Could have used this when mine were wee babes

Of course, instead of people stopping to say "awwwww... what a cute baby!" They will stop and say, "awwwww... where the heck can I get one of these??"

I swear- it's almost worth having another baby just so I can get all the cool stuff they've invented since 2000!

OUCH!

(that would be my husband's objection in the form of a smack on the head)

Been waitin' for more Firefly?

Well wait no longer! The 6th and final installment of Sonic Cinema's Firefly: Old Wounds went up all secret-like over the weekend. It's a big one- the episode itself is 45 minutes- but as always it's worth every minute of your time!

For those who have not heard this amazing audio adventure, you can get every episode right here:

http://sonic.libsyn.com/index.php?post_category=Firefly

Which will also work well for people (such as myself), who might want to listen to the entire thing straight through!

UPDATE: I just found out that Sonic Cinema is most graciously offering all the scripts to the public as well- ain't that shiny? Get more information and a link to download HERE.

Elementary Misadventures

Dream Realm Enterprises presents…

Jeff Niles as Mr Sherlock Holmes

Elie Hirschman as Doctor John H Watson

The Misadventures of

SHERLOCK HOLMES

Based on characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

In fact, everything in this series was created by Sir Arthur.

We've stolen everything, including the furniture.

And we helped ourselves to the drinks cabinet while we were there.

And left muddy footprints on the floor.

Sherlock Holmes: the world's most iconic and intriguing consulting detective.

Everybody knows the image--the lightning mind; the astute powers of observation; the lean frame in the deerstalker hat and Inverness cape; the virtuoso violinist; the casual misogyny; the 'class A drug' intake that could fell an elephant--but now Dream Realm Enterprises takes us deeper into the rooms at 221b Baker Street to reveal the candid side of the Great Detective.

Even a genius gets things totally wrong sometimes. Even the closest of friendships can be stretched to breaking point. Even a hastily-written blurb can go on for far too long.

Join us in the Spring of 2007 for six singular instances of elementary audio comedy-drama. Or something.

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes -- Elementary Comedy.

Listen to the TRAILER!

Daring Audio Salutes

This week's Sonic Society podcast is filled to the brim with audio goodness. More Dan Dare. The Season premiere of Robotz of the Company. Dr. Floyd. A couple of really awesome sounding promos for a couple of really awesome things. (Can I be any more vague?)

So much going on, my really really AWESOME review was bumped. Uh-huh. Good thing I'm such a forgiving person... ;-)

All Hail The Great Mustache.

Your foreign correspondent back again with another DramaPod find. The Mustache Rangers. Here's a blurb from their site:

Commander Major Alastair Q. Bastidious and First Lieutenant Rutuger G. Phooneybaum constitute the fighting force that is The Mustache Rangers. Charged with America’s greatest mission, The Mustache Rangers having gifted truth, justice, and the American way to the furthest reaches of outer space.
The radio-phone broadcasts turned “internet” “podcast” bring us the continuing adventures of these first rate gentlemen as they fulfill year four-hundred-seventy of their five-hundred year mission.

What the show is really is a weekly "space adventure serial" that is actually none of those things, but very quickly turns into the improvised and very funny bickering of the two main (and thus far, only) characters. Now normally I am of the opinion that there's no Improv that couldn't be improved by a script and some rehearsals, but there's just something about this show that tickles me. There's a lot of chemistry between the two performers, and their banter is so dry and completely off-topic, I just find the whole thing quite charming.

New episodes are posted every Monday, so far running between 8-12 minutes each. A deeply surreal way to kick the week off right. "One spoonful and you're good. Two spoonfuls and you're fine. Just fine."

Soaptacular

Your foreign correspondent here with the first of two new (to me) discoveries from DramaPod this week.

Now... Soap Operas are really not my thing. Never have been. But as other genres have waxed and waned over the years, passing in and out of fashion, the soap audience has never let go of their "stories", and I don't expect they ever will. That must be what has kept Scripts and Scruples going, because they have a Cal Ripkin-like streak going that should make everyone producing or consuming Audio Drama sit up and say "Whaaaaaaaaa-?!"

It's pretty standard soap opera fare; the lives and loves of an extraordinarily troubled group of New Yorkers, set to a throbbing piano underscore. No private eyes, superheroes or space aliens. So... Not my thing. But here's the mind-bogglingly impressive part: Yesterday's podcast was episode Seven Hundred and Three. And by the time I finish posting this there will probably be a new one up. Seriously. They write, produce and release a five to eight minute podcast soap episode five days a week, monday to friday. With a week off for Christmas. And they're in their fourth season. All of the season four episodes are available on the site, with scripts available going all the way back to episode one on August 25th, 2003. (Think about what you were doing back then. Had you even heard of Podcasting yet? I think it was mostly done with ball bearings and steam turbines back then.)

No one is going to mistake any of it for Shakespeare... but it's a soap opera for pete's sake... it's supposed to be like that. And this isn't a parody, it's an honest to goodness soap. Parody is easy - actually working in a genre and making it work isn't. Maybe the greatest challenge in building a podcast audience is keeping them. Without massive (or any) advertising budgets it's hard to keep your folks coming back if the schedule is erratic, or there are off-seasons with months and months between episodes. Wether you love the genre or not, you have to admire the work ethic and the dedication. And given the number of fan pages they're linked to - my guess is that loads of listeners are already addicted.

I Dare You To Listen

Oh it was the best thing I could come up with. :P

This week on The Society we have Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future, a continued round table discussion, and always more Dr. Floyd.

Sonic Society also made it into the top 50 on the Podcast Pickle, which is totally great. Decoder Ring is in there too. There should be a domination of audio cinema in the top 100- we all know how popular it is!

Modern Old Time Radio?

Yes, I do believe that is possible. I've just been checking out a story theatre show called "Atoms, Motion, and the Void".

I'm really not sure how to describe it. It really does have an old time feel to it, yet in the first episode the host, Sherwin Sleeves, discusses Tori Amos and the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.

Then the second episode starts with a monologue about moose and it's plural.

But that's just the beginning. It's a beautiful and seamless mix between music and spoken word. Almost to a new-ageish degree, but yet... it's not.

Hmm.. I'm not describing this very well. But you know, I like it. Maybe the news article written about AMV will help you understand.

It's just.... neat. :-)

I'm not sure if they podcast or not, I can't find a link on their site. However, each episode is right there on the site to download direct. Take a listen!

One really big podcaster contest!

The Podcast Pickle Directory is about to upgrade to their new Pickle 5 site. To celebrate, they are holding a contest, and want everyone in the pod-universe involved. Beginning in February, they are holding an egg hunt!

Hints will be played on all your favorite podcasts. The winner not only will have their promo played on shows that have volunteered to do so, but will also be awarded many other prizes as well, including $500 cash.

For all the details, as well as a list of podcasts who will be playing promos and a list of the prizes, click the link below.

Speaking of Second Shift...

Episode 2 of Second Shift is this weeks' feature on Sonic Society! Also, the MIA host has returned. Welcome back Andrew!

Sonic Society has also broken the top 100 podcasts on the Podcast Pickle- which is really great considering there are 11,000+ podcasts in the directory. In the show, Andrew said the podcast was at #60, and when I checked last it was at #55, so it's creeping up there!

I am so happy for them! Well, at least until they start creeping too close to #16... ;-)

New news from the new court

Hi-ho, kids. Your foreign correspondent here, having finally slipped through a wormhole from the "Golden-Age" Blogger Universe where I was trapped. (see "Crisis on Infinite Bloggers mini-series" - ed)

Not to cross-post excessively, but news from around the audio drama 'verse includes episode 5 of the sci-fi serial Silent Universe which just squeaked in before the New Year rang and is available for you dining and downloading pleasure.

And just yesterday, the fab fantasy serial Second Shift posted part 2 of their Season One finale. In spite of their profuse apologies for episode delays, the fact is the Second Shift-ers completed their 13-part season one story arc in short order, and are already plotting and planning Season Two. From their site forums we have this news:

"...But yeah, we're going to get it up as soon as we can. We're organizing,
taking a well-deserved break, and preparing a few episodes in advance so we can
have a regular, reliable schedule for the next season..."

Here's hoping they're not gone for long! In the meantime, it's a swell opportunity to catch up!

Bloody Good Pirate Tale

In 1922 Rafael Sabatini wrote the novel Captain Blood, about the sharp-tongued doctor -turned -slave -turned -pirate Peter Blood. It was made into a movie in 1935 starring Errol Flynn, and countless adaptations have been made based on the epic story. Sabatini himself wrote two additional novels featuring the witty Irishman.

Earlier this year another adaptation was released, this time in radio drama form. Jerry Robbins and Colonial Radio Theatre are all ready well known for their astounding renditions of the classics, and this one will not disappoint you either.

For those who do not know the story (and I was one who did not prior), Captain Blood is about a doctor who generally keeps to himself during the Monmouth Rebellion in the 1600's. He is falsely convicted of treason for helping an "enemy" soldier, and is sentenced to slavery on Barbados. His medical background gives him some clout with the government, so he's able to avoid the torture and mistreatment of the slaves. He and a small circle of comrades do manage to escape the island however, commandeer a ship, and decide to become pirates. What you find as you move through the story is Blood is the most gentlemanly of a pirate you would ever come across I imagine.

The acting was quite a feat for this small band of actors. Many took on multiple roles, and I really didn't realize this until listening to the end credits. In their roles they needed multiple accents as well: English, Spanish, and French. It was flawless, and Jerry Robbins did an outstanding job as the Captain. Now, I've met Jerry in person- and I tried very hard to recognize his voice during the production. I couldn't do it.

The music is magnificent as well. I come from an orchestral music background, so I would like to think I might know what I'm talking about (you'll just have to hear it for yourself if you'd like to challenge me, hehehe). The music for this production fit perfectly. Epic novel, epic music. During the battle scenes between ships, I found myself always thinking of the battle scene in Les Miserables- it had that same feel.

Along with the music, the rest of the sound effects were right on as well. Walking around on the ship, galloping horses, cannons going off, sword fights... this production has everything to make it complete. All you have to do is sit back, close your eyes, and complete the picture in your head.

Captain Blood is 7 hours long and on 6 CD's. Published by Blackstone Audio.

I'm a sexy Barfly!

Just back from vacation- getting life back in order and wanted to drop a quick post and direct all you addicts to an awesome podcast!

And I'm not just saying that because I'm in the latest episode! ;-)

Episode 6, I was just crazy enough to listen to while on a plane. Episode 8, Voicemail, just left me with chills.
Anywho- check it out! Each episode is short and sweet, and come from the mind of a really good writer, who certainly has a unique way of looking at relationships.

OK friends, I'm giving myself the weekend, then Monday it's back to work on all audio fronts!

For the Ray Bradbury fans...

Now this was very cool to see- on January 5th a Ray Bradbury classic is brought to life in audio form!

Colonial Radio Theatre has worked very hard on this one- and from the two clips they offer on their website, I know I for one can't wait to hear the entire thing!

Head over and check it out!

They are also busily working on finishing up Something Wicked This Way Comes, which I think is guaranteed to be another audio hit!

You can keep informed about all of Colonial Radio's doings at their blog.

Storytelling on The Society

Yes yes, I know I'm behind! Last week's Sonic Society featured season one-host Jack Ward reading not just a holiday tale, but one of his very own writings.

You'll remember last year featured a reading of three Oscar Wilde tales. Perhaps a Society holiday tradition has been created?

Enjoy!

Well then...

Seems as though I've dropped of the face of the internet, eh?
It's been nice, I must say. Have enjoyed my holiday very much... just being disconnected for a change.

However, I am getting that feeling. Besides the feeling of "god I have ate way too much the past two weeks but yes I will so have another slice of (insert dessert here)" -the feeling that it's time to start getting back to work!

My goal this holiday was to listen to three major audio works- one radio drama, and two podiobooks. Well, here I am 8 days into my 10 day vacation and I have just about finished the radio drama. But to be fair it was long, like epic-long. I'm dying to tell you all more about it, but it will have to wait until I finish the last two tracks.

(hint)

As for the other two, well, my work is cut out for me, that is for sure! But I can't wait- I love having time to listen! Perhaps I will be able to get a podiobook in on the plane trip home!