Jean Shepherd Returns In Two New Audio CD Collections

Little Falls, NJ (Radio Again) -- The classic radio work of humorist and monologist Jean Shepherd returns with the release of two new audio CD collections from Radio Again; "Jean Shepherd: Life Is" (8 performances on 8 audio CDs), and "Jean Shepherd: Security Blankets" (4 performances on 4 audio CDs).

In "Life Is" (8 CDs), Shepherd contemplates life in his inimitable way. The eight performances included ponder such topics as forbidden magazines, a wonderful reminiscence of playing tuba in the school band, his old man's love of Oldsmobiles, chauffer-driven Ferrari's, home in Hammond, the insidiousness of public relations, and much more.

"Security Blankets" (4 CDs) finds Shep expounding on the joy of working in radio, monster movies, the beauty of the kazoo, his quick-change artistry as a theater performer, and on human illusions, foibles, and impenetrable human complexity. This is vintage Shepherd -- humorous, serious, witty, clever and silly - often all in the same show.

Each collection is digitally remastered and restored, and each includes liner notes by Eugene B. Bergmann with excerpts from his book "EXCELSIOR YOU FATHEAD! The Art and Enigma of JEAN SHEPHERD" (Applause Books, 2005).

The radio programs in these collections, long lost and forgotten until rediscovered during a warehouse inventory, were created in the mid 1960's by Shepherd for radio and television syndicator Hartwest Productions in the format heard on Shepherd's WOR shows of the day, right down to his familiar theme music.

"We're very pleased to be offering these two new Jean Shepherd audio CD collections," said Joe Barth, Product Manager of Radio Again. "Like "The X Random Factor" and "Don't Be a Leaf", our first two Shepherd releases from earlier this year, these collections feature previously uncirculated programs sure to please both ardent listeners and those new to his radio work."