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05:36

An African Guitarist's Link to American Blues

World music critic Milo Miles profiles Ali Farka Toure, a guitar player from Mali. Milo says Toure's influences are from Africa, but his sound has a lot in common with American blues.

Commentary
06:58

Soul Singer Laura Lee Tells It Like It Is

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Laura Lee, a gospel singer who in the late 60s and early 70s switched to soul. She became known for her feminist songs "Wedlock is a Padlock," and "Women's Love Rights." After a string of hits she went back to gospel music, recording with Al Green.

Commentary
23:26

Film Composer Elmer Bernstein

Bernstein has composed the scores for around 80 films, including "The Man With the Golden Arm," "The Magnificent Seven," and "The Ten Commandments. He's done the scores for 2 new films -- "The Field" and "The Grifters." He joins Fresh Air to talk about how he works with directors to write his music.

Interview
11:14

Humor Writer and Songwriter Christopher Cerf

Cerf writes children's songs for Sesame Street and helped launch the humor magazine the National Lampoon. In 1978 he co-edited the journalistic parody "Not the New York Times." His most recent humor book is "The Book of Sequels," a spoof of current trends in the publishing and film industries.

Interview
10:50

Broadway Singer Lorna Luft

Luft is featured on the new complete recordings of the 1930 musical Girl Crazy -- she sings the part that gave Ethel Merman her start on Broadway. Luft's mother was Judy Garland, and her sister is Liza Minnelli.

Interview
06:27

Unearthing Decca's Classic "Broadway Gold"

Classical Music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews new CD reissues of original cast recordings of classic Broadway musicals, including Oklahoma, Carousel, and Annie Get Your Gun.

Review

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