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Two Albums by a Prolific Jazz Iconoclast

Sun Ra's recent releases reveal the pianists' enduring interest in free improvisation and spectacle. Jazz critic Francis Davis says one is a prime example of the musician's ensemble work; the other is unlistenable.

06:54
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Other segments from the episode on June 22, 1987

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, June 22, 1987: Interview with Jim Carroll; Review of Sun Ra's albums "Reflections in Blue" and "John Cage Meets Sun Ra"; Interview with Robert Bruns; Review of the…
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27:44

A Poet Cleans Up and Moves On

Poet Jim Carroll is best known for his book The Basketball Diaries. He joins Fresh Air's Terry Gross to talk about his history of heroin addiction, writing, and sobriety.

Interview
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09:11

Preserving Hobo History

Writer Roger Bruns discusses hobo culture with Fresh Air's Terry Gross, including migratory patterns, temporary encampments, and social stratification within various communities.

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03:28

A Farce of Television Democracy

The new show CBS Summer Playhouse, which features failed television pilots, aims to draw in viewers by letting them vote for which programs they'd like to see more of. Critic David Bianculli doesn't see why people should bother. The show, he says, isn't very good.

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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Jazz critic Francis Davis says John Carter's new album, Dance of the Love Ghosts, is both experimental and structurally sound; each "electrifying" track needs to be heard in its entirety.

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The members of Sphere are heavily influenced by Thelonious Monk; some of them even performed with him. Jazz critic Francis Davis says their original compositions fall short of Monk's tunes, but the musicians' individual solos are outstanding.

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