Round 2 Entry for Al Letson

I'm not sure that Al would be able to bring me back into the NPR fold, but what an excellent story teller. I enjoyed listening to his story about his Parents. It was pleasant and descriptive, and most importantly, visual.

Nice job, excellent job. I'd love to hear him on some politics.

It wasn't his youth that struck me but his honest willingness to be smart and positive in the recording. He's clearly got rough spots, and his billboard was good but not beautifully written. Nonetheless, he's real and in a new way to pub radio air.

was engaging, strong reading. i don't know if al got lucky with an improv phrase he could immediately run with or if he can do that with anything, but it worked.

i disagree with the comment that live read isn't a strength.

Smart, genuine, and an authentic American voice. He doesn't posture, but he speaks with a directness that i admire and identify with. He also seems to be a specific person, not the gross generalization you usually see in these types of talent searches.

Full disclosure: I have a BIG problem with “like.” There were at least 11 “likes” in the improv section. The entry seemed cute, but I was really distracted. NPR hosts cannot average one “like” every 10 seconds. If Al advances to the next round, I hope the "likes" stay behind.

You're my first 4 of the voting so far. (All my others have been 3s so far). There were a few ums and etc in the first segment that if you had removed them it would have improved it but still you had my attention and respect through the piece. The live read was good. That's where I really noticed how much I like your voice. aaaaaahhhh. The advert was good too. Good use of music not overpowering but just enough. The advert wasn't a 'wow' but if I heard it on the radio I'd probably pay enough attention to keep listening.

I have been a long time listener of public radio and one of the main things that determines what I listen to is the voice. Is it engaging? Is it the kind of voice I could have a long conversation with? Is it a voice you believe? Mr. Letson's voice answers yes on all three accounts. It is insightful without being arrogant. It is warm and friendly and makes you look forward to hearing it on the afternoon/evening commute. Furthermore it seems as if this contestant has something new to say. I look forward to hearing more.

I see you as an interviewee, not the interviewer.

I like what I'm hearing and I want to hear more.

Al,
I found myself wanting to know more about your folks and I enjoyed the pleasant cadence of your voice. Smooth!

Ceramisister

Nice job. There a little struggle with the second pass, but the billboard read was quite good. I not a fan of a lot of "um's" and "you knows", but it wasn't too bad. Good luck to you.

ok al... tHank you for answering a haunting question i've had all my life... who wHas i in a past life?

why i wHas a TWA! ...

wowo! .. that explains my orange and white leather bar... the velvet paintings .... and the oversized ceramic ashtrays literin' my caSa...

it eX.plains why i now have a fantastic jazz collection when i grew up in a trailer park listening to mac davis and dolly parton...

bud... that wHas a great word association reply.. you took me to that hipster preview of your life before you were born.. good story-telling.. and very sincere especially when you talked about your parents..

the second part ... you sounded a little nervous.. (who the heck wouldnt be mann?!!)... but conciderin' what you had said previously about having difficulty with that particular challenge.. i think you read really well.. and i think with a few more read-throughs and bringing your skills as a poet and performace artist... you will start to read these as easy as a poem...

the promo sounded really COOOOOOOL.... like .. digg it mann.. music with your voice is like jazz in motion... it wHas very inviting... i wanted to listen.. cause you sounded cool.. the show.. sounded cool.. and i want to listen to what the cool guy whas listening to.. heh! .. it worked.. but disapointed that first there was the news.. ;)

pat yourself on the back mann.. or wherever you pat yourself when you have done a good job...

you deserve it.. and thanks again about the past-life answer.. now i can relax into this one..

reX. bow..

reX. booth
take it to realiTy!
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1679
www.rexsworld.com
rex@rexsworld.com

Excellent is my rating because he projects engagement with the listener, and has good diction and expressive delivery in all the categories. "Word Association" was indicative of his relative youth but there was a certain charm in his naivete.
Conclusion: Banish "like" and embrace Letson!

Heartfelt and natural-sounding definitely a plus. The live copy read was a struggle, but practice makes perfect. He would make a good choice.

... but the word-association was enjoyable. the billboard struck me as almost too intense, although his creativity is obvious. needs a little work on diction as well.

but i wonder, why are some contestants recorded over the phone and others mic'ed?
that's not an insignificant difference.
al's got good presence and warmth, which wouldn't come across over the phone. so i feel bad for Komal, ya know?

Al is real good. I especially enjoyed his word association, even though it could have been better minus a few "but ahs..." (he can work on that). His read copy text was weak as he seemed to speed up, step on his lines, and a few verbal stumbles, giving it a me the impression of a forced read of text he did not write or have a natural feel for reading. However, his final 60 second leadin in, that he wrote, was very strong and he had great energy throughout with sounding forced.

The voice,the style,the personality.... pleasant,engaging,interesting and stimulating.....Al Letson is NPR and will be one more reason to keep listening.You have my vote.
I would also like to thank NPR for giving NPR junkies like myself this opportunity to vote for "the new voice!"

Al’s word association was dynamite. It felt the most genuine out of all the contestants. The live copy read had a couple of rough patches, but the billboard made up for it. I would be really interested in hearing more from Al . . . it seems as if he has a lot to say.

Al's word association was good in content, but i found myself getting distracted by how many times I heard the word 'like'.

The live copy read was rough, lacking the confidence and natural rhythm found in other entries.

I was most impressed with the billboard, and I think its where some of the strongest confidence came out. Although, I think he could have made the bed work harder for him. Its addition felt more like an afterthought than a device to pull the listener in.

I really enjoyed his voice and his tone though, but I think he needs more development before he will be ready for national syndication.

Al's free association started a bit rough but once he got going it was great, and the affection he feels for his parents really colored his voice nicely.

The live read was really bumpy and uncertain.

The billboard was very nice, and the music added to the interest. I think Al could eventually create the type of exciting documentary he was selling in the billboard.

Al Letson has a pleasant and engaging voice. He also comes across as genuine and compassionate, which is a rare quality. His improvisation as well as round 1 entry stand out by avoiding cynicism and self-centered shallowness. I would like to hear more from Al Letson.

I thought Mr. Letson's opening comments about his family were humorous, heartfelt and real. He has a smooth voice with a lot of appeal. Sounds like he has an open, honest and varied perspective on life.

Great job, Al. You deserve this opportunity to share your talents with the NPR listeners. You have got my vote!

on Weekend America. Several of the contestants mentioned their parents in the word association, but you were the only one who spoke fondly of them. A gentler side of you appeared than was on display in some of the video work you have shared. Nice range emerging.

I really liked all 3 of your segments. The word association was a great story, and I really could see your groovy parents. The read had a different style of energy, but it was still consistent, and your voice is so nice to listen to. The billboard was upbeat and well-written and read. Great job!

I love Al's voice and delivery. Reading copy might take some practice, but fixable, as another listener noted. Be prepared for floods of emails from teachers and pedants when you make a mistake like "Calvary and guns" -- Calvary, of course, put the christian god on their side; cavalry, however, was the military advantage...

That sounded great...could listen to that voice all day. Definitely a smooth, calming voice and put together very well. Great Job!

If the objective of this contest is to discover talent deserving of national radio, consider it a success - Al is exactly was NPR needs.