Idiot's Delight (WFUV) 2010/07/03 (Guest Host Rich Conaty)


"Rich Conaty is on the wrong side of 40" , is really a recently rediscovered episode of Vin Scelsa's long-running radio show," Idiot's Delight" . Listeners to "The Big Broadcast" will be familiar with Rich Conaty's mix of vintage pop & jazz music of the 1920's & 30's that he played Sunday nights over Fordham University 's FM radio station WFUV in New York for 43 years. With very few exceptions, "The Big Broadcast" had a "cut-off "date as far this vintage musical material went....nothing would be played after the year 1940. Vin Scelsa's "Idiot's Delight" was also on radio in the New York area for over 40 years. That show's final 15 years were also heard over WFUV-FM on Saturday nights, from 2001-2015. Rich Conaty was asked to fill-in for "Idiot's Delight" over the July fourth weekend of 2010. ( Saturday; July 3rd ) As a guest programmer & host, Rich was given a rare opportunity to share some of his favorite recordings from the post-1940 era & beyond. So--- "Rich Conaty is on the wrong side of 40" , really  refers to the year  "1940" ( I thought Rich might have appreciated the double-meaning ) , & that makes this episode a rare treat for us. Rich dips in to The American Songbook & shares from a wide range of things. Fans of "The Big Broadcast" won't be disappointed. It's a wonderfully eclectic collection with a few surprises only Rich would have up his sleeve. Also contributing are some of Rich Conaty's talented friends ( Les Paul, Vince Giordano, & many more ), & many of the selections have a personal significance to Rich. The New Year is a bittersweet time for fans of "The Big Broadcast", as it was the very end of 1972 when Rich Conaty made his on-air debut over WFUV-FM. "In The Mood" was a showcase program for big band & swing era music & the original hosts of that show stopped coming in after New Years' Eve 1972!  Only Rich Conaty remained & renamed the show "The Big Broadcast". 43 years later, Rich passed away on December 30, 2016 taking "The Big Broadcast" with him. Thanks to the streaming internet he found a world-wide listening audience. Here now, is Rich in his element, spinning a soundtrack for New York at night. This recently rediscovered show is a nice remembrance, but perhaps serves an even better purpose as a good playlist that might serve as  " ammo " for your New Years' Eve " shindig " or just for your listening pleasure. The original four hour broadcast is heard here in four parts. As Rich Conaty used to say; "Rhythm Saved The World.... Aloha." PaTrix  

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.