New Britain herald., 1927-01-22
Through he Static

Through tie Static
 A let down in conditions came last night, with a slackening up of vol ume. Stations faded and spread out all over the map. There was just a little static and a wee bit of buzz ing. Nevertheless, we were able to do something with distance. We're not at all sure what, however.
 What we heard of Faust" was delightful. As far as clarity of tone and the ease with which we heard the voices and the orchestra went, the program might have been broad cast from studio. At no time were any of the characters out of range of one or more of the IS micro phones planted about the stage and in the footlight trough. There was no wire hum. although as we listen ed to WBZ a steady whistle kept up an accompaniment to the program. This whistle. we are sure, came from WJAN. Jacksonville, Florida, which can be heard any old night after Springfield signs off. We won't say too much about the opera program because there's long telegraph story about it somewhere else in to- days edition of the Herald. The ony thing we'll say Is that series of these programs would be just the thing. The famous music is there and it was proved last evening that nothing was lost by transmitting it over the air. The instrumental parts were deep and full and the vocal parts were treated very well. No microphone blasting or anything else.
 An Irving Berlin program was pre- sented by Arthur Clifton. WEBS ace organist, at o'clock last evening. This group included many of the fla miliar tunes such as All Alone, Just a Little Longer" and Re member" Arthur. while just youth, handles the console and the stops like the veteran he is.
 WREO, Lansing, Michigan, was loud and clear at 6.57 o'clock and we tuned in just in time to hear the last part of the last number, which netted us absolutely nothing. We might say that the station wasn't at all bothered by interference from anything.
 "A Day in Venice and Thank God For a Garden" are played alto- gether too much to suit us. They say that popular selections are murder ed. We'll, some of those semi -classi- calls are hit over the head, drawn and uuartered and cooked up into a nice little stew, as far as we are con- cerned. A woman in Virginia, who must be a hound for punishment, requested those two numbers of the KDKA Little Symphony and the or ganization played them. while the announcer wished her many happy returns of the day. It was her birth day anniversary. But lady, just be- cause it's your birthday. don't pull any more wise cracks. Those organ nations play too many of those numbers as it is, without having them requested. ..
 WJZ and WBZ presented Phil Ohman and Victor Arden, planlsts, and Gladys Rice, soprano, in pro- , gram of popular and semi-classlcal music. Phil and Vic didn't overdo themselves, we'll say that much. We've heard them work out much better. And a soprano soloist, trained to sing high class stuff, cant do justice to popular music. The more she tries, the worse she gets. MISS Rice sounded absolutely silly in "Do-Do-Do," because she tried 10 iazz LID the number. Her idea Of rhythm, as far as popular tunes goes, is all wet She sang "Curly Headed Baby" very well, however. Ohman and Arden played World Is Waiting For the Sunrise ana "Butterfingers," in addition to gems from Honeymoon Lane.' What they did was great, but they didn't even have a chance to get warmed up, before the program was over. MISS Rice. just word aside, if you're go- ing to sing popular songs, sing em straight. You have sweet voice, so don't ruin it or abuse it.
 The Coast Guard band upheld the honor of that branch Of the service when it staged an appearance be- fore the microphone of WT1C. The program contained a great deal Of variety and it included gems from Gilbert and Sullivans opera, Pirates of Penzance," which in turn included Hail. Hail, The ! Gangs All Here," the war song of all good fellows. The Rainbow Girl" "On The Square," familiar march, and Indian Summer" were also played. A well rounded pro- gram which filled our desire for something of martial type.
 The prize fights from WMSG, New York, came through fair at times, accompanied by music from both i WPG, Atlantic City, and kDkA. , you know where. And to add to the spirit Of joviality. WGN, Chicago, entered the lists with prize fight of lh,t- hnttln ,1-nS of ornat q