The Only Reason You and I Are Here - Feb. 11 on Listening Lounge

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the sound of cicadas buzzing in trees may be worth a thousand pictures, writes reviewer James Reiss of a non-narrated tour through Chicago's parks called The Only Reason You and I Are Here.

Continues Reiss: Although Julie Shapiro produced this piece in summer 2004, it is as vivid and dazzling as ever in 2008. 'Close your eyes,' Shapiro seems to say, 'and learn to listen.' After a little under 17 minutes of non-narrated audio footage recorded in Chicago's parks, you may realize that the only reason you and I are here is to experience the richly layered sounds, the beautiful orchestration of tones and echoes, which envelope us. What could be a better raison d'etre for public radio fans?

We'll air this lengthy, engrossing audio story on the Listening Lounge at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11. Before the airing this piece, we'll talk with producer Julie Shapiro about her work. Grab a pair of headphones and join us!