Discovering Terry Gross and Fresh Air...Again

I've followed Fresh Air with Terry Gross for many years but I have to admit I had let it fall to the wayside for close to a year. From time to time I would listen to it off and on but to be honest I think life and laziness got in the way. The jobs that I've had I really never had time to listen to public radio and also I let TV get in the way of listening to quality programming.

The job I have now I'm not answering phones and to be honest I have "freedom" again so to speak so I can listen to my iPod and I am so glad I decided to listen to Fresh Air because this week she is recapping some of the interviews this past year and what you end up is a wonderful collections of interviews for 2010. If you haven't had a chance to check them out and download them it's a MUST! Monday interview was with Keith Richards (they're discussing his new book, "Life") and she interviews Brian May (who was the lead guitarist and one of the song writers of the group Queen) and discusses his days recording with Queen and his new quest: the study of interplanetary dust. He received his doctorate from Imperial College (they discuss his 2006 book "Bang! The Complete History of the Universe". The cool thing about the interview is how he put his physics to work when it came to recording one of their biggest hits, "We Will Rock You." (I had that album...the vinyl album "News of the World" and lost it...still kicking myself to this day) It was a treat to hear Brian May talk about the late Freddie Mercury, how certain songs came to light and how "Wayne's World" brought Queen to a new generation of fans.

The second day was just a delight. I have listened to this "The Best of" because of three people that are some of my favorite performers: John Stewart, Aziz Ansari, and voice actor Billy West. The 28 minute segment between and John Stewart and Terry Gross is so engaging, so insightful. I've listened to this not only the interview with Stewart but with Ansari and West (he recalls how he had to snicker a little when seeing Ed Wynn and Lou Jacobi is classic). I will burn this entire week of Terry Gross's interviews to a disc. I'm so glad I've found Fresh Air again and I'm glad I've been turning off the TV and listening to great audio programs again.