Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Gone Primitive by Marianna Torgovnick. The book argues that images of so-called primitive people in art often reflect the fears that mainstream culture has of the Other.
Baldessari was a painter, but his recent work incorporates unusual materials like found photographs and video clips. His success has allowed him to resign from a long-running teaching position at CalArts.
Commentator Patricia McLaughlin remembers how the tail end of summer left her listless; but, as a busy grown-up, she longs for such uninterrupted stretches of time to relax.
Rock historian Ed Ward talks about how the city's music scene in the late '70s and early '80s incorporated rockabilly with bands like X, and Mexican traditions with Los Lobos.
Ellroy grew up in Los Angeles; his mother was murdered when Ellroy was still a child. He credits these two experiences with leading him on his path toward becoming a crime writer. His latest novel is called L.A. Confidential.
New York Times journalists Ralph Blumenthal and E.R. Shipp were part of a five-person team who investigated the supposed rape and murder of Tawana Brawley, a fifteen-year-old African American girl in Wappingers Falls, New York. A book about the public controversy, and how the reporters concluded the incident was a hoax, is called Outrage.
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says that some of the soloists Duke Ellington featured in the bandleader's big band left a lasting impression -- even after their departure. Whitehead reviews two new CD anthologies which feature trumpeters Bubber Miley and Louis Armstrong's collaborations with the jazz composer.
Dispensing with the points-of-view of the usual power brokers like police and politicians, the new made-for-TV movie focuses on a young, black reporter. Television critic David Bianculli says the quiet parts are as effective as the moments of upheaval.
Kent Nagano conducts the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. He's known for performing lesser known, experimental works, including pieces by Olivier Messiaen and Frank Zappa. Contrary to many other musicians, he doesn't place much value in recordings, and believes the only way to fully appreciate a work is to witness it performed live.
After a government decree that Indonesian musicians reject Western music and focus on local traditions, a new style emerged, called Jaipongan. It combines gamelan rhythms, a charismatic woman singer, and melancholy lyrics about jilted lovers. World music critic Milo Miles reviews two CDs featuring vocalist Euis Komariah.
The humor writer's new book details his travels across America to fulfill ten personal goals, including working at the world's largest McDonalds, finding and kissing 60s actress Tina Louise, and photographing his dog in front of Babe Ruth's tomb. His previous book is called Roadside America.
Critic Owen Gleiberman reviews the home video release of the curiously high-quality exploitation movie, featuring excessive nudity and a surprisingly emotional center. He says its a better vehicle than Drugstore Cowboy for star Kelly Lynch's talent.
New Yorker writer Paul Brodeur's new book considers the health hazards and cancer risks associated with power lines and electronic devices. Later, Fresh Air host Terry Gross talks to Dr. William Farland of the EPA to get the agency's perspective on this matter.
Chestnut earned his law degree at Washington D.C.'s Howard University, but soon returned to his hometown of Selma, Alabama, where he opened a law office -- before legal protections like the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act were passed. His new memoir is called Black in Selma.
Stephen Schiff reviews The Two Jakes, directed by star Jack Nicholson. Schiff says nothing about the film is particularly bad -- nor does anything stand out.
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the music featured in Days of Thunder, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, and Dick Tracy. Whatever you may think of the movies, each soundtrack album has at least a few gems.
Adler has a new memoir about his career in musical theater. He wrote songs with Jerry Ross for The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees. Ross died early in their partnership in 1955.
Sarris reviews movies for several newspapers and teaches at Columbia University. In the 1960s, he pushed forth the auteur theory, which said that films could best be understood by the director's singular vision within the context of their full body of work. Now, he often finds genre films more interesting than mainstream movies that explore important ideas.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says the one downside of the current crop of Broadway CDs is that few releases feature excellent singers. A reissue of the once-rare Mary Martin Sings, Richard Rodgers Plays is a noteworthy exception.
Esposito has been featured in Spike Lee's movies Mo' Better Blues and Do the Right Thing. He joins Fresh Air to talk about the intensity of working on the set of Do the Right Thing, and how he started acting at the age of six.
