Mark Anthony Neal was a good interview and Michel sounds great on radio. Nice piece.

Sent by Richard Miles | 10:28 AM ET | 12-26-2006

I decided to start writing my feedback when the segment started to feel long.

By the time we got to hear the song "Someday at Christmas" I found myself thinking of other things.

But I loved the voices- both Micheles style of interview and the interviewee. Very warm, educated, not too declarative or too casual.

The web build out set me up to the think that the focus was going to land on the Jackson Five, so that in part may have guided my attention span to check out soon after the Jackson Five part of the interview. I did enjoy the "hip hop generation" cut very much. I could hear it illustrate the New approach, the personal approach to reclaiming "white" Christmas.

I like that Michele Martin had the guests really participate in the show. I enjoyed that they took part in directing the music selection. That style made the show segment feel reminiscent of a local station but with the quality of NPR programming. It made it have a feeling a bit like "back in the high school broadcast station, sitting around with friends choosing the play list and chatting on the mic" mixed with the "highly informed, quality analysis with good examples of the topics being discussed" of NPR.

The show felt close in a nice way, familiar, social and personal.

I liked the theme of the segment -an "inclusive" take on a holiday that can exclude some (or perhaps feel too inclusive to people who feel uninterested in assimilating).

As a non-Christian it was a way to look at the diversity within Christianity. Not homogeneous. I appreciated hearing about how others had felt Christmas was "not mine" but how they found a way to make it their own. I enjoyed learning about how different social and ethnic identities/groups take on the holiday or holiday times and make it "our/their own."

Looking forward to the next installment.

Sent by J. Frank (NPR staff) | 10:10 AM ET | 12-27-2006

Hi - I love this idea, and I hope it pushes to make creative radio. I listened to the first segment. Very interesting, warm, and intimate, like I was listening in on a conversation. But definitely not anything "experimental" or ground-breaking here -- an interview with tape. I'd like to hear different formats, different pacing, etc... Thanks, and good luck!

Sent by David Sommerstein | 10:33 AM ET | 12-27-2006

Michel strikes a nice balance of intimacy and intellectual analysis. I loved hearing the snippets of music. I wanted to know more about rituals, songs, and foods, across the economic spectrum and regions.

I had heard all of the songs growing up, via oversees military radio. By the end of the segment, I was disappointed that I still didnt have a sense of a broader Christmas experience. Christmas in Harlem and Compton has been made clear in hip hop. African American life in Milwaukee, WI is an untold story.

Where were the northern rural African American experiences (James Earl Jones) and the military families? Or the womens songs? Or Gwendolyn Brooks poems about the season?

I listen to a Saturday night Wisconsin Public Radio program, "Higher Grounds", because it is rare to get a rich voice combined with knowledge and passion for the subject of African American music, in a rural area.

Sent by Barbara BcBride | 12:56 PM ET | 01-02-2007

Enjoyed the segment and what seemed like a fresh look at an old topic (Christmas music). It was both interesting and entertaining without seeming overly educational, rather it was enjoyable.

The conversation between Professor Mark Anthony Neal and Michel Martin was very smooth and personable. I enjoyed their trip down the path of African American Christmas music. Coming from a racially blended family background the Christmas albums of both Bing Crosby and the Jackson 5 seem to go hand-in-hand for me. However, it wasnt Christmas with out a little soul from Stevie or Ella jazzing up our holiday tunes.

Thanks for the enjoyable segment and I look forward to hearing more fresh ideas and perspectives.

Sent by Jordan | 1:11 PM ET | 01-02-2007

Michel is a great host and I'm glad she has her own show. Best wishes!

Sent by Lisa | 1:24 PM ET | 01-02-2007

I am just a visitor from India to the U.S. and have fallen in love with the NPR! Its because of my daughter and son-in-law who suggested that I should listen to NPR if I really wanted to hear a balanced analysis of the current issues. I enjoy all the NPR programs immensely but I do feel that the lives and the issues faced by immigrnats from the Asian countries, are left out of the NPR programs. "Rough Cuts" may be a good forum to cover these. I am sure there are significant number of people of Indian origin, who would like to be heard.

Looking forward to hear more of "Rough Cuts" prgrams and wishing you all the best.

Sent by Lata Rele | 1:32 PM ET | 01-02-2007

Always loved you on Nightline and Talk of the Nation. Remembered you as Michel McQueen with thoughtful questions and cajoling evasive guests. Never allowing answers to become stack responses. I found your two stories on African American Christmas music and Mocha Moms culturally stimulating with prideful individualism. We are a people that are in need of our reflection in all its complexities, strains, flourishes and blossoms of flowers/thorns/fruits. And thats what I think your show can bring to an audience that, usually, goes begging for enlightenment.

Hope the show goes into full production. You have got my vote from the BK.

Sent by Vaughn Thomas | 2:43 PM ET | 01-02-2007

Hi -- I loved this segment, and I appreciate that it was available as a podcast.

While listening I kept thinking "But what about.... And how about...." to fill in my own responses to the discussion. Showcasing the Jackson 5 is smart, of course (its a true classic album), and "Christmas in Hollis" is an old favorite that I havent heard in years. Glad to discover the 1940s covers of "White Christmas" also.

That said, I would have loved some discussion of Phil Spectors "A Christmas Gift For You", which really set the standard for re-imagining Christmas tunes for a young audience. You cant go anywhere without hearing The Ronettes definitive "Sleigh Ride" ("Jing-a-ling-a-ling Ding Dong Ding") or Darlene Loves "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". Maybe Im just in a Girl Group mood after the amazing experience of seeing Dreamgirls (which really needed a nice Christmas tune at some point, dont you think?).

Also, I was wondering about Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis, who are two of the largest figures in Christmas music today. Nat King Cole is really known for one song, but its one of the greatest.

Mathis, though, is a different story. Id argue that while Bing Crosby was the Voice of Christmas for my grandparents generation, Johnny Mathis is the Voice for ours. Mathis is a familiar part of my (white) parentss Christmas music in a way that Clarence Carters "Back Door Santa" probably never will be.

I guess Mathis and Cole arent really alternative sounds, though you could plunk the vocals of Frank Sinatra directly onto the musical arrangements of Mathis without much of a hitch. That would never work for the Spector album or any of the 60s Motown Christmas releases.

Anyway, thanks for the podcast, and good luck with the show.

Sent by Bill Jennings | 4:01 PM ET | 01-02-2007

Dear Michel:

Your radio segment, "African-American Christmas Music," was a first for me. It was most delightful and took me back to the x-mas of my youth in a poor Chicago neighborhood where I danced to the beat of James Browns "Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto." Youve won me over! I look forward to other diverse and culturally interesting topics.

Sent by Kimary Lee | 4:11 PM ET | 01-02-2007

Hi Michel,

I listened to your Christmas rough cut. I think the concept is good and hope you continue. I did not like the choice of music used but I am older, grew up in the South, and listened to blues, rock and roll, and jazz of many Black artists of the 50s and 60s during the holiday season. The music of that era was melodic and warmed the spirit. I heard you say on the other NPR broadcast that you are trying to reach a broader audience. Hence, perhaps your choice of music is better suited to that end. After all, I already listen to NPR every chance I get and even download specific shows to my iPod. =) Take care and best of luck on your new show.

Sent by Cynthia Thorn | 10:02 AM ET | 01-03-2007

Welcome to my iPod! I love having a colorful voice on NPR. I collect black angels and santas to ensure my decorations reflect the people in the home. And, our holiday soundtrack includes several jazz, gospel and R&B cds. One of my favorites is Alexander ONeals "My Gift to You" which goes from the swingy "Winter Wonderland" to the funky "Sleigh Ride." Maybe at the end of the year we could take a poll and have a special Christmas Eve show dedicated to the top 10 or 15 songs. Good Luck on the new show.

Sent by Dren James | 12:14 PM ET | 01-03-2007

This was very interesting to me. I grew up in New Jersey in a somewhat diverse community. In my mind the radio just played Christmas music. It wasn't black or white, it was just Christmas music. I had never really thought about friends of mine that lived in apartments with no chimneys. As kids they must have been freaking out that Santa would never come since all of the songs told them that. Good point! This was a very interesting podcast.

Sent by Andrew Yeager-Buckley | 4:53 PM ET | 01-03-2007

I loved listening to Mark Anthony Neals Christmas music choices. HOWEVER.....so much of it was music made popular by white people, so I didn't feel it was that Afro. Still, it was fun and I just melted to hear Michael Jackson as a little boy - such talent so early.

Sent by Deborah Keenan | 10:42 AM ET | 01-04-2007

This segment took me back to Christmas in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where I used to listen to WENN radio out of Birmingham. WENN would play all African American Christmas music. Even though I enjoyed hearing Handels Messiah and the various Christmas cantatas as a child, my Christmas wasnt complete until WENN brought Christmas "down home" to Alabama. I didnt realize how much I missed that experience until today. Thanks for the memories and the good music.

Sent by James A. Muhammad | 4:33 PM ET | 01-04-2007

I love the idea of a daily podcast that reflects more of the real life of real Americans. Sounds great!

Sent by Bethany | 11:29 AM ET | 01-05-2007

I am a fifty-two year old white librarian.

The Christmas song segment was less interesting to me than the Mocha Moms.

Sent by Chris Rippel | 11:32 AM ET | 01-05-2007

I just listened to the holiday music segment. I was really interested in the topic, being a big fan of holiday music and many of the artists mentioned in the program. But I felt this segment really lost focus after the first few minutes. It was far too dismissive of hip hop, didn't approve of anything non-Motown (What about ska versions? The Trojan Records releases? Kirk Franklin's Messiah), and ended up being about one guy's CDs that he listens to every year. I was hoping to hear more about the political and personal reactions to the White Christmas cultural dominance.

Sent by Holly Fogleboch | 5:35 PM ET | 01-05-2007

Michel Martin,

I am a 12 year old student from NJ and I just found your podcast. I was listening to your Soulful Christmas segment. First I think it's an excellent show and secondly I have two Christmas songs that speak to me one is "Say an Extra Prayer" by Bobby Syvarth. The other is "Wouldn't It Be Wonderful If Christmas Came" by Bob Dorough. These songs are both from the album "The Reasons for Christmas Project"

Sent by Brendan Illis | 3:59 PM ET | 01-09-2007

I don't know that I've heard a show on this topic in particular, but it seems familiar. I guess during the holidays, though, theres no avoiding these types of programs.

And I think the sound in the program was great! Maybe its my pirated internet connection (just kidding), but it almost sounded like vinyl -- fabulous!

I think the second half of this show was more interesting, the Run DMC and Stevie Wonder songs got to the point of "a different type of Christmas song," I think, more than the covers of traditional songs.

I also agree with the post requesting something beyond Motown. Maybe its a general longing to learn about more than the stereotypical "black things." Is there a tradition of Central and South American Christmas songs?

(For the record, one of my favorites is a Flirtations song "Christmas Time is Here Again") Anyhow, I enjoy any chance to hear Little Stevie!

Sent by Brandie Jefferson | 11:13 AM ET | 01-10-2007

I adore this concept. I'm listening to your show and lovin' it. I never knew what to call us "oreos". Now you've renamed us "mochas" That'll work. Having grown up in the housing projects of St. Clair Village in Pittsburgh, Pa from l960-68(that I am so much the richer for and am not ashamed in any way) and having many, many, colored friends to play with and "culturalize" with I relate strongly with the music, the dance, and the "mocha" culture. Thank you, and to quote Don Cornelius "Peace, Love and Soul."

Sent by Kimberly Macher | 6:40 PM ET | 01-10-2007

I like the show.

One classic song that was not mentioned was the late great James Browns song for black families,"Santa Claus,go straight to the ghetto".

I felt it was a song that gave hope and joy to all the black children living in stressful impoverished conditions during the 60s civil rights movement!

Your show is like a diamond in the rough. With a little cleaning, cutting, and polishing, you will eventually have a beautiful gem to showcase to the world!

Sent by Sherrie | 5:52 PM ET | 01-16-2007

"Soulful Christmas" is definitely unique to talk radio. I don't think I've ever heard a discussion of race, race relations, or the impact that being a minority can have on a young person when they interface with mainstream culture (especially a cultural force as massive as the traditional Christmas) that somehow remained so upbeat and joyful. you managed to focus on the efforts made by the African American community to claim Christmas for themselves, and to make it their own rather than dwelling on yet again on the power of the hegemony to oppress minorities. i am looking forward to more from Rough Cuts.

Sent by Jim Marks | 6:14 PM ET | 01-16-2007

Overall I liked the show. I was surprised that it didn't branch out into cultures other than African American - is it being diverse if it only focuses on one minority? I too felt it dragged a bit and didn't feel that it was breaking any new ground. I thought the Mocha Moms was better overall. Is this the length that it will always be?

Sent by Jeanne | 5:04 PM ET | 01-22-2007