The critically-acclaimed jazz artist is known for her use of electronics in her performances. She joins Fresh Air to discuss musical development and her experience as a woman in a male-dominated scene.
TV critic David Bianculli says that the new CBS drama, about a couple's marriage and divorce, reminds him of the Wonder Years, Moonlighting, and Thirtysomething. The flashbacks to past decades are novel, but replete with unrealistic dialogue and stilted references to pop culture of the time.
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says that jazz evolved in hubs throughout the United States -- not just in New Orleans, Chicago, and New York. The new big band Dreamland Syncopators resurrects some lesser known compositions from the 1920s that came from other parts of the country. Whitehead says their album Territory Jazz is a good history lesson.
Fashion writer Samuel Coleridge visited sweatshops in India and South Korea to learn more about the hidden side of fashion design and clothing sales. His new book explores exploitative labor, licensing, and gender dynamics within the industry.
Critic Ken Tucker reviews the direct-to-video documentary Cover-Up, which alleges that a shadow government conspired to shape foreign policy throughout the 1980s, which led to the Iran-Contra affair. The film has been an unexpected commercial success. Other recent releases include 3 Men and a Baby and She's Having a Baby.
Brad Dourif has played several killers and disturbed people throughout his career. He won an Oscar for his portrayal of a mental patient in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He voices a killer puppet in the new horror flick, Child's Play. Dourif says these kinds of roles pay the bills, but he keeps his eye out for other, more varied parts.
Jordan was a fiction writer before becoming a filmmaker. His early cinematic work was financed by the British network Channel 4. His newest movie, a supernatural comedy called High Sprits, is his first big-budget feature. Jordan made his mark with Mona Lisa, a noir about call girl and her driver.
Film critic Stephen Schifff says that the Irish rock band's new concert film, Rattle & Hum, exaggerates U2's abilities, importance, and depth. The movie follows them during a U.S. tour; in between performances, the band visits landmarks of American music, and share their superficial insights into their significance.
Joe Franklin has been an enduring institution in the world of radio and television talk shows. Over the past 36 years, he's interviewed countless actors, comedians, and musicians. His show is a unique, low-budget operation; Franklin books all the guests himself.
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums by two British bands. He says the Pet Shop Boys' Introspective lives up to its name, with tight, understated songs. Eighth Wonder's Fearless is commercial and accessible, yet emotionally distant.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a series of recordings of pianist Artur Schanbel's performances of Mozart's music. Schwartz also shares some personal stories which illustrate why this music is so important to him.
Winters' stand-up comedy of the 1950s and '60s was often improvised, and featured a variety of different characters, all of whom he gave a different voice. He has a new book of paintings called Hang-Ups.
The author came from a political family, which he says didn't groom him for life as a writer. Nonetheless, Vidal has continued to stay engaged in politics through his series of historical novels and a new essay collection, called At Home. He tells Fresh Air host Terry Gross about some of his early work, and how television helped bolster his celebrity.
Randy Quaid's brother Dennis often gets leading-man roles; Randy frequently plays what he calls "country bumpkins." He says he enjoys his career as a character actor, but is glad to branch out to directing. His debut in that role will be the upcoming Power of the Dog, which will costar his brother.
Book critic John Leonard reviews the new book by Milorad Pavic, a novel in dictionary form about an ancient tribe thought by some to be the lost Tribe of Israel. The book has an inventive structure, and comments on organized religion, history, and the current state of Yugoslavia.
Ron Haver spent several years searching for the missing half-hour from "A Star is Born," starring Judy Garland and James Mason. He found most of the lost footage and has written a book recounting his search for the lost scenes, the restoration, and the making of the 1954 motion picture classic. Haver is director of the film deaprtment at the Los Angeles County Museum.
25 years after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, several networks are rebroadcasting the original news coverage of that event, or airing new specials. TV critic David Bianculli shares his thoughts on a few of these upcoming programs.
