Levi's Podcast

originally posted by SteveTimko:
I'll follow a story in Italy and be familiar with the main players and then I'll hear NPR's Sylvia Poggiolido a story on it and I won't recognize many of the main players in the story. It's because Poggioli pronounces their names in authentic Italian and in my mind their names sound like how a Yankee not fluent in Italian would pronounce them.

I had this problem with the Eric Texier interview. Brezeme pronounced the names in fluent French and my brain chugged along and finally figured out who he was talking about it. A lot of names I didn't know. Perhaps Levi could figure out a way to weave in more of a gringo pronounciation of the name to help his monolingual listeners.

And I know VLM and Yixin would join me in saying that the podcasts would be far more informative if the interviewee stated their favourite EPL team upfront.
 
I think authentic may be the wrong word here and which is eliciting the types of reactions above. Just because you speak clearly in a mainstream version of the language doesn't make it less authentic. And that should be fine for these types of podcasts, without devolving into all those horrid Gary V gringoisms.

I haven't heard the podcasts so I have no idea how thick or how clear the pronunciation is. If the interview is in English, I would imagine he is already speaking in an international style, but I could be wrong.

There is a correct pronunciation for all of the producer and vineyard names. I don't always get them right myself, so I'd rather hear them pronounced correctly (since we don't get audio on these internet forumz). The Gary V style leads to learning everything wrong and never knowing that you are wrong.
 
The Selbach podcast is first rate. Lots of great information from a fantastic wine producer. Selbach relates the idea of how passes through a vineyard mock the concept of terroir, something rarely brought up.

A critique would be that the interviews with the local trade reps and restaurant folks can get a little chummy, too many "dudes" tossed about. No doubt these are of interest to other folks in the NYC business, but to me they have all of the deficencies I find in Facebook media without the insider information that comes from the interviews with the wine makers.

Many thanks to Mr. Dalton, the podcasts help pass the work day.
 
originally posted by Tristan Welles:

A critique would be that the interviews with the local trade reps and restaurant folks can get a little chummy, too many "dudes" tossed about. No doubt these are of interest to other folks in the NYC business, but to me they have all of the deficencies I find in Facebook media without the insider information that comes from the interviews with the wine makers.

Did you feel that way about, for instance, the interview with Raj Vaidya? Or Blake Johnson's? Or Michael Skurnik's?

Just curious. I tend to think there is some insider information in there.

Thanks for listening, anyway.
 
Klaus Peter Keller on canopy management and soil composition.

I've been taken to task off-board for shilling for Levi, but for the non-traveling, amateur geek, the grower interviews offer primary source material on specific viticulture and wine-making technique that aren't available elsewhere. Transcribed and thoughtfully edited, they could make up a classic reference, an oral history of contemporary viticulture.

I can't judge the disributor-sommelier-critic interviews equally, which appeal to a more specialized audience. But I would like to know what Chave told Raj are the important considerations for making great Hermitage, after brushing aside the acid-tannin-fruit framework.
 
Is there a workaround for the volume level? The opening of the latest one is frequently inaudible. Lindquist is louder, though.
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
Is there a workaround for the volume level? The opening of the latest one is frequently inaudible. Lindquist is louder, though.

The workaround is to supply yourself with a better listening device or headphones. I have both a Dell laptop and a MacBook Air. On the Dell the speaker sucks, and not much is audible from any audio recording. On the MacBook Air everything is crystal and I frequently have to turn the level down. I also have a pair of Behringer HPS3000 headphones that I purchased for $20 from Best Buy. They work great.

Repeatedly I have found that those who complain about the volume level of the podcast are also those trying to listen on less than optimal equipment.

We use some of the highest quality mics that money can buy to record the show.

Heal thyself, doctor.
 
Dude, no criticism meant, but your podcast is quieter than others I follow. I was wondering (more to others than to you) whether an alternative file format or some such would help.

I'm sure that with the proper electronics the signal could be salvaged and amplified to any desired degree.

Totally up to you how you want to run things.

I'll buy a new computer one of these days.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
I use headphones with my laptop. The podcasts are all clear but those comedians (who aren't very funny) are fainter than most.
I often use plug-in speakers that work for other podcasts, streaming, etc., but don't quite get there for some of the softer-voiced winemakers.

On headphones, everything is fine. But I find them awkward when I shave.
 
I am having new electrostatic panels installed on the Martin Logan Sequel IIs
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
Dude, no criticism meant, but your podcast is quieter than others I follow. I was wondering (more to others than to you) whether an alternative file format or some such would help.

I'm sure that with the proper electronics the signal could be salvaged and amplified to any desired degree.

Totally up to you how you want to run things.

I'll buy a new computer one of these days.

Constructive feedback, I believe, can go both ways.
 
I listen during my walk to work each morning. Originally, the plan was to carry a boombox on my shoulder, but it seems that headphones are more convenient and draw less attention. I usually can hear Levi well, but sometimes have difficulty hearing those guests that are more soft-spoken. When I turn up the volume as high as it goes, this typically solves the problem as long as no motorcycles or emergency vehicles are passing on the street.* The downside is that when either Levi or the guest makes a funny joke the extremely loud laughter at maximum volume nearly blows out my eardrums. To the strangers nearby this must look odd, since usually I am both laughing and wincing in pain at the same time.

*Unfortunately, it turns out that Rhode Island Avenue NW - which constitutes the majority of my commuting path - is a thoroughfare for many emergency vehicles, so this happens with some regularity. Another part of my morning walk is on M Street NW, which is frequently corked.
 
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