Joe Wallach: KCRW Guest DJ set

Did Morning just become a film by Nora Ephron? If that’s what you’re thinking when you tune into the veritable life coaching session with retired Army officer, co-founder of Telemundo, bonafide centenarian (!), and grandfather to our own Novena Carmel — Joe Wallach — you’re on the right track. Following his recent 100th birthday, Joe swings by to mix it up with Morning Becomes Eclectic… And make us feel like we’re living out an iconic scene from a movie that never quite existed in the process.

For September in LA, the air is remarkably fall-esque, so we’re inviting you to curl up by your radio with a warm beverage of choice to take in the wisdom of a timeless creative elder — one who’s happy to share the story of meeting a young Pablo Picasso as many times as you please. And as if the stories weren’t already enough, Joe is punctuating them with the sounds of Jimmy Durante’s take on “Young at Heart,” Tony Bennet’s “It Had to be You,” and plenty more cozy cuts.

More:RIP Tony Bennett: The legendary singer on Morning Becomes Eclectic (1990)

Want to know the secret to adapting, even through the toughest times? Wallach has this to offer: "When times are bad we need to look to the future with optimism." We couldn’t agree more.

Read on for Joe’s selection of standards that’ll make your heart soar.

Jimmy Durante – “Young At Heart”

I love walking, and listening to music makes me forget about everything else as I walk. Music is so important in my life, and this particular song is called “Young At Heart.” As I walk through the streets, I listen to it, and it just makes me feel good.

… Life is wonderful, as long as we live it. When I walk during the day, and I listen to this, it just lifts me up and prepares me for the day.

Glenn Miller – “In The Mood”

I was in the infantry in the Battle of the Bulge. Belgium, in the snow, so it was quite difficult. I was a 21-year-old second lieutenant. [We would] listen to “In The Mood” whenever we could. It made me feel wonderful. No words to it, but it made us dance and gig. It helped keep us warm in the snow!

Artie Shaw – “Begin the Beguine”

Artie Shaw was a marvelous clarinetist. He had a swing band during the 1940s that everybody loved. His music was fabulous. I met him at a younger, and older part of his life…

We became close friends when he was in his ‘80s. He was a man who was rough to people he didn’t know. And he was married to many famous women. Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, and several others. He really was a handsome young man. When I [really] knew him, he was in his 80s, and he passed away when he was 96. But we had times together…

Tony Bennett – “It Had To Be You”

[Editor’s note: This is a song that Joe was asked to share as it’s something he and his wife both love. He was also asked about the secret to a lasting relationship and had this to say:]

I think that we're very much alike. There's something in our personalities and our way, we never have many differences to speak of. We get along so great. When I met her after being divorced 15 years, I thought I would never get married. But when I first saw [her], she’s so beautiful. I thought, “Oh my god, this girl must really get around. I better be careful.”

… But we got to know each other, and we fell madly in love. And it's been that way for 35 years.

Frank Sinatra – “Let's Get Away From it All”

This song is very important. It was written during the Depression.Times were really tough for our family. I grew up with a very poor family in the Bronx, New York. [But] this song whenever I listened to it made me feel so happy, so I’m thrilled we’re playing it now.

BONUS TRACK:

Louis Armostrong – “Cabaret”

[Editor’s note: This is another of Joe Wallach’s favorite songs. It didn’t make the official guest DJ set, but we heard it on MBE just after his appearance, because “Life is a cabaret, old chum.”]