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Sounds of the Summer

Rock critic Ken Tucker remembers the songs that defined the season. Standouts for him were Steve Winwood's beer commercial anthem, Public Enemy's new album, and an edgy ballad by Crowded House.

06:58
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Other segments from the episode on September 1, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, September 1, 1988: Interview with Lukas Foss; Review of popular songs from the summer of 1988; Interview with Saeed Jaffrey; Review of the film "Eight Men Out."
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26:33

Composer and Conductor Lukas Foss

While Foss is often associated with serialism and other new music styles, he also has deep reverence for more accessible, canonical works. His goal in both his careers has been to bring adventure to listeners, and never merely to shock.

Interview
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10:01

Movie Star Saeed Jaffrey

The actor left India to study in England; he says there were no opportunities to hone his craft in his home country. Despite personal discrimination and early difficulties finding race-approriate roles, Saeed refused to become bitter; he says harboring that emotion would have hurt his acting. He stars in the new film The Deceivers.

Interview
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03:57

A Juiceless and Didactic Baseball Movie

Eight Men Out, about a 1919 baseball scandal, is directed by John Sayles. Film critic Stephen Schiff says there are some good performances, but the movie is more of a moralistic argument than a story; it could have used some of the wit Sayles injected into his earlier B-movies.

Review

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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06:26

The New Controversy Sounding Public Enemy.

Popular music critic Ken Tucker delves into the controversy over the rap group Public Enemy. Public Enemy's first album sold over 800,000 copies and their new song "Fight the Power," (featured in the movie "Do the Right Thing") is climbing the charts. The band however, recently fired its so-called "minister of information," Richard Griffen, for making anti-Semitic statements. In the ensuing political storm, Public Enemy has disbanded for an indefinite period of time.

Commentary
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27:24

The Best Music of 1988

Rock critic Ken Tucker talks with Fresh Air host Terry Gross about the year in music. He says 1988 had an eclectic array of hits, with folk and hard rock albums both reaching the top of the charts.

Interview
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Wimpy Kid': A Hilarious Take On Middle School Life

If a comic book about surviving middle school doesn't sound like a must read to you, think again. Critic Maureen Corrigan says that Jeff Kinney's Dog Days — the latest in his Diary of a Wimpy Kid series — hits home with any crowd.

Review

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