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'Newest Sound You Never Heard' Revisits The Music Of Jeanne Lee And Ran Blake
Lee, one of the premier singers of new jazz, mixes it up with pianist Blake on a newly reissued two-CD set featuring standards and straight-up jazz tunes the two recorded in Belgium in 1966 and '67.
The History Of American Imperialism, From Bloody Conquest To Bird Poop
Historian Daniel Immerwahr shares surprising stories of U.S. territorial expansion, including how the desire for bird guano compelled the seizure of remote islands. His book is How to Hide an Empire.
Fresh Air Weekend: Wildlife 'Dynasties'; The Neuroscience Of Addiction
The BBC series Dynasties examines the social lives of five animal species. Ken Tucker reviews new albums by Steve Gunn and Michael Chapman. Judith Grisel discusses the biological basis of addiction.
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Spike Lee On Gentrification, Jazz And How He Got His Start In Film
The director, who has been nominated for an Academy Award for his film BlacKkKlansman, spoke to Fresh Air in December 2017 about his Netflix series, She's Gotta Have It.
Director Paul Schrader Tests His Faith In 'First Reformed'
First Reformed, which Schrader wrote and directed, is up for an Oscar for best screenplay. It tells the story of a divorced minister experiencing a crisis of faith. Originally broadcast June 12, 2018.
26 Years Later, 'Lorena' Revisits The Bobbitt Saga — And The Media Reaction
In 1993, Lorena Bobbitt made national headlines when she severed her husband's penis and threw it out a car window. A new documentary looks at the gender politics of the reactions to the incident.
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An Indigenous Community Is Drawn Into The Drug Trade In 'Birds Of Passage'
An epic new film by Colombian director Ciro Guerra taps into the family versus business tension captured in great American mob sagas like The Godfather and The Sopranos.
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BBC's 'Dynasties' Captures The Complicated Social Lives Of 5 Different Species
Executive producer Michael Gunton says following lions, chimps, tigers, painted wolves and emperor penguins for two years allowed filmmakers to capture the unique social dynamics of these animals.
Journalist: Kleptocrats' 'Ill-Gotten Fortunes' Are Being Parked In U.S. Real Estate
Atlantic journalist Franklin Foer says American real estate became a "giant magnet" for Russia's kleptocratic fortunes after lobbyists pushed to allow anonymous shell companies to buy properties.
New Albums By Steve Gunn And Michael Chapman Showcase The Guitar's Complexity
The Unseen In Between, by instrumentalist-turned-singer-songwriter Gunn, and True North, by veteran folk musician Chapman, both use the guitar to explore the mysteries of life.
A Neuroscientist Explores The Biology Of Addiction In 'Never Enough'
Growing up, Judith Grisel struggled with alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. Now as a neuroscientist, she's working to understand the biological basis of addiction. Her new book is Never Enough.
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Try This At Home, Kids: Adam Savage On The Next Generation Of MythBusters
The former co-host of MythBusters has a new show, MythBusters Jr., featuring six young experts in engineering, welding, astrophysics and design.
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The 'Strange Science' Behind The Big Business Of Exercise Recovery
Does exercise recovery work? Science writer Christie Aschwanden examines the physiology and effectiveness of sports drinks, protein powders and other products and services in her new book, Good to Go.
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Fresh Air Weekend: A Numbers Runner's Daughter; Random House Copy Chief
Growing up, Bridgett M. Davis' mother booked bets from their home in Detroit. John Powers reviews Everybody Knows and Cold War. Benjamin Dreyer explains why he avoids writing the word "very."
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Remembering Baseball Hall Of Famer Frank Robinson
Robinson, who died Thursday, was the first player to win both the American and National League MVP awards. He later became the first black manager of a major league team. Originally broadcast in 1988.
Filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen On Singing Cowboys And Working With Oxen
The Coen brothers spoke to Fresh Air in November 2018 about The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, a Western that often subverts the expectations of the genre. The film is up for three Academy Awards.
Details Make The Difference In 'Everybody Knows' And 'Cold War'
Cold War's richness comes from being steeped in detail. And it demonstrates what Everybody Knows does not: that the road to the universal begins with the specific.
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'NYT' Reporter Covering Trump: We've Almost 'Lost The Ability To Be Shocked'
New York Times journalist Michael Schmidt has helped break major stories concerning special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into connections between President Trump, his associates and Russia.
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3 Hip-Hop Singles Represent A Diversity Of Sounds
Critic Ken Tucker picks three new hip-hop singles he has on heavy rotation: 21 Savage's fatalistic "A Lot," Lizzo's cheerful "Juice" and Lil Peep's melancholy "I've Been Waiting."
Environmental Photographer Focuses On Protecting The Climate — And Its People
The new documentary The Human Element follows James Balog as he captures the places and people affected by the rising oceans, wildfires and air pollution associated with climate change.