judy Frankel | ||
| Balkan Beat Box | Sunday Arak | Balkan Beat Box |
| Peisachke Burstein | Beigelach | From Ave A to the Great White Way |
| Mickey Katz | Bublitchki | Simcha Time |
| Aryey Hirshfield | The Time of Song Has Come | Wings of Peace |
| The Qadim Ensemble | Yedidi Ha'Shachachta | Eastern Wind |
| The Qadim Ensemble | Maghrebi | Eastern Wind |
Hosted by Ed Kraus, with the able assistance on telephones and announcements by Barry Lavine
Shamalamacord can be found at www.shamalamacord.com and is also on www.myspace.com/shamalamacord
I misplaced my notes what songs I played from Chava and Judy, I'll edit this playlist when I get the information.
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 06/27/2010
| Artist | Title | Album | Label | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bustan Abraham | Solaris | Bustan Abraham Live Concerts | Nada Records | marmadukebass.blogspot.com |
| Jewish Theatre Collaborative | Live Scene from "He Walked in the Fields" | n/a | www.jewishtheatrecollaborative.org | |
| Fran Avni | Natati Etz | Israel World Beat | Tara Music | www.franavni.com |
| Sacha Reich | Interview | n/a | n/a | www.jewishtheatrecollaborative.org |
| Amal Murkus | Hkaye | Amal | NMC Music Ltd. | en.wikipedia.org |
| Amal Murkus | Alouf Mashaal | Amal | NMC Music Ltd. | en.wikipedia.org |
| Marta Gomez | Todo las Palabras | The Idan Raichel Project - Within My Walls | Helicon Ltd. | www.idanraichelproject.com |
| Idan Raichel | Bein Kirot Beiti (Within My Walls) | The Idan Raichel Project - Within My Walls | Helicon Ltd. | www.idanraichelproject.com |
| Noa | Mushrooms | Both Sides of the Sea | Mondo Melodia | www.noasmusic.com |
| Noa | Morning | Both Sides of the Sea | Mondo Melodia | www.noasmusic.com |
| Yasmin Levy | Si Veriash | Mano Suave | Adama Music | www.yasminlevy.net |
Hosted by Liz, featuring an hour of Israeli music and drama. Special guests include Sacha Reich, Artistic Director of the Jewish Theatre Collaborative, and actors Heidi Hunter and Sam Dinkowitz.
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 06/20/2010
| Artist | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Shlomi Shabat | Aba (Father) | unknown |
| poetry | ||
| German Goldenstein | Zhokul Rezeshilor | A Living Tradition |
| poetry | ||
| The Red Hot Chachkas | Adventure Tantz | Beats Without Borders |
| Shamalamacord | Dan se des Hours | live in studio |
| The Red Hot Chachkas | Barak atah Illinois | live in studio |
| The Red Hot Chachkas | Chocolate | Beats Without Borders |
| The Red Hot Chachkas | Roumanian Fantasy | live in studio |
| poetry |
Host Ed Kraus. Live in studio guests ... Julie Egger, Aaron Seaman, and Mike Denny from The Red Hot Chachkas klezmer band www.redhotchachkas.com , and Shamalamacord Accordian/Shamisen duo www.shamalamacord.com .
Also in studio ... Natan Meir from PSU Judaic Studies Dept. reading Hebrew poetry.
What a party! This playlist is the best I can reconstruct from the chaos and fun.
The hebrew poetry was
by Yona Wallach
Hebrew (Ivrit) (this is the one that starts ... "Hebrew is a sex maniac")
http://israel.poetryinternationalweb.org/piw_cms/cms/cms_module/index.php?obj_id=3502&x=1
by Yehudah Amichai http://poemhunter.com/yehuda-amichai/
An Arab Shepherd is Searching For His Goat on Mount Zion
and
God Full of Mercy
Portland Yiddish Hour playlist for 06/13/2010
| Artist | Title | Album | Label | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregori Schechter's Klezmer Festival Band | Skotchne #1 | Der Rebe Elimelech | ARC Music | www.gregorysband.co.uk |
| Dobriry Den' | ||||
| Galitzyaner Tantz | ||||
| Moyshele my Friend | ||||
| In Odessa | ||||
| Freilach | ||||
| With the Rabbi in Palestine/Gasn Nign | ||||
| Fun der Choopah | ||||
| Skitchne #2 | ||||
| Stewart Curtis' Klezmer Grooze | Reggae Freilach | Too Loud for Dinner | Mabley Street | www.stewartcurtis.co.uk |
| Im'Nin'Alu | ||||
| Dance of the Satmars | ||||
| Too Loud for Dinner |
Hosted by Barry.
Comments
Old Show archives
Dear Dame Divine!
We don't podcast our regular music shows for legal reasons. KBOO pays a license to broadcast and stream live over the internet, but not for later podcast so ... sorry.
If we produce content ourselves such as the comedy skits and interviews, that you can find via the audio link on our Yiddish Hour page. We also post playlists in case you need to know what we played. That show was by Barry ... the KBOO website is undergoing a revision and it might take a few more days before you can see the playlist from that show.
Of course, if you are clever you could set your computer to capture the live stream of the show to disk then play it back at your convenience! It's just that we can't legally do this for you.
All the best,
Ed
Yiddish Hour - 9/6/09 show
A lively broadcast. Enjoyed Sheila Fox's voice and joyful klezmer music, a beautiful gift for Elul. Thanks to Liz for bringing this show to KBOO.
Ramon Tasat
Ed-
Who is Ramon Tasat? (Who is John Galt?!!?)
L
Ramón Tasat
yiddish hour
I like this fuzzy-quality, old-school stuff from the 1920's and earlier that comes up every now and then on the Yiddish Hour! My entry into Klezmer and other Yiddish music was through modern bands like New Orleans Klzemer All-stars and Rabbincal School Dropouts, definitely yiddish-infused but with a heavier, funky beat. It's cool to go back and hear the source. Thanks!
Old-school klezmer
Glad you like the archival stuff; it's some of my favorite music to play, too, precisely for the reason you mentioned. Also, nobody tears it up like Dave Tarras, IMO.
Zei gezint,
Liz
great program, shanda at Spertus
Hi Yankl,
Great show today!
I hope you had a great time in Chicago visiting your kids. I got to know Shainah when she joined the shul where I davened in Chicago. I moved back to PDX (my hometown) last summer, though I try to get back to visit the Chicago chevra at least once a year. I was hoping to see the maps exhibit at Spertus too when I get back there next, and think that censorship is generally an immature response to difficult questions. I hope you get someone from Spertus on the show next week so we can hear more about this.
Groisse dank,
Bracha
Portland Yiddish Hour
Hello,
I was looking for the set list for the May 11th 2008 show. There was a song that I heard at about 10:30 am that morning, entitled "Gefilte Fish and Matzo Balls" I think. I wanted to know who the artist was that performed the song.
Greatly Appreciated!!
Much Thanks,
Christopher
Gefilte fish and matzo balls
Thanks for getting in touch about our May 11 show. We had a sub that day, but I know (and love) the track that you're asking about, which was recorded by Slim Gaillard. He had a few other Yiddishoid records, such as the immortal "Draysik Sents".




Got up late. ;-(
Hey, I missed the Yiddish Hour this morning. Is it archived? How do I find it to listen to? --DameEdithDivine@gmail.com